Koh Samui is the most picturesque resort in Thailand! FAQ Holidays on Koh Samui on your own - prices and beaches All about Koh Samui

Denis

Koh Samui is the most picturesque resort in Thailand!

Koh Samui Island in Thailand in popularity confidently competes with. There's so much here picturesque nature, impenetrable jungle, snow-white beaches, smiling Thais, that once you get here, you don’t want to go back. And for party lovers, a grand party is held every month on a nearby island, where you can have a blast until the morning so that you won’t have the strength to walk to the hotel.

The waters around Samui are not only rich in life, but also very transparent - depending on the time of year and the set (dive location), the visibility distance reaches twenty or even thirty meters. Therefore, diving in Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Nang Yuan is one of the most developed...

An excursion on the Red Baron yacht on Koh Samui is one of the most popular attractions for tourists. This is a sailing-motor yacht with a length of thirty and a width of almost seven meters, the largest pleasure boat on the island in terms of displacement. Usually people relax on board...

If you come to relax on Koh Samui, then an excursion to the islands of Koh Tao and Nang Yuan will definitely be included in the program of your stay there. And this is not surprising, because they are one of the most picturesque pieces of land in the middle of the water. All over the world you will find...

Cable car on Samui is a very exciting and extreme excursion for those who constantly lack adrenaline in their blood. For her alone it is worth visiting this island. The total length of all routes is more than 9 kilometers and 50 intermediate...

Koh Samui is two times smaller than Phuket, but confidently competes with it in the fight for the attention of tourists. This is facilitated by magnificent beaches with white coral sand, picturesque lagoons, mountain waterfalls and bottomless blue sky. One of the most sought after...

Thailand is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of the number of attractions per capita. And we will not be too far from the truth if we say that the Angthong National Marine Park near Samui is the main one of them. This is a group of islands in the Gulf of Thailand...

The island of Koh Samui is not very large, but you can visit all its most beautiful corners only by riding an iron horse - an off-road jeep. This opportunity is provided specifically organized excursion Jeep safari through the jungle of Koh Samui. It includes not only...

The Tiger Zoo and Aquarium on Koh Samui is one of the island's attractions, which is usually positioned as children's attraction. Administratively and territorially they are united and are called “Aquarium & Tiger Zoo”. Located on the territory of the Samui Orchid resort...

Koh Samui is an island located in the Chumphon Archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 700 km south of Bangkok and 80 km east coastline Southern Thailand.

This is the second most popular place to visit in Thailand and amazes tourists with its amazing natural beauty and diversity. Home to nearly 40,000 full-time residents, 90% of whom are Buddhist.

The territory is surrounded by palm trees, coconuts and fruits are grown on the coastline and in the coastal lowlands, and the slopes of the central granite massif are covered with virgin tropical forest. The length of the island is 25 km and the width is 21 km.

Samui is big enough for adventure, even though you can drive around it by motorcycle or car in a couple of hours.

Short video about Samui

How to get there

Planning a trip to Koh Samui? Do you want to know how to get to this city most convenient? Then the list of options below is for you!

By plane

Koh Samui Airport (USM) is a private airport originally built by Bangkok Airways. It is the main operator and was for a long time the only airline with services to Koh Samui. IN this airport almost hourly flights to/from Bangkok and by Thai standards expensive tickets with pre-booking 3,000-4,500 baht one way, while without pre-booking they can cost twice as much. There are also daily flights to/from Phuket for 2,000-3,000 baht. There are two daily flights from Chiang Mai, but only one direct flight in the opposite direction.

The peculiarity of the international boarding gate is a special place where all passengers are offered food and drinks in a cozy lounge, there is Wi-Fi provision - it becomes much more comfortable to wait for boarding.

In addition to Bangkok Airways, Koh Samui is served by two flights daily from Bangkok with Thai Airways, Berjaya Air and Firefly from Subang airport (a small airport 30 minutes from the city center (Kuala Lumpur) and International airport Penang International Airport) in Malaysia.

You can monitor promotions and special offers for air tickets on various aggregator sites, or, for example,.

Visa on arrival and visa-free entry are available at Samui Airport for some nationalities.

Transport from the airport is easy to find. A 20-minute bus ride to Chaweng costs 120 baht per person; a taxi will cost more - 400 baht. Make sure you set the fare to your destination before you get into the taxi because many drivers refuse to use the meter.

