Compare Pattaya holidays

When to go to Pattaya

Pattaya is blessed with a tropical climate, meaning it’s warm almost all year round.

The best time for a holiday to Pattaya is between November and March, when the weather hovers around 30C and the sun shines almost every day. However, it's also the busiest season, and rooms get booked up in advance, especially during December and January.

From April onwards, the temperatures increase to around 32C and it starts to get more humid as Pattaya moves towards the rainy season (generally between June and October).

And the closer you get to the rainy season, the less crowded it becomes. Heavy rainfall should be expected at certain times of the day, often in short, sharp downpours. To compensate, hotel rates tend drop, which make this a great time of year to pick up a cheap Pattaya holiday. Even better, temperatures still regularly reach 30C.

Where to stay in Pattaya

For families

If you're travelling with young children or teenagers, Jomtien Beach is a great area to be based in. Located a couple of kilometres south of Pattaya Beach, expect mid-range to upmarket resorts and hotels, as well as a wealth of international restaurants. It's also close to the Cartoon Network Amazone theme park – a great day out for the little ones.

Alternatively, there’s Naklua, a quiet residential beach suburb north of Pattaya's main drag, which offers some great value family hotels as well as swanky beach resorts. Staying in here puts you close to the Sanctuary of Truth and Mini Siam.

For travellers on a budget

Brimming with backpacker hostels and cheap hotels, many within a stone's throw of a beach, Thailand is a dream destination for an affordable break – and Pattaya is no different. Budget travellers can usually bag a bargain around Walking Street, but these rooms can often be quite sparse or run down. Beware budget properties that rent rooms by the hour, as they can attract a rather less salubrious clientele.

For a cheap holiday to Pattaya without compromising on facilities, you can find some good value hotels in South Pattaya, which usually have a pool and on-site restaurants.

For food and drink

Pattaya is a diverse city and this is reflected in its varied cuisine, from Thai, Malaysian and Japanese to French, American and even Swedish. All can be found in Pattaya City, especially in the outer beach suburbs of Naklua and Jomtien.

For good seafood, it's worth staying around the beachfront near Naklua. Many of the restaurants here get their fish fresh from the Gulf waters. In recent years, South Pattaya has sprouted a number of top quality restaurants, with plenty catering to vegetarians and vegans.

For nightlife

Arguably one of the more colourful areas in Thailand, Pattaya’s neon-lit Walking Street is like Marmite – you’ll either love it or loathe it. Lined with venues from bars to cabaret clubs, there are dozens of budget hotels close to the strip.

Alternatively, night owls should look around the Central Pattaya Road area between the beach and downtown Pattaya City. It's within easy walking distance of Sois 7 and 8, an area renowned for lively and fun bars, English-style pubs and international nightclubs, most offering good-value cocktails and beers all night long.

For culture

Culture cravers should consider accommodation close to the beaches of Jomtien. You’ll find a mix of mid-range and upmarket hotels close to the coast, and you'll be within easy reach of one of Pattaya's most famous cultural sites, the Big Buddha Temple. Sitting cross-legged on Pratumnak Hill, the 18m-tall gold Buddha is the largest in the Chonburi province.

Alternatively, stay by the beachfront around Naklua, which is a short walk from the Sanctuary of Truth.