Tonsai Village ferry pier and backpacker beach Phi Phi Don at sunset

Koh Phi Phi

Tonsai Village & Town Beach

Unsplash / Unsplash

Top pick

The ferry-port heart of Phi Phi Don — backpacker hostels, fire-show bars, Tonsai pier gridlock.

Tonsai is the flat sand isthmus connecting the two halves of Phi Phi Don — ferry pier on the north side, beach on the south, and a dense maze of guesthouses, bars, tattoo shops, dive operators and street food in between. The party epicentre (Slinky, Stones, Sunflower) is here; sleep elsewhere if you want sleep. No cars on the island — everything is walking or long-tail.

Scores

10/10

Walkability

6/10

Transit

4/10

Price

5/10

Local feel

10/10

Nightlife

4/10

Family-friendly

10/10

Centrality

What you gain

  • Ferry pier 5 min walk from any guesthouse
  • Densest concentration of restaurants, bars and tour shops in the island
  • Tonsai Beach fire shows and bucket bars run every night in high season

What you sacrifice

  • Walls are thin — bass thumps until 2am from every direction
  • 2004 tsunami history — the isthmus is the most vulnerable spot on Phi Phi

Best for

backpackersparty travellersfirst-night arrivers

Avoid if

familiesolder coupleslight sleepers

Know where to stay — now find when to go.

Best time to visit Koh Phi Phi