If you are visiting as a couple or family, you will probably be accosted by some young women holding signs from some hotels high class. They'll ask you where you're staying and upon answering, they'll offer you a free taxi ride if you promise to attend their hotel's presentation during your stay. Avoid such offers.

Alternative airports

Other airports that fly into Koh Samui are Surat Thani Airport and Chumphon Airport from the mainland with a good ferry to Koh Samui. They are often significantly cheaper and serve as excellent low cost carriers for Air Asia and Nok Air.

• Nok Air offers 4 daily flights + ferry from Bangkok to Koh Samui or fly with Nok Air from Bangkok to Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat and ferry to Koh Samui. You can book your ticket on their website.
• Flights to Surat Thani are operated by Thai Airlines and low-cost airlines Air Asia and Nok Air (departing from Don Muang Airport, then by road to the coast and by ferry to your destination.

Flights to Nakhon Si Thammarat are carried out by Air Asia and Nok Air, then by bus and catamaran.

By ship

From Chumphon via Ko Tao, Ko Phangan

Lomprayah offers a shared bus/high speed catamaran service from Bang Kong to Koh Samui, which takes 11 hours (5.5 by ship) and costs around 1,250 baht (1,000 baht in reverse side). The bus stops in Hua Hin ( Hua Hin) and then to Chumphon, where passengers transfer to a ship calling at Nangyuan (Ko Nang Yuan), Koh Tao and Koh Phangan on the way to Koh Samui. The road is scenic (including a trip to 2 islands), and the ferry is convenient to Seatran.

This trip to Koh Samui will take longer, but is a good way to see the countryside and islands. The bus option is a 50-minute flight from Bangkok to Chumphon Airport via Nok Air and transfers to high-speed ferries stopping at Koh Tao along the way.

High-speed catamarans "Lomprayah" are a good and fast option to get to Samui from Koh Tao or Koh Phangan, as well as in a good way arrive to these islands from Bangkok. There are also regular speedboats from other operators.

By ferry

From Surat Thani

Railroad station and Surat Thani Airport (URT) include mixed bus/ferry services to Samui for 200-300 baht. Some involve a 60-minute bus ride to Donsak pier, followed by a 90-minute ferry ride. Others involve a 30-minute bus ride, but the ferry takes longer. Tickets are sold by numerous agents who can be found in every train and airport. It costs less than 300 baht.

At Donsak Pier you can choose from one of the listed ferry companies "Songserm", "Travel" And "Seatran"(departures every 30-60 minutes), which ends at Nathon Pier. If you book your trip through tourist agency, you are traveling on a small, two-deck ferry that is often crowded, so always arrive early as all the seats on the lower deck may be occupied.

An air-conditioned upper deck costs more. If you don't feel like paying extra, you might end up next to a pile of backpacks in the back of the boat. There is a small overpriced shop on the lower deck (instant noodles that cost 15 baht are sold here for 50 baht). It's better to bring snacks with you so as not to overpay. The passengers on the Songserm ferry are mostly foreigners.

The Seatran ferry is much larger and has multiple decks (most are free to enter, including air-conditioned areas), fills up slower due to its size, and has numerous TVs (with Thai channels). There is a large cafeteria (with much friendlier prices, such as 20 baht for the same instant noodles). Passengers are mainly Thais and tourists.

Raja Ferry Port operates services between Donsak Pier and Lipa Noi Pier on the west side of Koh Samui (a few kilometers south of Nathon). The ferry includes a free air-conditioned deck and comfortable seating. The ferry also transports car. You can use it if you decide to come by your own transport. Transfer from Songthaew pier to Koh Samui or Lamai will cost 100 baht per person. A taxi will cost more, about 1000 baht.

There are numerous ferry services from Surat Thani, including fast boats (3 departures daily, duration 3 hours and cost 150 baht) and slow night boats (lasting 6-7 hours). Operator number "Songserm Travel" +66 25 29 654 in Bangkok to clarify the schedule, which varies depending on the season.

Clue:

Koh Samui - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow − 4

Kazan − 4

Samara − 3

Ekaterinburg − 2

Novosibirsk 0

Vladivostok 3

When is the season? When is the best time to go

Samui's weather is slightly different from other parts of Thailand. From April to September, when most of the country is in the rainy season, Koh Samui remains fairly dry, but from October to December it is quite damp. From Koh Samui, the dry season lasts from January to March. You can find your way around prices for tours to Koh Samui from Russia.

