Pattaya with children: a 4-day family plan
Four easy days for a family: a calm beach base, Nong Nooch garden, a day on Koh Larn and a water park, with mornings outdoors and the hottest hours kept for rest.
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Day 1: beach and settling in
Base yourself in Jomtien, Wongamat or Pratumnak, the calmer parts of town, as explained in the guide to the best areas to stay. Spend the first morning on the sand: Jomtien and Dongtan have a relaxed, family feel.
After lunch, let everyone rest. In the late afternoon, an aquarium or an illusion-art museum makes an easy first outing, followed by an early dinner.
Tips for each age are in Pattaya with kids.
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Day 2: Nong Nooch garden
Leave after breakfast for Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, about half an hour south of town. The themed gardens and the dinosaur valley fill a morning; take the shuttle inside to spare small legs.
On the way back, the Pattaya Floating Market is a short stop for snacks and a boat ride if energy allows.
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Day 3: Koh Larn
Take a morning ferry and choose a beach with shallow water and shade. Life jackets on the boat, hats and plenty of water are essential. The Koh Larn guide tells you which beach suits children and when the last boats leave.
Come back by mid-afternoon rather than on the last boat: it is less crowded and children are fresher.
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Day 4: water park day
Finish with a full day at one of the water parks south of town. Arrive at opening time, check the height rules for the big slides and plan lunch inside the park.
With an extra day, Khao Kheow Open Zoo makes a full family day trip, 45 minutes north of town. For health questions on the road, keep the guide to hospitals and pharmacies at hand.