All about Thailand Koh Samui. Koh Samui is the most picturesque resort in Thailand! Where to live on the island
Koh Samui is located in the waters of the Gulf of Thailand in the south of the country, and the nearest city on the mainland, Surat Thani, is located 35 km to the southwest.
Koh Samui is connected to the mainland by ferry, and there are also various high-speed boats and boats. The island has its own airport with daily flights to the capital - and to other cities.
The island is a mountainous upland with dense in the center and low-lying areas with residential areas along the coast. There are many classic sand and lagoons, coconut groves grow everywhere, there is a fairly developed infrastructure, shops, hotels, houses and bungalows.
Interestingly, tourism on Koh Samui began to develop only in the 1980s with the construction of roads on the island, and is now one of the main sources of income. Both package tourists in comfortable hotels, as well as savage tourists and hitchhikers who independently rent private houses and bungalows, rest here. Divers like to come here because of the rich underwater world islands.
The main types of recreation and entertainment on the island are diving, boat trips to the nearest islands, trekking through the jungle, visiting Buddhist temples and relics, and of course, beach holiday!
Koh Samui is considered one of the favorites for most independent travelers who prefer to stay here for a long time, take a break from the hustle and bustle, enjoy the nature of the tropics and immerse themselves in an atmosphere of peace and relaxation.
Weather on Koh Samui
For Koh Samui, as for many resorts in southern Thailand, the climate is divided into two seasons. The dry season lasts from January to April and is considered a tourist season. The air temperature can be 25 - 30 degrees.
It usually lasts from May to December, the air temperature during this period also ranges from 24 to 30 degrees, and the rains are short, although very plentiful and often accompanied by thunderstorms.
Holidays and prices on Koh Samui
As mentioned above, Koh Samui is a place for people who prefer a relaxing holiday, unity with nature and access to good beaches. Lovers will also find their place here. active rest and traveling with family and children. Local excursions include visits to various attractions of the island and its environs.
Samui (Koh Samui) - occupies the second position in size among the islands of Thailand - an area of 228.7 km². The shape resembles a rectangle with sides of 21 and 25 km. The island is about 35 km from mainland city 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, clear water, silence and solitude - this is Koh Samui.
The island began to acquire tourist fame since the 70s of the last century. It was pioneered by hippie tourists who were attracted by the beautiful secluded beaches and the exotic originality 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 began to come to the island in Thailand.
To date, Koh Samui can offer tourists 10 equipped beaches, and the same number have retained their original untouchedness. In general, there are about 30 beaches on the island.
You will enjoy the clear azure waters of the South China Sea. The entire beach area is separated from the island ring road by buildings from 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 equip the runway. All the benefits of civilization are concentrated in the coastal areas of Koh Samui.
How to get there
The fastest option is by plane. There is no direct regular communication with the CIS countries here, only charter flights. Therefore, our tourists have to fly with transfers. A transplant can be done in Bangkok, on, 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 tiring way is the bus. From any city in Thailand to Koh Samui depart bus routes. Passengers have to cover the distance to the cargo pier of the city, and then another hour and a half by ferry to Koh Samui. You can get there by passenger ferry.
Most of the piers are located on Chumpon, Suratthani, as well as on Koh Tao and Koh Phangan.
Most ferries arrive at main city Koh Samui - Nathon. The cargo pier is a little further south of Nathon. Songteos are on duty at the pier, the fare is 60 baht. There are also taxis and air-conditioned minivans. The fare in the latter is 150 baht.
Nathon Pier on the map
In the northern part, according to Koh Samui map, there is a Big Buddha pier, ferries from Koh Phangan arrive here. There are also songteos here, but they only go to Chaweng and the airport, the price is 100 baht ($ 3). If necessary, you can use a taxi. From Lipa Noi Pier public transport does not go, 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. Songteos, minivans, tuk-tuks, motorcycle taxis, air-conditioned taxis or rented vehicles constantly run here. But transport system less developed than in Phuket or Pattaya. Songteo will have to wait 10-15 minutes.
- The most economical mode of transport is songteo 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 trip in the back seat of a motorcycle taxi costs from 30 baht ($ 1) for 1-2 kilometers.