Samui in summer

The summer months on the island cannot boast of impeccable weather. The air temperature is quite democratic, but the humidity increases sharply, resulting in terrible stuffiness. Added to this is the approaching rainy season; in the evening and at night, vacationers may be upset by passing downpours, although not very long (no more than an hour). With sunrise, the soil quickly dries out, and the sun does not spare vacationers. The sea is quite calm the only negative There may be daytime low tides occurring. On some beaches, it is especially noticeable how the water moves several meters away from the shore, and for some, such a picture may seem frightening.

Samui in autumn

The beginning of autumn can easily please tourists who come to Samui. When to go if not in summer? - the sun warms well, there is no wind, and the sea is quite calm. Almost the whole of September can be spent on the beaches of Samui and enjoying the beautiful weather, although this month is considered the end of the beach season. Starting in October, the island is gradually enveloped by a cyclone of rain and gusty winds. The temperature drops monthly by about 1-2 degrees, and on average is 27 degrees in air and 26 degrees in water. Exhausting rains, which last about 5 hours a day, and intense gusty winds make it impossible to enjoy the island as beach resort. The water is warm, but due to weather conditions, it is very cloudy. Several autumn days threaten a month's worth of precipitation. Cloudy weather prevails. Autumn is perfect for excursion tours. Due to the absence of a significant flow of tourists in the fall, you can safely visit the temples or study the history of this place in more detail.

Koh Samui in spring

Everything blooms in spring, and Ko Samui is no exception. The variety of colors that the rich flora of the island can demonstrate attracts a new flow of tourists here. In April, the scorching sun heats the air up to 35 degrees, often the thermometer exceeds this mark, but even this cannot stop exotic lovers.

The sea is still calm, its temperature reaches 29 degrees, and only occasionally vacationers can frolic in small waves. With the end of spring, the weather begins to decline. The rainy season is soon approaching, so the air at the end of April may seem stuffy.

Samui in winter

Winter is considered the peak tourist recreation to Koh Samui. In winter, the weather is very stable and the same “ the Velvet season" It is still recommended to fly to the island in the second ten days of December, since the beginning of this month may be cloudy and rainy, it is almost impossible to predict this. Such weather vagaries can occur due to the change and development of the season. Otherwise, the winter months delight vacationers with the bright sun and evening freshness, the sea is clean with rare, small waves - an ideal time to enjoy all the advantages seaside resort.

Koh Samui - weather by month

Clue:

Koh Samui - weather by month

Main attractions. What to see

The most popular attractions in Koh Samui are presented below.

Top 5

Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo Ko Samui

Located on Ban Harn beach. The Oceanarium features an amazing collection of tropical fish and other marine animals such as turtles and colorful coral. The Tiger Zoo is home to Bengal tigers and leopards. Samui Oceanarium and Tiger Zoo are open daily from 09:00-18:00.

Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai)

At Wat Phra Yai, also known as the Great Buddha Temple, the Buddha statue is 15 meters tall. It was built in 1972 in the north of the island.

Samui Butterful Garden/Insect Museum

This butterfly garden can be found in the southeast of the island. You can see a huge collection of different butterflies, with a wingspan of up to 25 cm. Visitors can also visit the insect museum, where you can see a variety of insects from rare beetles to beehives.

Bophut Elephant Camp

The Funny Day Safari Jeep Safari takes place at the Elephant Park, a couple of minutes from the fishing village, and visit it to enjoy the peaceful nature while sitting on the back of a magnificent mammal, or to watch and feed the cute little baby elephants. You can also learn how Samui monkeys work and watch a professional performance of crocodiles. Additional Information, area maps and photo gallery are on their website.

Secret Buddha Garden

This beautiful garden was built by a 76-year-old Samui gardener in 1976. It is surrounded by green bushes, rocky hills and is decorated with sculptures depicting both sexes in various poses, as well as various deities. Since the garden is the highest point on the island, you can see stunning views from there. Organized tours to the garden lasts almost 2 hours.

