Is Hua Hin Worth It? Should you visit?

Are you travelling to Thailand or planning a trip to Thailand and wondering if a visit to Hua Hin is worth it? Excellent, you are in the right place! This article answers the question if Hua Hin is worth visiting.

Recently, we spent a little over a month in Hua Hin, Thailand as part of our extended Southeast Asia trip. We loved it here for many reasons. We came to Thailand from Spain when it was starting to get cold in the fall. The tropical heat instantly put a smile on our faces. We don’t like to freeze and loved the tropical heat. The local food is excellent and the locals are very friendly and accommodating.

But for most people who want to go on a Holiday, there are much better options in Thailand than Hua Hin, as you will see. All things considered, Hua Hin is probably not worth visiting for most Thailand visitors. Hua Hin is decent, but Thailand has many amazing places that are more beautiful. Krabi, Phuket or Koh Samui are all much prettier and we just cannot recommend Hua Hin the same way as those!

Ready to learn more? Keep scrolling.

Pros of visiting Hua Hin

That is not to say, that Hua Hin is all bad. It’s not. There are actually many great aspects around Hua Hin and maybe for you, a visit might be worthwhile. What are the things in favour of visiting Hua Hin?

• Hua Hin is a laid back beach town, with good weather almost all year-round. The temperatures are pretty constant and warm all year with a low of 25 degrees (77 F) in January and a high of 30 degrees (86 F) in March. In terms of rain, Hua Hin gets a lot of it in October and much less in the other months. That is why many retirees from much colder Europe or the United States live here.
• Hua Hin is not expensive! Staying in Hua Hin is quite affordable. As a city in Thailand, Hua Hin is in a cheap country and then within Thailand, Hua Hin is on the affordable side of all options. Staying here will not burn a hole in your wallet, something that you will love if you travel for a long time on a budget or are a digital nomad (and maybe with on a low income)
• Hua Hin is safe! Hua Hin is a safe town. We’ve always felt very safe here during the day and at night. We walked a lot around the place and we have not experienced a single sketchy situation. We’ve been pretty much all over town. It is best if you exert some heightened caution in large gatherings of course. Especially in the more party-oriented areas which are also used by older Westerners for hooking up with locals. Luckily, these areas are small in Hua Hin and easily identified and avoided.
• Hua Hin is close to Bangkok! Hua Hun is located close to Bangkok and only a short drive away. Even though Hua Hin has an airport, there are no flights from Bangkok. That is because it is quicker to just drive down from the city than it would be to drive to the airport and check-in, board, fly, wait for luggage and drive onwards to your Hua Hin destination. For people who live in Bangkok, a visit to Hua Hin is certainly worthwhile. Together with Pattaya, Hua Hin is the closest Beach Town to Bangkok and compared to the party town Pattaya, Hua Hin is more relaxed and chill. It’s certainly better for couples between the two.
• Great Temples Hua Hin has some amazing temples that are worth checking out should you find yourself in the area. The best ones are:
  • Wat Huay Mongkol: This temple is home to a giant statue of the Buddhist monk Luang Pu Thuat, who is revered as a spiritual leader in Thailand. The temple is a popular destination for both tourists and locals, and it is surrounded by beautiful gardens and ponds.
  • Wat Khao Takiab: This temple is located on a hill overlooking the beach, and it is home to a large golden Buddha statue. Visitors can climb to the top of the hill to get a panoramic view of the surrounding area, and there are also several smaller temples and shrines on the grounds.
  • Wat Klang: This temple is located in the center of Hua Hin, and it is home to a beautiful golden chedi (stupa) and several smaller shrines. The temple is a popular place for locals to visit and make offerings, and it is also a popular spot for tourists to take photos.
  • Wat Bo Fai: This temple is located just outside of Hua Hin, and it is home to a large collection of antique Buddha statues. The temple is known for its beautiful gardens and peaceful atmosphere, and it is a popular place for visitors to relax and meditate.

Cons of visiting Hua Hin

And now for the cons of visting Hua Hin. Why would you want to go elsewhere instead?

1. Hua Hin can be dirty and not very pretty. Hua Hin is quite dirty in some parts of it and has poor infrastructure. For instance, the sidewalks are very broken in many places. It is important to always watch your step not to twist an ankle. A lot of the houses on the side of the road are very simple shacks with only a tin roof and not much else. Be ready to see some serious poverty here.

2. Mediocre beaches, which are not very pretty Hua Hin doesn’t have too much beach. We are not sure if this was always like that. Maybe it is related to the sea levels rising. Have a look at this image showing Hua Hin beach during high tide.

