Located just outside the town of Krabi and surrounded by dense forest, the Tiger Cave Temple gets its name from the tigers that supposedly once lived in its limestone caves. Today, instead of tigers, the caves are filled with Buddhist relics and statues that you can explore independently or as part of a guided tour which includes refreshing dips in nearby pools, hot springs, and waterfalls, as well as round-trip transportation and a local guide.
The temple is a sacred Buddhist site; please remember to dress respectfully, covering your knees and shoulders.
Bring water and snacks with you when climbing the stairs, and take breaks along the way if you feel tired.
Be careful with the monkeys—they might look cute, but they can also bite and scratch.
The steps are very steep and are not suitable for people with limited mobility.
Krabi’s Tiger Cave Temple is located about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from Krabi town and can be reached by mini-bus, taxi, tuk-tuk, or scooter. For easy access, join a guided tour with round-trip transportation included.
The Tiger Cave Temple is open to the public all year round. The views are at their most beautiful at sunrise and sunset, and you’ll want to visit early or late in the day so that you’re not climbing the stairs in the midday heat. The best time to visit is between November and March, while September and October are the wettest months.
In addition to offering amazing views and gilt statues, the Tiger Cave Temple is also an important archeological site where people have discovered stone tools and pottery shards from earlier civilizations. Keep an eye out for the tiger paw prints in the caves, evidence that the area was actually once home to a population of tigers!