Other attractions of the island:

• Monkey Shows - You can enjoy this show at the open air theater on the main road behind Bophut Beach. The show also includes trained elephants. Catching and training wild animals is ethically questionable.
• Old House - A Chinese-style house almost 200 years old represents cultural heritage Samui. Grandpa Xi and Grandma Meng Tancharoen open the house to visitors.
• Airport hut. The airport on Samui is very small, the peculiarity is that it is made in the form of a small, but very cozy and beautiful hut. Thanks to this, Samui Airport is one of the five most original airports in the world.
• Coral beds at Laem Set and Thong Takhian;
• Namtok Hin Lat Waterfall - The main waterfront settlement of the island, where shops, restaurants and travel agencies are concentrated;

• Namtok Na Mueang Waterfall - A local road leads to Na Muang Waterfall 1. The 30-minute walk ends at the more scenic Na Muang Waterfall 2. Crimson cliffs surround a watery stream that falls from an impressive height of approximately 79 meters;
• Snake farm;

• Grandmother and Grandfather Rocks - These strange rocks located on Lamai Beach bear a striking resemblance to the genitals of men and women. They have become one of the most important attractions of the island. For those who would like to listen to the legend or see the rocks, you only need to ask a local;
• Water Buffalo Fights - The island has a rich tradition of water buffalo fighting arenas. There is no fight schedule, but locals will know the dates and you may see the occasional sign on the road announcing the day of the fight.

Beaches. Which ones are better

The main reason to visit Koh Samui is the beaches, as it is a fairly large island with fabulous beaches. The most popular and commercialized beaches are Lamai, while the northern beaches of Mae Nam, Bophut, Bang Rak (Big Buddha) and Choeng Mon and their surrounding villages are the quietest places and beaches west coast relatively quiet. Clarification: Due to the murky water, Bophut and Choeng Mon are not very good for swimming. The beaches and Lamai are cleaner sea ​​water.

• Nathon is the port and administrative center of Samui, which attracts tourists.
• Laem Yai is located on the northwestern edge of the island; secluded beach overlooking the Ang Thong Islands.
• Mae Nam is a quiet and beautiful beach on the northern coast.
• Bophut is known for its tranquil but rapidly growing fishing village.
• Bang Rak is located on the northeastern edge, home Big Buddha.
• Choeng Mon is a quiet northern beach of the coast.
• Chaweng is the largest and most developed beach with an unusual mixture of luxury hotels and small inns for tourists and active nightlife.
• Lamai is the “second” beach of Samui, south of Chaweng, with big amount active nightlife and chic resorts and restaurants.
• South Coast of Samui - small beaches Ban Hua Thanon, Na Khai, Laem Set, Bang Kao and Thong Krut.

Chaweng beach

The main beach on Koh Samui, which has developed since the early 1990s. Just 20 years ago the beach was home to a handful of wooden bungalows, but now the area is dotted with hotels, Italian pizzerias, Irish pubs and even go-go bars. Samui's nightlife is becoming legendary, but, unfortunately, does not always attract exemplary tourists. Hippie tourists have lost Chaweng to "beer hooligans". Now it's a place for a noisy and reckless party.

Lamai beach

Like Chaweng, Lamai has been transformed from a hippie hangout to a party and fun destination with bars and an exciting nightlife. However, the beach is in better condition than Chaweng and a place to relax is not so easy to find because it is always crowded. If you want to relax in quiet place, Lamai is not the best perfect place for you.

On southern region Lamai Beach has several interesting rock formations.

The island of Lamai itself is located in the southeast of Samui, almost 10 kilometers from Chaweng.

BeachMaenam(Mae Nam Beach)

This is a calm beach located in the north of the island, suitable for swimming and sunbathing, especially for families with children, due to its shallow waters.

Bophut Beach

Located in the north of the island, it is a popular starting point for diving. This place is not as developed as Chaweng, but there are many restaurants, shops and bars.

Choengmon Beach

Located in the northeast of Samui just 10 minutes from Chaweng. Unlike the latter, this is the perfect place to relax.

BeachBigBuddha(Big Buddha Beach)

Located in the northeast of Koh Samui, it offers visitors a good place for swimming and beautiful views. The area has developed over the years and now offers many restaurants, shops and bars.

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

Wat Khunaram Ko Samui

This temple is the most famous temple because of its mummified monk, which is displayed publicly. The mummy sits upright in a glass coffin and fans offer him flowers and incense. In reality, the mummy is the body of a highly revered former abbot of the temple, who was also a master of meditation and was able to predict his own death.

However, what is interesting is the fact that the mummy wears a large pair of sunglasses and is surrounded almost everywhere by huts selling overpriced drinks and fritters.

