Kamala

Tranquil and calm, surrounded by forested hills, the beach at Kamala is one of the most beautiful in Phuket. Despite rapid development to the village over the last few years, the beach remains unchanged. You won't find high rise hotels, or shopping malls, because things tend to be on a smaller scale than the sister beaches of Patong and Karon. Instead you'll find lots of small guest houses, restaurants, shops, cafes, and perfect spots to watch the sun go down. You might even see the buffalos taking an evening stroll...

Travellers revisiting Kamala will see a change from the sleepy fishing village of a few years ago, but will find a better choice of hotels and places to eat plus a new road which makes the beaches down the coast easily accessible. Nightlife is still low key - dinner on the beach catching the breeze, or at restaurant by the sea, or drinks with new found friends at some opf the local bars, but with Patong Beach only a 10 minute drive away, it doesn't need to be too action packed. One particular evening attractio,. Phuket Fantasea, an amazing Las Vegas style cultural show complete with pyrotechnics, lasers and elephants. Well worth seeing. For travellers seeking a compromise between hectic Patong Beach and places with absolutely no facilities, Kamala is an excellent choice.

There are plenty of cheap places to rent if staying in Kamala for more than just a couple of weeks and there is close-knit expat community