Whether it's the jagged limestone cliffs that rise like fossilized bones of giants or the emerald waters carving hidden lagoons into ancient rock, time in Krabi, Thailand, leaves travelers with the distinct feeling they have stumbled onto the set of an epic film.
And now, thanks to the newest movie in the Jurassic Park franchise, this region in the southern part of Thailand is on the map. With the highly anticipated release of “Jurassic World: Rebirth” in 2025, Krabi finds its place as more than just a tropical paradise in the Andaman Sea.
And two Avani resorts are making it easy for die-hard Jurassic Park fans, like me, to follow in the footsteps of dinosaurs. I recently spent a week at Avani Ao Nang Cliff Resort and Avani+ Koh Lanta Krabi Resort, both of which have embraced the Jurassic theme with immersive experiences, locally guided adventures and playful culinary twists.
Walking in the Footsteps of Dinosaurs
My Krabi adventure began off-screen, but it was very much on-site. I kayaked through Klong Root, a pristine mangrove channel featured in the new film. Local guide Yutthana recalls seeing the movie crew filming among the freshwater streams that gently meander around tree-canopied channels. With the option of guided or self-manned kayaks, we moved past tangled roots and limestone walls as a cool mist hung low above the water.
After our kayaking session, Yutthana took us up to his rooftop patio, where hammocks and beanbags awaited, along with fresh coconut water and pineapple from his father’s farm nearby. It was the perfect spot to get a bird’s-eye view of the entire bay and the mountains beyond.
Back at Avani Ao Nang Cliff Resort, the executive chef treated us to classic Thai dishes and cocktails, but with a Jurassic twist. Spicy curries, tofu medleys and seafood stewed in local flavors paired perfectly with movie-inspired cocktails such as the “Age of Rebirth.”
A dinosaur-inspired dessert at Avani Ao Nang Cliff Resort
Credit: 2025 Karthika GuptaWhat impressed me most about this resort is how it seamlessly blends in with the natural vegetation around Krabi. I had an old banyan tree hugging my patio and another growing around a tower of rooms with panoramic views of Krabi’s limestone cliffs and the Andaman Sea.
My Jurassic adventure continued with a 30-minute ferry ride to the island of Ko Lanta for a stay at the Avani+ Koh Lanta Krabi Resort. This beautiful property nestled in a lush tropical landscape has a seamless indoor-outdoor living theme that frames both jungle and sea in each room.
During my stay here, I took a boat ride with Smile Lanta to snorkel in the crystal-clear waters off Koh Kradan, another filming site for the movie. While visibility varies with the weather, my day offered a clear view of coral and curious fish darting between rocks. Deen, my guide, explained that much of Krabi’s archipelago has prehistoric energy to it, an untouched beauty millions of years in the making.
Koh Kradan offers crystal-clear water ideal for snorkeling.
Credit: 2025 Karthika GuptaBut beyond the filming locations, there are other Jurassic-worthy landscapes to explore around Krabi. My favorite was hiking in Than Bok Khorani National Park for a rainforest experience complete with waterfalls, limestone caves and jungle trails worthy of a movie chase scene. It is mandatory to engage a guide from the local village while hiking here because of the wildlife (wild elephants still live in Krabi).
Our guide, Yop, showed us tarantula burrows (with a live one inside), eerie caves with curious bats that flew around our heads and many species of jungle spiders. Hiking through the overgrown groves humming with sounds of nature felt like I was pulled straight into a film storyboard.
A Tropical Sanctuary
Luckily for us movie fans, both Avani properties are now offering more than just film nostalgia — they’ve created an immersive journey. From dinosaur-themed creative towel art in your room and miniature dino chocolate treats at Avani Ao Nang Cliff Resort to a Lava Stone Renewal massage at Avani+ Koh Lanta Krabi Resort’s spa, these hotels have found a way to blend the thrill of the franchise with the comfort of a luxe getaway.
Avani+ Koh Lanta Krabi Resort
Credit: 2025 Karthika GuptaA new four-night package, aptly titled “Jurassic Paradise” includes four nights split between the two properties, daily breakfast, inter-resort transfers, room upgrades and a relaxed late checkout. It’s designed to be easy for families, film buffs or nature lovers to experience the magic of Krabi through a Jurassic lens, available now through November.
But honestly, what sets Krabi apart for me isn’t just its Hollywood close-up, but how it effortlessly embodies the spirit of adventure. “Jurassic World Rebirth” might bring dinosaurs to life on screen, but here, true wonder is already hidden in its caves, flowing through its waters and walking through its jungles.