- Minivans carry tourist excursions, as well as deliver passengers to hotels from the airport and from the pier, located in the capital of Koh Samui - Nathon.
- Renting a motorbike will cost you 150-300 baht ($4-9) per day, and a car from 800 baht ($24).
- A popular form of transport is a bicycle, its rent is 50-70 baht ($1.5-1.8) per day. The widest offer for car rental 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 the same beach for the entire vacation, then it is very a good option it's a car rental. The roads here are smooth and without serpentines, and the traffic is not intense. In addition, the territory of the island is not large, and the infrastructure is very clear.
Beaches
Beach areas are located around the entire perimeter of the island. The beaches here are different: both in terms of infrastructure, and in terms of fullness with tourists, and in the variety of entertainment offered. The sand on the beaches can be coarse, or it can resemble white powder. They are also different in landscape: somewhere flat territory, and somewhere rocky.
The most developed infrastructure is the most popular on Koh Samui. There are many bars, shops, markets, restaurants, entertainment venues, massage parlors, hotels.
Less developed infrastructure on Lamai beach. Typical daytime activities on these beaches are water skiing, banana, jet skis, paragliders.
The rest of the beaches offer a more relaxed and remote from civilization vacation. They have only a few small restaurants, bars, mini-markets and hotels. And of course the sea, sun, sand and palm trees - everything is exactly like in the promotional photos of Koh Samui.
Tourists rarely stop in the capital of Koh Samui, as the beach is not very convenient here.
Entertainment
In addition to the entertainment listed above, holidays on Koh Samui include trips to the jungle, sea excursions, in particular to the Ang Thong National Marine Reserve. Shots of the famous film "The Beach" were filmed here, so tourists try to capture memorable landscapes on video.
Visiting zoos and plantations are also popular, where monkeys are the main labor force. It is possible to travel to neighboring uninhabited islands for diving and snorkeling, as well as visiting local attractions.
Shoppers will also be pleasantly surprised. Although there are no trading giants here, as in Bangkok or Pattaya, the choice of goods is quite wide and prices are lower. It is worth orienting in the location of markets, shops and shopping centers, having previously studied the map of Koh Samui.
Most popular places for shopping: Central Festival, Tesco Lotus, Big C, Makro, Khun Chaweng Shopping Centre. Whichever beach you stop at, 7 Eleven and Family Mart will be within walking distance.
Night entertainment programs not as diverse and saturated as in Bangkok or Pattaya, but nightlife lovers have a place to spend time. Most of the establishments are located on Chaweng, these are 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 tiny island Faan, which is connected to Koh Samui by a causeway.
- Wat Khunaram is located in the south of the island, close to 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 biggest 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 skillfully fit 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 Koh Samui Aquarium. At the zoo, you can bottle feed small animals. Tourists do not leave here without photos and videos.
- Paradise Park Farm is at the top of the high mountain islands. It contains both wild and domestic animals and birds. They enjoy interacting with tourists.
- On the crocodile farm located near the airport, crocodile artists perform twice a day.
- The Monkey Theater is located near Bophut Beach. Good mood and funny video shooting are provided to you.
Housing
There are no problems with housing on Koh Samui either. Here you will find a hotel for any budget, because there are more than 1000 of them. If you are attracted by luxury apartments with a private pool, get ready to shell out from 40,000-60,000 baht ($1175-1765) per month. You can also rent a more modest bungalow for 15,000-25,000 baht ($450-740) per month.
For lovers 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.
Koh Samui is the third largest island in Thailand. It is located in the Gulf of Thailand of 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 located about 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, Koh Samui is second only to Pattaya and Phuket. And there are a little less guests from Russia 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 Koh Samui is the city 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 that are washed by azure waters South China Sea.
Story
Until the early 70s of the last century, the locals of the island were engaged only in fishing and growing coconuts. Foreign guests until that time they were a curiosity, and no one even thought about the tourism business. The tourist flow to Koh Samui was opened by hippies, attracted by the solitude and beauty of its beaches. Behind them, backpackers began to arrive, showing the local population that you can make good money on tourism. After that, Koh Samui began to gain popularity among ordinary organized tourists, developing the necessary infrastructure.
