FAQ Holidays on Samui on your own - prices and beaches. FAQ Holidays on Koh Samui on your own - prices and beaches When is the best time to go on holiday to Koh Samui
Koh Samui - occupies the second largest position among the islands of Thailand - with an area of 228.7 km². The shape resembles a rectangle with sides of 21 and 25 km. The island is located approximately 35 km from the mainland city of Surat Thani and 700 km from Bangkok.
Koh Samui is surrounded by 60 islands, many of which are uninhabited. Rocks, virgin impenetrable jungle in the center of the territory, banana and coconut groves where monkeys work, luxurious snow-white beaches, clean water, silence and solitude - this is the island of Koh Samui.
The island began to gain tourist fame in the 70s of the last century. Its pioneer tourists were hippies, who were attracted by the beautiful secluded beaches and exotic uniqueness of the local landscapes. A little later, the island was chosen by backpackers from all over the world. All this contributed to the development of infrastructure, which in turn led to an increase in the flow of tourists; organized travelers around Thailand began to come to the island.
Today, Samui can offer tourists 10 equipped beaches, and the same number have retained their pristine integrity. In total, there are about 30 beaches on the island.
You will be delighted by the clear azure waters of the South China Sea. The entire beach area is separated from the island ring road by buildings of hotels, shops, bars, and other establishments. The island has an airport, known for its uniqueness - it is built from palm trees that were cut down to create a runway. All the benefits of civilization are concentrated in the coastal areas of Koh Samui.
How to get there
The fastest option is an airplane. There are no direct regular connections with the CIS countries; only charter flights are operated. Therefore, our tourists have to fly with transfers. Transfers can be made in Bangkok, Phuket, as well as in Penang, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong. Ticket prices average 3,000-5,000 baht and can reach 7,000 baht one way from Bangkok.
A cheap but tedious way is by bus. Bus routes depart from any city in Thailand to Koh Samui. Passengers have to travel the distance to the city's cargo pier, and then take about an hour and a half by ferry to Koh Samui. You can get there on your own by passenger ferry.
Most of the piers are located on Chumpon, Surat Thani, as well as on Koh Tao and Phangan.
Most ferries arrive at Ko Samui's main town, Nathon. The cargo pier is located a little further south of Nathon. There are songthaews on duty at the pier, the fare is 60 baht. There are also taxis and air-conditioned minivans. The fare for the latter is 150 baht.
Nathon Pier on the map
In the northern part, according to the map of Samui, there is the Big Buddha Pier, ferries from Koh Phangan arrive here. There are songthaews here too, but they only go to Chaweng and the airport, the price is 100 baht ($3). If necessary, you can use a taxi. There is no public transport from Lipa Noi Pier; from here you can only get to the beach by taxi.
Transport
There are no problems with transport and movement on the island if you are close to the ring road. Songthaews, minivans, tuk-tuks, motorcycle taxis, air-conditioned taxis or rented vehicles constantly operate here. But the transport system is less developed than in Phuket or Pattaya. Songthaew will have to wait 10-15 minutes.
- The most economical form of transport is songthaew 50-60 baht ($1.5-1.7).
- The price for an air-conditioned taxi is from 300 baht ($9) even if you need to go to a nearby beach.
- A ride in the back seat of a motorcycle taxi costs from 30 baht ($1) for 1-2 kilometers.
- Minivans carry tourist excursions, as well as transport passengers to hotels from the airport and from the pier located in the capital of Ko Samui - Nathon.
- Renting a motorbike will cost you 150-300 baht ($4-9) per day, and a car from 800 baht ($24).
- A popular type of transport is a bicycle; its rental costs 50-70 baht ($1.5-1.8) per day. The widest offer for rental vehicles is in Nathon, Lamai and Chaweng.
The road system here is represented by a ring road, which originates in the capital of the island and runs along all the beaches. As well as branches from it leading to hotels and beach infrastructure.
If you do not plan to lie on one beach for the entire vacation, then a very good option is to rent a car. The roads here are smooth and without serpentines, and the traffic is not heavy. In addition, the island’s territory is not large, and the infrastructure is very clear.
Beaches
Beach areas are located along the entire perimeter of the island. The beaches here are different: both in terms of infrastructure, and in terms of the number of tourists, and in terms of the variety of entertainment offered. The sand on the beaches can be coarse or resemble white powder. They also differ in landscape: some are flat, some are rocky.
The most popular city on Koh Samui has the most developed infrastructure. There are many bars, shops, markets, restaurants, entertainment venues, massage parlors, and hotels.
The infrastructure on Lamai Beach is less developed. Typical daytime activities on these beaches: water skiing, banana boat, jet skis, paragliding.
