-- Last Updated on February 16, 2023 by Jonesy

Jomtien Beach is located at the southern end of Pattaya as you come in from the direction of Bangkok. Continuing north into the town from here takes you to the central and lively regions of Pattaya Beach. For many visitors though, first-timers and seasoned Thailand travellers alike, Jomtien is considered one of the best beaches Pattaya has to offer.

There are many reasons to visit or stay in Jomtien Beach. The main one for most people is the fact that it offers a quieter, more laid-back, and more family-orientated experience of Pattaya than some of the other parts of town. It is a little more easy-going on the senses, and the beach is the pleasant, lower-key alternative to Pattaya Beach.

Visitors to Jomtien will find a fairly long, clean-looking, crescent-shaped beach which is quite narrow—but you should still be able to find space to relax and enjoy the views out across the sea. Jomtien is certainly quieter than what many consider the main beach, but not so quiet that it’s not difficult to find plenty of available water sports in the daytime and a few nearby local landmarks to check out.

So there are plenty of reasons to visit or stay in Jomtien Beach—let’s take a closer look.

The Jomtien Beach Area of Pattaya

The region along Jomtien Beach has long been a favourite for anyone heading to Pattaya seeking a more toned-down and relaxing option to the town’s more lively central regions. The beach is just over 3.5-miles long and is paralleled with a stretch of shaded, palm tree-lined road.

It immediately seems cleaner and much less crowded than many Thai beach scenarios. Swaying palm trees form part of the backdrop, and the vibe at this beach stays reasonably subdued into the later hours.

This does mean the area around Jomtien Beach has less nightlife than the central regions of the city as well—although it’s no ghost town and there are still plenty of entertainment options in the area. There is plenty to do day or night though, and visitors will find a range of cabaret bars, pubs and restaurants set along the main stretch of beach road. That said, these are a bit more toned-down than in the Central Pattaya Beach region.

If you want sun loungers and umbrellas they are available for almost the entire length of the beach, but it is still possible to find a relatively quiet spot to relax and enjoy the views across the bay. This is also a great spot to enjoy the sunset from.

A visit to Jomtien Beach paints a much more pleasurable scenario for many first-time visitors to Chonburi than other regions of the city might be likely to do. It is nice to be able to relax after all, especially for anyone with families.

Generally the prices in these places tend to be a tad lower than in the city centre, and Jomtien is located in an area with plenty of restaurants, not to mention a constant array of hawker food for tourists to try. And for those who love water activities it’s not too difficult to find a variety of fun and adrenaline-inducing activities to indulge in.

Why People Stay in the Jomtien Beach Region

It’s not the crazy nightlife or the crowds.

While it’s no secret that many visitors to Pattaya are drawn due to its somewhat wild and lively reputation based around various aspects of the nightlife, you can largely escape that side of things in the Jomtien region of the town.

Anyone coming mainly for nightlife will most often favour the accommodation and entertainment options in the central Pattaya regions. This is after all where most of the town’s main local events and festivals seem to be centred.

So you get much less of that in the Jomtien area, and as it turns out there is a whole lot more to Pattaya than beer and go-go bar-type entertainment anyway. Jomtien Beach presents a somewhat more balanced aspect of Pattaya and thus tends to attract the kind of people who want the sun, sea, and sand that the town offers without any of the over-the-top raucousness that Pattaya is renowned for.

The beach is more subdued than some of the others in the town yet still offers plenty of water sport activities. The nightlife is nothing seedy or over-the-top but there are entertainment options available including family-oriented options. You get the picture, right? Jomtien is a cut above your cheap beer bar scenario that many associate with Pattaya.

In a nutshell, Jomtien has an overall more laid-back and quiet vibe to it than some of the more edgy, full-on town centre spots that singles or younger holiday-makers are more likely to head for— but many of these spots usually turn out to be unsuitable for families and couples.

Hotels near the Beach

There is a wide range of accommodation within range of the beach ranging from resorts and large hotels to boutique hotels to condominium and apartment rentals. The larger hotels along with other accommodation options are available along the road that runs parallel to the shore.