Samui Pagoda Laem Sor (Laem Sor Pagoda Koh Samui)

This chedi (pagoda) is located at Laem Sor Temple, one of the most famous temples on Koh Samui. The building, with its yellow tiles that exude a golden aura, is quite an impressive and enchanting sight.

Food. What to try

Samui is famous for its coconuts, which are available everywhere and are quite tasty. On the island a good choice seafood, although during the peak tourist season demand often exceeds local supply. Larger beaches, such as Bophut, have international restaurants with good reputations (often owned by foreign couples living in Thailand).

Southern Thai food is notorious for its spiciness. Most of the cuisine comes from Malay, Indonesian and Indian cuisine. Southern favorites include Indian-style Muslim curry (Massaman), rice noodles in curry fish sauce (Kanom Jin), and chicken biryani. Popular local food– salted eggs and nephelium.

Double price is unfortunately common: some restaurants have two menus, one for tourists, the other for locals, for whom the price is 1/4 of the price for foreigners. Main courses in a standard Thai restaurant should cost less than 100 baht (excluding seafood dishes). If the prices seem unreasonably high, go to another restaurant. Always check the prices and menu first so you don't have to argue when the bill arrives.

Beverages

There are countless options for drinking establishments, ranging from pubs for loud tourists and erotic ones to candlelit romantic bars in Bophut. Price - 80 baht for local beer (Singha, Tiger, Chang, Heineken) and up to twice as much for imported beer. The wine is particularly expensive and usually costs over 2,000 baht per bottle.

Safety. What to watch out for

• Tap water is not potable. Drinks in sealed bottles are sold everywhere. Be safe in restaurants too, as some use unsafe tap water for ice in drinks (others make it from bottled/safe water). Tap water in most hotels should not be used for drinking or brushing teeth unless it is clearly labeled as safe.
• Motorcycles are more dangerous than jeeps, trucks and other vehicles that are available for rent at reasonable prices and are much safer. If you are going to use a motorcycle, always wear a helmet and never drive while intoxicated, as the roads are dangerous and have a lot of potholes.
• After a good time partying in , Bophut and Lamai, take a taxi to take you home. Be careful. Taxi drivers often cheat drunk people. It is not uncommon for an auto-rickshaw driver to ask for 50 baht per kilometer of travel (for example, in the main market).
• Recently, a large number of ATVs have appeared on the roads. Please take care as ATVs are not registered.
• Also be careful on the beaches at night due to the crimes that often occur there.
• If you are traveling to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao by bus, do not keep any valuables in your luggage. Songserm Travel reports thefts from buses. Don't leave things unattended when getting off the train to the islands.

Things to do

Here are some places to visit if you don't know what to do in Koh Samui:

• Ang Thong National Marine Park - scuba diving and snorkeling.
• Champhun - by high-speed catamaran to the mainland and then to Bangkok via Champhun Airport.
• Koh Phangan is home to an embarrassing full moon party in Haad Rin and features almost untouched landscapes.
• Ko Tao is one of the most best places for diving training, in fact, the best school on the planet is in Koh Tao. In addition to diving, you can go sailing.
• Khao Lak is a diving center for the islands of Similan and Surin.

Extreme Sports

Diving

The south of Thailand is home to some of the most beautiful beaches and islands in the world, surrounded by crystal clear clean water and stunning corals. For this reason, the number of divers visiting the island has gradually increased over the past decade. Even though best time In the year for diving in Koh Samui from June to August, diving in Koh Samui is popular all year round. Considered one of the safest places in the world for diving and snorkeling, it is ideal for beginners.

Visibility at sea in some places around Samui is good (distance 10-30 m). One can enjoy magnificent views of seamounts, coral gardens, underwater rock formations, hard and soft coral, whale sharks in season.

• Samran Mountains (Samran Pinnacles). Because the currents in this area are very strong, this site is recommended only for experienced divers. Due to the currents, the place is a haven for large sea creatures that swim by. Near Sail Rock there are three mountains hidden under water.
• Ko Kra & Koh Losin. These two small islands are located in the southeast of Samui, which due to their remoteness are not visited by tourists. Here you can see black-tail sharks, manta rays and snapping turtles, which are difficult to find.
• Koh Tan (also known as Koh Tan, Koh, Koh Taen Kataen, Coral island). This small island located on the southwestern edge of Koh Samui. This is the perfect place for an amazing dive. Local experts tell travelers that this is an ideal place for people who don't want to travel more than two hours to dive.

