After the long train ride while watching the sun rose in the sky, I reached Hua Hin. I have to get off at this station, or else the next stop will be in Bangkok.

Long before the trip, I planned to take the train straight to Bangkok to welcome the New Year. As I checked the map, I thought I should tweak my trip and see where it will take me.

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“Why Hua Hin of all?“

I happened to have a little longer approved leave so I thought, why not drop off at the stop before Bangkok first?

That is the Hua Hin Station, hence I should explore Hua Hin in Thailand!

As I have been researching this place, I mostly see that this province has a more laid-back style compared to other touristy areas. I also saw that most of the activities or places to see in Hua Hin are the national parks.

Though planning a DIY itinerary takes quite a lot of time researching places to see, I enjoyed knowing how to get around these places, and getting an idea of the expenses (such as transportation, accommodation, entrance fees, etc…)

Day 1 in Hua Hin, Thailand

First stop – Hua Hin Station

I arrived in Hua Hin, Thailand at almost 7:00 in the morning. I took the time to appreciate the station itself.

This station is known to be one of the most beautiful stations in the country. The station is mostly made of wood, painted with cream and reddish brown color.

There is a big picture of the king on the wall. The pillars have Thailand flags and some carvings. The roof has a meticulous design. It is definitely recognizable to be a Thai concept train station.

The early morning atmosphere is clear and cool. I’ve heard that the best time to visit Hua Hin is between November and February (because the weather is great), and I was there in December.

I loved it when the cool wind touches my skin. It makes me feel good and refreshed.

When a train arrives, it stops for about 10 minutes. During this time, vendors will approach the windows and sell their products to the passengers.

This signage at the side of this beautiful Royal Pavilion is a famous photo spot.

Quick trivia: Hua Hin Train Station is a historic railway in Thailand built during the reign of King Rama VI.

In front of this royal pavilion is a non-working train coach which is a great photo spot too. I’m not an expert when it comes to the type of train. I can only describe this one as a vintage train painted with vibrant colors that make the photo looks lively.

Overall, this is a well-maintained train station. The front side of the station is also a great spot to get the pictures taken, however, I was already in a hurry to find a place to eat and proceed with the day 1 itinerary.

So I just took this photo quickly while walking outside.

Outside the station, there were taxis, tuk-tuks, and even motorcycles offering rides. Along the Hua Hin 61 Alley, I also found scooters and car rentals. It was the holiday season when I was there, so most of the rentals are fully booked.

I highly recommend renting a vehicle of your choice when you get to Hua Hin so you can maximize your time and go to as many places as you can.

This day is officially my day 1 in Hua Hin, Thailand and I started it with a sumptuous breakfast. I’m very excited because there are many places to visit in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, and my first plan is to see the Khao Daeng View Point.

I must be energized since I’ve seen from the reviews that the path is steep and I needed strength to reach the top.

The entrance to Khao Daeng View Point is an hour away from the Hua Hin Station.

It was already midday since I already took much time walking, having breakfast, and getting a ride to Sam Roi Yot, so I was a bit worried that it must be really hot to hike.

Second Stop – Hiking at Khao Daeng View Point

The sun is up in the sky, but the wind is really cool. Despite taking a scooter (unlike cars with roofs), I was fine. The mountains I was approaching were the same mountains I was watching from afar when I was still taking the train.

I was taking some hyper-lapsed videos while on the way, and I can’t help but be amazed by how pleasant the weather is.

As it gets closer and closer, I kept saying “Whoa!” in my mind. The mountains are irresistibly beautiful. It felt like I was in a movie. For me, the mountains look like it came out of a painting.

There is a waiting shed along the road before reaching the entrance where I rested for a while. It has a great view of the Sam Roi Yot mountains. It seems so peaceful.

Even when it was really in the middle of the day, the weather was cool. There were few vehicles passing by, so I had the chance to take some photos in the middle of the road. (A friendly reminder, please be very cautious when you do this – try at your own risk).

After the shortstop, it was time to go and execute the itinerary. I am getting more excited as I approached the Khao Daeng View Point entrance.

