Samui Hotels

As the third-largest island in Thailand and second most popular after Phuket, there are more tourists than locals on Samui. But despite its popularity and penchant for wild parties (the legendary Full Moon Parties at Haad Rin Beach leave hoards of hungover and semi-naked revellers littering the sand), Samui is still a beautiful place to visit.

You’ll feel revitalised by the vibe of the island – whether you’re lounging by the beach, taking a day trip to Ko Taofor some awesome diving, or sticking your feet in a fish spa where little fish eat away the dead skin of your feet.

Beach lovers can choose between the ridiculously popular Chaweng Beach (which also has a happening nightlife) and the slightly less popular Lamai Beach. Or try spending a day with some seriously cool cats at Tiger Zoo Ko Samui – nothing gives bragging rights like a picture of you lounging with a 200kg tiger. Or trek to the heart of Samui with a local guide. Here, the island’s hubbub dissolves into a jungle of waterfalls and lush greenery.

Samui will enthral you with its beauty and infect you with its partying ways and while it’s packed with tourists, its allure is strong enough that you won’t really mind.

SAMUI’S TOP 10

SAMUI LOCAL

Chaweng

The most popular part of Samui is definitely Chaweng. It’s a beautiful beach, but unfortunately very crowded. With a cold Singha (Thailand’s most popular local beer) in hand and your new $2 pair of genuine replica sunglasses propped perfectly over your eyes, you can do some serious perving. But other than going gaga over hard bodies and revealing bikinis, you can, of course, get a bit more active. There are two little islands nearby – the closest one you can actually reach by wading through the water. At the second island you can do some snorkelling or kayaking.

Other than its relaxed beach lifestyle, Chaweng also has a crazy nightlife where you can get your drink on. Green Mango is the largest and most popular club on Samui. Mint Bar also goes off – it plays dub step, house and trance. Hello hangover, goodbye dignity!

Lamai

Lamaiis the second most popular beach on Samui and offers some more cultural and non-water-related activities. Wat Lamai is a temple that has a Cultural Hall with a collection of historical Samui artefacts. The temple is often host to temple fairs, where you can enjoy concerts, food and an outdoor cinema. At Wat Khunaram you can find Loung Pordaeng, a mummified monk, in a glass case. Stop in and say hi.

If you’d like to do a bit of shopping, head to Walking Street on a Sunday evening. The closed-off street has stalls, live music and kids’ activities. There’s also a night market from 6pm, where you can browse through jewellery, handicrafts and souvenirs.

Bophut

Bophut Beach is a 2km (1.25 miles) white sand beach lined with lovely coconut trees. The water is calm, but it can be murky – especially in December. The beach is also a great spot to take in the beautiful sunset. Otherwise, you can go jet skiing or try out the Go Kart track. The centre of Bophut is known as Fisherman’s Village. It’s not wild in terms of nightlife, but it is one of the best places to eat in Samui.

Samui was pictured on Chinese maps in the 17^th century under the name Pulo Cornam and tiny traces of a Chinese character still remain. Bophut is the only area in Samui where you can still get a feel of the Thai-Chinese bond embodied by the old Chinese shops.

Choeng Mon Beach

Only about 15 minutes north of Chaweng, Choeng Mon Beach is clean, quiet and more upmarket area due to the number of pricey resorts. Perfect for those seeking lazy afternoons on tranquil sands, Choeng Mon Beach is also good for swimming and snorkelling. If the mood to move strikes you, you could also kayak to a nearby islet called Ko Fan Noi.

SAMUI EAT & DRINK

Samui has something for every palate. Of course you should try to treat your tastebuds to Thai flavours, but other cuisines are also readily available. Let your stomach guide the way!

SAMUI EVENTS

Nearby Koh Phangan is known for its monthly Full Moon Parties. Head on over and let the wild times roll!

Songkran (Thai New Year) is celebrated in April everywhere in Thailand, but in Samui it’s taken to a modern level with rowdy parties.

In May, you can celebrate Buddha’s Birthday.

The Koh Samui International Regatta takes place every June, attracting yachters from all over the world.

In November, join the festivities at Loy Krathong (Festival of Light) and see the island come to life with lights.

WHEN TO GO

Samui has three seasons. Temperatures are pretty consistent at 23-33°C (73-91°F) throughout the year.

· The hot season lasts from around February to May. If you can stand hot weather, this is great time to visit because there isn’t much rainfall.

· In September to November, Samui is at its wettest. It can be quite unpredictable, but it’s a good time to visit because the island will be less crowded and hotels will generally cost you less.

· The dry season is when it’s coolest in Samui. This might be a better time for you to go if you’re not a fan of scalding heat. It’s also peak season in Thailand, which means you’ll definitely be paying more for hotels.

GETTING THERE AND AROUND

There are daily flights that arrive at Koh Samui Airport from Phuket, Chiang Mai and Bangkok (as well as some other international cities like Singapore and Hong Kong). You can also reach Samui by ferry.

Taxi drivers don’t want to use the meter, so bargain and agree on a price beforehand. You can also rent motorbikes, songthaews (little buses that are like group taxis) or pushbikes.

WHAT TO MISS

· It’s a problem everywhere in Thailand, but it’s worth a mention anyway: tuk tuk drivers will try to over-charge you. Be ruthless with your bargaining!

· Avoid beaches at night because the alcohol-fuelled revelling can distract you from pickpockets, and violence can break out between tourists without warning.

When travelling to Samui by bus, keep your valuables on you. Bus drivers may pick the lock on your luggage, steal the contents, then close it so that you won’t notice anything has gone missing.

Koh Samui Information

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Samui - General information