Here are a few examples of what’s on offer near to the beach:

1. Frankie’s Inn

— Budget: 800THB – Check Availability

The residence is 400 metres from the beach and features a restaurant, a bar, a terrace and free Wi-Fi. This is a SHA Extra Plus establishment where every room features a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom.

The nearest airport to this residence and indeed all of the accommodation options is the U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport, which is 27 miles from the accommodation.

2. Jomtien Thai Hotel

— Below Mid-Range: 1100THB – Check Availability

Located along Jomtien Beach Road, this residence offers air-conditioned rooms with private balconies and cable TV. Rooms also have a workstation, coffee-making facilities, and a mini bar.

The residence features a rooftop spa pool, and other amenities include a fitness centre and sauna, snooker, and traditional Thai massage services.Meals and beverages are served at the hotel’s onsite restaurant which features outdoor poolside seating. Free parking is available, and an airport pick-up and drop-off service can be arranged upon request.

3. LawinTa Hotel 

— Mid-Range: 1200THB + – Check Availability

LawinTa is 550 metres (or a 10-minute walk) from Jomtien Beach. The 4-star hotel provides air-conditioned accommodation with a private bathroom. All rooms at the hotel have a balcony and come equipped with a flat-screen TV and a seating area. Some rooms have garden views.

Continental and à la carte breakfast options are available every morning at the accommodation’s onsite restaurant. Other amenities include an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness centre, a bar, a 24-hour front desk, and room service. Dongtan Beach is also just over half a mile from the hotel, and the residence also provides a paid airport shuttle service.

4. The Nirvana Boutique Suites

— Mid-Range: 1600THB + – Check Availability

This boutique option offers something a bit different from a standard large hotel.  Just a few steps away from the sands of Jomtien Beach, this residence features Northern Thai décor in air-conditioned rooms featuring a balcony, a bathtub, a flat-screen TV and a mini bar.

All rooms come with free Wi-Fi, and amenities at the residence include an outdoor pool and an onsite boutique restaurant serving local and international dishes. Breakfast is available daily and the bar stocks a range of beverages.The boutique hotel features a sun terrace, and both laundry and shuttle services are available. Various bars and other dining options are nearby the residence.

5. Jomtien Beach Residence

— Mid-Range: 1600THB + – Check Availability

This residence is 60 metres from the beach and offers luxurious serviced apartment-type accommodation. The rooms are equipped with private bathrooms as well as kitchens and dining areas. The spacious, air-conditioned suites also feature a balcony and a flat-screen TV with cable.

Amenities include parking, pool and a fitness centre are available, and other leisure avenues such as a world-class golf course can be reached within 30 minutes from this spot.

Activities on or Near Jomtien Beach

The main activities along the beach might hold appeal to anyone feeling energetic enough to try a spot of jet skiing, windsurfing and parasailing. Situated at various points along the beach willing participants will find various operations offering training in these pursuits with instructors experienced in these pursuits.

• A bit further away from the beach there are plenty of other attractions depending on how far you want to go from Jomtien. There are various water parks within easy reach such as Pattaya’s Ramayana Water Park which is just another 10 miles south and provides a great day of family fun.
• Aside from that you can easily jump into a taxi or a songthaew from this location and head to nearby landmarks like Khao Pattaya Viewpoint on Pratumnak Hill. This spot allows you to take in both the southern and northern views of the town including the lively Pattaya Beach along Beach Road.
• You can also easily get to the Wat Khao Phra Bat from Jomtien Beach, a local temple and Buddhist landmark reported to enshrine a relic related to the Buddha.

— Related: Things to Do in Pattaya & Top 13 Attractions To Visit

Places to Eat Nearby the Beach

It’s never too difficult to find food and restaurants wherever you decide to stay in Thailand, least of all near a beach area. Here are a few examples of what to expect near the beach in Jomtien:

Sandbar by the Sea: For some reportedly decent Western Food (and Thai) options in the Jomtien Beach area check out the Sandbar by the Sea. The cuisine here runs along the lines of Chicken Caesar Salad, BBQ Ribs, Pork Chops, and burgers etc.  Reports suggest that the Sandbar is a decent enough outdoor restaurant that also features live bands several times a week. Expect above average food with reasonable prices.

