How to Stay Fit and Healthy on a Budget in Phuket

Phuket is a popular destination for travelers who want to enjoy the sun, the sea, and the sand. But Phuket is also a great place for fitness enthusiasts who want to stay in shape and have fun at the same time. Whether you are into yoga, Muay Thai, hiking, or snorkeling, you will find plenty of options to keep you active and healthy in Phuket.

However, staying fit and healthy in Phuket can also be expensive if you don’t plan ahead and know where to look. Phuket is one of the most expensive places in Thailand, and some of the fitness classes, activities, and facilities can cost you a lot of money. Not to mention the food, the transportation, and the accommodation.

But don’t worry, there are ways to save money and time while still enjoying a fit and healthy lifestyle in Phuket. Here are some tips and tricks that will help you make the most of your Phuket trip without breaking the bank.

Eat street food or at local restaurants

One of the best ways to save money and eat healthy in Phuket is to eat street food or at local restaurants. Street food is not only cheap, but also delicious and nutritious. You can find a variety of dishes, such as noodles, rice, salads, soups, curries, and stir-fries, that are made with fresh ingredients and cooked on the spot. You can also customize your order according to your preferences and dietary needs. Street food is also safe to eat, as long as you choose a busy and clean stall with a high turnover of customers.

Local restaurants are also a good option for eating healthy and cheap in Phuket. You can find many local restaurants that serve authentic Thai cuisine, such as pad thai, tom yum, green curry, and papaya salad, for a fraction of the price of touristy places. Local restaurants are also more likely to use fresh and organic ingredients, and less likely to use MSG, sugar, and oil. You can also ask for less spicy, less salty, or vegetarian versions of the dishes.

Use local transportation

Another way to save money and stay fit in Phuket is to use local transportation. Taxis and tuk-tuks are convenient, but they are also expensive and can add up quickly. Instead, you can use local buses, songthaews, or motorbikes to get around the island. Local buses are cheap and cover most of the popular areas, such as Patong, Phuket Town, Kata, and Karon. They run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and cost between 10 to 40 baht per ride. Songthaews are pickup trucks with benches in the back that operate like shared taxis. They run along the main roads and stop wherever you want. They cost between 20 to 60 baht per ride.

Motorbikes are the most flexible and fun way to explore Phuket. You can rent a motorbike for as low as 150 baht per day, and drive to any beach, temple, or attraction you want. However, you need to be careful and follow the traffic rules, as driving a motorbike in Phuket can be dangerous. You also need to have a valid driving license and wear a helmet at all times.

Visit the temples

Phuket is not only a beach paradise, but also a cultural and spiritual destination. There are many temples and shrines that you can visit for free or for a small donation. Visiting the temples is not only a way to save money, but also a way to stay fit and healthy. You can walk, bike, or hike to the temples, and enjoy the scenic views along the way. You can also meditate, pray, or join a chanting session at the temples, and experience the peace and tranquility of the Buddhist culture. Some of the most beautiful and popular temples in Phuket are the Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, Wat Suwan Khiri Khet, and Wat Phra Thong.

Go snorkeling

Snorkeling is one of the best fitness activities that you can do in Phuket. Snorkeling is not only fun and exciting, but also good for your health. Snorkeling can improve your cardiovascular fitness, lung capacity, muscle strength, and endurance. Snorkeling can also reduce your stress, boost your mood, and enhance your mental well-being. Snorkeling can also help you discover the amazing marine life and coral reefs that Phuket has to offer.

Snorkeling in Phuket can be cheap or expensive, depending on where and how you do it. You can either join a snorkeling tour, or go snorkeling on your own. Snorkeling tours can cost between 1,000 to 3,000 baht per person, and include transportation, equipment, lunch, and guide. Snorkeling tours can take you to some of the best snorkeling spots in Phuket, such as the Similan Islands, the Phi Phi Islands, or the Racha Islands.

However, if you want to save money and time, you can also go snorkeling on your own. You can either bring your own snorkeling gear, or buy or rent one in Phuket. Snorkeling gear can cost between 200 to 500 baht to buy, or 50 to 100 baht to rent per day. You can then go to any of the beaches that have good snorkeling conditions, such as Laem Singh, Ao Sane, Ya Nui, Banana, Surin, Nai Harn, Nai Thon, and Kata Noi. You can also take a local boat or a longtail boat to some of the nearby islands, such as Coral Island, Khai Island, or Bon Island, for a small fee.

Skip Patong

Patong is the main tourist area of Phuket, and the most expensive and crowded one. Patong is famous for its nightlife, shopping, and entertainment, but it is also notorious for its overdevelopment, pollution, and sex tourism. Patong is not the best place to stay fit and healthy in Phuket, as it can tempt you to spend more money, eat more junk food, drink more alcohol, and sleep less. Patong is also not the best place to enjoy the natural beauty and culture of Phuket, as it can be noisy, dirty, and chaotic.

If you want to save money and stay fit and healthy in Phuket, you should skip Patong, or at least limit your time there. You can find better and cheaper accommodation, food, and activities in other areas of Phuket, such as Phuket Town, Kata, Karon, Kamala, or Bang Tao. You can also find more authentic and peaceful places to experience the real Phuket, such as the Old Phuket Town, the Phuket Weekend Market, the Gibbon Rehabilitation Center, or the Phang Nga Bay.