Where to go to Samui and beautiful places. Holidays in Thailand. How to go to Koh Samui yourself. Useful information, attractions. Abandoned Villa in the Jungle on Koh Samui, Lamai, Thailand

An independent trip to Thailand took us to Koh Samui when we decided to swim across Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand. There are myths about Samui that living on it is beyond the means of an ordinary traveler, so we were anxious to leave our beloved Phuket. We lived on the island of Koh Samui for two weeks and in fact it turned out to be no more expensive than Phuket, and there are also many interesting places on it, which I will tell you about today, what to see on Koh Samui on your own.

• TOP 15 things to see on Koh Samui on your own

Koh Samui Thailand how to get there

To come to Koh Samui from anywhere in Thailand, you just need to buy a ticket from a local travel agency. Usually single ticket(ticket) can include a train, bus, ferry, depending on where you are going from. Since our move to Samui took place from Phuket, we first took a bus to the city of Surat Thani. Then at the pier we boarded a ferry that followed the route from Surat Thani to the pier on Koh Samui.

What is two-story tourist bus, I think many people know. And the ferry is large motor ship, which has three floors - you can choose any place, except for the VIP zone (surcharge for it is 500 baht per person). There are air conditioners on two floors and it is quite fresh, on the top one - essentially the roof of the ship, you can sunbathe. I’m still “not an astronaut” and I always get motion sickness, but this has never happened on Thai ferries, even during long trips.

The main passengers of such ferries are tourists who have chosen a wild holiday in Thailand on their own. These are European youth of student age - they always behave very relaxed, talk loudly, sit and sleep on the floor or drink beer and dance. Everyone definitely has a tattoo on their body, and guys always look much neater and more well-groomed than girls.

Among the foreigners there are many pensioners traveling in pairs or alone with backpacks on their backs, gray hair tied at the back of their heads in a ponytail, and many bracelets on their wrists and ankles. We haven’t met any Russians on such trips; probably everyone is staying in Phuket on ready-made tour packages. Our people are not yet ready to travel abroad on their own, which cannot be said about foreigners who have been using this budget method for a long time.

How to get from Samui Pier to the hotel

As always, we looked for a suitable hotel on Samui in Thailand through the service for travelers from hotellook.ru. But you need to keep in mind that when self-booking, you will not be met by a ferry transfer, so you will have to get to your accommodation yourself. You can find out what mode of transportation exists in Thailand. We always choose the most budget one for 40 baht - this is public bus or in Thai songthaew.

Songthaews stand on the pier and wait for newly arrived tourists; each truck has a sign with the name of the beach. For one passenger, the minibus driver on Samui asked for 100 baht, which is very different from the prices in Phuket, where the same buses charge 40 baht. The driver needs to tell the name of the hotel, and he will drop you off on the ring road, in the right place.

TOP - 15 things to see on Koh Samui on your own

We lived on the island for two weeks. But even in such a short time, we tried to explore the island of Koh Samui as much as possible. The first myth is that Samui is a vacation for oligarchs and is not accessible to budget traveler, was not confirmed. Life on Koh Samui is cheaper than in Russified Phuket and much calmer. The island reminded me big village, there are no high-rise buildings here, all hotels are maximum two-story, there is no frantic traffic, no crowds and crowds.

In addition, the police here are more loyal to tourists and do not stop you, even if you are driving without a helmet. Whereas in Phuket, local policemen organize raids and fine people for driving without a license. Moving around Samui, choosing your own route, is a fascinating activity, there are many beautiful places and if you love nature, you will definitely like it here. So below is my personal rating of what you can see on Koh Samui.

1. Beaches of the island

You can travel around the beaches of Koh Samui along the ring road on a motorbike, or by taking a songthaew minibus. Each beach has its own characteristics, some have coarse sand, some have fine sand, some have palm trees or not. We've been to almost everything beaches of Samui and we noted a few that we liked. If you are looking for where to stay on Samui, then first of all I advise you to pay attention to the top three according to reviews from vacationers, what makes them such is a comfortable entry into the water, a clear sea, developed infrastructure, and clean beaches.

TOP 3 best beaches on Koh Samui:

• Lamai Beach,
• Chaweng
• Thongtakian.

Beach (Lamai Beach) - entry into the water is smooth, in the off-season there are small waves near the shore, but swimming a little further you can swim without waves. The water in the sea is clear, you can snorkel with a mask and find such sea treasures. According to the same characteristics good beaches on Koh Samui can be attributed to Chaweng, Chaweng Noi Beach, Maenam Beach, Ban Thai BeachBo Phut Beach.

The beach is the best beach on Koh Samui. It has several names - Silver Beach(Silver beach) and Thongtakian. It is located next to Lamai Beach. We've been there a couple of times and it really lives up to its name as the beach with the most clear water and the whitest fine sand. Entry to Silver beach is free. From the photo you can see that it is better to enter the water on the left side of the beach, on the other - the bottom is coral and the entrance is only possible with special shoes.

2. Shopping, night market, Russian cuisine

On Samui there are large supermarkets Tesco Lotus, Makro, Big C, where cashless payments are made by card, in food courts at shopping centers There is a menu with Russian cuisine, where you can eat borscht with sour cream, okroshka. Also a big plus for tourists are night market- Night Market, which are located in the center of large beaches such as Lamai, Chaweng, etc. We always came to the night market for dinner. Prices are the same as in all night markets in Thailand, very low. There are tables at the market, prices for dinner for two start from 100 baht.

On Samui you will find restaurants with Russian cuisine, for example, one of them is located at the K.T. Samui Residence. If you come on holiday to Thailand as a savage, then this perfect place for a Russian person hungry for familiar food.

Vladimir, a sincere person, works here as a cook, so all his dishes turn out to be delicious at home. We finally ate potatoes and dumplings at his place. The prices for food in the restaurant are quite budget-friendly, judge for yourself.

3. Grandmother and Grandfather Stones (Hinta & Hinyai)

On Lamai Beach there are such attractions of Koh Samui in Thailand as (Hinta & Hinyai), which have the appearance of female and male genitalia.

