Koh Samui Travel Guide
Days spent snoozing on butter-soft sand beneath swaying palm trees sound like your kind of summer holiday cliché? You’re in for a treat on a Koh Samui holiday! Despite being Thailand’s second largest island, it’s actually fairly compact and the ideal spot to indulge in some beachside luxury without having to sell all your worldly possessions to pay for it.
Koh Samui may seem like a lot of other tropical destinations on the surface, but it offers up a huge blend of things to do depending on your overall holiday goals. From getting to grips with the local culture at a tranquil temple to bartering for bargains at markets which are guaranteed to stimulate all the senses (particularly your taste buds), there’s so many activities to get stuck into on holidays to Koh Samui.
And that’s all before you get to the stunning sandy beaches and truly insane nightlife scene. Stick to the bustling beach bars along Chaweng Beach for awesome happy hour deals and crazy pool parties or hang out with a more laid-back crowd at sleepier Mae Nam.
Proving that size isn’t everything, Koh Samui makes an equally as lush location for a few days of respite from busy Bangkok as it does for a full two weeks of barefoot adventures. Grab your sunglasses, pull on your elephant print trousers and let us show you how to make the most of this idyllic island.
Koh Samui Travel Guide
Days spent snoozing on butter-soft sand beneath swaying palm trees sound like your kind of summer holiday cliché? You’re in for a treat on a Koh Samui holiday! Despite being Thailand’s second largest island, it’s actually fairly compact and the ideal spot to indulge in some beachside luxury without having to sell all your worldly possessions to pay for it.
Koh Samui may seem like a lot of other tropical destinations on the surface, but it offers up a huge blend of things to do depending on your overall holiday goals. From getting to grips with the local culture at a tranquil temple to bartering for bargains at markets which are guaranteed to stimulate all the senses (particularly your taste buds), there’s so many activities to get stuck into on holidays to Koh Samui.
And that’s all before you get to the stunning sandy beaches and truly insane nightlife scene. Stick to the bustling beach bars along Chaweng Beach for awesome happy hour deals and crazy pool parties or hang out with a more laid-back crowd at sleepier Mae Nam.
Proving that size isn’t everything, Koh Samui makes an equally as lush location for a few days of respite from busy Bangkok as it does for a full two weeks of barefoot adventures. Grab your sunglasses, pull on your elephant print trousers and let us show you how to make the most of this idyllic island.
Soundtrack of the city
Keeping count in Koh Samui
3 course meal for 2: £16.20
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A regular cappuccino: £1.80
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A medium beer: £2.50
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One-way (Local Transport): £2.50
Keeping count in Koh Samui
-
3 course meal for 2: £16.20
-
A regular cappuccino: £1.80
-
A medium beer: £2.50
-
One-way (Local Transport): £2.50
Soundtrack of the city
Weather in Koh Samui
Temperatures may be balmy throughout the year in this part of the world, however the best time to visit Koh Samui is almost always between December and April. This is the official dry season when you’ll experience plenty of sunshine in the day and clear skies at night for all those epic moonlit parties on the beach. If you can’t make it there during this period, May – September is the quieter yet slightly rainier shoulder season.
Discover the real Koh Samui
While beach bums will be in heaven in Koh Samui, there’s also a whole load of things to look forward to if you’re not one for lounging around in the sun for hours on end. Cheap bars and lively night markets around Chaweng Beach and Bophut Bay will keep you busy after dark, plus there are dozens of cool, calming and cultural activities up for grabs during the daytime.
Restaurants and markets across Koh Samui are bursting with all those mouth-watering Thai dishes you know and love, plus they’re sold for just a fraction of the price you’re used to back home… Nevertheless, not all eateries on the island are made equally. Discover brilliant places to feed your cravings, in addition to tried-and-tested bars in Koh Samui for cocktails, clubbing or a few chilled out pints.
As an island that’s abundant in beaches, Buddhist temples and blissful spas, it’s not always that simple deciding how to pass the time in Koh Samui. Here we help narrow down your options and shine a spotlight on those often-overlooked places which are capable of taking your Koh Samui holiday to a whole new level of awesomeness.
Whether you’re after complete relaxation or you’re desperate to make friends with the local marine life, Koh Samui doesn’t disappoint with its array of amazing activity options. There are so many things to look forward to on this 88-square-mile island and we’ve got the lowdown on all the best picks.
Dusk til Dawn: Koh Samui nightlife guide
Consider yourself a total night owl? Or maybe you’re more about sunset cocktails and early nights?
Whatever your poison is, we get that having a few places to let your hair down is almost always a
priority when you’re exploring somewhere new. Thailand is no stranger to amazing nightlife, with
options that’ll let you be as wild or as relaxed as you like.
- Food & Drink
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Restaurants and markets across Koh Samui are bursting with all those mouth-watering Thai dishes you know and love, plus they’re sold for just a fraction of the price you’re used to back home… Nevertheless, not all eateries on the island are made equally. Discover brilliant places to feed your cravings, in addition to tried-and-tested bars in Koh Samui for cocktails, clubbing or a few chilled out pints.
- Guides & Tips
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As an island that’s abundant in beaches, Buddhist temples and blissful spas, it’s not always that simple deciding how to pass the time in Koh Samui. Here we help narrow down your options and shine a spotlight on those often-overlooked places which are capable of taking your Koh Samui holiday to a whole new level of awesomeness.
- See & Do
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Whether you’re after complete relaxation or you’re desperate to make friends with the local marine life, Koh Samui doesn’t disappoint with its array of amazing activity options. There are so many things to look forward to on this 88-square-mile island and we’ve got the lowdown on all the best picks.
Dusk til Dawn: Koh Samui nightlife guide
Read moreConsider yourself a total night owl? Or maybe you’re more about sunset cocktails and early nights?
Whatever your poison is, we get that having a few places to let your hair down is almost always a
priority when you’re exploring somewhere new. Thailand is no stranger to amazing nightlife, with
options that’ll let you be as wild or as relaxed as you like. - Map View
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More of the Thaïland
Whether you’re island hopping or plumping for the mainland, Greece is a solid summer holiday all-rounder. Yes, you’ll find all the essentials: beaches, coves, caves and those ever-alluring fishing villages, but Greece will also treat you to some seriously impressive archaeological treasures. Menus may have had a tendency towards the ever-present Greek salad and souvlaki, but the gastronomy scene has always been quietly simmering away in tavernas for decades. Finding them is half the fun.