The rest of the beaches offer a more relaxing and remote holiday. There are only a few small restaurants, bars, mini markets and hotels. And of course the sea, sun, sand and palm trees - everything is exactly as in the promotional photos of Koh Samui.
Tourists rarely stop in the capital of Samui, as the beach here is not very convenient.
Entertainment
In addition to the entertainment listed above, holidays on Samui include hikes in the jungle, sea excursions, in particular to the Ang Thong National Marine Sanctuary. The famous film “The Beach” was filmed here, so tourists try to capture memorable landscapes on video.
Visiting zoos and plantations, where monkeys are the main workforce, are also popular. It is possible to travel to neighboring uninhabited islands for diving and snorkeling, as well as visiting local attractions.
Shopping lovers will also be pleasantly surprised. Although there are no shopping giants here, as in Bangkok or Pattaya, the selection of goods is quite wide and prices are lower. It is worth getting your bearings on the location of markets, shops and shopping centers by first studying the map of Samui.
The most popular places for shopping: Central Festival, Tesco Lotus, Big C, Makro, Khun Chaweng Shopping Centre. No matter which beach you stay on, 7 Eleven and Family Mart will be within walking distance.
Night entertainment programs are not as varied and rich as in Bangkok or Pattaya, but supporters of the nightlife lifestyle have somewhere to spend time. Most of the establishments are located in Chaweng, these include restaurants, discos, and transvestite shows popular among tourists.
Attractions
The main ones are natural, but there are also man-made objects that attract the attention of tourists.
- Big Buddha - a 12-meter statue of a deity, designed to protect the island, is located on the tiny island of Faan, which is connected to Samui by a dam.
- Wat Khunaram is located in the south of the island, near Lamai Beach. Here, the mummy of the former rector of the temple, who died in 1973, is placed in a glass sarcophagus.
- Wat Plai Laem Temple is located in the northeast of the island, next to Bophut Beach. This is the largest and most beautiful temple complex on Koh Samui.
- The Magic Buddha Garden was created over the course of 20 years by a local gardener. Sculptures of deities and various buildings were skillfully integrated into the beautiful lush vegetation.
- The Butterfly Garden and the Insect Museum are located near the local Oceanarium.
- The Tiger Zoo is located just behind the Samui Aquarium. At the zoo you can bottle feed small animals. Tourists don’t leave here without photos and videos.
- Paradise Park Farm is located at the top of the island's highest mountain. Both wild and domestic animals and birds are kept here. They enjoy communicating with tourists.
- At the crocodile farm, located near the airport, crocodile performers perform twice a day.
- The Monkey Theater is located near Bophut Beach. A good mood and funny video shooting are guaranteed.
Housing
There are no problems with housing on Samui either. Here you will find a hotel for every budget, because there are more than 1000 of them. If you are tempted by luxury apartments with a private pool, get ready to shell out 40,000-60,000 baht ($1,175-1,765) per month. You can also rent a more modest bungalow for 15,000-25,000 baht ($450-740) per month.
For lovers of a budget holiday in the port village of Chaweng, you can rent a room with a minimum of amenities for 200-300 baht ($6-9) per day. It is also possible to set up a tent on the island.
But just recently (by historical standards) the island of Koh Samui was literally isolated from civilization. There were no close contacts with the mainland until the beginning of the last century. Until the 70s, there weren’t even roads on the island. Meanwhile, evidence has been preserved that fishermen inhabited the future resort 1,500 years ago: they sailed here from the coastal regions of Southern China and the Malay Peninsula. The Chinese were the first to put Samui on their maps in 1687. They just called it differently: Pulo-Kornam. The island's current name is derived from the Chinese "saboi", which translates as "refuge" or "tranquil skies".
The island remained a closed fishing community until the second half of the 19th century, when a massive flow of emigrants from neighboring China began here. "Aliens" disrupted his measured life. They mercilessly dealt with the coastal jungle, cutting it down, and instead planted entire groves of coconut palms, which to this day adorn the beaches of the sunny resort. Since then, coconut oil has remained one of the sources of income for the local economy, which is one of the main products exported. The method of harvesting coconuts is interesting: this important and responsible task is entrusted to... specially trained monkeys. You can see how they do this, for example, at the Samui Monkey Theater.
For a long time, the only means of communication between the island and the outside world was a ferry that ran to Nathon, the capital of Samui, and the nearest large city on the mainland - Surat Thani, the administrative center of the province of the same name, the largest in Thailand. In 1967, the governor approached the government with a proposal to build a road network on Samui. The country's leadership gave the green light, and this became a turning point in the history of the island.