Admission is free, parking is free.

Where is it located: near Lamai beach, GPS coordinates - 9.452011, 100.039836

4. Mummy of a monk

(mummified monk) Luang Pho Daeng is a local shrine on Koh Samui. A real human mummy with hair and teeth present, the body in the lotus position is placed in a glass box and put on display.

Admission is free, you need closed clothing. Parking is free. The opening hours of the temple are from 6.00 to 18.00.

Where is it: on the main ring road, near Lamai Beach and Namuang Falls at Wat Khunaram, GPS coordinates - 9.450212, 100.000595.

5. Big Buddha statue on Koh Samui

Gigantskaya 12 meter statue the most visited attraction on Koh Samui. We recommend taking cash with you, as there is a market next to the Temple where you can bring unusual gifts from Thailand.

Entrance is free, there is also free parking for motorbikes and cars.

Where it is located: near Bangrak Pier and Samui Airport, GPS coordinates - 9.570853, 100.059844.

6. Happy Buddha

If you are not tired of Buddha statues and temples, then you can take a trip to another local attraction - the statue of the Laughing Buddha on Koh Samui. It is a symbol of wealth and prosperity in Thailand. In addition, there are many beautiful buildings around, made and painted by hand. I’ll tell you a secret that it was here that I made my most cherished wish, which later came true!

Admission is free, parking is free. Closed clothing is required, there is a rental place nearby.

Where is it located: near Bangrak Pier and Samui Airport, next to the Big Buddha statue, GPS coordinates -9.571510, 100.067129

7. View points (observation platforms)

There are many observation platforms on Koh Samui, which can be found by signs along the roads with the inscription “view point”. The sites are usually located on hills, and to get to them you need to walk uphill or ride along serpentine roads on a motorbike.

Lamai view point

The closest to the ring road and easily accessible is Lamai view point. Best time To visit this vantage point - early morning, it offers stunning views of the sunrise. At the top there is an equipped platform, a cafe, an artificial waterfall and a fish pond where you can exfoliate your feet. (fish peeling). The observation deck is fully equipped for tourists; there are comfortable steps leading up, so even children can climb the climb.

Opening hours from 9.00 - 18.30 daily.

Entrance - 100 baht, lift ( cable car) - 200 baht, cafe menu - freshly squeezed juice - from 50 baht.

Where is it: on Lamai beach, behind the Makro Lamai supermarket, GPS coordinates - 9.458767, 100.035437.

View Point near the Grandmother and Grandfather stones

Another observation deck on Lamai beach, located on a small hill, on huge boulders, but its significant advantage is that it is located right on the beach and you can enjoy the sea view from here almost right next to the sound of the waves. You won’t find any special entertainment here; you can visit it in combination with an excursion to the Grandmother and Grandfather stones.

Entrance - 50 baht.

Where is it: near Lamai beach, near the Grandmother and Grandfather stones, GPS coordinates - 9.452011, 100.039836

ViewPoint at Varinda Resort

There is also observation platforms at cafes and bars. One of these is located in the hotel. You don't have to be a hotel guest to attend. The Varinda Rezort hotel is located just above the Russian cuisine hotel K.T. Samui Residence. You need to go up a winding road that will lead you to a pool with a bar, the cool thing about this pool is that it is made so that it seems as if you are hanging over an abyss. Do not skimp on buying something from the friendly bartender, and complete relaxation overlooking Lamai beach is guaranteed.

Where is it: on Lamai Beach, entrance from the ring road opposite the Makro Lamai supermarket, GPS coordinates - 9.458644, 100.039568

Best Mountain Viewpoint

There are no songthaews to reach this view point, it is located in the center of the island and you can get to the best viewpoint on Samui on your own by bike or as part of a “Jeep Safari” excursion. There is a good asphalt road leading to the lookout, but 300 meters before the top it ends and a dirt road begins. From here you have a panoramic view of Koh Samui and good weather you might be lucky enough to see neighboring Koh Phangan. For those who like to have a snack in the mountains, on the approaches to View Point there is a restaurant called the Lookout.

Admission is free, parking is free

Where is it: entrance from the ring road from Maenam Beach, GPS coordinates - 9.530713 99.99052.

8. Waterfalls

Since Samui is a mountainous island, there are many waterfalls - rivers descending from the mountain tops. You can find your way to the natural phenomenon by driving along the ring road. There will be a Waterfall sign at the side of the road, which translates from English as a waterfall, with its name.

Don’t rush to visit all the waterfalls on Koh Samui, but go only to the largest ones, such as Namuang-1 (18 meters) and (80 meters). Since the rest of the waterfalls, smaller ones, may dry up in the off-season, and when you come to them, you may be disappointed that there is no water in them. In addition, the path to the waterfall is usually accompanied by trekking up the mountain, which is not easy for an ordinary tourist. The season for waterfalls on Koh Samui is autumn in September and October and winter in late January and all of February.

Admission: 50 baht per adult and 30 baht per child

Where is it: the entrance to Namuang Falls and Safari Park from the ring road will be marked “Waterfall 2”, GPS coordinates - 9.466381, 99.983949

9. Glowing plankton

On Lamai beach, for the first time in our lives, we saw a miracle of nature: how plankton glows in the water. Remember the movie “The Beach” and the scene when DiCaprio and a girl kissed underwater, and tiny lights swirled in the water? When we went into the sea during a night swim and swam a little from the shore, we saw that there seemed to be a flock of small fireflies around us. It was indescribable! It felt like we were in outer space, in a galaxy, and there were billions of little stars around. If you are not afraid of night swims, then this glowing plankton is not near the shore - you need to swim more than a meter and dangle your feet and hands in the water.

Then we read that this is a rather rare natural phenomenon called bioluminescent waves. It cannot always be observed, only if the sea is calm, but such a galaxy in the water is formed by one of the types of phytoplankton. Thank you to the universe for letting us see this with our own eyes!