When I reached there, the Thai lady immediately attended to me and advised me that it would take an hour to go up. The entrance fee cost 200 Baht for non-locals like me, while it’s 40 Baht for locals. The entrance ticket can be used to enter any of the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park attractions on the same day.

I have a plan of camping overnight on one of the beaches within the same park, and the good thing about it is I can still use the same entrance ticket the next day.

It was past 1:00 PM, and Khao Daeng View Point is open from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The viewpoint is 480 meters away from the entrance.

At first, the path isn’t steep, but there are a lot of stones – mostly big ones.

It was midday so there was no mist or dew, everything is dry and not slippery so I guess it’s less dangerous. The trail to the viewpoint takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on your physical condition.

As for me, I took my time to go up. I stopped once in a while.

The sad thing for me during this hike for me is I only have about 100ml water. (Please make sure to take plenty of drinking water. Don’t do what I did).

Just a friendly reminder, this climb is not suitable for the elderly and young children. I also do not suggest hiking on your own as there are no national park service officials stationed on the path. Even when the weather is cool, make sure to still wear sunscreen and proper shoes suitable for trekking and hiking.

The trail has yellow arrows pointing in the right direction from time to time and there were also signs about how far the top is.

I met some other visitors either going up or down along the way, and they greeted me with “sawadee ka” (สวัสดีคะ : Hello). I replied back with the same.

As a Southeast Asian, I kind of look similar to locals, sometimes the other tourist thought I’m also a Thai (I loved it when locals think I was also local – for me, it’s a compliment and it’s really welcoming).

I also took some photos along the way.

Finally, I reached the top!

I literally felt that I was at the top of the world. It was great to see the magnificent surroundings in 360 views where I see the roads, the mountains, the villages, and the beaches in Hua Hin, Thailand. The climb was worth it!

I had about 30 minutes of enjoying this view without any other tourists. It was a great time to capture solo pictures.

The funny thing is I attempted to get a photo done while I was standing on the big stone beside the viewpoint signage, but I was a little scared. A little clumsiness of me may put me in danger, so I kind of pose really weirdly.

I wanted to describe the view more in words, but my TikTok video will show it better. Take a look!

@marezvirtucio I decided to see #Huahin before going to #Bangkok because of the #KhaoDaeng #ViewPoint It really caught my interest when I see the photos and I really wanted to see the place myself. It was still about an hour away from #HuahinStation The air was cool and refreshing even at noon time. The #hikingtrail ♬ Unstoppable (I put my armor on, show you how strong I am) – Sia

Whoa! Isn’t it beautiful?

Supposedly, the Khao Daeng View Point is my itinerary in the morning. It turned out differently, but it’s okay. I still want to go to the next attraction and maximize the use of my entrance ticket that day. There’s not much to tell on my way down since I heeded the same pathway up.

After reaching down, I was parched.

Remember, I just had a little water with me going up. The good thing is they sell cold drinks there. Imagine drinking the first cold drink after being so thirsty, that made me feel like I had the best coconut drink in my life. I took some time to rest while sipping my drink before heading to the next stop.

Trivia: Young coconut drink is called "buko juice" in the Philippines.

Third Stop – Catching Sunset at Bueng Bua Wood Boardwalk

If I had to choose which attraction excites me the most for this Hua Hin, Thailand trip in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, it is the Bueng Bua Wood Boardwalk. The photos I saw on the internet caught my attention.

It’s scenic with the big mountains, and a huge freshwater marsh, and it’s surrounded by lotus [marsh is defined as a tract of low wet land, often treeless and periodically inundated, generally characterized by a growth of grasses, sedges, cattails, and rushes. Source: Dictionary.com]

The boat ride cost 500 Baht. It is optional in case you’d want to see more of the boardwalk, the lotus, and the marsh.

Frankly, I was planning to just join a group of other tourists there. It’s beyond my budget for this holiday trip. Sadly, by the time I got there, most tourists had already done the boat ride – tried approaching a couple if they’d want to share the boat ride, and it was kind of embarrassing because they have just returned from the boat ride.

That said, it was either go for it and spend less on the other activities, or stick to the budget and just enjoy the scenery while on the shore. The boat is only available until 5:30 PM, and it was already past 5:00 PM. I was baffled.

What do you think happened? Oh well!