The construction of the roads took 6 whole years, since the terrain is very difficult, there are many hills and impenetrable jungle. However, the titanic efforts of the builders were worth it, and in 1973 a 52 km long ring road appeared on the island. Despite the fact that the width of the route was only 2 meters, it became a real “road of life” for Samui. Over time, all costs - both labor and financial - began to more than pay off due to the development of tourism.
The pioneers in the development of the island were hippies and the so-called “backpackers” (backpackers) - they laid the first tourist routes here. Travelers settled right on the beaches, which then, in the 70s, were truly wild. Simple huts served as a roof over their heads. Samui became a real refuge for those who sought refuge from urbanization, which began to “capture” more and more countries.
The real tourist boom on the island occurred in the 90s. Pristine in their beauty, but until recently, wild beaches have turned into major resorts. The construction of Samui began with numerous hotels, around which the tourist infrastructure rapidly developed: shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues appeared like mushrooms after the rain. Migrant workers from all over Siam flocked to the island, increasing the population of the island (together with tourists) several dozen times.
One of the tragic pages in the history of Koh Samui was the disastrous tsunami of 2004. The 2011 flood also caused a lot of damage to the resort, which drowned not only many beaches, but also a number of attractions. However, the elements, which showed their harsh nature, did not in any way affect the tourist attractiveness of the island. If only because this kind of disaster is the exception rather than the rule. Basically, the local climate is “peaceful” and does not cause much inconvenience to vacationers. Read more about it below.
Climate and weather
On Samui, the most uncomfortable month for Europeans is April. Daytime temperatures here often exceed +40 °C. And since tourists from the Old Continent come here for the warm, but not scorching sun, for many such conditions become a kind of “strength” test.
December and January can be called the coolest relative to other months, but to say that really cold weather sets in at this time would be wrong: the sun is still generous with warmth and weakens its “grip” only slightly.
Like any tropics, Koh Samui has its own rainy season. Formally, it begins in May and ends in late autumn, but the lion's share of the annual precipitation occurs in September, October and November. During this period, it pours like buckets: heavy lines can last a day, or two, or even longer. The sea, which tourists are so in love with, is unrecognizable during the “wet” season: it becomes dirty and, accordingly, unsuitable for swimming. As for floods, prolonged rains can actually trigger them. However, real danger from them rarely comes: the water quickly flows into the sea.
Generally speaking, the climate of Samui differs from other resorts in Thailand, and, despite the April heat and autumn showers, for the better. Even in the hottest months, you can breathe easier here than in many regions of the mainland. Average annual temperatures range from +25... +34 degrees. Agree, these indicators are quite commensurate with Russian climatic realities in the warm season. The difference is that on Samui such temperatures reign all year round.
The high season at the resort begins in mid-December and lasts until April. The largest influx of vacationers can be observed in December and January. And it’s not just a matter of comfortable temperature, but also local traditions. New Year, for example, is celebrated here three times. And the atmosphere on the island itself during this period becomes somehow special, it seems that some kind of miracle is bound to happen. However, the temperature is +30 °C, the warm and calm sea and the lack of precipitation are in themselves a real magic created by nature.
During the high season on Koh Samui, you shouldn’t rely on just one miracle – a cheap holiday. Prices remain high from year to year; for many services they are even doubled compared to other periods. Comfortable holidays at a more reasonable price are available during the hot season, which begins in March-June. True, not everyone can withstand the scorching sun, so before traveling, be sure to consult a doctor about the presence of cardiovascular diseases. Well, if there are no contraindications, during the hot season you can enjoy not only relaxation, but also exotic fruits. There are so many of them here at this time of year that they are sold for literally pennies.
And finally, low season. It starts in June and ends in mid-December. This is the same rainy season, which we already mentioned a little higher, so we will not repeat it. Let's just add to what has been said that high air humidity is also a contraindication for diseases of the cardiovascular system, as well as a number of neurological ailments, bronchial asthma and others. Low season on Samui is a real paradise for those who want to save money on vacation. At this time, prices for everything and everyone are reduced by 2-3 times.
Attractions and entertainment
The main city and port of Koh Samui is Nathon, located on its west coast. The calling cards of the local capital are Buddhist attractions: the world-famous 12-meter statue of Buddha, the Laem Sor temple with a pagoda and the Wat Khunaram temple, famous for the mummy of a real monk. The body of the clergyman was placed in a glass box and became an object of worship for believers carrying flowers and incense to the shrine.
At the southern end of the popular Lamai Beach are Grandmother and Grandfather Rocks, or Hin Yai and Hin Ta in Thai. These hills received such unusual names due to their amazing resemblance to the genital organs of a woman and a man, respectively. This is how the Thais have such a cheerful and relaxed disposition, which allows them to call a spade a spade.