Then, while traveling in Abkhazia, I happened to see fireflies; this sight also causes great delight, especially among children. It’s as if nature is sharing its miracle with you. But the most memorable moments in life are not buying a new phone, but moments of happiness shared with loved ones.

10. Aquarium & Tiger Zoo

At the Samui Zoo you can see Bengal tigers, leopards, monkeys and tropical birds with your own eyes, but the size of the establishment is not that large and one hour is more than enough for you to explore it. They live in the Samui Aquarium sea ​​crabs and turtles, sharks, rays and other fish species found in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.

Opening hours: 9:30 - 16:30 daily. Show with fur seals and parrots - starts at 13.00, Tiger show - 14.30.

Admission is 750 baht for an adult and 450 baht for a child, children under 2 years old are free. Photo with fur seals 100 baht, photo with a tiger - 700 baht, feeding turtles - 20 baht. Horse carriage rides are free and included in the entrance ticket price.

Where is it located: the aquarium is located in the southeast of Samui near Ban Harn beach, from the ring road there will be a sign towards the sea, GPS coordinates - 9.431130, 100.016540.

11. Paradise Park Farm

This the best place on the frame for family vacation with children, an analogue of a petting zoo, where you can touch the zoo’s inhabitants with your hands. All animals are kept in enclosures close to their natural environment a habitat. At the zoo you can see unusually colored pigeons, peacocks, herds of deer, gibbons and other animals. On the territory of the park there is a cozy cafe and a swimming pool with panoramic view on the sea.

Opening hours: 9.00 – 18.00

Entrance - 400 baht for adults, 300 baht for children, children under 2 years old are free. Bird food is free, swimming pool is free, towels are a deposit of 200 baht.

Where is it located: Paradise Park on Samui is located in the center of the island, from the ring road from Lamai there will be a sign “ Paradise Park» from the turn you need to drive 7 kilometers uphill into the island, GPS coordinates - 9.486224, 99.982882

12. Chinese Temple of Guan Yu

The huge statue of a red-faced Chinese warrior is impossible to miss and is located right on the main ring road of the island. Around the monument there are small buildings and a chapel, where you can walk and see unusual things, such as rooms for tea ceremonies, a stove in the shape of a huge human head, and gongs for rituals. This place was intended as Cultural Center for the residents of Koh Samui, so inside the rooms you can see photographs of ordinary islanders.

Opening hours: 8.00 – 18.00

Entrance is free, candles and other ritual paraphernalia start from 50 baht.

Where is it: on the ring road near Hua Thanon Beach, GPS coordinates - 9.445515, 100.024259

13. Magic Garden of Buddha

This garden is a kind of fairy tale in the forest, created by an ordinary local farmer with his own hands. He filled the area with sculptures carved from wood and stone. Inside the park there is beautiful waterfall Tarnim waterfall. By the way, the ashes of the farmer and his family rest right there in a crypt, like a stone bungalow.

Opening hours – from 9.00 to 18.00

Entrance - 80 baht

Where is it: in the south of the island along the ring road from Lamai beach, you need to turn off at the “Magic Garden” sign, the turn is located opposite the Temple with a mummified monk, GPS coordinates - 9.482916, 99.994480

14. Red Temple (Wat Ratchathammaram)

This Temple is notable for the fact that it is all made in the same color; nowhere else in Thailand have we seen such a terracotta Temple, and you definitely won’t find another like it on Samui) The building itself looks quite chic and photogenic, although it is made of the cheapest material . On its walls you can see bas-reliefs and stucco everywhere, and everything is done so finely that you can see the outlines of people’s faces, their facial expressions, jewelry and clothing. Interesting fact, that tourists are directly related to the construction of the Temple; in donations for the construction, a large share of investments belongs to vacationers, this place is, as it were, a symbol of cohesion local residents and visitors.

Entrance is free, closed clothing is required, entry to the temple without shoes.

Where is it located: The Red Temple is located near the Grandmother and Grandfather stones, GPS coordinates - 9.451184, 100.030955

15. National holidays

Celebrations and celebrations are celebrated on a grand scale in Thailand, so you would be lucky if you could attend at least one of these events. I will tell you about the largest ones, when you can see colorful processions on the streets, even with the participation of animals. Just imagine a column of elephants walking through the streets, such a sight will definitely leave you with unforgettable experience for life! So, plan your vacation ahead of the holidays in Thailand and lively emotions are guaranteed.

• Chinese New Year. Every year the date of this holiday in Thailand changes and falls on two months of the year - January and February. But if your arrival in the Kingdom is planned in winter time year, then you will most likely be able to catch it, because it lasts exactly two weeks. At this time, all the streets are decorated with traditional red lanterns, colorful dragons are hung, concert stages are assembled on the beaches, and residents prepare treats and set festive tables.

Where is it held on Koh Samui - traditionally the venue was chosen Chinese Temple, Nathon Beach and Maenam.

• The Flower Festival is another colorful event that is not inferior to the New Year's event. If you come to Thailand for the first time, you will immediately notice the Thai habit of decorating everything with flowers; they love to weave flower wreaths, collect bouquets and turn their gardens into greenhouses. Flowers can be seen on boats, in vases everywhere on the streets, and temples are also full of freshly cut flowers. But nothing can compare with the abundance these days in Thailand, namely on the first Friday in February, when processions of Thais in costumes, decorated with flower arrangements, walk through the streets.

• Thai New Year - . In my opinion, the most fun way to celebrate New Year invented in Thailand. The celebration begins the day before the solemn date of April 13, and if you are in the Kingdom of Smiles at this time, you will never be able to miss it. Because on the street, every local resident will rush to congratulate you in the traditional way - by smearing you in clay and dousing you with a basin of ice water. Thus, he wishes you well-being and prosperity in the coming year)

• Loi Krathong - Floating Boat Festival. Loi Krathong is held annually in November, on the day of the full moon, and this date was not chosen by chance. During this period, the rainy season ends in Thailand and the reservoirs are filled with water. Thais consider it their duty to launch a boat into the water, thus expressing respect to the goddess of water. They release a boat with a burning candle into the water and make their deepest wishes.