There is just not that much space and so it is no wonder why nobody is hanging out on Hua Hin Beach during high tide.

3. Poverty There is a lot of poverty in Hua Hin and that is something, that not everybody is ready for. You will see very poor human beings living right next to wealthy individuals. The poverty is not only limited to humans and can also be seen in animals. There are countless homeless dogs in Hua Hin and some are in very poor condition.
4. Opportunity Cost Thailand has many amazing places worth visiting and if you are going to Hua Hin, you might as well go somewhere else. The Times ran an article about the best places in Thailand a while ago. In their estimation, Hua Hin was not amongst them and we agree. If you can go to Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi or Chiang Mai instead, why would you go to Hua Hin? We suggest you visit these places before coming to Hua Hin:
   • Chiang Mai
   • Ko Samui
   • Bangkok
   • Krabi
   • Phuket
   • Ko Khao Phing Kan
   • Ko Phangan
   • Ko Mook
   • Ko Hong
   In a times article about the most beautiful destinations in Thailand, Hua Hun isn't mentioned once , which goes to show that others agree with our very own assesment.
5. Not Cheaper than better Thai locations Hua Hin is not significantly cheaper than going to other places in Thailand, unless maybe you live in Bangkok and only have to drive down for a weekend. This ties in nicely with opportunity cost. So why not go to one of those instead?

What time of year to go to Hua Hin?

The best time of year to go to Hua Hin is between November and February, but any month of the year is fine other than maybe October, when it rains the most. From November to September is decent, and from November to February is the least amount of rain. Temperature-wise, there’s not much in it. Every day is pretty much the same. There’s almost more variation between night and day than there is between the days of the year.

Hua Hin versus other places in Thailand. Which are better for you?

For all of you still considering Hua Hin at this stage, how does it compare to other places in Thailand?

Is Hua Hin or Pattaya better?

Hua Hin and Pattaya are both popular beach resort towns in Thailand, and which one is better for you will depend on your personal preferences and the type of vacation you are looking for.

Hua Hin is known for its more laid-back atmosphere and is a popular destination for families and couples looking for a quiet, relaxing vacation. The town is home to several beautiful temples and is surrounded by picturesque countryside.

Pattaya, on the other hand, is known for its more lively, party atmosphere and is a popular destination for tourists looking for a more energetic and active vacation. The town is home to a number of popular nightclubs and bars, as well as a wide range of water sports and other activities.

Ultimately, the choice between Hua Hin and Pattaya will depend on your personal preferences and the type of vacation you are looking for. Both towns have their own unique charm and offer a variety of activities and attractions to suit different interests and budgets.

Is Hua Hin or Krabi better?

This too depends largely on your preferences but it has to be said upfront that Krabi is on average much more beautiful than Hua Hin. Krabi has prettier and larger beaches and an amazing landscape around it. During high tide, the beaches all but disappear in both places but the atmosphere remains.

Krabi, is a province located on the south-west coast of Thailand, and it is known for its stunning natural beauty and outdoor activities. The region is home to a number of beautiful beaches and islands, as well as a number of popular tourist attractions such as the Tiger Cave Temple and the Krabi Town Walking Street Market.

Both Hua Hin and Krabi have their own unique charm and offer a variety of activities and attractions to suit different interests and budgets.

Is Hua Hin or Phuket better?

Both Hua Hin and Phuket are popular tourist destinations in Thailand. Phuket is an amazing place to visit and beats Hua Hun in terms of beauty, activities and experiences. If you’re flying in from abroad, Phuket is better nine times out of ten.

Phuket is a large island located in the Andaman Sea on the west coast of Thailand, and it is known for its beautiful beaches, water sports, and nightlife. The island is a popular destination for tourists looking for a more energetic and active vacation, and it is home to a wide range of hotels, restaurants, and activities to suit different interests and budgets.

Conclusion

As we've seen, we are better off going elsewhere in Thailand because Krabi, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui all offer more scenic beauty. Krabi is known for its stunning limestone cliffs, Chiang Mai boasts lush forests and mountains, and Koh Samui has crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches. Hua Hin, while it does have some beautiful beaches, may not be as visually stunning as these other locations.

Additionally, Krabi, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui all offer more adventure opportunities such as rock climbing, kayaking, snorkeling, and jungle trekking. These destinations also have a rich history and culture that is reflected in their local temples, markets, and festivals, making them more appealing for those interested in exploring and learning about local culture. Koh Samui is also known for its vibrant nightlife, with a variety of bars and clubs to enjoy. Hua Hin may not have as many opportunities for these types of activities or as lively of a nightlife scene.

Thanks for stopping by!