Recreation features
On the shores of Koh Samui, every tourist will find a place for himself according to his taste and possibilities. It should be noted that the party life on the island is a bit more modest than on the famous Pha Ngan, known for its reckless Full Moon Party. For the most part, they go there for relaxing holiday, which, if desired, can be diluted with trips to a bar or a nightclub.
Transport
Most popular view transport on Koh Samui is songteo. It is a pickup truck with two parallel benches in the trunk for passengers. The route that tourists and residents of the island mainly travel on is the main ring road. On average, during the day, a songthaew ride costs 50-100 baht, in the evening drivers raise prices.
For those who want to move around the island on their own, it is possible to rent a bicycle or motorbike. Bicycles, of course, will cost much less, about 50-70 baht / day. Motorbikes will cost an average of 200-300 baht / day. The biggest bike rental offer 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. Basically, these are Korean or Chinese cars, bearing the proud name of 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 also bargain.
Food
As in most tourist spots Thailand, Koh Samui has a wide selection of catering establishments of various levels and directions. In general, prices on the islands are 20-30% higher than on the mainland.
Lunch is the cheapest at the macashnitsa, roadside eateries, and the evening market. There, the total bill without drinks for two will not exceed 100 baht. In a decent cafe, the bill will double or more. Well, in a reputable restaurant, depending on the client's appetites, the amount will start from 500-1000 baht per person.
Koh Samui has not bypassed such “happiness” of human civilization as McDonald’s and Burger King. In addition, the well-known chain of 7-Eleven minimarkets is quite developed on the island, where you can buy simple snacks and drinks.
Food courts in Tesco Lotus and Big C supermarkets are very popular both among tourists and Thais themselves. Almost all dishes can be found 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 meals right at the table in a classic Thai brazier. You can choose from already chopped or pickled 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 brazier.
And, of course, there are always restaurants in hotels, moreover, than larger hotel, the more choices 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
On Koh Samui a large number of different beaches for every taste, only about 26. At the same time, the majority settlements concentrate around them and bear the same names. Almost always, the coastal zone is separated from the road by hotels and restaurants, but anyone can freely walk to the sea.
The beaches on the island are all different. Somewhere the sand is coarse, somewhere fine as white powder, somewhere there are rocks, somewhere the landscape is more or less even, somewhere there are a lot of noisy tourists, somewhere there is silence and peace. Many guests of the island settle on one of the beaches, and then, depending on their mood, rest 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 for tourists. Here you can find a bungalow without any frills for 15-25 thousand baht per month, and a luxury villa on the beach with a private pool, tennis court and other amenities. Such rent can cost 40-60 thousand baht per month or more.
The hotel base of the island includes more than 1000 hotels. However, the supply of cheap accommodation (at 200-300 baht / night) on the island is limited, especially in high tourist season. Therefore, a room in the region of 400 baht / day during the season can be considered good luck.
An exception may be the port village of Chaweng. There is no beach for swimming, so the demand and, accordingly, the prices for rooms are quite low. But even if you drive songthaews to other beaches every day, the cost of travel and room will be lower than those incurred by residents of accommodation 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 accommodate 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 sights 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 national characteristics 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
Except chic beaches, gentle sea and attractions, Koh Samui also offers a lot of entertainment. Water sports, boat trips, night programs, jungle trekking, and zoos will surely delight fans of outdoor activities and adventures.
Security
Unfortunately, all major resorts in any country in the world lure various scammers and lovers to get rich at someone else's expense. Therefore, tourists everywhere should remain vigilant and maintain prudence. In addition to bipedal criminals, stray dogs can still be found on the island, which can be quite aggressive. Therefore, it is better to avoid hiking in deserted places, or take care of self-defense means, for example, ultrasonic repellers for animals.
Koh Samui is white sand beaches, coconut palms, amazing rocks, islands and islets, crazy full moon parties, waterfalls and, of course, eternal summer. An important difference between Koh Samui and other resorts in Thailand is the absence of big waves on the sea all year round. And the rainy season on the island is not as pronounced as on the territory of the whole. This is a bounty resort where you can endlessly enjoy gorgeous views of virgin nature, blue sea and white sand.