The best excursions in Koh Samui

For those who like a comfortable holiday on Samui, local travel agencies organize excursions, which already include transfer, lunch and a memorable program. In places such as caves or Paradise islands, you won’t get there on your own, so where travel outside of Koh Samui is planned, it’s better to contact local guides or book your place online, which is basically the same thing.

In our travels, we use the search engine from Sputnik8, where you can book a place and be sure of a return; it also contains reviews from tourists, based on which we always choose the best guide for ourselves.

We enjoyed our holiday on Koh Samui so much that we later recommended it to our friends. We hope that our reviews of what to see on Samui on your own will help you make your vacation interesting.

Updated: Sep 17, 2018

Seeing the sights of Samui with your own eyes is an excellent chance to get to know Thai culture, customs and traditions of the local people. Almost all the interesting places on the island are located quite close to each other, and this provides a wonderful opportunity to feel the atmosphere of Thailand.

Samui is one of the most popular holiday destinations among tourists. This island is famous snow-white beaches, exotic nature and expensive hotels. But despite the fact that this classic resort, there is not only a lot of entertainment for every taste, but also a number of historical attractions. That is, you can easily combine relaxation by the sea and sightseeing of all the sights of Koh Samui.

No doubt, there is a lot to see in Koh Samui!

Among the places that are worth seeing on your own on Koh Samui is the Wat Plai Laem Temple. Perhaps this is one of the most colorful buildings in the country. The complex is located in the north of Samui, and consists of 3 buildings. This is a relatively new temple: it was built in 2004 with donations from local residents. Main architector says that the building turned out to be so unusual and attractive due to the mixture of Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese styles.

The territory of the complex is divided into 3 parts, which include magnificent buildings and 14 fabulous-mythological sculptures. The most important building is the Bot Thai Temple, located in the center of the complex. This building is used for meetings and prayers. Traditional Thai mythological characters are depicted on the inner walls of the temple, and urns with ashes are kept in the side walls famous people. In the center of the room is a golden Buddha statue.

If you leave the Bot temple, you will see that it is surrounded by 8 golden towers, and the attraction itself stands on a small island in the middle of the lake. On both sides of the temple there are majestic sculptures. The first is the multi-armed goddess Guan Yin, riding a dragon. Thais believe that if you tell your dream to Guan Yin, it will definitely come true. The second is the statue of the “Smiling Buddha” (or Hotei), who is one of the most famous fairy-tale characters of the East. People believe that to fulfill a wish, you need to rub the Buddha's belly 300 times.

There are other sculptures on the territory of the temple complex. For example, a statue of Ganesha - the god who patronizes travelers and traders.

An artificial lake has been created around the attraction, in which you can see Thai turtles, small fish and other living creatures. It’s worth renting a catamaran in the shape of a swan and feeding the fish yourself (the price is 10 baht). The temple accepts voluntary donations. This is one of those places not only in Koh Samui, but also in Thailand, where there is something to see.

• Location: Near Ban Plai Laem School, Road 4171.
• Opening hours: 6.00 – 18.00.

Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)

One of the most famous landmarks on Koh Samui is the statue Big Buddha. It is located near Wat Phra Yai, which is the most popular temple among locals. On Saturday, whole families come here and cleanse themselves. The Thais believe that as long as the statue is intact, Samui is in no danger.

The height of the Buddha reaches 12 meters, and it was installed in 1974. By the way, the statue can be seen from different parts of the island, and all tourists arriving by plane will definitely see the figure of the Big Buddha from a bird's eye view. You can get to the attraction on your own by going up the long stairs in 60 steps.

When visiting this place yourself, it is worth remembering that at the foot of the statue you need to take off your shoes and socks. This rule does not apply to travelers arriving between 13:00 and 16:00 (at this time the stairs are very hot). Also try not to turn your back to the Buddha statue - this may offend the parishioners.

• Location of the attraction: Bophut 84320.
• Opening hours: 6.00 – 18.00.

"Angthong" or "Golden Bowl" - the largest and most popular national park on the territory of Koh Samui. It consists of 41 desert island, and their total area is 102 sq. km. In the protected area there is the only island of land where people live - the Thais themselves, who maintain order in the territory entrusted to them, and tourists who can stay in local hotels for 2-3 nights.

Known for this picturesque places brought the book “The Beach”, as well as the film of the same name starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

It is almost impossible to visit this attraction of Samui on your own, so it is better to contact one of the travel agencies on Samui. The guides promise an intense excursion: climbing to the observation deck, kayaking and canoeing, visiting caves and walking into the crater of an extinct volcano.

• Location: 145/1 Talad Lang Rd | Talad Subdistrict, Ang Thong 84000
• Cost: 300 baht for an adult and 150 for a child (environmental fee)

Samui Elephant Sanctuary

The Elephant Orphanage is a traditional eastern countries a farm where elephants live. This place will be interesting for both children and adults: on Samui you should definitely see how elephants are cared for, what they eat and observe their habits. Travelers who have been here say that the shelter area is clean and the animals themselves are very well-groomed.

They conduct excursions on the farm's territory: first they show a short 5-minute film about the difficult life of elephants, and then they invite you for a walk, during which you can look at the animals, feed and pet them yourself, and also hear the story of each elephant living in the shelter. Afterwards, tourists will have a vegetarian lunch consisting of rice, French fries and curry sauce.

Next to the shelter there is a souvenir shop, the prices of which are lower than in neighboring settlements.

• Location: 2/8 Moo 6, 84329, Koh Samui, Thailand.
• Opening hours: 9.00 – 17.00.
• Cost: 600 baht for an adult and 450 for a child (all money goes towards improving the shelter and caring for the elephants).

Khao Hua Jook Pagoda is located on the top of a hill, so it can be viewed from different points of the island. This is far from the best popular place It is quite difficult to find this attraction among tourists, and even on maps of Koh Samui. However, it is still worth visiting it on your own.

