10 Things to Do in Phi Phi on a Small Budget

Monkey Bay is a popular beachfront area on the main island where you'll find soft sands, emerald waters and furry inhabitants you won't want to miss. As the name suggests, a population of macaque monkeys has made its home here. While you shouldn't get too close to them, they are fun to admire from afar.

Access to this bay is completely free, but that doesn't mean it won't cost you a bit of money. There's no fee to enter the bay, but you'll need a way to get there. The most efficient way is hiring a boat or a kayak and paddling yourself. Fortunately, kayak hires are fairly cheap. You'll find this bay among a small cove around Dalum Bay.

Long Beach is a popular beachfront where you'll find their famous fine white sands and opportunities for bathing and snorkeling, with a nearby village too. The beach itself has some of the finest sands you'll find on the entire island chain, and the water is calm for a good portion of the year.

How calm the water is depends on when you visit. If you want to swim or snorkel, November through April is your best bet. While numerous resorts offer access to this beach, the beach itself is free for outsiders too. You'll find it all just a stone's throw from Tonsai Village, which is known for its popular nightlife.

The Loh Dalum - Loh Bagao hike is a fulfilling hike across a good portion of the island with plenty of satisfying challenges along the way. The hike itself takes about 2 hours in total, and it's a relatively new trail that's made Loh Bagao much easier to access in recent years compared to times past.

When you embark on this hike, you'll find yourself traveling through hills defined by plenty of lush vegetation. If it's your first time, you may want to embark on it with a guide. Don't forget water and snacks as well, given just how long this hike will take. It starts around the isthmus and extends all the way to the northeastern edge of the island.

Moo Dee Bay is a popular yet isolated beach that stretches 300 meters, offering white sands and emerald waters you can enjoy whether you're bathing, boating or just relaxing. One of the most popular activities here is snorkeling, and you can indulge as much as you want, provided you have the right gear.

The beach is free to access, and you can get there on foot by traveling a path that's about a kilometer long from the bottom of the Phi Phi Viewpoint. If your budget can handle a long-tail boat, however, you can take to the water and get there in about 15 minutes. It's located on Koh Phi Phi Don's east coast.

Tonsai East is a massive 500-metre-long beach that allows you to conveniently enjoy the water, though you'll also find opportunities for dining and shopping too. A lot of the area around this beach is developed with large restaurants, hippie bars and shops, and there are still quite a few you can enjoy even when trying to stay on a budget.

The beach itself is relaxed and laid back without much traffic other than the people renting out the nearby bungalows and a handful of visitors elsewhere. Access to the beach itself is free, of course, so you'll never have to pay to enjoy that much. You'll find it all just south of the eastern edge of the isthmus.

Pi Leh Bay is a popular and renowned body of water along the island that seemingly cuts the land in half with towering limestone cliffs rising up along each side. Simply being in this bay can evoke images of impressive natural features and a sense of awe as the cliffs tower over wherever you find yourself.

Exploring this bay means taking to the water in a boat. While you'll find plenty of motorized boats in the area, budget-friendly travelers can enjoy paddle boats. Plus, there is still some beach space if you're only interested in a bit of snorkeling. You'll find it all on Ko Phi Phi Lee south of the main island.

Nui Beach is a fun beach in a small cove that's outlined by impressive geological formations and plenty of snorkeling opportunities. It's fairly isolated, so you won't find many crowds in the area, but the beach isn't even the secret part. You'll also find a cave here that you can explore only during low tide when it's accessible.

When you visit this beach, you'll find impressive karsts framing the cove, which are tall rocky remnants left behind after countless years of erosion and natural forces. The crystal clear waters are perfect for snorkeling as well. You can experience this paradise beach for yourself on the north side of the main island across the peninsula west of Loh Lana Bay.

Cliff jumping in Phi Phi is one of the most popular activities you'll find among the islands, with plenty of opportunities to get a lot of airtime before landing safely. You'll find several spots available throughout the island with tours often taking you to the best spots. A lot of the tours are fairly affordable, but you're always welcome to simply venture on your own.

Even when traveling on a budget, it's generally best to take the guided tour if it's your first time. The guide will be able to show you proper techniques and safety practises to ensure you're able to enjoy yourself without being at risk. You'll find popular cliffs all throughout the main island's coast.

Phi Phi Viewpoint is one of the most breathtaking spots throughout the entire island chain, offering scenic panoramic views of the island's natural beauty. When you stand at this spot, you'll have incredible views of the emerald waters below as well as the tree-covered limestone cliffs in the distance.

Keep in mind that it takes a bit of a hike to reach this viewpoint considering its elevated position. Fortunately, the hike is relatively easy being only about 1.4 kilometers long. It's easy to traverse and should take no longer than 25 minutes. You'll find it near the center of the island mass east of the isthmus.

Phi Phi Market is an iconic market where you'll find food and other items available for surprisingly low prices perfect for travelers on a budget. It's a local market that's relatively free from travelers, but that doesn't mean you aren't welcome to visit.

When you stop by this market, you'll find plenty of vendors outright cooking on their stand letting you get a fresh ready-made meal. The prices are notably low compared to what you'll typically find elsewhere, with a satisfying skewer of fish, meat and veg only running you about 15 baht. It's located in the center of Tonsai Village.