A guide to Samui and reviews from tourists about their holidays. Koh Samui is the most picturesque resort in Thailand! Samui island thailand what's good

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 the virgin 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 Koh 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. Largest quantity precipitation falls from October to December, but short showers at this time of year are unlikely to ruin your holiday. The average annual air temperature on Samui is 30-31 °C, water temperature is 27-29 °C.

Hotels

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

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

Beaches

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

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

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

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

Attractions

On Koh Samui there is something to do for both adults and children. If you don’t want to spend your entire vacation on the seashore, you can get acquainted with a large number of interesting sights of the island. Both older tourists and young people will feel comfortable here. For example, young people 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.

Very beautiful island 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 on holiday, you will always find something cozy place, where you can enjoy authentic Thai cuisine and a welcoming atmosphere. A large number of cafes, restaurants and bars are located on coastline, here you can not only eat deliciously, 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.

The island of Koh Samui in Thailand looks like a real tropical paradise in the photo. Azure water, snow-white beaches, endless blue skies, neat bungalows and huge palm trees leave no one indifferent.

The island of Koh Samui is located at southern shores Thailand, in the Gulf of Thailand of the Pacific Ocean. It is surrounded by more than 50 small islands. Koh Samui is the second largest Thai island. Geographical coordinates: 9.46 north latitude and 100.04 east longitude. Distance between the island and mainland Thailand 41 km. The nearest major cities are Pattaya (395 km) and the capital of Thailand, Bangkok (485 km).

The area of the island is 230 sq. km. The length from north to south is 25 km, and from east to west – 20 km. You can get to Koh Samui from mainland Thailand by plane or ferry. Operates on the island international Airport, which is named after the island, "Koh Samui".

Weather by month. Best time to travel

Thanks to the successful geographical location Tourists visit Samui all year round. The island is always hot and the water is warm 365 days a year. There are 3 seasons on Koh Samui: high, rainy and hot.

The high season lasts on Koh Samui from mid-December to the end of March. During this period there is almost no rain on the island. The wind is gusty and warm. Holidays at this time are suitable for people who prefer leisurely relaxation under palm trees and swimming in a warm bay.

Koh Samui Island in Thailand taking pictures in high season- pure pleasure. At this time there is a large influx of tourists. This is a great time to relax with children. You can walk in parks and swim in the sea for a long time without fear of catching a cold. In December, exotic fruits begin to ripen and the entire island is covered with lush blooming greenery.

The hot season on Samui comes in the spring: from the end of March and lasts until the end of May. It continues in June and July, but during this period short-term, rare rains already begin. The peculiarity of the season is the stuffiness and baking sun.

This season is best for sunbathers. At this time there is the largest number of clear days of the year. The water in the bay is very warm and calm, there are practically no waves.

The rainy season in Koh Samui is very pleasant. It rains here often and is short-lived. It rarely rains for more than an hour and a half. The puddles dry out at an incredible rate as the climate remains warm throughout the year.

The season lasts almost six months. During the period June-August, moderate short-term rains are observed; from September to mid-December, heavy downpours and gusty winds are observed.

For those who like to admire waterfalls and exercise aquatic species The sports season couldn't be better. At this time there are many surfers and yachtsmen on the island. The greatest amount of precipitation falls on Koh Samui in November.

month	December	January	February	March	April	May	June	July	August	September	October	November
Air temperature, 0 C	28	29	29	30	32	34	32	32	31	30	29	29
Water temperature, 0 C	27	27	28	29	30	31	30	29	28	28	27	26

Benefits of holidays on the islands

In the modern world there are many options for tourism. One of the most sought after tourist destinations is a holiday on the islands. The sea, picturesque nature, local color - something that can only be seen and felt on the islands.

5 reasons to choose islands for your holiday:

Money on Koh Samui

Koh Samui is part of Thailand, so the Thai baht is used. 1 Thai baht is equal to approximately two rubles. You should not take rubles on your trip, as they are not in use on Samui. It is better to change rubles at home in advance or use exchange offices in Thailand.