Next to the pagoda there is an active temple, the road to which goes through beautiful garden. The climb here is quite steep, but there are benches for rest at almost every step. From the observation deck where the pagoda is located, you can watch planes take off and land from Samui Airport. This place is especially beautiful in the evening and at night, because temple complex illuminated with multi-colored lanterns.

Location: Kao Hua Jook Road.

Koh Tan Island

Koh Tan is located 20 minutes by boat from Samui. This is an almost uninhabited territory: only 17 people live here + tourists periodically visit here on their own. All Thais living here are engaged in the tourism business: they run small hotels and bars. There is no electricity on the island, and the only source of communication with the outside world is a battery-powered radio.

It's worth coming to Koh Tan to take a break from noisy resorts, enjoy the snow-white beach and look at the life of ordinary Thais. The disadvantages of this place include (oddly enough) the garbage that comes from Samui and not the most convenient entrance to the water.

The village of Boptukha is the most ancient settlement on Samui, which absorbed features of both Thai and Chinese cultures. Today it is a popular tourist site. People come here to look at antiquity mixed with modernity, and also to try delicious fish in one of the local restaurants.

Tourists are advised to visit this place on their own in order to buy souvenirs, see the weekly fair, and also take pictures with fishing equipment in the background. Travelers say that this village on Koh Samui certainly has something to see.

Where to find: Opp Stare Fish Coffee, Bophut 84320.

“Paradise Park” or “Paradise Park” is an exotic farm located high in the mountains. Here you can get to know the fauna of Samui better: touch bright parrots, feed colorful pigeons yourself, admire the beauty of a peacock, and also look at ponies, goats and iguanas. Almost the entire park is a petting zoo. Almost all animals can be touched, and some can even be fed.

Since the park is located on a mountain, the observation deck offers stunning views of the jungle, garden, waterfalls, pools and artificial reservoirs. You can also visit all this splendor on your own by going down one of the many stairs.

• Address: 217/3 Moo 1, Talingngam, 84140.
• Opening hours: 9.00 – 17.00.
• Cost: 400 baht for an adult and 200 for a child.

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Secret Buddha Garden

“Buddha's Secret Garden”, as well as “Magic Garden” or “Heavenly Garden” is not the simple park that we are used to. This is a veritable cemetery of animal sculptures, mythological deities and statues of Buddha himself. The garden itself is small: it is located on a mountain, and you can walk around it in 10-15 minutes. Along the road that leads to the paradise, you can look at several small waterfalls and go out to the observation deck.

This unusual attraction on Samui in Thailand was created in 1976 by one of the Thai farmers. He believed that this was heaven on Earth, and was very happy when the first tourists began to come here, traveling on their own. Today this is a fairly popular place among travelers, but many of them explore the garden rather superficially. And in vain: here it’s worth not just walking along interesting places, but also to relax, listen to the murmur of water running down the mountains.

Tickets are sold for several fights at once. The program usually starts at 21.20 and ends around midnight. It is worth keeping in mind that it is forbidden to bring liquids and food into the stadium - everything can be purchased here (albeit more expensive).

• Attraction address: Soi Reggae, Chaweng Beach, Chaweng, Bophut 84320, Thailand.
• Opening hours: Wednesday, Saturday - 21.00 - 23.00.
• Price: 2000 baht (seat at a table).

Find out PRICES or book any accommodation using this form

Cabaret Stars is a traditional show for Thai culture, combining both elements of Thai and European cultures. Only men (usually dressed as girls) perform on stage here. As with all show programs in Thailand, everything here is very bright and colorful. The artists perform in elegant costumes to world (including Russian) hits.

Performances take place several times a day. The actors try to bring something new to each show, so don’t be surprised if the numbers are different for two identical performances.

• Location: 200/11 Moo 2, Chaweng Beach Road | 1st floor at Khun Chaweng Resort, 84320, Thailand.
• Open: Sunday - Saturday - 20.30 – 00.00.
• Cost: admission is free, but you will need to purchase a drink during the show (costs start at 200 baht).

Prices on the page are for September 2018.

You should go to Thailand not only to sunbathe on the beach and swim in the sea, but also to visit the sights of Samui.

All attractions of Koh Samui described on the page are marked on the map in Russian.

Related posts:

Koh Samui is located almost on the same meridian as the popular one, but on the opposite, east coast Malay Peninsula, about forty kilometers away. This piece of land is famous for its wide white beaches framed by coconut trees. Attractions on Koh Samui– a good opportunity to diversify beach holiday(more about). So, let's open our TOP 10!

Big Buddha

If you are inclined towards mysticism, then it is better to start exploring the sights of Koh Samui from the small island of Faan, which has “ big land» the dam leads. There is a 12-meter tall Buddha statue on it. Write your name on the tiles that will later cover the temple, ring the bell, ask the monks for blessings and they will try to provide you unforgettable vacation. You can diversify your sacred journey by visiting the market, where you will find interesting and even unique souvenirs. By the way, do you know what souvenirs are best?

Plai Laem Temple

Very young, it was built 11 years ago with public donations. This is the largest religious attraction on the island, and it is also considered one of the most beautiful. It is a whole ensemble of buildings and structures, the appearance of which is an eclectic mix of Chinese, Indian and Thai styles - real Asian baroque, symbolizing the three sacred branches that formed the mentality. At its center is a statue of the Buddhist goddess Guanyin. This eighteen-armed embodiment of mercy is placed in front of the temple, whose appearance contains most of the authentic signs of the Celestial Empire.

Angthong National Marine Park

To the northwest of Koh Samui lies an archipelago of small islands. This is the territory. The islands are completely uninhabited, all excursions (read more about the most exciting ones) are conducted during daylight hours, and after dark, boats with tourists go home. The picturesqueness of the place, incredibly clear water (it is worth noting that in this place South China Sea it is so salty that salt crystals are visible in the rays of the midday sun) attracts National marine park Ang Thong on Koh Samui not only tourists, but also filmmakers. It was in this landmark that scenes of the film “The Beach,” in which Leonardo DiCaprio starred, were filmed.