The Samui Oceanarium, which is home to exotic tropical fish, is of enduring interest to tourists. It is also worth a look at the Tiger Zoo, where in addition to Bengal tigers, other representatives of the cat live - leopards. Among the natural attractions, it is worth highlighting the two-level Namtok waterfall on Mueang, whose height is about 20 meters. You can also take a swim right here: there is an excellent swimming pool nearby. Note, not man-made.
Popular excursion destinations on Koh Samui also include the crocodile and snake farms, the Butterfly Park, the Hin Lat waterfall and the so-called “turtle” island of Koh Tao, idolized by divers. Europeans also enjoy visiting the local transvestite show.
Samui's nightlife is not as vibrant as in many other resorts, not to mention the major cities of the world. However, you won't be bored after sunset. You can look for adventure (in the good sense of the word) on the beaches of Lamai and Chaweng - all night entertainment is concentrated on them. The Chaweng area, on the main street, contains all the popular shops, restaurants and entertainment venues of this sunny Thai resort. Young people prefer to relax at the Green Mango disco, while older tourists flock to the Irish pub Tropical Murphy and Reggae Pub. If the evening turns out to be particularly hot, be sure to stop by the Ice Bar. It is more spacious and comfortable here than the similar one in Pattaya.
Lamai Beach has fewer entertainment options, but it has its advantages, such as nightly Muay Thai fights. If such competitions taking place at the main stadium of Chaweng are, let’s say, not too emotional, then in Lamai they give the impression of being real and uncompromising. Those who are not interested in such sports can calmly stroll through the night market or sit in bars, the prices of which can pleasantly surprise you: a cocktail costs from 200 baht and above.
What are we talking about adults, but about adults: but what about the leisure of the youngest tourists? After all, many vacationers come on vacation with their children. In this regard, there is no need to worry: Samui has long and firmly gained a reputation as an ideal place for a family holiday. On the beaches of the northern part of the island, nightlife with its characteristic rhythm and noise is practically absent. The hotels have children's playgrounds and special swimming pools. Four and five star hotels also offer animator services. Among other entertainments, we highlight Paradise Park in the very heart of Samui - exotic animals live here in their natural environment - and attractions in the Coco Splash water park.
Mothers are worried about how the local cuisine will affect their children’s stomachs, so when buying tours to a tropical island resort, they are interested in the opportunity to get yoghurts and kefir. Don't worry: these dairy products, including cottage cheese, are available at local retail outlets. In case a child, God forbid, gets sick, modern clinics equipped with everything necessary are at your service. Having health insurance in hand, you will receive a full range of diagnostic and treatment services on Samui.
Beaches of Koh Samui
Most tourists prefer to relax on the beaches of the east coast of the island, but in October-January the sea can present unpleasant surprises. Here, although rarely, low tides are possible, during which the beaches are completely dry.
The most popular beach of Samui is the already mentioned Chaweng, located just on the east coast. A slight slope to the sea, crystal clear water, fine sand and picturesque bays - all this is Chaweng, which stretches for as much as 6 km. Vacationers have a wide range of accommodation options, ranging from five-star hotels to simple bamboo bungalows. This beach is also a recognized center for water sports; fans of windsurfing and jet skiing come here with pleasure. You won’t be bored when evening comes, when it turns into one continuous dance floor.
Lamai Beach is located south of Chaweng. The sand here is not so snow-white, and not particularly fine, and the coast itself is rocky in places. The second name of the beach is Hat Lapai. It has long been attracting surfers like a magnet, since the sea here is somewhat deeper than on other beaches of the resort. Lamai is famous for its SPA centers, where you can get a Thai massage if you wish. They will also steam you in a sauna or offer a course of mud therapy.
Tourists going to Koh Samui often ask: are sun loungers on the beaches free or not? If you stay at a hotel located on the seashore, you can count on a free sun lounger. If you are a “newcomer” vacationer, then you will have to pay an average of 40 TNV per hour of use to rent this obligatory beach attribute. Renting a sun lounger for the whole day costs around 200 baht.
The coast in the northern part of Koh Samui is almost entirely occupied by cozy bays, there are three of them. In the west of the sunny Thai resort is Bophut Beach. It can be called a true embodiment of internationalism: tourists and the local population live here in friendship and harmony, like respectable neighbors. Moving even further west, you will definitely come to Maenam Beach, where hippie colonies are located next to luxury hotels. The sand here, however, is not particularly white: it is rather yellowish and slightly larger than on the east coast.