Dick’s Café Jomtien: Dick’s Café offers affordable Western-style cuisine such as tasty chicken, salmon, and burgers. Great coffee or tea is also served along with a selection of beers. The atmosphere at Dick’s is homely and welcoming and the service is something that visitors reportedly like along with the quality for the price.

La Bocca Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria has a great reputation locally for its ambiance and superb pizzas. The restaurant is often reported as one of the best choices in town when it comes to good food, wine, and even good music. The establishment is typically open for lunch and dinner and is the closest you’ll get to the feeling of stepping into Italy and its smells and atmosphere.

— Related: Jomtien Beach Night Market (Pattaya) – Cheap, Cheerful and Lively

Getting to and from Jomtien Beach and Pattaya 

Jomtien Beach is easy to find and accessible by road as you come into the southern reaches of Pattaya. Most people coming from the region of Bangkok will enter the town this way, either by car or by bus.

Although there are a few available services on the Eastern Train Line they are very limited with no online booking facility. The train services are also on the slow side so most locals take vans or buses instead of the train. 

• The Bangkok Eastern Bus Terminal is in Ekkamai and provides various services that run to Pattaya many times per day. Cheap buses (not recommended) are available and usually take more than 3 hours to hit Chonburi, but you can also book tickets on one of the privately-operated, air-conditioned buses that also operate.
• These coach-type buses tend to be quite a bit more expensive than the regular buses but are faster and more comfortable, and of course are still relatively cheap compared to a car. You can check out the various bus options, including timetables, prices, and an online booking option HERE.
• Domestic flights to Pattaya are available but are generally not popular due to the price involved—we are talking 10 times higher than a bus ticket and twice as expensive as a car. So flying is a no-no for most visitors to Pattaya.
• The distance is also relatively short anyway and only takes 2-3 hours from Bangkok by car or bus. If you want to book a car or taxi from the capital city to Pattaya it will cost somewhere upwards of 1500 baht or so (approximately $40.00).

— Related: Getting from Bangkok to Pattaya – Cheapest to Easiest and Most Comfortable

Using Transportation Apps in Pattaya, Jomtien & Thailand

There are plenty of readily-available taxis and private cars in and around the area when you get there. However, if you want to get around other than via a tour, it is highly recommended that you use transportation apps like Grab and Bolt for cars and taxis when in Thailand to ensure the best possible experience and avoid any potential mis-haps.

This is the best case scenario whether planning a car or taxi trip to Chonburi from another point in Thailand or for making your way around your destination when you get there. All the destinations and fares are stated beforehand, the driver strictly follows a GPS system of navigation.

It’s worth noting that this is a considerable step-up from the previous option of the stereotypical-but-true countryside cab driver who doesn’t know either the city, your destination or your language, and may possibly also be suffering from the ‘magic meter’ syndrome.

Baht Bus around Jomtien & Pattaya: Many people will use the Baht Bus to get around Pattaya and Jomtien. This is a very convenient and a super cheap option, and it’s named the Baht Bus because it only cost a baht some years ago, and now costs 10 THB. The Baht Bus is what is known in Thailand as a Songthaew which is an open truck with seating on both sides. You can check out the routes HERE.

— Related: Transport in Thailand — Taxis in Thailand — Bangkok Transport

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• Best 10 Jomtien Hotels Near the Beach & Centre
• Getting from Bangkok to Pattaya – Cheapest to Easiest and Most Comfortable
• DongTan Beach in Pattaya – Reasons To Visit and Guide
• Jomtien Beach Night Market (Pattaya) – Cheap, Cheerful and Lively
• Big Buddha Temple in Pattaya (Wat Phra Yai) – Is it Worth Visiting?
• The Top 7 Night Markets in Pattaya You Might Like To Check Out
• Buddha Mountain (Khao Chi Chan)—A Worthy Stop-Off Point in Pattaya