Visit this park the most convenient way is to order excursion program on the website Samuitours.ru.

Buddha Garden

Among the mountain spurs and lush tropical greenery of the center of the island, the inquisitive traveler sees an amazing spectacle of the unity of the handiwork of a man, fascinated by the teachings of the Buddha, and the whimsical imagination of nature. It is considered the most successful landscape landmark in all of Thailand. On small area collected sculptural images of the Buddha himself and the entire pantheon of deities of this faith. A Buddhist monk-gardener from.

local monastery

Insect Museum

Na Muang Waterfalls

Paradise Park Farm Helpful information about Koh Samui (Thailand) which is needed for organization independent travel

. How to get there, transport on the island, food and attractions, weather on Samui and what time is best to go. The best beaches and where to choose accommodation on Koh Samui for a short vacation.

General information about Koh Samui Samui or Koh Samui - a tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand, one of the three most big islands Thailand along with. We visited all these and other smaller islands. We scored a few bumps and got an ocean of pleasure from several trips to Thailand and vacations on its islands.

Seasons on Koh Samui – when is the best time to go?

Best season to holiday on Koh Samui traditional for big islands but with its own characteristics - the end of winter - the beginning of spring, namely January - the beginning of March. This period is considered high season with high prices and a maximum of vacationers. There are exceptions and in March it can rain heavily, and the island literally floods (2012) for several days without a break. Additionally, the popular Lamai Beach and northern beaches may experience high waves and murky waters.

End of April – beginning of May, that is, at the time when Phuket the weather is getting worse, Samui sunny weather sets in and what many call heat comes, temperatures up to 35-38 degrees with sufficient humidity. We were on Samui just at that time, but we were used to the warmth, so we didn’t experience any discomfort. There were no waves anywhere at this time of year, including the northern beaches.

The best time for me is end of March, inexpensive housing, sunny and warm (+32 +35 Celsius), significantly fewer people than in winter.

Water temperature at beaches of the Gulf of Thailand in all seasons it is always approximately the same up to +30 degrees. I advise you to read in detail about the seasons and weather on the islands of Thailand It won’t take much time, but it will be useful when planning a trip to Koh Samui.

How much time do you need for a holiday on Koh Samui?

At least a week - during this time you can lie on the beach, sit in a cafe and travel around the island along the perimeter with stops in the most cool places which I will talk about in the section Sights of Koh Samui.

If you have more than a week, you can go to neighboring islands Koh Phangan and Koh Tao have very beautiful nature and beaches, besides, the islands themselves are quite party-like, you won’t be bored.

How to get to Koh Samui

All or almost all paths on Koh Samui lie through Bangkok. Flight to Bangkok depending on your location it will cost $500-$700. Just recently it cost me $640, it could have been cheaper, but I was choosing between a good connection and a cool airline, and in the end I got both for the money.

From Bangkok not everything is so simple and there are two main ways to get to the treasured tropical paradise - expensive and comfortable and cheap and not very comfortable. It so happened that I tried both methods, they are both wonderful and here's why.

Flight Bangkok – Koh Samui

On Samui from Bangkok a couple of airlines fly, namely Dear Bangkok Air and Thai Airways. Both of international airport Suvarnabhumi, a one-way ticket costs around 100 bucks! That's an hour's flight! And if not for one cool thing - the local island airport. By the way, this airport ranks first in the ranking of island airports in the world and it is worth flying there. There are almost no walls and a thatched roof, a waiting room - wooden carved tables on the street under palm trees, yet you still understand that you are in the 21st century, and not in some island wilderness already along the road in a cart that carries those arriving to baggage claim line. Before departure from Samui Be sure to come early, it's nice to wander around the grounds.

Advantages of direct flights to Koh Samui from Bangkok

• departure from an international airport, unlike AirAsia which departs from the local Don Mueang airport and flies to the coast to the city of Surat Thani;
• speed; only an hour in flight plus a taxi to the airport will take no more than three hours;
• the opportunity to see the almost fabulous island airport of Samui, it’s like in a movie...

Minuses

• the high price of air travel, for two people you will have to pay about 400 dollars for a simple, generally one-hour flight;

You can also buy a flight from Bangkok before Surat Thani, low-cost airlines fly there Air Asia and Nok Air. departure Bangkok from local Don Mueang Airport which can be reached from Bangkok Suwanopomi International Airport by taxi, shuttle or minivan, as well as by buses No. 554 and 555. From Surat Thani get by bus to the pier and from there by boat. You can buy a ticket for the boat bus directly on the plane.

Bus-ferry

The second method is budget-friendly, but not quite free as many people think. Traveling by bus to Surat Thani plus a ferry to Samui will cost 30-40 US dollars, that is, 2.5 times cheaper than a plane. The bus is coming all night, so you save a night for hotel accommodation - you will relax on the island, the roads are good, the bus is comfortable.

Combination bus+ferry ticket can be purchased at South Bus Terminal (Southern Bus Terminal) or on a famous tourist attraction Khao San Road. To get to the bus station it costs to take a taxi - it is in Bangkok inexpensive.

Train-bus-ferry

Popular method get to Koh Samui, we didn’t use it, but there’s nothing complicated. You need to take a ticket to Surat Thani or Chumphon stations. Chumphon is closer by three hours, from there they mostly go to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao islands, but you can get to Samui.

From Bangkok we're going to Train Station Hua Lamphong (Hua Lamphong). We go to the station by taxi, 100-150 baht or Skytrain MRT to the Hua Lamphong station of the same name.

We buy a train ticket directly at the station at the ticket office, they accept bank cards, ticket price 750 baht.

There are many trains, about a dozen. It is important to calculate your arrival time in order to be on time ferry to Koh Samui. Train to Surat Thani from Bangkok It takes about 9 hours, and is often another hour and a half late. On Surat Thani station We buy a bus + ferry ticket. The ferry departs from Donsak port which is another 2 hours away by bus from Surat Thani station. Ferry to Koh Samui spends an hour and a half on the road. Bus+ferry ticket price – 280 baht.