In addition, some debit cards can automatically convert rubles to baht. To do this, you will need to call your bank and inform them that you want to automatically convert the money into baht.

Exchange for baht occurs in 2 stages: rubles are converted into dollars, and then dollars are exchanged for baht. This method is more economical compared to exchangers. One baht will cost you about 3 US cents.

Visa

Koh Samui is part of Thailand, so the checkpoints are the same as in the rest of the kingdom. According to the agreement, a visa-free regime operates between Russia and Thailand. To enter Samui, a Russian will only need a foreign passport.

On the plane you will need to obtain and fill out a migration card and a customs declaration. Upon arrival, both documents are given at passport control. Border Services They put a border crossing stamp in their passport. This gives the right to stay on the island for up to 30 days.

In rare cases, it is necessary to confirm your financial situation. To do this, you need a bank statement, notarized and translated. Or cash, you can just show it. Confirmation is required when applying for a long-term visa. If you violate the 30-day deadline when leaving Thailand, you will need to pay a fine for violating migration rules - 500 baht for 1 day of delay.

Districts of Koh Samui

There are no large cities on Koh Samui. The entire island is so small that it is customary to divide it into areas based on beaches. It is customary to allocate 9 large areas: Chaweng, Lamai, Lipa Noi, Nathon, Bang Po, Maenam, Bophut, Choeng Mon, Hua Thanon.

Chaweng area on Koh Samui

The most popular among tourists are the areas of Chaveg and Lamai. This is due to their developed infrastructure: cafes, beaches, entertainment, supermarkets and shopping centers. All this is within walking distance. For those who use a motorbike and a car, areas near the ring road are suitable: Bo Put, Maenam.

These areas are a great place to relax with children; they are cozy and not as noisy as in Lamai. For those who prefer privacy to noisy parties and family vacation The western area of Lipa Noi or any area in the south of the island will do: Hua Thanon, Ban Kao or Bang Po. Nathon district is the unofficial administrative center. There are banks, a bus station, markets and piers.

Beaches of Koh Samui. Location and description

1. Ban Tai. The beach is located in the North-West of the island. It's not difficult to find. You can get there by the ring road. Landmark – Mimosa resort hotel. The beach is not very large and is often visited by locals. There are 5 hotels nearby, so the beach can be considered calm and uncrowded.

The island of Koh Samui in Thailand is photographed very often, so the beach administration made a funny inscription on one of the palm trees: “Ko Samui is here” so that tourists could take a photo with it as a souvenir.

2. Bang Makham. The beach is located in the North-West of Koh Samui between Laem Yai Beach and the Met Sai bungalow. There are simply no hotels nearby, since Samui's ring road runs along the beach. The sand on the beach is yellow and flour-like, very sticky.

There are simply no vacationing tourists there, since the beach itself is poorly cleaned and branches, stones and plastic garbage accumulate on it. The main visitors to Bang Makham are local fishermen. The beach itself is very narrow. It is worth inspecting it only during low tide, when sea waters The clean sea sand recedes and is exposed. It is very shallow near the shore and it is simply impossible to swim deep.

3. Bang Po. The beach is located near the capital of Samui, Nathon. This is the longest beach on the North-West coast of the island. Its length is almost 6 km. The beach is surrounded on all sides by villas and bungalows. The width of the beach is about 20 meters along its entire length.

The sand is quite coarse and yellow, and the bottom when entering the water is rocky and muddy. The water is cloudy and shallow. Much of the beach looks unkempt due to fallen leaves and rocks. The beach looks beautiful only close to expensive villas. Huge boulders in the water are visible from the shore. The advantages of the beach include a large amount of greenery around.

4. Bang Rak is a crescent-shaped beach in the north of Koh Samui. It can be found between the statue Big Buddha and Boptun Beach. The length is just over 3 km. There are few bungalows and hotels along Bang Rak itself, all of them are located remotely in the mountains. Nearby there is a fresh seafood market, ring road, shopping mall"Big C" and a farm with crocodiles.