Koh Tan

Located 15 minutes from Ko Samui, Koh Tan offers travelers 14 sites with rich underwater life, including soft and hard corals. Tourists can travel from Thong Krut in reasonable price on long-tail boats. If you want to go to Koh Tan, you can book your trip through any good travel agent or search online, or you can go directly to Thong Krut.

There are 5 restaurants on Koh Tan. There are three restaurants in Ao Tok Bay. One of them is located at the end of the beach with both housing and excellent Thai cuisine. The third restaurant is located in the middle and is owned by a French gentleman. On the other side of the island there is a beautiful Ao-Tok bay with 2 restaurants and 2 large premises serving excellent food.

Accommodation is of a high standard with an asking price of 500 baht, Koh Tan is surrounded by coral and rocky reefs and there are 10 beaches on the island.

Cellular communications, telephones and Internet

There are many internet cafes on Koh Samui. The hourly rate is almost 30 baht.

The GSM networks of all major Thai cellular operators cover the island quite well. Buying a local SIM card will save you a lot of money on international calls. Moreover, GPRS/EDGE service is a cheap and convenient way to access the Internet almost everywhere.

Medical institutions

Koh Samui has a well-equipped Bangkok Hospital. For those who are not seriously ill, there are countless clinics and pharmacies, especially on the beach.,.

Anything to add?

Ko Samui is the third largest island of Thailand. It is located in the Gulf of Thailand South China Sea and occupies an area of ​​228.7 sq. km. Its shape is closer to a rectangle with sides of 15 and 20 km. It is approximately 35 km from the mainland city of Surat Thani and 700 km from the capital of Siam. According to various estimates, taking into account foreign citizens working and living on the island, the population reaches 80,000 people. In terms of the number of tourists, Samui is second only to Pattaya and Phuket. And there are slightly fewer guests from Russia here than in Pattaya.

Orientation

The central part of the island is an uninhabited mountainous tropical jungle. Settlements are mainly concentrated around numerous beaches. Administrative center Koh Samui is the town of Nathon, located on the beach of the same name. The two most developed beaches in terms of infrastructure, Chaweng and Lamai, are located in the eastern part of the island. The length of the main route that encircles the island is 49 km. It starts in Nathon, passes through Chaweng and Lamai, and then returns to the administrative center again.

The island is covered in lush tropical jungle. And on the coast there are many snow-white beaches, which are washed by the azure waters of the South China Sea.

Story

Until the early 70s of the last century local residents The islands were engaged only in fishing and growing coconuts. Until that time, foreign guests were a curiosity, and no one even thought about the tourism business. The tourist flow to Koh Samui was discovered by hippies, attracted by the solitude and beauty of its beaches. Backpackers began to arrive after them, showing the local population that they could make good money from tourism. After this, Ko Samui began to gain popularity among ordinary organized tourists, developing the necessary infrastructure.

Features of the holiday

On the shores of Samui, every tourist will find a place to suit his taste and capabilities. It should be noted that the party life on the island is a little more modest than on the famous Pha Ngan, famous for its reckless Full Moon Parties. For the most part, people go there for relaxing holiday, which, if desired, can be diluted with trips to a bar or nightclub.

Transport

Most popular view transport on Samui is songthaew. It is a pickup truck with two parallel benches in the trunk for passengers. The route along which tourists and residents of the island mainly travel is the main ring road. On average, during the day, travel to a songthaew costs 50-100 baht; in the evening, drivers raise prices.

For those who want to move around the island on their own, there is the opportunity to rent a bicycle or motorbike. Bicycles will naturally cost much less, about 50-70 baht/day. Motorbikes will cost an average of 200-300 baht/day. The largest offer for bike rental in Nathon, Lamai and Chaweng. The roads on the island are relatively smooth, and therefore traffic on the island is safer than, for example, in Phuket.

Taxi is the most expensive form of transport on Koh Samui. These are mainly Korean or Chinese cars bearing the proud name Taxi Meter. Taxi drivers never had a meter, so prices are formed by eye. Usually, the average trip costs 300-400 baht, but you can bargain.

Food

As in most tourist places Thailand, Koh Samui offers a wide selection of catering establishments of various levels and specializations. In general, prices on the islands are 20-30% higher than on the mainland.

The cheapest price for lunch is at makashnitsa, roadside eateries and at the evening market. There, the total bill without drinks for two will not exceed 100 baht. In a nicer cafe the bill will double or more. Well, in a reputable restaurant, depending on the client’s appetite, the amount will start from 500-1000 baht per person.

