After a month of backpacking Thailand, I can safely say this was the most overrated destination
Like many twenty-somethings, I set off on a backpacking trip around Thailand, not necessarily with the cliché hopes of ‘finding myself’ but definitely with the intention of seeing some of the world’s most heavenly beaches across its tropical islands.
As I travelled across the country for a month, I couldn’t help but feel like this one tiny island was not only overhyped but also the most overtaken by tourists.
Ko Phi Phi Don is the main island forming part of Thailand’s famous Phi Phi Islands and is popular with fellow backpackers travelling from across the world.
It acts as a stopgap in between other, much larger, holiday destinations like Phuket and Krabi and is accessible only by boat.
When researching the best backpacking routes, almost every one included the Phi Phi Islands in their tour of the country.
It seemed like a necessary visit but in retrospect I would advise that if you’re scratching your head as to whether you should go, it may be one worth skipping on your big trip.
The island itself is only available to explore entirely on foot, as it’s so small in size it offers no roads or space for cars – perfect for an adventurer. With this comes some of the most desktop screen-saver-worthy views and mind-bogglingly beautiful beaches – with the whitest sands and the most turquoise of waters you could ever imagine.
Although, away from its natural beauty on the island’s edges, the further you go inland, the tackier it seems to get. If you’re looking for a cheap Benidorm-style break, then Koh Phi Phi Don offers just that, but if you were hoping for a slightly more authentic Thai stay, this is not the place for you.
And quite frankly, most young backpackers don’t care for that either – which is fair enough.
In my opinion, there are plenty of other islands in Thailand that offer stunning scenery with far better affordable accommodation options, feel less claustrophobic when trying new food spots and have an overall more inviting atmosphere.
I found that walking around the island’s narrow streets, I felt very much closed in by a maze of restaurants, bars, stores and beauty salons, so much so it can feel like one big ‘strip’.
Eateries were decorated to be ‘hip’ and modern with Brits in mind, and menus catered for the fussy eaters with classic crowd-pleasing dishes. This meant when it came to the very best of Thai food, Koh Phi Phi Don was also not the spot you’re looking for.
The island truly comes alive at nighttime with cheap deals on cocktail ‘buckets’ swarming the bars, along with fire-breathing performances, which for those wanting to get an earlier night means one thing – a lot of noise.
With the island being so small it doesn’t really matter where you’re staying – you can hear the music playing well into the early hours of the morning. My advice would simply be if you can’t beat them, join them.
Another thing that proved to be very noticeable on Koh Phi Phi Don was its lack of maintenance when it came to the pathways and buildings.
Of course, it’s expected in any remote place with what I can only assume is a lack of investment in infrastructure that it will not be picture-perfect away from the beaches we so often see plastered on social media.
However, the reality of this seemed to be more noticeable to me on this island than any other. I think due to its small size, 5 miles long and 2.2 miles wide, it was more evident the sheer amount of rubble left sitting around, and along with it every backpacker’s favourite – cockroaches.
All in all, Koh Phi Phi Don is worth a stay if you’re needing a travel break in-between the bigger stops on your trip, or if you’re looking to plan a boat trip to the famous Maya Bay. Away from that, it really is just a boozy island for a good time in the sun, with not much else on offer.