There are few visitors on the beach itself, mostly only local fishermen (there are 4 piers on the beach). The beach is dirty and the water near the piers is too. It is better to walk along it than to swim. In hotels you can rent sun loungers with sea views.

5. Bang Kao. This is the southernmost and longest beach of Koh Samui. Its length is 4,300 m. You can find it between the Loem Sor Pagoda and the mouth of Ban Tal. The sand here is yellow and seems to consist of two parts: fine near the shore of the water and larger with the remains of shells along the coastline.

Most of it is strewn with leaves, branches and debris that washed ashore. Cleanliness is maintained only in the locations of hotels and tourist villas. Wild dogs are not uncommon on the beach, so it is not advisable to walk there with children. The bottom is muddy and shallow. The beach is ideal for those who crave privacy, as tourists prefer to stay away from it.

6. Koh Samui Island in Thailand is worth taking pictures on the beach Coral Cove, since this is one of the cleanest beaches on the island and at the same time less crowded. The name of the beach can be literally translated as “coral bay”. You can find the beach between 2 other beaches of Chaven Noi and Lamai in the eastern part of Samui.

This is a small beach, its length is only 175 meters. There are few tourists here due to the proximity of the highway. The main and only hotel of the coast is Coral Cove Resort. On the beach you can find a restaurant with Thai food, there is a volleyball net and sun loungers.

You won’t be able to buy an umbrella here, since they simply aren’t there. The sand near the beach is rough and yellow, and it is not very convenient to walk down to the water. The beach itself is at a slight slope.

7. Lamai is the most visited beach on the island. It stretches from the North-West to the South-East of the island. Length – 5 km.
The beach is very crowded and noisy. Most tourists can be found in its central part. The sand is clean and yellow, entry into the water is very comfortable. When the wind is strong, the waves rise large. It’s already deep after 4-5 meters.

The beach can be classified as wide - 40 m. The beach ends with grass, trees grow very rarely. Some parts of the beach have huge boulders for those who like to take photos. The infrastructure near the beach is developed. There is everything here: from banks to bicycle rentals and dry cleaning. In the evening you can hear music from numerous clubs located near the beach.

8. Linden Noah. The beach is located in Ton Yang Bay. It is called a secluded beach. The width of the beach is about 5 m and the length is about 6 km. The sand is a mixture of yellow and volcanic black. Entering the water is convenient, but you will be able to swim only after 50 meters, not earlier. Clean beach not far from villas and hotels, you can also rent a sunbed there.

9. Laem Nan is located south of Lamai Beach. This beach is ideal for families with children, as the water is very shallow. Several hotels keep the beach clean; there is simply no garbage there. Fine sand, light yellow. Waves occur very rarely and only in very strong winds.

10. Laem Seth is a continuation of another beach - Natien. The shore is convenient for entering the water. The water is very shallow and there are huge boulders. The beach is more suitable for photo sessions than for swimming.

11. Nakhai– a beach where you can find kitesurfers in any season. Along the coast there are fashionable resorts and schools for learning how to ride the waves with a parachute. The beach is shallow with a clean bottom.

12. Thong Tanod Beach has its own pier from which ships depart for Matsum. You can swim here, but the bottom is very rocky and you can see fishing boats.

13. Tongsai– one of the most beautiful closed Samui beaches. It belongs to one hotel and only guests can get there. The beach is very clean with convenient access to the sea.

Sights of Samui. Description

Koh Samui is not very big, but it has several attractions that every tourist should see.

Types of recreation and entertainment on the island for tourists

The island offers a huge range of entertainment for tourists of any age and income. The entire nightlife of the island is concentrated in the area of Chaveg Beach. Nightclubs, bars, cinemas and even cabarets - Chaveg has it all.

Water activities in all parts of Samui are presented in abundance, you can rent any water transport and ride it. Tourists are offered: jet skis, banana boats, water skis, yachts, flyboards and boats. There is an opportunity to go sea fishing or scuba dive.