Samui has not been spared such “happiness” of human civilization as McDonald’s and Burger King. In addition, the island has a well-known network of 7-Eleven minimarkets, where you can buy simple snacks and drinks.

The food courts in the Tesco Lotus and Big C supermarkets are very popular both among tourists and Thais themselves. You can find almost all dishes there local cuisine at very low prices, and often the taste of these dishes is not inferior to restaurant dishes.

On the island you can also find a chain of barbecue restaurants “98”. They are interesting because visitors are invited to cook their own dishes right at the table in a classic Thai brazier. You can choose from already chopped or marinated products (from vegetables to seafood). It is interesting to go to such restaurants in large groups - you can spend a fun and interesting evening around the roaster.

And, of course, hotels always have restaurants, and the larger the hotel, the greater the choice of establishments there will be. Five-star hotels will always offer guests a choice of 5-10 different restaurants specializing in different cuisines. As elsewhere, the prices of hotel restaurants are higher than in independent establishments.

Beaches

Koh Samui has a large number of different beaches to suit every taste, about 26 in total. At the same time, the majority settlements are concentrated around them and bear the same names. Almost always, the coastal area is separated from the road by hotels and restaurants, but anyone can easily access the sea.

The beaches on the island are all different. Somewhere the sand is coarse, somewhere it’s fine as white powder, somewhere there are rocks, somewhere the landscape is more or less smooth, somewhere there are a lot of noisy tourists, somewhere there is silence and tranquility. Many guests of the island settle on one of the beaches, and then, depending on their mood, relax on one or the other. Almost all beaches have developed infrastructure. There are always sun loungers, umbrellas, coastal bars, cafes and much more.

Accommodation on Koh Samui

The island has a very wide range of accommodation offers for tourists. Here you can find bungalows without any special frills for 15-25 thousand baht per month, and luxury villa on the seashore with a private swimming pool, tennis court and other amenities. Such rent can cost 40-60 thousand baht per month or more.

The island's hotel base includes more than 1,000 hotels. However, the supply of cheap accommodation (200-300 baht/night) on the island is limited, especially in high tourist season. Therefore, a room around 400 baht/day during the season can be considered lucky.

An exception may be the port village of Chaweng. There is no beach for swimming there, so demand and, accordingly, prices for rooms are quite low. But even if you travel by songthaew to other beaches every day, the cost of travel and room will be lower than those incurred by housing guests on other beaches of the island. A small room without air conditioning, but with a fan in Nathon will cost 200-300 baht/day. And, most likely, it will be a room at a restaurant.

Tourists with their tents, in principle, can stay on any beach, but it will not be comfortable everywhere. In the center of the island there are more suitable, flat areas that are suitable for such living.

Attractions

On Koh Samui you can spend time not only on the beach.

The island is rich in attractions that will be interesting to see for vacationers. There are beautiful temples with Buddhist relics, interesting natural formations, original architectural objects, and cultural monuments, which will allow you to get acquainted with the national characteristics of life in Thailand. But it’s quite possible to get around them all in one or two days. So you should take care of other types of recreation in advance.

Entertainment

In addition to gorgeous beaches, gentle sea and attractions, Koh Samui also offers a lot of entertainment. Aquatic species sports, boat excursions, night programs, jungle treks, as well as zoos will undoubtedly delight lovers active rest and adventures.

Safety

Unfortunately, all major resorts in any country in the world attract various scammers and those who like to get rich at the expense of others. Therefore, tourists everywhere should remain vigilant and remain prudent. In addition to two-legged criminals, you can also find stray dogs on the island, which can be very aggressive. Therefore it is better to avoid hiking V deserted places, or take care of self-defense means, for example, ultrasonic animal repellers.

Samui has snow-white beaches, coconut palms, amazing rocks, islands and islets, crazy full moon parties, waterfalls and, of course, eternal summer. An important difference between Samui and other resorts in Thailand is the absence of large waves on the sea all year round. And the rainy season on the island is not as pronounced as on the entire territory. This is a “bounty” resort where you can endlessly enjoy gorgeous views of pristine nature, blue sea and white sand.

Koh Samui is the second largest island after Koh Samui. Koh Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand Pacific Ocean and covers an area of ​​about 230 square kilometers. The distance to the capital of Thailand, Bangkok, is about 700 kilometers. To get from Samui to the nearest point of the mainland, you need to cover about 40 kilometers through the waters of the Gulf of Thailand.