Yeah. Boat ride it is!

I thought, I never knew when will I come back to just take the boat ride and the sunset is coming. I don’t want to miss that and regret it later.

I think that was the last boat for the day. Wearing the life vest is a must before sailing, so I wore mine. The boat ride started and I can’t help but fell in love with the golden shade of colors of the mountains and the waters due to the approaching sunset.

The place is really beautiful.

I thought there won’t be lotus flowers, but there was a spot where flowers are blooming. I’m so tempted to pick one, but I overcame that urge. Hahaha (I rebuke you bad spirit)

When we stopped for taking photos, I already took off the life vest. Since the boat has a roof, it was a little challenging to take a photo with a wide view. Still, I was eager to do so.

To my surprise, the roof can be detached. That made the boat ride even better because I have a full view of the beautiful mountains. I had so much fun taking pictures. The boat stopped for some time to enjoy the view and of course, to take pictures.

Shortly after, the boat started sailing along the freshwater marsh. The boat stopped in another location to another location. Then, later on, we continued to sail along. I enjoyed the sailing time. I was in front of the boat and I was widely spreading my arms – just having the best time of my life.

While enjoying the boat ride, I saw that they are building a new pavilion. I can imagine that once they’re done with the construction, it will be like a romantic place just like what I see in historical movies and series where princesses and princes meet each other. (Ayeee…!)

It was also fun to wave to some other tourist sailing on a different boat. The boat ride took an hour. When we were back on the shore, I noticed that the gate was already closed.

There were a few more tourists taking pictures at the boardwalk. Some of the boardwalks need repairs, so only a few sections are unrestricted.

It was indeed true that this place is wonderful to see before sunset.

Fourth Stop – Camping at Sam Phraya Beach

It was already evening.

The final itinerary for the day is to go camping at Laem Sala Beach because I plan to see the Phraya Nakhon Cave by the next day.

However, I was told the camping was available only at Sam Phraya Beach. This beach is still part of the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park.

It will take more than thirty minutes to an hour to go around the mountain to get there. It was the best time to look for something to eat for dinner.

Just a little side story, it was funny when I ordered for dinner, I was only pointing to the menu and had myself seated at a table beside the road.

While waiting for the food, I didn't know the staff were wondering what my nationality was. One staff asked where I came from, and when I said "Philippines", she was like "I told you!" and we all laughed about it.

One thing about this trip, I like being mistaken as a local and  I wish I could speak in the local dialect.

After the dinner, it was time to move to the next destination – Sam Phraya Beach.

The wind is cooler at night. Some roads were illuminated with streetlights, but some roads are dark. There were also a few vehicles passing by, so it’s best to ensure the vehicle has headlights for visibility.

I was wearing a medium-thick black jacket throughout this travel but I can still feel the cool wind. I was thinking that if camping will be uncomfortable because of the weather, then maybe driving back to the city center and staying in a hostel will be the way to go.

It was almost 8:00 PM when I reached Sam Phraya Beach.

I asked the people in the restaurant if I can camp there, and I was asked if I had my camping gear with me. I informed them that I don’t have any and I was looking to rent the camping gear. They offered different camping gear and mentioned their prices.

After I agreed, I was guided to the camping tent. I thought I will have to set up the camping tent myself, but to my surprise, it was already up and I just needed to set up the rest of the camping gear such as the sleeping bag and the sleeping mat.

Funny but all I want is to take a shower. The shower area was just nearby. I freshen myself up and went to my tent to rest. That’s how I ended the first day in Hua Hin, Thailand.

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Day 2 in Hua Hin, Thailand

First stop – Sam Phraya Beach

As I open my eyes for the new day, I can hear the waves and birds chirping. The sun just started to show itself. I felt like I just wanted to lie down and enjoy the moment of waking up just in front of the beach. The surrounding is peaceful and relaxing. My body does not want to get up (just yet) but my tummy says I have to.

To whom did I listen to? erm…

I convinced myself that it was nice to do some walking outside. Hahaha, so I walked to the restaurant. Their menu was interesting because I can’t read them (pun only).

I thought, should I just randomly select from the menu and be surprised by what it will be? (Until I found the menu with English translations.) I was told that the restaurant will open at 8:00 AM.