Exploring the nature of the island is a special type of entertainment. Butterfly park, excursion to the jungle, natural Park, elephant rides, an aquarium, a sea lion show and feeding a tiger will not let anyone get bored.

The island offers unique entertainment - jeep safaris and bullfights. None of the animals die. The bulls butt until one of them completely capitulates. The show is a success among local residents.

For those who do not like extreme entertainment and long walks, there are options for master classes in preparing Thai cuisine and getting to know the local traditions of the island in Cultural center.

For fans of creative recreation, there are not only beautiful beaches, but also an observation deck near Chaweng Noi. The site is equipped with benches, gazebos and street food stalls. You can also go to neighboring islands and visit local beaches or admire the rocks.

For sports enthusiasts, Koh Samui has a golf course, tennis court and volleyball nets. You can take master classes in surfing. The main advantage for Russian tourist– these are Russian-language excursions that can be booked at most hotels in Samui.

Hotels on Koh Samui. Rating of the best, descriptions, room prices

Koh Samui has a wide choice of places to stay: from hostels to luxury villas. But most popular view Hotels remain among tourist accommodations.

TOP 4 best hotels of its class:

Cost of tours to Koh Samui

Holidays on Koh Samui cannot be called budgetary due to the island’s remoteness from Russia. A tour for 6 days and five nights with accommodation in 4* and 5* hotels will cost no less than 130 thousand rubles. for 2 people. A 10-day tour from Moscow on hot packages not in high season with accommodation in a 3* hotel can be found for 80 thousand rubles. for two.

Useful information for tourists

on Koh Samui, the turn sign is installed after the turn;
treatment services are very expensive on the island, so it is better to take care of insurance in advance;
A SIM card in Samui can be bought for 60 baht in chain stores 7 eleven or Family markt;
It is better to rent transport from official rental companies, since otherwise you may incur large losses for driving an uninsured transport registered in the name of another person;
free wifi can be caught near most hotels.

Koh Samui Island in Thailand – beautiful place for relaxation not only in summer, but also in winter. When planning a trip to the island, you need to think in advance about which part of the island to stay. This will not only allow you to do beautiful photos, but will also save time and money on travel to the beaches and infrastructure.

It is important to take care in advance about exchanging money or getting a card with conversion into local currency and taking out insurance, then your vacation will bring a lot of wonderful impressions. Koh Samui is a true piece of paradise that everyone should see.

Article format: Vladimir the Great

Video about Koh Samui

Review of holidays on Koh Samui:

A large number of people from all over the world choose this country for their holidays. Why does she attract so much attention? There are several islands here. One of the most popular is Koh Samui. How to get to it and why do tourists love it so much? What attractions are there on the island and what should you definitely take with you when going to Thailand, Koh Samui in particular? You will find answers to these and other questions related to the island in this article. Using the advice of tourists who have already been here, you can plan an unforgettable time in one of the most picturesque places on the planet.

Thailand: Koh Samui

One of the most warm countries the world is at the same distance from India and China. Its area is more than five hundred thousand square kilometers. Residents of the country are very hospitable, but at the same time they are jealous of their traditions and customs. If you know and respect them, then an atmosphere of carefree, joy and fun envelops those who come to Thailand.

Koh Samui is one of the largest and most popular holiday destinations. Every year thousands of tourists come here, most of them Russian. It's good to come here with children. Sandy beaches, clean and warm water in the sea, all the benefits of civilization are just some of the reasons why they choose a holiday in Samui (Thailand). How can tourists from Russia get to the island? By plane from Moscow or other major cities to Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. There is a transfer to Samui Airport. A natural question arises as to why not direct flight. The fact is that Samui has a private airport and it only works with a small number of airlines that it chooses.