Tours to Koh Samui

Prices for tours for 2 people for 7 nights with departure from Moscow are given.

There is everything for vacationers here, but it is still worth noting that the infrastructure of the island is not as well developed as, for example, on the island, in and on others major resorts Thailand. If you choose a tour to Koh Samui, you are making the right choice. Both couples in love looking for a romantic getaway and families with children should come here.

Weather

The climate of Koh Samui compares favorably with the climate of other resorts. The rainy season and the hot season are not so pronounced here. It is important to note that holidays on Samui will be comfortable not only in winter, but also in summer. Big waves and the muddy sea on Koh Samui are absent all year round. The greatest amount of precipitation falls from October to December, but short showers at this time of year are unlikely to ruin your holiday. The average annual air temperature on Samui is 30-31 °C, water temperature is 27-29 °C.

Hotels

The main feature of the island's hotels is the close location of the buildings or bungalows to the sea. In addition to five-star hotels offering luxury holiday, here you can even live in a small house without water or electricity.

The last option is suitable for those who want to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of nature untouched by civilization.

Beaches

The clean beaches of Koh Samui are covered with white sand and surrounded by coconut palms. In total, there are more than 30 beaches along the perimeter of the island. During your vacation, you can visit several beaches to get to know the island better.

The most beautiful beaches located on the east coast, for example, the famous Chaweng, the largest and busiest beach on the island and the center of tourist life. Tourists with children will love Bangpo Beach. If you are looking for solitude, head to the deserted coastline of Talingngam Beach surrounded by rocks.

Interesting entertainment is available on the island's tourist beaches: kayaking, jet skiing, banana boat riding.

On the territory of little-visited beaches, any infrastructure may simply be absent. Only you, the clear sea and the gentle sun above your head!

Attractions

On Koh Samui there is something to do for both adults and children. If you don’t want to spend your entire vacation on the seashore, you can get acquainted with a large number of interesting sights of the island. Both older tourists and young people will feel comfortable here. For example, young people come to neighboring island Koh Phangan, where huge discos take place open air: “Full Moon Party”.

Those who have retired go to cozy Maenam Beach, where you can admire stunning sunsets. From Koh Samui you can go to many islands, such as the “turtle” island of Koh Tao, for diving or snorkeling.

Very beautiful island Madsum is waiting for his guests at snow-white beaches that embrace the virgin tropical jungle. In the heart of Samui hide stunningly beautiful waterfalls, butterfly parks, and snake farms. Tourists with children will not be disappointed by visiting a tiger and leopard show, or an aquarium with tropical fish.

Sightseeing lovers will not miss the famous Hin Ta and Hin Yai (Grandmother and Grandfather) rocks, Big Buddha and many beautiful stupas and temples.

Kitchen

Thai restaurants on the island are located literally at every step. Wherever you stay during your holiday, you will always find a cozy place where you can enjoy authentic Thai cuisine and a welcoming atmosphere. A large number of cafes, restaurants and bars are located on the coastline, here you can not only eat delicious food, but also admire the views of the Gulf of Thailand. In addition to restaurants offering Thai cuisine, lovers of European, Russian, Indian, and Chinese cuisine will always be able to find an establishment that interests them.

If you want to get the full experience of Thai cuisine, we suggest you try some local dishes cooked on a makashnitsa (scooter equipped for cooking).

Transport

The island's public transport system is Songthaew. The Songthaew is a brightly colored truck equipped to carry passengers. But it is worth noting that during the day, songthaews, as a rule, follow a certain established route, while in the evening or at night they work exclusively as individual taxi. Prices for trips during the day and at night are certainly very different. To avoid misunderstandings, be sure to check the cost with the driver before the start of your trip, and not at the place of arrival.

The remaining transport options to the island will invariably consist of ferry crossing. The nearest city on the mainland is Donsak, from whose pier ferries and boats depart daily to Koh Samui. In an hour and a half, the ferry will take you to the bounty island. You can get to Donsak by bus from Bangkok.

Another option for getting from the capital of Thailand to Donsak is to take a train to Surat Thani, and from there take a regular bus to Donsak.

Souvenirs

On Samui you can buy natural pearls, which will be an excellent gift for you or your loved ones. Another gift option is natural coconut oil, which is produced on the island.