Bang Saen from Pattaya: A Very Thai Beach Town an Hour Away

Bang Saen is only an hour from Pattaya, so you could do it as a day trip. But whenever I go, I stay one night. There's enough to keep you busy for a couple of days, and doing it all in one day means leaving early and getting back late.

A very Thai beach town

Almost everyone in Bang Saen is Thai. It's very much a Thai destination. The beach is nice and clean, and it feels like going back in time a little.

Where to stay

I always stay at the Amari Bangsaen, right on the beachfront. I think it's the best hotel in Bang Saen. It's reasonably priced, the breakfast is good and it's great for kids. There are plenty of other hotels, and they're inexpensive.

What to do

• The aquarium. It's run by Burapha University's Institute of Marine Science. Entry is around ฿200 per person, and it takes an hour and a half or so to get round. Definitely worth a visit.
• The monkeys. At Khao Sam Muk there's an area with just under a hundred wild monkeys. You buy fruit and corn from the sellers for ฿10 or ฿20, put it on your car, and the monkeys jump on and eat it, a bit like a safari park back home. The kids love it.
• The mangrove walk. A short drive out of town. You walk along a wooden boardwalk right at the water's edge. Worth the trip.
• Cycling. Rent a bicycle and ride along the beach. It's flat, so it's easy going.

The seafood

Seafood is a must. There are plenty of really good seafood restaurants, some of them modern, and it's good quality and good value. If you don't eat seafood, there are plenty of other options.

For more ideas with children, read is Pattaya good for families?

This is part of my series on trips from Pattaya: Koh Chang, Kanchanaburi, Bang Saen, Bang Saray, Sukhothai, Khao Yai and Rayong. For shorter outings, read the best day trips from Pattaya.