Characterizing the beaches of the southern and western coasts of Samui in general, it can be noted that they are secluded and not connected by a ring road. However, getting here will not be difficult. Vacationers often visit Laem Set Beach. It is not deep enough for swimming, but it is indescribably beautiful. Huge smooth boulders and coconut palms make it irresistible. They bend bizarrely at different angles, and you can admire these landscapes endlessly. But the ideal place for walking is considered to be Hat Taling Ngam Beach. Its length and emptiness are conducive to relaxation and reflection.
Cuisine and restaurants
Samui is not only a paradise for a beach holiday, but also a real haven for gourmets. There is a lot of different food here, for every taste and budget. You can have a snack or a solid meal in establishments of various levels and types - from small Thai cafes to fashionable restaurants serving European cuisine.
Vacationers strive, first of all, to taste local delicacies, which they perceive, and quite rightly, as truly exotic. The spicyly seasoned soups with pork and shrimp based on coconut milk alone are worth it - the taste is unforgettable! The hallmark of Thai national cuisine is Tom Yam soup, which is distinguished by its sour-spicy taste.
If you are conservative in food and refrain from experimenting with your own stomach, pay attention to rice dishes. You will surely love Khao Tom Mu rice soup - a simple but very tasty dish. And for the main course, try the Khao Pat fried rice, to which egg and vegetables are added in different proportions.
Most local dishes have a spicy taste. Some gourmets wash down an overly hot first course or salad with ice water, which is a mistake: this only ignites the “fire” in the mouth. Capsaicin - the substance "responsible" for the heat of chili peppers - can be neutralized with a glass of milk, coconut shake or a slice of lime.
Despite such features of local dishes, tourists literally fall in love with Thai cuisine and would like to learn how to cook its dishes at home when they return from vacation. For this category of vacationers, local chefs organize special training courses. Culinary schools are concentrated mainly on the east coast of Koh Samui. It is recommended to come to them with a tight wallet: an hour of classes costs from 600 baht.
Believe it or not, in some establishments on the island, namely on the beaches of Chaweng, Lamai and Bophut, you can also order traditional Russian dishes: borscht, cabbage rolls, dumplings, mimosa salad, pies and even herring under a fur coat. Enjoying the masterpieces of Soviet cuisine will cost you from 50 to 300 baht. Russians are very fond – after all, they once lived in the same state – and Central Asian cuisine. You will be pleasantly surprised, but on Samui there is a real Uzbek restaurant that serves pilaf, kebabs and manti.
Transport system
There are no regular buses on Koh Samui, and to get around the island you must choose one of two ways: songthaew or regular taxi.
The first is the most common transport on Koh Samui, better known as tuk-tuk. This is a local analogue of the minibuses we are used to. A traditional songthaew is an antique Japanese pickup truck whose tiny body is equipped with a pair of benches. The structure is crowned with a canopy that serves as protection from rain, but it provides virtually no protection from the wind. The tailgate of the tuk-tuk folds down: during peak hours and high season it is used as a step for passengers who do not have seats on the benches.
Songthaew looks somewhat unusual, but this type of public transport is quite reliable and safe. The good news is that traveling on it is relatively inexpensive. For travel on the territory of one beach you will pay only 20 Thai baht. Having sat down at the starting point of the route and reached the final stop, the passenger will have to pay 60 baht. Songthaew is somewhat reminiscent of the metro due to the presence of regular lines: they run along the entire coast of Samui. The ring of routes closes in the capital of the island, the city of Nathon. Experienced tourists advise beginners: when boarding a tuk-tuk, never ask how much the trip will cost. The driver will immediately recognize you as an inexperienced traveler and increase the price several times.
Songthaew services start early in the morning and fares are fixed until 6pm. But after 18:00, drivers switch their vehicles to taxi mode. It is very difficult to predict how much travel will cost at this time. After sunset, only two factors influence the fare: how exorbitant the driver’s appetites will be and whether a tourist who has been partying until dark will be able to negotiate a discount. Arguing, trying to insist on a daily rate, is completely useless. Free market prices for travel at night are permitted by law: the state allows drivers to earn extra money.
As for taxis, they are preferred by those for whom comfort is most important when traveling: checkered cars plying around Samui are equipped with air conditioning. Taxis are also chosen by those tourists who have a lot of luggage. And everything would be fine, but not all taxi drivers prefer to transport passengers according to the meter, since it is not profitable for them. Be prepared for drivers to ask you to negotiate with them directly.
How much does a taxi ride cost? The starting rate is 200-300 Thai baht, and how much you end up paying depends on your bargaining ability. This must be done persistently, but at the same time correctly, politely and with a smile, which is obligatory in Thailand.