Transport on Koh Samui, how to get around the island

Regardless of whether we arrive at the airport or at the pier by ferry, we get off and then go to the hotel for songthaew. At the airport they will immediately offer you a taxi, there is a girl standing at the exit and distributing taxi cars, everything is very organized and clear.

Taxis on the island are expensive, there are no meters there, but you can negotiate the price with the driver. In the case of the airport, it is impossible to negotiate, where the taxi is assigned by the girl at the gate at the counter, you just name your hotel and get a taxi, the driver takes you to the car - a civilized replacement for a package transfer to the hotel.

By Koh Samui you can travel on a bike that can to rent right at the hotel, we did exactly that. If you don’t want to bite the dust on your bike, you can rent a taxi for the whole day, it costs about 100 bucks and the driver will take you wherever you want without restrictions on mileage and time. Often the driver acts as a guide, which is convenient for those who don’t want to deal with renting a bike or catching songthaew on the street. You can find a taxi driver right on the street.

The ferry arrives at Samui on Nathon Pier (on the left on the map), from it for 100-150 baht you can get to the main beaches on a local minibus called songthaew.

Songthaew- most budget method moving between the beaches of the island, on songthaew you can get to the main Samui attractions, such as waterfalls, beaches, temples or Big Buddha.

Beaches of Koh Samui

The main beaches of Koh Samui are

• Lamai- one of my favorites, besides me, it is also loved by winterers (people who come to Samui for the winter) and budget independent travelers who want to be away from package tourists.
• Chaweng Noi– we lived not far from this beach, our housing is worthy of a separate story.
• Chaweng– the most civilized and most packaged beach on the island, nevertheless very colorful with many restaurants and cafes by the water. Even if you don’t live there, it’s worth going there for half a day.
• Very romantic, very small - only a hundred meters long and incredibly cozy beach Coral Cove. We came across it by chance; I didn’t see any emphasis on it in travellers’ reports. In April it was completely deserted, with huge boulders of coral origin, which was very similar to the postcard Seychelles beaches. You definitely need to get to it - it is located right behind Chaweng Noi beach, you can go down through the territory of a cool but boring hotel.

Details about beaches of Samui you can read the article Review of the best beaches on Koh Samui >>

Where to choose accommodation on Koh Samui

Samui has a mountainous terrain and is a bit like Koh Chang Island, almost all the housing is located around the island along the coastline. The choice of housing is the choice of the beach, not necessarily on the so-called first line, the concept of which is Samui very conditional.

The most beautiful and luxurious hotels usually hidden a little in the depths. You won’t walk and lie on the same beach anyway; it’s not worth traveling so far for that.

So, if you want to party, choose accommodation at Chaweng beach, this is the classic choice of the average tourist. If you want a little island carelessness combined with budget accommodation - then Lamai beach. Our favorite beach - Chaweng Noi- this is actually a continuation Chaweng Beach, but in a version closer to us. Fine sand, wide coastline, restaurants, cafes, a lot of luxurious stones on the edge of the beach. A very photogenic beach, and also a romantic one nearby Coral Cove, Lamai and party Chaweng, you can always change the situation.

The outskirts of Samui, where to go for a couple of days

WITH Samui you can go for the whole day or for several days in the coming beautiful islands Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, boats depart from the pier; you can get to the pier by songthaew or taxi. You buy tickets on the spot, there are no problems with that. ABOUT Pangane and Tao There will also be a separate story.

Money, credit cards, things. What to take with you to Koh Samui

It is unlikely that you will need a lot of things for a short vacation. If we fly in winter, we put on warm clothes, then leave them in the luggage room at Suwanopumi Airport in Bangkok; we buy T-shirts and shorts on the spot, they cost a pretty penny. I also buy flip-flops there, sometimes I leave it all in Thailand, sometimes I take all this trash home. I advise you to have sandals in addition to flip-flops; they are more comfortable to walk in, both over mountains and waterfalls, and just along the road.

Necessarily first aid kit, on Samui go to a supermarket like Big C and buy everything you need. Tiger balm helps with colds and bites, and I buy Betadine for cuts (like our iodine, but much more effective). All this stuff fits into a small backpack; there is no luggage. Or rather, it was on our first visit to Thailand; subsequent times we traveled to Asia lightly and did not pay for luggage when flying with low-cost airlines such as Air Asia or Cebu Pacific.

Paper money is better and US dollars are better in bills of 50 and 100; for other denominations the rate is lower. Credit cards are not accepted everywhere; it is better to withdraw a large amount at once from ATMs, since the commission is fixed. I distribute funds for travel between a credit card and cash in approximately the ratio of 1:3, I pay for hotel stays with a card, and cash for everything else.

Holiday budget for Koh Samui, what you can save on

To put it briefly, a vacation for two with an average budget will cost 2-2.5 thousand US dollars, this includes the main flight, transfers throughout Thailand (domestic flights, bus, boat, ferry), accommodation, food and some entertainment. If you drink a lot of beer, add another hundred or two dollars for two, about $1 for a 0.33 bottle of beer.

Details about the holiday budget on Koh Samui

• Flight Kyiv (Another city) – Bangkok – 550-700 US dollars
• Accommodation – bungalow on the beach 20+ US dollars per day for two, a decent hotel with a swimming pool and other amenities – 50+ US dollars for two per day
• Food – 20-40 dollars per day for two, subject to breakfast at the hotel;
• Bike, songthaew, taxi – up to $100 for 2 weeks
• Entertainment, souvenirs – $200.

Save you can afford housing if you choose a bungalow instead of a relatively expensive hotel, I hope no one will stay in hostels. Getting around on a bike instead of a taxi is easy even for beginners. Eat in makashnitsa or cook yourself plus fruit. And of course, trying to buy a cheaper flight is the main expense item.