Benefits of holidays on the islands

Among the large number of reasons why travelers choose Thailand, Koh Samui in particular, the following can be highlighted:

Receiving bright unusual emotions that are so poor in everyday life.
You can come here at any time of the year, since even in winter the air temperature is plus 30.
Low prices for housing and food, in comparison with other Asian and European countries, are one of the reasons why tourists choose Thailand.
Samui is great amount finished products: rolls, sushi, shish kebab, rice, salads and much more. It is impossible to go hungry here.
Abundance of 24-hour shops. Many of them can even heat up food.
A large number of friendly, smiling people.
Lack of drunks, in Thailand it is not customary to drink a lot.
There are no problems with public transport; you can get to any place on the island very quickly.
Snow-white beaches, banana and coconut trees, clean water and places where no one has gone before.

Transport

There are no problems with transportation on Koh Samui. Here you can use the following types of vehicles:

Songthaew - minibus. Most cheap look transport.
Air conditioned taxis.
Motorcycle taxi.
Motorbike.
Bike.
Minivans are passenger cars with three rows of seats.

If you plan to walk a lot to explore local attractions, it is best to rent a car.

Popular tours

Travel agencies offer a wide range of holiday options with departures from Moscow and St. Petersburg airports. Among the most interesting tours to Thailand:

Koh Samui - Phuket. This tour is for lovers active rest. The two most popular islands are truly paradisaic delight and a relaxing time. Duration of the tour is from 7 to 14 days.
Thailand: Samui. Tours to an island in the Pacific Ocean are very popular among vacationers. Coconut palms, impenetrable jungles, decent beaches and coral reefs delight everyone who comes here.
Thailand: Pattaya. One of the most popular Asian resorts. Picturesque nature, magnificent beaches, comfortable hotel accommodation will allow you to have a great holiday.

There are more than two hundred hotels on Koh Samui.
There are still places in Thailand where no human has set foot.
Samui has many other names: Island of Smiles, Coconut Paradise, Island of Freedom.
It is not customary to conflict or engage in heated discussions here.
English is taught in schools in Thailand.
Not far from Koh Samui there is an island called Cherepakhov. This is a favorite vacation spot for divers.

Food

In Thailand you can discover something completely new, no matter what similar world taste sensations. True, there is one thing... It can be both incredibly tasty and disgusting. Thais tend to mix sweet and spicy, so dishes familiar to Russians can have a completely different taste. Using the advice of tourists, choose the dishes that suit your taste.

Soups. They are prepared with seafood, mushrooms, onions, garlic, etc. It is best to order soup in a cafe, as the portions are very large and the prices are low.
Fish and meat balls. As a rule, they are strung on small sticks of several pieces. Served with hot sauce.
Squid with garlic. For lovers of spicy food and seafood.
Thai pancakes with various fillings. Tasty and inexpensive.
Fried crickets, grasshoppers, maggots. Here everyone decides for themselves whether it is worth trying such an unusual delicacy.
Snake dishes. Soup, vegetable stew and much more.
Crocodile meat. Reminiscent of chicken or fish, it all depends on the preparation.
Fruits and dishes made from them.

Thailand. Koh Samui hotels

There are a huge number of them here. Based on reviews from tourists, we offer you several options with an impeccable level of service and reasonable prices.

"Chaweng Garden Beach Resort". This hotel is located on the coast, in the middle of the beach. Everything you need is here have a great holiday. Several accommodation options for tourists, including: standard rooms, villas, bungalows.
"Ark Bar Beach Resort". The hotel is located near the airport. There are also a large number of shops, restaurants and nightclubs around. All rooms have air conditioning, satellite TV, bathrooms, minibars.
"Escape Beach Resort". One of the most inexpensive hotels with a high level of service. Located next to the beach.
"Chaweng Noi Pool". A huge swimming pool, tropical greenery, and a balcony in every room are the distinctive features of this hotel.
"Chaweng Cove Beach Resort". The hotel is located next to tropical plants. If you come here big company, then you will be offered a villa with a pool or a beach bungalow.

Island attractions

Koh Samui is not only about the sea and beaches. The island has a huge number of attractions: temples, parks, waterfalls, shops, restaurants and much more, worthy of attention. Based on reviews from tourists, we will highlight several places that you should definitely take time to get to know:

Angthong Marine Park. The excursion lasts eight hours and includes exploration of about forty islands. Here you can swim underwater with a mask, take photos, and take a boat ride along the rocks.

