Chon Buri is a coastal province on Thailand's Eastern Seaboard, best known for the resort city of Pattaya and its string of sun-drenched beaches along the Gulf of Thailand. The province blends vibrant beach tourism with industrial heritage, traditional fishing villages, and lush tropical landscapes just 80 km from Bangkok.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Ko Lan Island Day Trip
The public ferry to Ko Lan island is safe, fun and affordable. Children of all ages love the crystal-clear water, snorkeling over coral and playing on the white sand beach. Shallow bays make it ideal for young swimmers.
Duration: Full day (6–8 hours)
Khao Kheow Open Zoo
An enormous open zoo in forested hills where animals roam in natural-style enclosures. Kids can feed giraffes, see white tigers, watch keeper talks and ride the tram through the 2,400-acre grounds.
Duration: 4–5 hours
Cartoon Network Amazone Waterpark
A 32-acre water park with 30+ slides, wave pools, lazy rivers and Cartoon Network character zones. Kids' splash zone is ideal for toddlers and young children with gentle water features.
Duration: 4–6 hours
Columbia Pictures Aquaverse
Thailand's most modern movie-themed water park with Ghostbusters, Hotel Transylvania and Jumanji zones. Excellent facilities, clean water and very well organized — the best waterpark in Chon Buri.
Duration: 4–6 hours
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
A world-class botanical garden with Thai cultural elephant show at 10 AM and 3 PM. Children love the elephant performances, butterfly garden and mini-train ride through the grounds.
Duration: 3–4 hours
Underwater World Aquarium
A walk-through aquarium with a 100-meter underwater tunnel, touch pool for children to gently interact with sea life, otter feeding and regular shark shows. Excellent rainy-day option.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Mini Siam Evening Visit
Miniature replicas of world landmarks illuminated at night — great value family entertainment where children delight in spotting scaled-down versions of the Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty and Thai temples.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Thai Cooking Class for Families
Many Pattaya cooking schools offer family sessions where children can participate in making pad thai, spring rolls and mango sticky rice under guided supervision — an educational and delicious cultural experience.
Duration: 3 hours
Tiffany's or Alcazar Cabaret Show
The internationally famous cabaret shows are family-appropriate entertainment with spectacular costumes, dance and music — a genuinely memorable cultural experience for children who enjoy performance arts.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Snorkeling at Ko Lan
Ko Lan island's Samae Beach has shallow, clear water with abundant coral and tropical fish visible from the surface — ideal for children's first snorkeling experience with easily rented equipment on the beach.
Duration: 2–3 hours
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort
Thailand's most acclaimed family beach resort with a Lost World theme, waterslides directly into the pool, a kids club and direct beach access at Wong Amat.
Family features: On-site waterslides, Camp Oasis kids club (4–12 years), connecting rooms, children's pool, kids menu at all restaurants
Hilton Pattaya
Beachfront 5-star hotel with excellent family suites and an outdoor pool with a dedicated kids' section.
Family features: Family suites, kids' pool, babysitting on request, children's menu, direct beach access
Avani Pattaya Resort
Modern beachfront resort with rooftop pool and family-friendly rooms at a more accessible price point.
Family features: Family connecting rooms, rooftop pool, kids welcome
Woodlands Hotel & Resort
A family-focused resort in North Pattaya with a large lagoon pool, gardens and a playground area.
Family features: Lagoon pool, children's playground, family rooms, kids meals
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Most Thai restaurants warmly welcome children and will prepare milder dishes on request
High chairs available at Central Festival food court, MK Restaurants and all major resort restaurants
Kids meals at restaurants typically 80–150 THB ($2–4) — often simpler Thai dishes or fried rice
Fresh fruit stalls throughout Pattaya sell pre-cut tropical fruit great for snacking children
7-Eleven stores have accessible healthy snacks, yogurt drinks and sandwiches suitable for children
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Apply reef-safe SPF 50+ sunscreen on children every 2 hours — equatorial sun burns quickly
Carry oral rehydration salts and children's fever medicine — heat exhaustion can affect young children
Most water park attractions have minimum height requirements — check before purchasing tickets
The Pattaya Bus to Bangkok is comfortable for families; book seats in advance at weekends
Ko Lan ferry is perfectly safe for families with young children; life jackets available
Jomtien Beach has calmer water than Pattaya Beach — better for young swimmers and toddlers