Koh Samui is the second largest island after the island. 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 Koh Samui to the nearest point of the mainland, you need to overcome about 40 kilometers along the waters of the Gulf of Thailand.
Tours in Koh Samui
Prices for tours for 2 people for 7 nights with departure from Moscow
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 make the right choice. It is worth coming here for couples in search of a romantic getaway, as well as families with children.
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 Koh Samui will be comfortable not only in winter, but also in summer. Big waves and muddy seas on Koh Samui are absent all year round. The most rainfall occurs from October to December, but short showers at this time of the year are unlikely to spoil your holiday. The average annual air temperature on Koh Samui is 30-31 °С, water - 27-29 °С.
Hotels
The main feature of the island's hotels is the proximity of buildings or bungalows to the sea. In addition to five-star hotels offering luxurious vacations, here you can even live in a small house without water and electricity.
The latter option is suitable for those who want to plunge into the atmosphere of untouched civilization of nature as much as possible.
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.
Most beautiful beaches located on the east coast, for example, the famous Chaweng, the largest and busiest beach of 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 coast of Talingngam Beach surrounded by cliffs.
Interesting entertainments are available on the tourist beaches of the island: kayaking, jet skiing, banana boating.
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 for both adults and children. If you do not want to spend your entire vacation on the seashore, you can get acquainted with a large number of interesting sights of the island. It will be comfortable for both elderly tourists and young people. For example, young people flock to neighboring island Phangan, where huge discos take place under open sky: "Full Moon Party" (Full Moon Party).
Those who went on a well-deserved rest go to the cozy Maenam Beach, where you can admire the stunning sunsets. From Koh Samui, you can go to many islands, for example, to the "turtle" Tao, to go diving or snorkeling.
Highly beautiful island Madsum is waiting for his guests on white sandy beaches that embrace the virgin tropical jungle. In the heart of Koh Samui, waterfalls, butterfly parks, snake farms are hidden of stunning beauty. Tourists with children will not be disappointed by visiting the tiger and leopard show, 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 of the island are located literally at every turn. Wherever you stay during your vacation, you will always find a cozy place where you can enjoy authentic Thai cuisine and a hospitable atmosphere. A large number of cafes, restaurants and bars are located on 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, Chinese cuisine can also always find an institution of interest to them.
If you want to get a complete understanding of Thai cuisine, we advise you to try some local dishes prepared on a macaroon (a scooter equipped for cooking).
Transport
The public transport of the island is songteo. Songteo 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, of course, are 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 rest of the transport options to the island will invariably consist of a ferry crossing. The nearest town 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 on how to get 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 Koh Samui you can buy natural pearls, which will be a great gift for you or your loved ones. Another gift option is natural coconut oil, which is produced on the island.
Today, more and more people choose as a holiday island states. One of the most popular travel destinations is Thailand, Koh Samui. This island belongs to the second most popular place, after Phuket. Despite the tourist boom that hit the state in recent years, nature here has been preserved almost in its original form.
Features of Koh Samui
Koh Samui is the third largest among all the islands of Thailand and the largest in the Champon archipelago, which includes more than 80 islands, mostly uninhabited.
The main feature of the island is that it offers for the most part a relaxing beach holiday. Nightclubs, of course, work, but the parties that take place there cannot be classified as too noisy. Due to the size of the island and the presence of a large number of beautiful beaches, you can find a peaceful deserted place by the ocean even in the high season. In addition, the weather on Koh Samui is not subject to strong drops, and due to the fact that the island is located in the bay, even tsunamis are not afraid of it.
It is noteworthy that until the 20th century, Koh Samui had practically no connections with the mainland, and there were not even roads there until the 70s, when the first tourists landed on it. Until now, the island is not allowed to build hotels higher than palm trees, so vacationers are mainly offered bungalows.
Koh Samui Airport
Of course, the fastest and easiest way to get to the island is by air. At the same time, Koh Samui has its own airport, which can be safely attributed to the sights of the island. This beautiful airport is privately owned by Bangkok Airlines. She carries out most of the flights, although since 2008 a company has started working there.
Koh Samui Airport makes a lasting impression on tourists. Immediately after the descent from the atmosphere of relaxation and celebration is felt.