Communications and Internet
Despite the remoteness from civilization, there are no problems with communication on Samui. Almost every hotel has its own wireless Internet access network; Wi-Fi hotspots are available in most public places. However, problems with Internet access on the island still exist, but they are not related to the lack of wireless networks, but to their quality. In hotels, for example, a speed of only 10 megabits per second is considered the norm. In addition, it is divided among all guests, so on your laptop or smartphone the actual access speed will be slightly lower. It’s also unpleasant that local networks often experience disconnections. All these points encourage tourists to use mobile Internet - it is more reliable!
Another plus that should be highlighted is the fact that 3G and 4G networks densely cover the entire island, so you won’t be left without communication even on the most remote beaches. Thailand has three leading mobile operators: DTAC, AIS and True Move. You can easily buy their SIM cards right on the spot. The DTAC website even has a Russian-language page where tourists from Russia and the CIS countries can order a SIM card for you online.
What to bring as a souvenir
Tourists really like inexpensive and high-quality local pearls. Products made from it are most often brought with them as gifts and souvenirs.
The second place in popularity on Samui is occupied by local coconut products, ranging from palm oil-based cosmetics to decorative dishes.
Local ceramics closes the top three. Stylized images of the symbol of Thailand – the elephant and various variations of Buddha figurines – are especially in demand among tourists. But remember that local laws prohibit the export of Buddha figurines larger than 5 inches (approximately 13 cm) in height outside the country.
The main shopping centers are located on the beaches of Chaweng or Lamai. On Thong Krut Beach, on the southern coast of the resort, there is a Naga Pearl Shop: the cheapest local pearls are sold here.
Once in the city of Nathon, be sure to visit souvenir shops and shops with Thai cosmetics - there are many of them in the capital of the island. The sellers are smiling and friendly and will definitely help you with your choice. They know how to bargain well, doing it with pleasure and excitement.
Hotels and accommodation
Koh Samui is a resort island with a long-established tourism infrastructure. A traveler with any level of income will be able to find an overnight stay here according to his needs and financial capabilities, ranging from modest hotels for little money to luxury 4-5 star hotels.
Luxury hotels are usually located on the coastline and even have their own beaches. They also provide additional services. For example, guests can take advantage of their swimming pools, spas, tennis courts, and golf courses. The rooms in these multi-star hotels are spacious and equipped with air conditioning.
The most popular among holidaymakers on Koh Samui are 3-star hotels. And not because there are more of them here or they are better “promoted”. The secret of success is that they contain the perfect combination of quality and price. In terms of the number of services, of course, they are inferior to luxury hotels, but those services that are available are provided at the same quality level. A three-star hotel may not have a bar or restaurant, but most likely will have its own swimming pool. Not finding a place to eat at such a hotel, tourists don’t even get upset, because on Samui you can eat literally at every step - just go outside.
The cheapest hotels on the island often lack not only air conditioning, but even hot water. Are there really people who want to live in them, you might be surprised? Oddly enough, they are. And, as a rule, these are tourists who do not have great financial resources and are indifferent to comfort.
How to get there
You can get to Samui to soak up its famous beaches either by air or by sea. The latter is not very comfortable and takes more time, but it allows you to save money.
Let's compare: in order to transport an entire family by sea, 4500-6500 baht will be enough, while the same money will cost a plane ticket for one person on a flight from Bangkok to Samui.
Many hotels offer their guests transfer from the airport or pier. In cases where such a service is not provided, tourists can order a taxi and get to their destination on their own. The minimum amount you will have to pay the taxi driver is 100 baht. It includes a landing fee and payment for the first 2 km of the journey. If you need to go further, you will need to pay 12 baht for each additional kilometer.
Calendar of low prices for air tickets
*Prices for Air tickets to Bangkok are shown; to select Samui, enter the code "usm" or "Samui" in the direction field.
Koh Samui is the third largest island of Thailand. Dimensions - 21x25 km, total area - 250 sq. km. It is located in the southwestern part of the Gulf of Thailand, 30 km from the mainland (from the province of Surat Thani) and 690 km from Bangkok. The main city of the island is .
The peculiarity of this resort is the combination of well-developed infrastructure with uncrowded beaches, clean sea and perfectly preserved nature. Everyone will like it here. Partygoers on the island will find clubs, bars and other nightlife. Gourmets will pamper themselves with a variety of Thai and international cuisine. Those who like a secluded holiday will stop in quiet corners, where after sunset life comes to a standstill and you are left alone with nature.
Koh Samui ranks third in popularity among all resorts in Thailand. Thanks to the presence of the airport, you can quickly and easily get here from anywhere in the country. The authorities are soon planning to make the airport international, which means it will be possible to fly here directly from Russia and other Western countries.