"Paradise Park". In this place you can see a large number of exotic birds and animals. A distinctive feature of the park is that you can get very close to the animals and take pictures with them.

Magic garden. There are many fairy tales and legends about this place. According to one of them, the garden was created by a man whose name was Nim. Here he grew durians (one of the most popular Thai fruits). The garden contains a large number of beautiful sculptures.

Temple of the Big Buddha. There is a sculpture here, the height of which is about 12 meters. To get to it, you need to overcome 60 steps. You must remove your shoes at the foot of the stairs. There are souvenir shops near the temple.

Play Laem. One of the most famous temples in Samui (Thailand). The island's attractions are worth spending both time and money on. But since Plai Laem is located next to the Buddha Temple, it is best to combine them. It is amazing a nice place, on the territory of which there is a small pond.

Snake farm. There are more than a hundred species of snakes on the island, most of which are poisonous. You can meet them on one of the most extreme farms in the world.

Zoo. Despite the fact that it occupies a small area, you can see tigers, leopards, and monkeys here.

The most beautiful waterfalls of Koh Samui

There are eleven of them on the island. This is one of the reasons why you should definitely come here. The most best time in order to admire the waterfalls - from May to December. Some of the most famous include:

Royal, or Purple. It is very small, about 20 meters. The water falls into a round rocky hole where you can swim. The spectacle is simply mesmerizing. Even members of the royal family come here. But unfortunately, during the dry season the waterfall dries up and you cannot see it.
Hin Lad. To get to this waterfall, you need to walk about two kilometers through a real jungle. On the way, you can go to the temple and make a wish. In the jungle you can see a large number of fruit trees. Many tourists don’t even realize that the waterfall has three tiers; rare people climb to its very top. Here you can take pictures and swim in complete solitude.
A waterfall, next to which there is a statue of a girl. It has several cascades. On the way to the top there is observation decks and places to relax.
Namuang waterfall. Its height reaches eighty meters. To get to it, you can travel through the jungle on elephants.

Souvenirs and gifts

When we go somewhere on vacation, we try to buy something that reminds us of our vacation. Especially if we are going to a country like Thailand. Samui offers a large selection of unusual souvenirs and gifts for family and friends. Here are just some options:

Unusual orchid tea.
Local alcoholic drinks in which you can see a snake or scorpion preserved in alcohol.
Coconut oil.
Whitening cosmetics.
Crocodile leather belt.
Soap in the form of flowers and fruits.
Various body scrubs.

7 most popular holiday activities

Helpful information

To ensure that no troubles or inconveniences mar your holiday, please take note of the following information:

Take it with you sunscreens and remedies for mosquito bites.
The national currency of Thailand is the baht. For comparison: one US dollar is equal to 30 baht. It’s better to take cash on a trip in small bills; they don’t really like to give change here.
If you are planning to visit local temples, you should pay special attention to your clothes. Women should wear a long skirt or dress, as long as their arms and legs are covered.
Do not drink tap water under any circumstances, so as not to be treated for gastrointestinal infections later.
It is customary to enter many places on the island by first leaving your shoes at the entrance to the building. These include: pharmacies, hospitals, temples and some shops.
The Thais are very kind to their king, so there should be no dissatisfied statements about this.
Never pat children on the head or shake hands as a greeting.
Photography is prohibited in temples. Posing near various Buddhist sculptures should be done carefully. It is advisable not to touch them with your hands. By respecting a foreign culture and country, you will avoid a huge number of problems and will enjoy your vacation with pleasure.

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. Main city islands - .

The peculiarity of this resort is the combination of good developed infrastructure with uncrowded beaches, clear seas 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. Lovers secluded relaxation they 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 in detail with each one, 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 few.