It was only about 15 minutes past 7:00 AM, so it was a great time to take a walk, enjoy the scenery, and just appreciate the overall surroundings. Of course, I didn’t forget to take pictures too (the picture below has been helpful later on).

Sam Phraya Beach is surrounded by trees that give natural shade great for camping. There were many other campers there. Since I came at night, I thought the camping area was just small but actually, there was a wide area for campers. There were also some accommodations on this beach for those who do not want to camp in a tent.

There were tables and benches to rest.

Just like the day before, the air was cool and refreshing. This is a perfect location to destress because of the calmness and peacefulness of the area.

I saw some campers who brought their hammock, reading books or magazines, some sitting in their camping chair while watching the waves. Some took their mat outside the tent, some making barbeques, and some were meditating.

If not only due to limited time, and I wanted to still see some other attraction in this park, I would just love to stay longer.

It was time to return to the restaurant.

I ordered the batter-fried shrimp with tamarind sauce. The food was served shortly. The tamarind sauce has a great mix of sweetness and sourness. It goes well with fried shrimp, and of course rice! It was really tasty.

I made sure to eat well because I know I’ll be hiking again. There was no more time to fiddle around after breakfast, so I immediately packed up and went to the next attraction.

Second Stop – Wat Khao Daeng

I had to return to the Khao Daeng entrance real quick that morning. Then along the way to the Phraya Nakhon Cave, I had a quick stop in the Wat Khao Daeng.

Some people were dropping by to take a photo of the temple. This temple is wonderfully located just below the mountains, making the mountain a beautiful background. This is a great photo spot exhibiting nature and history in one. For me, it looks like a treasure hidden in the mountain for someone to discover.

That’s the vibe I get from it. It’s lovely!

Third Stop – Laem Sala Beach

After the quick stop at the Wat Khao Daeng, it was time to proceed with the itinerary. The plan was to get to the Phraya Nakhon Cave before 10:00 AM but getting there isn’t that easy, or I must say I was just very slow, or I should have left much earlier.

When I reach the entrance Bang Pu Beach, I would have to take a boat for 400 Baht per way to Laem Sala Beach (15 minutes) or hike for about 45 minutes.

I was only on a budget, and I thought 45 minutes hike isn’t bad, so I chose the latter option. It was a little funny because I also just hike the day before, and here’s another hike. Though it was almost noon, I still enjoy the cool air.

I just hike at a slow pace. “There’s no way I would get there at 10:00 AM” – that’s what I thought.

Just before trekking, I showed the entrance ticket I bought yesterday. Supposedly, I would pay for a new entrance ticket. I informed the attendant that I camped at Sam Phraya Beach and showed her the photo I took just earlier wearing the same clothes. With that, I didn’t need to buy a new entrance ticket and it feels really good when I save money.

Kudos to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park for allowing campers to visit another attraction using the same entrance ticket on the following day.

I realized my decision was right. While going up, I found the Hua Khao Tian View Point. I was like “Whoa! I won’t see this if I took the boat.”

This viewpoint had a 360 view of the ocean, the boats from Bang Pu Beach going to Laem Sala Beach, and the shore. That alone was worth the hike. Unexpected things like this make the trip extra special and unforgettable.

I savored the moment knowing I’m at the edge of Hua Hin, Thailand, appreciating its natural beauty and I just wanted to be present at that moment.

After taking some photos, it was time to keep going. It’s great to see the ocean on the left side while walking down.

I thought that after I reach the bottom of this trail, I will be at the entrance to Phraya Nakhon Cave. Little did I know that I would still have to walk more and hike more later on.

I saw the boats arriving loaded with tourists that would be visiting the Phraya Nakhon Cave. The Laem Sala Beach is only accessible via boat or hiking, so this is more private than Sam Phraya Beach.

I rested a bit first to regain some more energy. It was great to have lunch first as there is a restaurant too. It was already past noon then so I thought I should keep moving to take time to hike and enjoy what’s inside the cave when I get there.

Third Stop – Phraya Nakhon Cave

Oh my! I realized it will be the third hike for this trip in Hua Hin.

