When traveling to any country for the first time, the one thing you want to know is what there is to do. Pattaya is a coastal city in the eastern Gulf region that has quickly grown from a quiet fishing population to a lively resort area. As a result, you will find there is much to do and see there, most of which cater to international visitors. If this is your first trip to Pattaya, here is some of what you can expect and how to make the most of your time on shore.
Your Choice of Hotel Really Matters
The first thing to take into consideration is how far you will have to venture out from your hotel for food and drinks. While some of the smaller resorts may offer a continental breakfast with room accommodations, others may not have a large restaurant on the premises. Visitors traveling to Pattaya for the first time almost always feel more comfortable staying in larger, well-known chains such as the Holiday Inn hotels, where they can find everything they need for ‘creature comfort’ right there on site.
The Holiday Inn in Pattaya is not only located a stone’s throw from the beach but has some of the most amazing restaurants and coffee shops right there in the hotel. In fact, they have been voted time and time again as having the best buffet Pattaya has to offer. Sample local delicacies and international dishes galore.
Thailand’s Active Night Life
The beautiful thing about a vacation in Thailand is that there is a very active nightlife. Many of their bars and clubs stay open 24/7 and the dance scene is huge in resort cities like Pattaya. Unless you are on vacation with the kids, this is something you will certainly want to check out. Also, many of the shops and malls stay open in evening hours, so if you haven’t brought along suitable attire, you can find it quite close to the hotel you’ve chosen to stay in. In fact, your hotel may even have shops you could peruse for apparel and souvenirs alike.
Thai Food Is World Famous
Let’s get back to food for just a moment. You don’t need to be a foodie to enjoy Thai cuisine but the one thing you should know is that Thai food can be very hot indeed. If you’ve never had Thai peppers, most people equate them to ghost peppers, and that means they are a bit hot for the average palette. Also, traditional Thai dishes are quite aromatic and the sauces are much lighter than other Asian cuisines. Never take a trip to Thailand without wandering the street vendors like you’ll find in Pattaya because this is where you’ll get authentic dishes eaten by the locals.
Bear in mind that Pattaya is a resort city that caters to foreign nationals from all over the world. As a result, if you want to make the most out of your stay, it would be recommended that you do a bit of ‘sampling.’ Try the Italian restaurant at the Holiday Inn or the French Café down the beach. Look for an active nightlife but also a huge number of children’s venues that will keep the little ones entertained while mom and dad get a bit of downtime. If you’re looking for something to do, you’ll find it in Pattaya.