Samui has a dozen beaches, all very different. Before choosing a place to live on the island, you need to familiarize yourself with each one in detail, since some are practically “wild”, while others, on the contrary, have a lot of hotels, restaurants, bars and nightlife.
Koh Samui is surrounded by a ring road along which government transport runs. In addition, there are tuk-tuks, motorcycle and air-conditioned taxis, so there will be no problems with movement, you can easily travel from beach to beach and to all the attractions of Samui, of which there are quite a lot.
Koh Samui island on the map of Thailand
Story
The first foreigners to arrive on Koh Samui back in the 70s were hippies. Ordinary tourists followed them. In the mid-80s, local authorities decided to turn Koh Samui into a tourist resort. Construction began on hotels, restaurants, shops and other amenities to which Europeans and Americans were so accustomed. Fortunately, the benefits of civilization were limited only to coastal areas, without affecting the center of the island.
There is still an untouched jungle there. By the way, there is no trace left of the hippies and their shabby huts; now package tourists and independent travelers stay at the resort.
Tours to Koh Samui
Today, the best prices for hotel complexes on Samui 4* and 5* are offered (for the Russian Federation - Anex Tour, Tui, Biblio Globus, Pegasus, Tez-tour). That is, if you want a hotel holiday, then in most cases it is more profitable to buy a package tour.
It is best to go to Koh Samui as a package tour in the following cases:
1. If you plan to be on the hotel premises most of the time.
For most of your vacation, you plan to swim, lie on a sun lounger, eat, take part in animation, and attend spa treatments. In this case, you do not need to choose several hotels for your trip, you only need one, but the best one for your money. If you want to live in several places, then this will be an individual tour, and it is more profitable to fly on your own.
2. If you are traveling with children and teenagers.
Variety of food, in good hotels there is a separate children's table. Children's animation and peers with whom it will be interesting and fun.
3. If you want quality service for your money.
Almost direct dependence on price. The more prestigious and expensive the hotel, the higher the quality and variety of services, the more interesting the territory and food.
4. If you live in a region from which there are no regular flights.
If you live far from major airports, then the choice of air travel is limited. Even if there are any regular flights, they may have transfers. In this case, it is easier to buy a package tour, which already includes air tickets for a direct charter, which are usually not found on free sale.
5. If you want to save money.
Due to large sales volumes during the season, tour operator prices are generally lower than if you buy all parts of the tour separately. Yes, we must admit, these parts are not always of the best quality (charter, insurance, general transfer), but for most tourists everything is determined by the price.
What does a trip to Koh Samui include?
Usually a tourist package includes:
Everything has already been taken care of for you, there is no need to buy anything separately.
Where to buy tickets
First of all, trips to Samui can be purchased at travel agencies. Usually the employees there are well versed in the current market situation. But like all sellers, they are interested in selling certain tours because tour operators can offer higher commissions. Those. You should be wary of particularly active imposition of a specific hotel and tour operator.
If you know what exactly you want, know how to use the Internet and find truthful reviews, then you can book a tour to Samui on your own on the tour operator’s website.
It’s even more profitable to do this on the websites Travelata and Level.Travel (Misto.Travel for Ukraine), since there you can compare the prices of all tour operators at once. Very simple and convenient sites, booking is possible in 5 minutes, unlike most tour operator sites. An additional benefit is that there is a bonus system for repeat purchases, and discounts are also offered from time to time.
How to get to Koh Samui
Cheap flights to Bangkok
You can buy air tickets to Thailand as profitably as possible using special search engines that collect data from all airlines.
By bus
Buses run from any city in Thailand. This is a fairly cheap, but also tedious way to get to Koh Samui. In some cases, there will be several transfers along the way. From Bangkok to the pier the transport takes at least 12 hours, from Phuket - 4.5-5 hours. The ferry to the island - 1-1.5 hours.
By land and water
Most ferries depart from the mainland from Surat Thani and Chumpon (closer to Koh Tao). There is a large amount of ground transport to these places, tickets for which can be bought everywhere at travel agencies or bus stations in cities and resorts in Thailand or. Samui also has water connections with Koh Tao and Koh Phangan.
From the latter, tuk-tuks carry tourists to the beaches. The price is fixed - travel to any locality costs 60 baht. True, Thais often like to scam new arrivals by asking for 100. But if you do not agree to this price, they will take you for the standard 60 baht. It takes about 25-35 minutes to get to Chaweng and Lamai. The main road encircles the perimeter of the entire island, sometimes it runs a few meters from the coast (for example, in the north), sometimes a kilometer away (on Chaweng). There are branches from the Main Road that lead to the beaches.
Transport
There are no problems with movement on the island. Transportation includes public songthaews, tuk-tuks, motorcycle taxis, air-conditioned taxis and minivans. In addition, you can rent a motorbike or car yourself.
