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Ignore the taxi and hotel touts as you arrive at Phuket International Airport and walk a short distance just to the right of the building. There you will see a "Taxi Meter" kiosk where you will be able to get a taxi for a more realistic price. It should cost no more than 350 baht (less than USD10) including a 100 baht airport tax. If you can find a driver to turn on the meter the cost will be even less. Journey time is around 20 minutes. Some hotels in Mai Khao will offer transfers which are highly recommended as you will be sure of arriving at your chosen destination without being taken to shops and travel agents on the way where the taxi drivers earn commission just for taking you there. Taxis in Phuket are probably the most expensive in Thailand. Be prepared to pay a high price in comparison to Bangkok or further north. There are local buses that will take you to Phuket town for only 50 baht each way. You will have to either walk to Hwy 402 (about 2 km) or get a lift from someone. Most of the local people are friendly and will go out of their way to help you and do not expect anything in return. The bus journey takes about 90 minutes to town and is an experience in itself but is reliable and inexpensive. Do not expect a luxurious journey unless you are willing to pay. You can also board a bus from the main highway to Phang Nga, Krabi, Surat Thani and other nearby towns. Long distances such as Bangkok will usually require that you have paid for a ticket in advance at the bus station in Phuket or from a travel agent. Motorbike and car hire is readily available all over Phuket and best to arrange near the airport as there are many hire shops around there making the prices more competitive. A small automatic motorbike should cost a maximum of 300 baht/day and cars such as a new Honda Jazz or small saloon around 1,000 baht/day including insurance. Note that you will not be insured unless you have a full driving license accompanied by an International Driving Permit (IDP). You can get these from motoring organisations in your home country.
All the resorts have their own restaurants on-site but tend to be a bit pricey. Some great ice cream at Swensons in Turtle Village and a small overpriced supermarket where you can buy all your favourite foods from home. Local restaurants are the best for value and taste and should not be avoided. Some of the best are right on the beach just before Sarasin Bridge. Here you can eat authentic local food by the sea in a bamboo sala which is all freshly cooked unlike some of the hotels further south. If you are a bit more adventurous the world is really your lobster! Many villagers will put a few tables outside their house and sell various local food which is cheap and very tasty. Around Mai Khao village there are also local markets open in the afternoons every day of the week where you can buy fresh produce for cooking in your apartment or barbecued snacks to eat on the spot and hoards of fresh fruit of every variety.
The beach area from Nai Yang to Sarasin bridge which includes Mai Khao is part of Sirinat National Park. In the undeveloped areas you will see many plants and fauna including rare species of birds, lizards, snakes, fish, and marine life.
If you want shopping and entertainment, Mai Khao Beach is definitely not for you unless you are willing to travel about 1 hour each way. Patong or one of the other beaches south of the airport is more suitable for such activities. Being in the north and most undeveloped part of the island Mai, Khao is a great place to stay if you like nature and long walks on the beach or just relaxing. The sea here is not safe for swimming in low season between May-Nov. The best time for calm seas is around Jan. This is also one of the busiest months and it's a good idea to book well in advance.