Passengers are met by a road train with open wagons, which delivers them to the arrivals hall. Although this place can be called a hall very conditionally, given that the buildings at Samui Airport are practically without walls. Having received your luggage, visa and passport stamp, you need to exchange money and choose a way to get to the hotel. Directly at the airport they offer a transfer to hotels, individual or group. You can use taxi services, however, if this is your first visit to the island, it will be quite difficult to understand the road maps. And by choosing a group transfer, you can decently save on a trip to the hotel. Due to the absence of walls, Koh Samui airport allows you to admire the tropical beauty of the island during your stay in it.
Others on the island
Of course, the plane is the only transport by which you can get from Russia to Thailand. Koh Samui offers another mode of transport, with which you can get to it after arriving in the country. This is a ferry service, which is quite well developed on the island. Communication with the mainland is carried out using the ferries of the three main companies of Koh Samui and high-speed catamarans. The first get to the island in an average of 1.5 hours, and catamarans - in 40 minutes. There are also regular boats that go to different islands of the archipelago. Thus, transport connection between the islands and the mainland is established quite well.
On Koh Samui there is public transport - songthaew. This is a pickup truck, in which the awning covers the back, and under it there are benches for seats. There are also benches without seats, in this case the passenger is offered a handle to hold on to during the trip. Taximeters and motorcycle taxis still operate on the island.
The beaches of Koh Samui
Every beach on this amazing island unique in its own way. In total, it has 34 tourist beaches, among which there are closed, open and beaches where it is comfortable to relax with children.
The most popular of them is Chaweng, where tourists often go. The fact that it is located very close to the airport also contributes to the fact that it is most often chosen for recreation. Chaweng has a large number of hotels, beach bars, and is actively traded. Due to its popularity, this is the most crowded beach, therefore, despite the length of 6 km, it is not possible to find a secluded place.
The second most popular beach is Lamai. It is not as crowded as in Chaweng, but nevertheless the infrastructure is well developed.
The rest of the beaches are not as popular, and therefore offer more privacy. In general, the quantity and quality of beaches is one of the advantages of the state of Thailand. Koh Samui from its wide variety allows you to choose the one that is most suitable for every tourist.
Koh Samui Cuisine
The island has a huge variety of places where they offer delicious food. It can be inexpensive cafes with real Thai cuisine, and gourmet restaurants with dishes from the most different countries. At the same time, given the popularity of the resort among Russian tourists, Russian cuisine is also represented here.
Island cuisine - real paradise for gourmets.
Exotic lovers can try the most unusual options, while traditional food lovers can treat themselves to their favorite dishes. At the same time, prices on Koh Samui are quite democratic and allow everyone, without exception, to enjoy exactly what they want. While relaxing in this exotic country, you can try a great variety of different dishes from chicken, rice, noodles and pork. Each of them are offered sauces of varying degrees of spiciness, which give a special piquancy to food.
Many, having tried Thai cuisine once, become its loyal fans. Often tourists bring home all sorts of spices and pastas to enjoy their favorite dishes at home.
Entertainment on the island
Koh Samui, in addition to swimming in the ocean, offers other entertainment. All of them are mainly related to movement. It's a banana ride, a parachute ride, water skiing, flyboard, and speedboat. Tourists are also offered a four-hour fishing trip on the high seas. Of course, on Koh Samui you can not do without immersion in crystal clear water. There are diving schools on the island that help beginners enjoy the beauty of the underwater world. lovers extreme species recreation can also make a rope descent, which has 7 levels of difficulty.
In addition, Koh Samui has golf courses, karting tracks, shooting ranges and state-of-the-art cinemas. You can also go to nature Park or a butterfly garden. It is noteworthy that to visit these places it is not necessary to pay for an excursion, you can independently get to the place of interest and admire the amazing beauty of nature.
Most of the island's entertainment places are described in detail on maps and in booklets, which can also be found in Russian.
There is also a safari park, an aquarium and a tiger zoo, which are open to everyone every day.
In addition, most vacationers do not miss the opportunity to try the world-famous Thai massage and spa treatments, which are presented here in large quantities.