The funny thing is the way up to the Phraya Nakhon Cave is further than what I have hiked so far. It is about 480 meters long but the trail is much less steeper than the first one.

I can’t deny I was getting exhausted but I’m persistent to reach the royal pavilion. I was already almost there, so why give up now?

On the way up, there was a waiting shed where you can have a sit and enjoy the overlooking view of the ocean.

I rested once again. It’s encouraging to see some other tourists relentlessly following the trail.

Not long, I went hiking again. I thought to myself I always walk a lot, so I know I can make it. The path here is not much windy due to the many trees around.

When I finally saw the collapsed part of the cave where sunlight came in, I was already getting excited.

I also thought of how they discovered this place and how the King decided to build the Royal Pavilion inside it.

Trivia: This is the smallest temple in Thailand and is a religious landmark in the Phraya Nakhon Cave.

When I finally get closer to this magnificent gold and green Kukha Karuhas pavilion, I can’t believe I’m looking at it with my own eyes. I know this was man-made but I’m so amazed.

I thought of how this was built in 1890 for the visit of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). This became the symbol of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

Despite missing recommended time to visit this attraction to see the sun directly illuminating the temple, I still had a great time going around and appreciating Thailand’s most beautiful and most photographed cave. This giant limestone cave is a popular tourist attraction for its rooftop openings.

The cave’s atmosphere is tranquil. It must be a mystical sensation to see the in-flowing sunlight contrasting with the cave’s darkness if I reach before the sunlight crowns the pavilion. It must fascinating like a heaven on earth.

The overall feeling was so serene.

I took the same path back down. Below is the trail back to the Laem Sala Beach.

Fourth Stop – Boat Ride back to Bang Pu Beach

This is just going back to the entrance but I added this as a stop since it’s a different adventure that day. After hiking back down, I decided to take a rest in front of the beach.

I saw these beach chairs so I decided to take a sit.

After a short while, the attendant came and asked for a 30 baht payment for the chairs. I didn’t know there was a fee to pay, but I was seriously tired at this time, so I just paid to get peace of mind while resting.

I was watching the arriving boats, and many other tourists were waiting for their boats too. If not due to time limitations, I just wanted to take a nap. The thing is I would need to go back to the city center before it gets dark, and there’s one more place to drop by.

I decided to take the boat to get back faster and for a little more adventure this day. After I approached the attendant for a boat ride, they called a boat from the shore to pick me up.

The boat came 15 minutes later.

While waiting, I took the chance to take some quick snaps. I also had to take off my shoes to get on the boat, and I wore the life jacket and we’re off!

The boat ride was quick.

I wanted to eat first before riding back to the city center. This day seems really long as it is full pack with activities.

Fifth Stop – Trying local snacks in Hua Hin, Thailand

While on the way back to the city center, I stopped by a local market where there were many local snacks and dishes to try.

The local sellers were all very friendly. I forgot where this place was but it was just nearby a school. There was a waiting shed just outside the school where I munched on what I bought.

I just wish I knew the names of the snacks I had. The following are some snaps I took:

Sixth Stop – Dropping by the Rajabhakti Park

Rajabhakti Park is a historically themed park honoring past Thai kings from the Sukhothai period to the current royal house of Chakri. [Source: Wikipedia]

I already saw this from afar on the way to Khao Sam Roi Yot, but I chose not to drop by just yet because I was trying to catch up on other activities the day before.

Trivia: Thailand drives on the left side because of the influence of the British.

That said, this plan went perfectly because the road to Rajabhakti Park was on the left side. There will be no U-turn needed.

After entering Rajabhakti Park, I was surprised to see so many army cadets and students (I believed they were) seems to be performing a ceremony on the Rajabhakti ground. I was not even sure if the tourist is allowed to enter at that time.

The entrance is free so I just entered. When I get closer to the statues, I saw that there were also some other people taking pictures so I felt relief that the park was open for visitors.

It’s an honor to stand in this impressive monument to see the seven (7) kings who ruled Thailand during wartime with bordering countries. Out of seven (7) statues, four (4) were undergoing maintenance. Each of these statues was made of bronze, with an average height of 13.9 meters.

