Koh Samui in Thailand

เกาะสมุย
Southern Thailand
668 km from Bangkok
Province of Surat Thani
Population : 40 000

Budget

Recomm. stay

3 jours minimum

Visits

General Information about Koh Samui

Koh Samui island is probably one of the busiest in Thailand. It is also the only one with an airport with Phuket airport. Known for its nightlife, it also offers visitors a beatifuk coastline with white sand beaches and turquoise waters. The sea is sometimes a little rough. This is the ideal destination for people who love to party, love hot weather, the beach and nightlife (especially at Chaweng Beach). But Samuiisland is also a nice destination for family vacation, it offers many water activities and tours, massage parlors or spas. To discover a more authentic Samui, go inside the land in the mountain. You will fruit trees and cooc trees and some nice viewpoints. There is anyway a few temples and a huge Buddha that you can see from the window of the plane when you land or take off. On the beach, you will mainly be between tourists and expats. You will also find almost every type of cuisine: European, Asian, American... in restaurants.
Each beach has its peculiarities and its adepts. The most popular because it is close to all entertainment including bars and nightclubs is Chaweng Beach. Lamai a little further is calmer even the churning of the ocean is more shy and swimming more enjoyable. Favorite of backpackers, the island has become over the years a little more upscale destination . The prices are still reasonable compared to our Western standards but no longer as attractive for backpackers. Anyway during low season you can get very good deals with prices cut by a half or more.
Generally, November and December are particularly rainy in Samui, it is better to come here on other months if you can. But weather is lesser and lesser predicatble.

Accommodations in Koh Samui

In Koh Samui, the liveliest and busiest area is Chaweng Beach. It is also where the hotels are the most expensive and guesthouses the rarest. If you want to sleep it is better book your room in advance. Then you have Lamai, a little further in the South. This beach is the backpackers' favorite. The accommodation rates are lower and there is a lot of guesthouses and small complex of bungalows with a friendly atmosphere. Otherwise, Hat Bophut and Mae Nam, less attractive except for Bophut Fishing Village, which is not really a fishing village anymore but is quite popular with tourists. There you will also find a few reasonably priced accommodation and luxurious complex options. Nathon is like the capital of the island with the piers. It is not not the most pleasant area in Koh Samui but there are few hotels or guesthouses.

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Practical information about Koh Samui

Koh Samui has an airport but flights are quite expensive compared to other destinations in Thailand. To save money, man travelers prefer to go to Surat Thani by plane and take the ferry from there or buy a bus + ferry ticket (online booking HERE).

How to get around in Koh Samui ?

Taxis in Koh Samui are still reluctant to use their meter and the prices they even offer even after negotiations are often very high. The motorcycle taxis are cheaper but less safe. Otherwise, there are songthaews (shared taxis) touring on the main roads of the island You can get on and off at any time. Negotiate the price with the driver before getting in. They do not go everywhere, they follow fixed routes but connect at least the main beaches of Koh Samui. Count 20 baht for a short ride to several hundred baht for a long drive.
You can rent a scooter (about 200 THB per day) or a car (800THB per day) in Koh Samui but check their condition and don't hesitate to take pictures. And be careful on the roads especially with scooter. Tourists accidents make aKoh Samui hospitals very rich. We also remind you that wearing a helmet is mandatory. You can also use GRAB app (similar to UBER but UBER does not operate in Southestern Asia any more) or Navigo to order a transportation in Samui.

How to ask in Thai to go to Koh Samui ?

I want to go to Koh Samui / Yak paï ti Koh Samui.
Where is Koh Samui ? / Koh Samui you ti naï ?

Must-visits in Koh Samui

Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)

วัดพระใหญ่

My opinion :

in the North of the island, close to the airport. It is quite impressive.

Wat Plai Laem

วัดปลายแหลม

My opinion :

This Buddhist and Chinese temple is especially remarkable for its large statue of the goddess Guanyin and its 18 arms. Located near the Big Buddha, it may be interesting to add to the big Buddha visit.

Koh Taen island

เกาะ แตน

My opinion :

This small island and its neighbor Koh Matsum are located in the south of Koh Samui, about twenty minutes by boat. Still wild, there is a reef where you can snorkel among multicolored fishes. It is a half day or full day trip tour still preserved from mass tourism.

Hin Ta Hin Yai

หินตา หินยาย

My opinion :

Located on the seafront between Lamai and Hua Thanon, these rocks have the shape of a penis and a vagina and attract many tourists who want to photograph them.

Koh Samui Summit

พระพุทธ ทีปังกร

My opinion :

On the highest point of Koh Samui when the weather is good you have a magnificent view over the island. At the top, there is a temple, Wat Theepangkorn with a large standing Buddha image on a large esplanade that gives access to the view. Few people know it but the best view is not there...

Other places to see in Koh Samui

Wat Khunaram

Khao Hua Jook Pagoda

Wat Sila Ngu

Khao Chedi

Secret Buddha Garden

Lamai Viewpoint

Laem Sor Pagoda

Samui Elephant Sactuary

Weather & climate in Koh Samui

Koh Samui has a tropical savanna climate. The island has only one month of true dry season (February). The climate is hot and humid for most of the year but the island is on average less humid than Phuket. The rainiest months are October and especially November. The rest of the year, given the tropical climate, showers are brief.

The best mome,nt to come to Koh Samui is from January to April but Samui is also enjoyable during the months of July and August. At this time of the year Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are the islands of Thailand where the weather is the best. The months of October and especially November (sometimes until mid-December) are not recommended for a stay in Ko Samui.

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When to go to Koh Samui ?

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