Rayong from Pattaya: My Quiet Escape

Rayong is where I go to get away from Pattaya. It's only about an hour and a half's drive, but it feels completely different and a long way from home. I usually stay one night.

Quiet, with great beaches

The beaches are lovely: long, white and with very clean water. They're worth a day trip on their own. But for me the appeal is how quiet it is. Like Bang Saen, there are plenty of seafood restaurants.

Where to stay

I usually stay at the Rayong Marriott, and I've also stayed at the Novotel.

Treks by the sea

Rayong has some smallish national parks with short treks. My favourite is Khao Laem Ya, right on the coast, part of the same national park as Koh Samet. You climb up through rocks and vegetation with the sea right beside you, which is really nice.

Not far away is Khao Chamao, which I've been to half a dozen times. The trek is about 2 km up to a nice waterfall at the end, then 2 km back down.

Who it suits

Couples most of all. It's fine for families if you just want to get out of Pattaya, stay in a nice hotel and enjoy the beach, but there isn't much for kids to do.

For more beaches closer to home, read the best beaches in Pattaya.

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.