It was said that major events take place here such as the largest Wai Kru Muay Thai boxing ceremony for the Guinness Book of World Records. [Source: The Nation Thailand]

I’ve heard that there were bikes to roam around here, but since a ceremony was happening when I get there, I didn’t have the chance to try it. Nevertheless, overseeing the ceremony while sitting below the statues was a unique experience for me.

I went straight to the hotel afterward. What a productive day indeed!

Day 3 in Hua Hin, Thailand

The itinerary suddenly changed…

I was supposed to go to Pattaya this day. All buses were fully booked except for the one that will leave at 3:00 AM the next day. This means I have some time to still discover Hua Hin, Thailand, so it wasn’t a big deal, except that…

All scooter rentals were fully booked. I had some plans to visit some other place but getting there via public transportation, especially tuk-tuk is out of my budget. Another thing is, I have already checked out of the hotel and I don’t have the budget to check in again.

I was there sitting in the hotel lobby thinking of what to do as I also didn’t want to waste this beautiful day.

I came up with the idea to leave my heavy backpack in the hotel I checked out from, and just come back to it later. The hotel let me leave my things, and I truly appreciate them for allowing me to.

I can’t leave Hua Hin just yet…

I went out without really a concrete plan to do, but I kind of want to just roam around the city center and perhaps experience the night market especially in Hua Hin, Thailand.

When I cross the road to get to the bus stop, a lady was standing there. I approached her on how to get to the Market Village Hua Hin. She was very pleasant and said she was going the same way, so I can just follow her. About 15 minutes later, the van going to the Market Village came.

I felt assured that I met someone who is going to the same place.

When I finally reached the Market Village, I wanted to try local Thai fast food for the first time. So I went to Chester’s Grill. I only want to eat a little because I planned to try as much as food in the night market.

I was trying not to spend so much on this day because it was just the third day of my trip. However, I was crazy to wear heels this day.

I decided to walk 2.8 KM to reach the night market which takes about 35 minutes, not including the time to explore the market.

I was very exhausted yet excited to see the two famous night markets in Hua Hin.

First Stop – Cicada Night Market

The market welcomed me with a “Happy New Year 2023” lit up.

As I enter the market, I saw people lining up at a Coupon Box counter. I will have to buy coupons to use for paying for food inside the night market. In case there were unused coupons, they can be exchanged for the same value of the money on the same date.

The Cicada Night Market is wide with various activities inside.

As for my budget, the food here is expensive. However, there were a lot of souvenir shops, clothing stalls, food stalls, and even performances. Photos below are the food I got to try in this night market.

It has a very chill vibe. No wonder this is a popular place to visit in Hua Hin, Thailand. Below is a performance I watched on my way out of the Cicada Night Market.

@marezvirtucio It's so nice listening and watching a unique and live #traditionalmusicalinstrument performance. I definitely enjoyed the music. What an awesome experience in #Thailand🇹🇭 ♬ original sound – Marez Virtucio

Second Stop – Tamarind Night Market

Just a 3-minute walk from Cicada Night Market is the Tamarind Market.

This market is a little small than Cicada and they accept cash for payments. There’s even a stage where I watched a live band perform song covers and a big guitar next to the stage.

I’m so intrigued to try the fried insects. I’m glad I found it in Tamarind Market. The seller offered to mix the insects so I can try more. It was fun to try, I loved it!

Finally, I can check this off my bucket list.

It was my last stop for that day, and this market will conclude my Hua Hin trip.

At first, I was disappointed that I couldn’t go to the other places I was planning to visit, but experiencing the night market in Hua Hin is absolutely worth it. To date, I think these markets are the best night markets I’ve been to.

One more thing I wanted to check off my bucket list is to take a tuk-tuk for the first time in Thailand.

So, I rode one back to the hotel where I left my things. (I was wearing pink, so I kind of blended in with the pink colored lights)

What can I say about Hua Hin, Thailand?

This is one of the places I wanted to visit again. I know there is more to discover and I enjoyed the laid-back vibe. My decision to stop at Hua Hin, Thailand was right. Otherwise, I will not have these amazing memories. If there’s one thing I regret about this trip, it is that I didn’t stay much longer…

I’m excited to explore some more places if given a chance and I’d love to share the journey with you. You can find more here: Marez’s blogs.

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