Thus, on Koh Samui you can find entertainment suitable for any age and physical activity.
Children's holidays on Koh Samui
Many parents are faced with the problem of choosing a vacation spot with children, because not all resorts take into account the specifics of age. From this point of view, Koh Samui is an ideal choice. Beautiful beaches with soft sand, dazzling sun, sea of fruits and friendly Thais - all this will only please the child. At the same time, the level of tourism allows you to minimize all the inconveniences that may be during the holidays. In addition, a safari park, a zoo and animal shows will impress any child.
If we are talking about a few months of rest, then there are several international schools on the island that will allow the child to keep up with the school curriculum. Among other things, this is a great way to tighten English language.
on Koh Samui
For loving young people who have just tied the knot, Koh Samui will be the best place for honeymoon trip. The silence and tranquility of this paradise will not interfere with the newlyweds to enjoy each other's company, and hotels offer special rooms for newlyweds. White sand beaches, untouched beauty nature and the measured sound of the waves - all this will give young people the opportunity to feel the depth of their feelings. And the photos taken on this most beautiful island will keep the memory of the most wonderful days of the beginning of family life.
Sights of Koh Samui
The main attraction of the island is beautiful beaches which are its main attraction. However, not everyone wants to just lie on the beach for the whole vacation. And for those who want to diversify their vacation and get fresh impressions, all conditions are created here.
The island's most famous attraction is marine park Angthong, which consists of 42 uninhabited islands. This is beautiful place for diving, snorkeling or just enjoying the beauty wildlife in its original form.
Like the rest of Thailand, Koh Samui is rich in all kinds of temples. Some of them are known only to local residents and are not visited by tourists, while others are included in various excursion programs. Most of them are Buddhist temples, but there are several mosques and one Orthodox temple on the island.
The next attraction of the island, interesting for tourists, is its beautiful waterfalls. The most famous of these is Na Mueang1, which is also known as the Purple Falls. You can drive up to it by transport almost close, which is very convenient, given the presence of a small pool in which you can swim. This waterfall has a special meaning for local residents, as members of the royal family have repeatedly come to bathe there.
Also, the sights of Koh Samui, which are known far beyond the island, are two rocks called Grandmother and Grandfather. They are famous all over the world and annually attract many tourists to the island.
The cultural center of Koh Samui, which is located far from the main tourist places, is rarely visited by guests of the island. Therefore, deciding to go there, one can hope for a calm and peaceful contemplation of unusual statues and a beautiful stream flowing between them.
Excursions on Koh Samui
Due to the fact that tours to Koh Samui, as a rule, already include an excursion program, tourists will have a very eventful vacation. Excursions are quite diverse, so everyone can choose a program that is suitable for him personally. During a Thai holiday, you can see the sights of the island, visit National parks, see various shows with animals, go fishing in the open ocean or just enjoy the beauty of the waves by boat trip. Also excursions to Koh Samui include trips to the neighboring island of Koh Tao, which is also called the turtle island. This is a very popular diving spot, which is an independent resort.
Also popular is the Angthong Marine Park, which covers 250 square kilometers.
All these sights can be seen on your own, but it is both more difficult and more expensive. Therefore, when choosing an excursion program, you should pay attention to the list of places to visit and choose the most interesting one for yourself.
Island weather
There are only two seasons on Koh Samui - dry season from January to April and rainy season from May to December. However, unlike the rest of the islands of Thailand, here the rains are very short, and due to the location in the bay, tsunamis are not terrible, which are dangerous for the rest of the state. In addition, only two months the amount of precipitation is much more than the norm - these are May and June. Therefore, the weather on Koh Samui is relatively mild and not subject to large drops. All this contributes to the fact that the flow of tourists on the island does not stop all year round.
Best time to go to Koh Samui
To date, tours on Koh Samui are among the most popular. Thanks to their weather conditions the island offers excellent holidays all year round. Therefore, no matter what month the vacation fell on, you can safely go there. However, if there is a choice, then, of course, it is better to choose the dry season, which starts in January and lasts until the end of April. At this time, the amount of precipitation is minimal, which, of course, is better for a full-fledged beach holiday.
So Koh Samui in January - the perfect place to relax.
