“Chonburi” is a word you’ve probably seen on street signs in the Bangkok area, but might be a place you’ve never heard of. Which is fine: Chonburi, broadly speaking, is not a massive tourist destination for foreigners.
Now, you’ve certainly heard of Pattaya, which is Chonburi’s top draw. And I’m here to tell you that while Pattaya—love it or hate it—is the belle of the ball, it’s definitely not the only game in town when it comes to explore this province on the periphery of Bangkok.
Which is not to say that my Chonburi travel guide is comprehensive, though I hope it will become more so over time. But it’s a better head start than you’ll find basically anywhere else online!
Where to Base Yourself in Chonburi
It won’t come as a surprise to you that many of the best Chonburi hotels are in Pattaya, whether that’s the Hilton Pattaya, the Dusit Thani Pattaya or a smaller boutique property. Or around Pattaya, such as the Sala Pattaya on the city’s popular Jomtien Beach, or the opulent Yizen Beachfront Seaview Villa, which is near the (overrated, in my opinion) Sanctuary of Truth.
Which is not to say that these are the only places to stay in Chonburi. For example, you could choose Xanadu Beach Resort on Koh Larn, although the disadvantage of this is that it’s hard to explore from here. It’s better to be on the mainland, such as Novotel Marina in Sri Racha, or Akard Private Villas in Sattahip, a beach community few non-Thais know exists.
Top Places to Visit in Chonburi
Pattaya
What has been written about Pattaya (let alone on this site) that I can add to here? To summarize my previous statements, I do think that Pattaya—well, parts of Pattaya anyway—has moved on from the seediest chapters of its past, whether you shop at Central Pattaya, visit the Sanctuary of Truth or enjoy the view from Pattaya Hill.
Koh Larn
Another way to spice up your Chonburi itinerary? Take a speedboat or ferry from Pattaya’s Bali Hai Pier to Koh Larn. While not as paradisiacal as Koh Lipe or even Koh Samui, you can enjoy amazing viewpoints, very good beaches and excellent snorkeling, which makes sense give that larn in the Thai word for “coral.”
Sri Racha
I might be biased about this one, since my husband is from Sri Racha. While no one there has yet built a kitschy tourist attraction (I’d like to construct a massive bottle of the city’s namesake sauce, personally), there’s plenty to see and do here, whether on the mainland at Wat Khao Phra Kru temple, or offshore on Koh Loi island.
Chonburi City
In terms of “attractions,” I can’t lie: Chonburi City isn’t exactly deserving of listing in this Chonburi travel blog or any other one. Still, there are reasons to stop here rather than just pass through, including Yendafo Ko Keaw, a locally famous place for Thailand’s interesting “pink soup,” as well as the maybe-misnamed Grand Canyon.
Other Chonburi destinations
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past year, you’re familiar with Moo Deng, the most famous resident at Khao Kheow Open Zoo, which happens to be located in Chonburi. Another destination is Sattahip, whose pine-lined beaches are definitely not postcard-perfect, but are tranquil and relaxing.
Can You Visit Chonburi on a Day Trip from Bangkok?
You can certainly visit various destinations in Chonburi as a day trip from Bangkok. Namely Pattaya, but I’ve even done Koh Larn and Sri Racha for the day, under certain circumstances. The distance and travel time are so short that unless you absolutely need to stay the night, you really won’t have to for logistical reasons. There are many options for a Chonburi day trip!
However, I will say that there are certain situations where staying overnight is helpful—and not just if you want to see the sun set or watch it rise the next morning. Most notably, if your Chonburi itinerary will take you to multiple destinations, it really doesn’t make sense to go back to Bangkok between them. Plus, I do believe in general that going to bed and waking up somewhere deepens your connection to that place.
Other FAQ About Visiting Thailand’s Chonburi Province
Is Chonburi close to Bangkok?
Depending on where in Chonburi you travel and where in Bangkok you originate, your travel time can be as little as an hour or as long as three hours. But in general, Chonburi is one of the closest provinces to Bangkok, secondly only to suburban provinces like Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi.
What is there to do in Chonburi?
Chonburi is chock full of things to do, whether you enjoy beaches and beers (and maybe babes) in Pattaya, visit the morning market in Sri Racha, take a boat to Koh Larn island or see global celebrity Moo Deng at her zoo. This is to say nothing of all the amazing food there!
How much is a taxi from Bangkok to Chonburi?
Depending on how scrupulous your taxi driver is (and frankly, whether he even accepts the ride), you can expect to pay somewhere around 1,000 THB for a one-way journey from Bangkok to most points in Chonburi province. However, this rate can be much higher if you book a private car through your hotel, use the Grab application or simply hail a scammer and don’t realize how much he’s ripping you off.
The Bottom Line
I hope you find my Chonburi travel guide helpful, whether you’re simply bound for Pattaya, or want to explore other destinations like Sriracha and Koh Larn. Although it can often disappear in the shadow of Bangkok, Chonburi is an eclectic and interesting place to visit, particularly if you have your own set of wheels. Realizing this can be especially motivating if you don’t have long enough in Thailand to fly farther afield, or simply don’t want to cover a ton of ground during your trip. Need personalized assistance integrating charming Chonburi into your trip? Commission a custom Thailand itinerary today!