Koh Samui island on the map of Thailand

Story

The first foreigners to arrive on Koh Samui back in the 70s were hippies. They reached out for them ordinary tourists. In the mid-80s, local authorities decided to turn Samui into 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

To date the best prices for hotel complexes on Samui they offer 4* and 5* (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.

On Samui is better In total, go on a package tour in the following cases:

1. If you plan to stay on the hotel premises most 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 it will be individual tour, and it’s more profitable to fly on your own.

2. If you are traveling with children and teenagers.

Variety of food in good hotels 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 more expensive 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 the most best quality(charter, insurance, shared 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, tours to Koh Samui can be bought 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 are a lot of routes to these places. ground transport, 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 - up to any settlement the fare 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 to 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 for lovers of silence and leisurely holiday Samui you'll like it.

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: .

Beaches

Unlike Phuket, 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

Koh 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.

Koh Samui is one of the islands of Thailand, which has many picturesque bays, great beaches and luxurious coconut palms. This great place for a world-class holiday, long known and loved by Russians.

There are a lot of attractions here, so you can relax on Samui not only on the beach, but also during exciting excursions and sightseeing of local unique historical and cultural monuments, as well as natural beauties.

Geography

The island is located in the Gulf of Thailand. The fastest way to get there from Bangkok is by plane, just an hour's flight. There is also a ferry here, but it takes much longer to get here, but the journey will be incredibly exciting.

This island is surrounded by many small islands, many of which are also inhabited by people. In the very center of Koh Samui there are mountains several hundred meters high, covered with thick tropical forest. It is the second largest after Phuket in Thailand.

Climate

The climate of Samui is similar to that of the rest of Thailand, but it is more humid. IN winter time, which in this country is called the rainy season, precipitation can last for weeks. The season starts in October and lasts until the end of December.

Then the rains give way to warmth and sunshine, and the dry season begins, which lasts until March. This is a great time to relax and travel around Koh Samui. The air temperature is about 30C, the weather is sunny, and the ocean is warm and clean.

From May to October, the hot season begins, when the air warms up to 40C, which is well tolerated by our tourists in the conditions of the island, and the rains stop. At this time, the most delicious tropical fruits ripen and you can enjoy them to your heart's content.

Story

Historians are convinced that this blessed island was inhabited by Chinese and Malay fishermen back in the 6th century. It appears on ancient Chinese maps of the 17th century from the Ming Dynasty. Its origin modern name not known.

In the 20th century, during World War II, Samui was captured by militaristic Japan. After the war, he became part of Thailand, but always lived an independent and secluded life. Only at the end of the 60s of the last century they began to build roads here and develop the entire territory.

Currently, Samui has the status of municipal independence and continues to live its own life. But the magnificent beaches from white sand and coral reefs have always attracted tourists from all over the world. In the 70s, as soon as the first roads and hotels appeared, travelers immediately arrived from all over the world.

Today, 45 thousand local islanders live on Koh Samui, whose main income is tourism services, collecting coconuts, and fishing. They still carefully preserve the untouched wildlife islands, but every year it becomes more and more difficult.

Tourism

The tourism business required the massive construction of hotels and restaurants, the IT industry, boutiques, and sports facilities. Today it is not yet fashionable resort, but soon they will be. Samui is ideal for tourists of middle class and above.

In the 90s of the last century, tourists discovered this wonderful place to relax, and a real tourism boom began here. Divers especially like the island, thanks to the nearby coral reefs.

Beaches

The entire coast of Samui is home to magnificent beaches, bearing the names of nearby villages, capes or bays. There are more than thirty beaches in total. Let's talk about the most popular:

1) Chaweng- the most popular local beach, with white sand and the most beautiful color of the sea. There is a lot of entertainment here: clubs, bars, restaurants. This Entertainment Center all of Koh Samui.

2) is a bay with a beach with coarse white sand. The bottom is deep here, so the beach is not for children. But there are a lot of boulders, you can swim around them, and hide behind them. Nearby there is a restaurant and two hotels.