Review of holiday on Koh Samui

We visited many large and small popular and not so popular islands of Thailand and it’s difficult for me to be objective compare Samui with Chang or Phuket. All three islands are worth a separate trip. On Samui more palm trees and cheaper than Phuket and more attractions and entertainment than on Change. There are affordable prices, a wide variety of supermarkets, markets, small shops, accommodation for every taste. Deserted beaches even in high season and good climate, though we didn’t experience any rain.

Koh Samui more developed than Co. Chang, good infrastructure is combined with a special island atmosphere, although not everywhere. Small difficulties with a budget transfer to the island are compensated by the warm ocean and a variety of nature and entertainment. Samui more convenient for beach and educational trips, while Chang is more purely beach story, although in general the beaches are Phuket, What's on Change And Samui luxurious.

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I am deeply convinced that a person can be happy regardless of where he lives or is in this moment. After all, happiness is inside, and this inner harmony depends entirely on us, on our personal perception environment and events, from the opportunity to see beauty in everything.

Moreover, the beauty around is not always a guarantee of falling in love with a particular place. I know that for some, the island of Koh Samui is a paradise and the ultimate dream, and indeed, in many ways it is very good here - many pleasant beaches, a well-developed infrastructure, all the advantages (as well as disadvantages) of the tropics. And I really tried to love this island, we even settled on the very best beach but it still didn’t work out, the beauty on the outside couldn’t influence the inner feelings, a ardent relationship with the island, alas, didn’t work out.

Let me warn you right away, this is not some kind of coherent story, thoughts or impressions, rather just a photo post about Samui and how we saw the island in a month.

If you subscribe to our Instagram, then you have already seen some of these photos, but if not, then enjoy viewing!

Even if you arrived to Samui by plane, I recommend that you definitely come, at least once, to some pier. What attracts me most are these small piers, floats - you go on your own, walk, swaying to the rhythm of the waves, from them you can dive into the water, which is especially important when the tides begin to go strong.

Where would there be without palm trees on the island :)

From some observation points or beaches on the island you can admire not only the surface of the sea, but also

where it’s definitely worth sailing, even if not for the whole vacation, then at least for a day!

At noon, the sea turns turquoise, clouds and palm trees add atmosphere.

At the peak of turquoise, it’s more comfortable to sit at home under the air conditioning or swim in a pool in the sea, but as they say, beauty requires sacrifice, so to enjoy the view and take a good photo, you should come to some picturesque bay,

I don’t like to be on the beach during the day - firstly, it’s very hot, and secondly, there are a lot of people, so my “golden” time is dawn,

in 80% of cases on any beach at 5-6 am it’s just Lesha and I, and no one else!

but since I like to see the sea in turquoise, and not just gray-blue, we can’t avoid daytime visits either :)

If the beach is not touristy, then another interest awakens here - people! The coolest and most colorful photos of people (and children in particular) can be taken in and, but in Thailand this is much more difficult - here children are neater and much more restrained in their emotions.

Hotels, and especially swimming pools, are also part of the island, and you can’t live without it,

where, where, and on Koh Samui there are enough first-class hotels that can make your vacation even brighter!

hotels on Koh Samui
Koh Samui has not only beaches with hotels and natural bays, but also real jungles with the oldest arboreal inhabitants!

There are also waterfalls, although in the off-season they are quite scarce.

By the way, behind me is the largest waterfall of Namuang Island 2, yes, and we were in shock)) If it weren’t for the dragonfruits we took with us for a fruit picnic, there would definitely be nothing to do here.

In the tropics I am always pleased with this type of living creature - geckos and other lizards are completely harmless.

As in any tourist place, you can see elephants on Koh Samui. Of course, I feel sorry for them, because from 10 in the morning until the evening they entertain tourists - they ride and participate in shows.

We came to the elephants early in the morning, even before the start of their shift, at this time they are very happy, they are fed, washed with hoses, rubbed with brushes, which they especially like, and some even dance :) But in terms of scale, and in general service, the nursery elephants on Koh Samui cannot be compared with.

It’s also nice to meditate in the morning

or just think about goals and plans, the main thing is to find a suitable and quiet place for this :)

You can combine this process with watching the dawn!

Also at dawn we love sports, be it yoga or jogging on the beach,

Or you can sometimes go kayaking for a change :)

And sometimes just take a walk at a brisk pace, while the sun is still hanging low and doesn’t seem like your worst enemy))

During the day on Samui, we worked at home and didn’t stick our noses out into the sun at all, except maybe a few times, and then in order to reboot the brain, for example, to cool off in the pool or swim in the sea.

but at 6 pm, yes, as per schedule, all matters aside - and march to the beach!

Firstly, it’s not hot anymore, and secondly, this is a magical time, sunset time!

It is not always possible to see the sun setting into the sea on the island,

but that’s the beauty of it, you never know what the sunset or glow will be like.

Each time is like a new performance!

Well, for some people an evening on the beach looks something like this :)

There is a certain ease and spontaneity in life on the island; you can sit and work and suddenly, at some point, decide to take a break.

You can easily take a bike, sit down and rush somewhere, for example, for cold drinks with a stunning view.

And you can go in absolutely any direction!

There are plenty of picturesque pictures and cafes, especially if you drive along the coast.

Tired of nature? There are also parks and golden Buddhas in temples.

You can even sail away from the island or plan a route along the beaches, bypassing all roads, trusting the captain,

see you new spaces, palm groves,

and the spotless sea

Samui attracts the most different tourists, there are conditions here for private relaxation,

and many places at the epicenter of parties and nightlife.

Samui is also chosen by newlyweds - both Europeans and Asians living in large cities,

We are, and every time I see a wedding abroad, I get into a “romantic” mood!

We also found a couple of our own places on Koh Samui :)

Even though Samui wasn't our favorite, I'm sure that if you've never been to Thailand, you'll like it here!

You might even be inspired to come here again or stay for a while :)

That's all! Have a great and bright week!

By the way, how was your summer? Where have you already gone, or are you still planning to go on vacation? Tell us in the comments!