How to plan a trip around Phu Quoc island — north vs south?

Season matters when choosing where to stay: in December–January the sea at Khem Beach isn't great, so think carefully if booking a hotel near Khem for those months. Also recommended to check hotel locations via Google Maps with reviews.

January is considered the best month weather-wise — warm, calm, warm sea, lots of sun. Stayed at Best Western Premier and Novotel in the central part of the island opposite the night market with all the cafes — beaches there were clean and calm during that time.

In March the weather is quite decent across the whole island, except for the central area. Khem Beach is already good by then, and the north is still good too.

Update on the central area: nearby is Long Beach, but hotels in the center typically don't have their own good beach, and the sea there is dirty. Everything else — budget-friendly cafes, local atmosphere, night market — is convenient.

In the north, the sea is much cleaner than in the center and the beach is regularly cleaned, though the waves are strong. The beach is nice, but in the evening the canal areas and cafes get very crowded. Prices are higher than in the center, but still bearable.

A convenient itinerary: spend a few days in the north at Vinpearl — the safari park and amusement park are nearby with free hotel shuttles (or a taxi for 100–150 RUB). Then take a taxi south for around 1500 RUB. En route, the driver can stop at a pepper farm (local products and souvenirs) and a pearl farm — about an hour total, all on the way.

In the south, staying near Emerald Bay area is convenient — free transfers and tickets to the Sunset Town evening show and Kiss Bridge are included. The fishing village near the port is not worth visiting — it's a working-class local area, not tourist-oriented. A round-trip taxi there costs around 200 RUB.

Staying in the central area (around Duong Dong town) gives easy access to Khem Beach, the night market, and massage parlours. However, trips to the north take most of the day — essentially crossing the whole island. If you're not planning daily northern excursions, the location is quite practical.