1. Songthaew.
The cheapest way to get around is by songthaew, which is exactly the same as in Pattaya - a pickup truck with two parallel seats. They can take you to any beach except the north-eastern ones.
The fare costs 50-60 baht per person. If you want to get to the airport and the northeast coast, you can hire an empty songthaew as a tuk-tuk. In this case, the price is negotiable and, for example, you can get to the airport for 300 baht (not per person, but for the whole car).
2. Air-conditioned taxi.
This is the most expensive type of transport on Samui; they are ordinary cars painted in bright colors.
While there are few of them, there is little competition and they ask for large sums of money for travel. Meters are rarely turned on, usually the price is negotiable and starts from 300 baht between neighboring beaches.
3. Motorcycle taxi.
A ride on the back seat of a motorcycle as a passenger costs the same as everywhere else in Thailand - about 30 baht for 1-2 km. On Koh Samui, distances are long, so getting from one beach to another (which is 3-4 km) will cost around 100 baht.
4. Minibuses (minivans).
They run from the airport and the pier in Nathon, and also take tourists to attractions as part of excursions.
5. Transport rental.
The best option for those who come for a long time. There are motorbike rental offices on any beach, as well as on the pier in Nathon, where most ships from the mainland sail. The price depends on the season and location. In Nathon you can find it for 150 baht per day, and in tourist places for 200 baht.
Who should go to Koh Samui
Holidays on Koh Samui are suitable for those who prioritize clean seas and uncrowded beaches. If you are interested in a vibrant nightlife with lots of discos, nightclubs, Go Go bars and thousands of available girls, then you won't like Koh Samui. It is represented in small quantities only in Chaweng, and is mainly limited to open-air drinking bars where you can find a girlfriend for the night. But this is only a pitiful semblance of the incendiary Walking Street in Pattaya or Bangla Road in Phuket.
But lovers of silence and leisurely relaxation will love Samui.
There are very few people on the beaches even in the high season from December to March. Here you will not feel the friendly elbow of your neighbor on the sun lounger, simply because they are located at a great distance from each other (unlike Pattaya and Phuket, where the distance between the sun loungers is no more than half a meter). And in general, there are very few sunbeds and sun umbrellas on Samui, they are only next to the hotels.
What to do and what to visit
For an initial acquaintance with the island, we recommend going to.
For those who like to buy something abroad, the most popular places for shopping are described:.
Beaches
Unlike Phuket, Koh Samui has both in the west, and in the east, and in the south, and in the north. The most popular is Chaweng. The tourist infrastructure is most developed here - many hotels, shops, markets, restaurants, massage parlors, bars and entertainment. During the day you can go jet skiing, skiing, banana boats and paragliding, and at night you can “raid” one of the restaurants or bars with the girls.
Chaweng is slightly inferior to Lamai, where there are fewer of all the above-mentioned benefits of civilization. And after sunset it’s quieter here. All other beaches offer only sea, sun, palm trees, overnight accommodation, several mini-markets, restaurants and drinking establishments. In the capital of Koh Samui - Nathon - there are almost no tourists, since there is no normal beach. Mostly Thais live here.
Climate
Samui has a tropical, humid climate. Throughout the year, the air temperature fluctuates around +30...+32 (in December-March a little cooler, in April-May - a little hotter). From June to November there are heavy rains several times a week, which can last for several hours. The rainiest months: May, September, October, November. The driest months: January, February, March, April. The water temperature in the sea is constant and is +27 - +28 degrees.
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 of the 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 in other major resorts in 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. There are no big waves and muddy seas on Koh Samui 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 luxurious holidays, you can even stay here 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 are located on the east coast, such as the famous Chaweng, the island's largest and busiest beach 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 flock to the neighboring island of Koh Phangan, where huge open-air discos are held: “Full Moon Parties”.
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.
The very beautiful island of Madsum awaits its guests on 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 won't 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, where 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 an 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 a 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.
Ko Samui is the third largest island in Thailand. It is located in the Gulf of Thailand in the South China Sea and covers an area of 228.7 square meters. 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. The administrative center of 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 of the island 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 a relaxing holiday, which, if desired, can be diluted with trips to a bar or a nightclub.
Transport
The most popular mode of transport on Koh 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 in 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. There you can find almost all 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. Moreover, most 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 a bungalow without any special frills for 15-25 thousand baht per month, and a luxurious villa on the seashore with a private 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 during the 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 that 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. Water sports, boat excursions, night programs, jungle treks, and zoos will undoubtedly delight lovers of outdoor activities 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 walking in deserted places, or take care of self-defense means, for example, ultrasonic animal repellers.