3) Lamai- another popular one island beach. It has considerable length and width. Its main attraction is granite boulders near the shore in the sea, looking very impressive. There is all the tourist infrastructure.

4) – this beach is located south of Lamai. It is interesting because there is a fishing village next to it, and any tourist can observe the fishing with their own eyes. There are several excellent fish restaurants nearby.

5) – a magnificent shallow beach with white sand and the most beautiful sea. But this entire place is built up with luxury hotels, and parts of the beach are distributed between them. Therefore, Natien is open only to a select few.

6) Linden Noah is located south coast Samui. There are several restaurants nearby where you can enjoy local seafood. Near snow-white beach at two hundred meters there is a shallow, gentle sea.

7) is a beach with a shallow bottom and slightly muddy water. The good thing about it is that there are few tourists and many excellent restaurants. You can visit the only children's restaurant on the island with a playground.

8) Ban Tai as if created by nature for children's recreation. Shallow sea with clean sand. The nearby Mimosa Hotel has a small children's play area. After the name of the hotel, the beach is also often called Mimosa.

9) is a huge beach several kilometers long, located in the north of the island. Nearby is an ancient Chinese village with many cafes and restaurants. This is a favorite spot for divers on Koh Samui.

10) is another longest beach on the east coast of the island. The sea here is shallow. There are small stones. There is a pier right on the beach from which boats can take you on excursions to the tiny islands near Samui.

Attractions

1) was founded in 1980 and consists of more than 40 limestone islets in the Sinai Gulf around Samui, densely covered with tropical vegetation and having their own islanders.

2) – Buddhist temple, inside which you can see the mummy of its abbot. He once enjoyed great love and respect among his flock and possessed the gift of prediction and foresight.

3) and tiger zoo The island has a unique collection of tropical fish and turtles. And nearby there is a zoo where you can see the formidable and beautiful Bengal tigers and leopards. Another great place to relax with children.

4) is installed on a mountain and is visible from almost anywhere on the island. This is the main relic for island Buddhists. They worship Buddha by climbing the high Dragon Ladder up the mountain.

5) built by a local resident and filled with various figures from Buddhist mythology, modern real heroes, creating a general atmosphere of mystery. In the garden, in a crypt, its creator rests with his family.

Excursions

Local guides offer tourists various excursions dedicated to Buddhist attractions, shows with the participation of local wildlife: from butterflies to elephants, and viewing the incredible beauty of natural attractions.

At your service are sea trips on a boat in National Park, included in the famous UNESCO list. Here you can explore the coral islands with a snorkel and enjoy marine species, see the lake among the rocks, wild sea turtles, etc.

Entertainment

Koh Samui is a paradise for shopaholics. There are a huge number of different shops and mini-markets on the island where you can buy local clothes, souvenirs, jewelry, silk, toys, leather goods, Buddhist clay figurines, etc.

Among the entertainments you can note the descent from the mountain on ropes or on hot-air balloon, paintball, football and golf. The island is home to many yoga centers and SPA salons, famous for their qualified staff. For lovers of hot things - discos, bars, nightclubs and restaurants.

Transport

Koh Samui has a small private airport with daily flights to Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong and other surrounding cities and towns. You can get here by ferries, catamarans and speedboats. Along the coast of the island there is its own circular two-lane concrete road, from which there are smaller branches. Public transport– island pickups, taxis, motorcycles.

Pros and cons of Koh Samui

This is the second most popular Thai island among tourists after Phuket. It has long grown to the level of tourists of the middle European class, but prices for all tourist services here are noticeably lower.

Koh Samui does not have as vibrant a nightlife as Phuket. Many local residents are opposed to this, because accustomed to living quietly and alone. All Thais have a surprisingly gentle character, but wild parties can drive anyone crazy.

Visas

To get to Thailand on the island of Koh Samui, it is enough to apply for a tourist visa. It is issued for three or six months upon provision of all required documents. In Russia, you can consult and issue such an entry document at the embassy of this state, located:

Moscow, Bolshaya Spasskaya street, building 9,

tel.: +7 495 608-08-56.