Thailand, Koh Samui: sights of the island, reviews of tourists

A large number of people from all over the world choose this country for recreation. Why does it attract so much attention? There are several islands here. One of the most popular is Koh Samui. How to get to it and why tourists love it so much? What sights are there on the island and what you should 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. Taking 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 warmest countries in the world is located at the same distance from India and China. Its area is more than five hundred thousand square kilometers. The inhabitants 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 the atmosphere of carelessness, joy and fun envelops those who come to Thailand.

Koh Samui is one of the largest and most popular holiday destinations. Thousands of tourists come here every year, most of them Russians. It is 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 people choose to rest in Koh Samui (Thailand). How to get to the island for tourists from Russia? 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 there is no direct flight. The fact is that Samui has a private airport and it works only with a small number of airlines that he chooses himself.

Benefits of a holiday on the islands

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

Receiving vivid unusual emotions, which 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 compared to other Asian and European countries are one of the reasons why tourists choose Thailand.
Koh Samui is a huge amount of finished products: rolls, sushi, barbecue, rice, salads and much more. It is impossible to stay hungry here.
An abundance of convenience stores. Many of them can even reheat food.
A large number of friendly, smiling people.
No drunkenness, it is not customary to drink a lot in Thailand.
There are no problems with public transport, you can get very quickly to anywhere on the island.
White beaches, banana and coconut trees, clear water and places where no man's foot has gone.

Transport

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

Songteo - route taxi. The cheapest form of transport.
Air-conditioned taxi.
Moto taxi.
Motobike.
A bike.
Minivans are a passenger car with three rows of seats.

Renting a car is the best option if you plan on walking a lot exploring the local attractions.

Popular Tours

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

Koh Samui - Phuket. This tour is for outdoor enthusiasts. The two most popular islands are truly heavenly delights and a serene pastime. The duration of the tour is from 7 to 14 days.
Thailand: Koh Samui. Tours to an island in the Pacific Ocean are in great demand among vacationers. Coconut palms, impenetrable jungle, decent beaches and coral reefs delight everyone who comes here.
Thailand: Pattaya. One of the most popular Asian resorts. Picturesque nature, magnificent beaches, comfortable accommodation in hotels will allow you to have a great holiday.

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

Food

In Thailand, you can discover a completely new and unlike anything world of taste sensations. True, there is one but ... It can be both insanely tasty and disgusting. It is customary for Thais to mix sweet with 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 the 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 and seafood.
Thai pancakes with various fillings. Delicious and inexpensive.
Fried crickets, grasshoppers, larvae. Here everyone decides for himself whether it is worth trying such an unusual delicacy.
Snake dishes. Soup, vegetable stew and more.
Crocodile meat. Reminds me of chicken or fish, it all depends on the preparation.
Fruit and dishes from them.

Thailand. Hotels in Koh Samui

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

Chaweng Garden Beach Resort. This hotel is located right on the coast, in the middle of the beach. It has everything you need for a great holiday. Several options for tourist accommodation, including: standard rooms, villas, bungalows.
"Ark Bar Beach Resort". The hotel is located near the airport. There are also many shops, restaurants and nightclubs around. All rooms with 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, a balcony in every room are the hallmarks of this hotel.
Chaweng Cove Beach Resort. The hotel is located next to tropical plants. If you come here with a large company, then you will be offered a villa with a pool or a beach bungalow.

Attractions of the island

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. Focusing on the reviews of tourists, we will single out several places, for acquaintance with which you should definitely take the time:

Angthong Marine Park. The excursion lasts for eight hours and includes a survey of about forty islands. Here you can swim underwater in a mask, take pictures, take a boat trip along the rocks.

Paradise Park. A large number of exotic birds and animals can be seen in this place. A distinctive feature of the park is that you can come very close to animals and take pictures with them.

Magic garden. There are many tales and legends about this place. According to one of them, the garden was created by a man named Him. Here he grew durians (this is one of the most popular Thai fruits). There are many beautiful sculptures in the garden.

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

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

Snake farm. There are over a hundred species of snakes on the island, most of which are venomous. 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, monkeys here.

The most beautiful waterfalls in Koh Samui

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

Royal, or Purple. It is quite small, about 20 meters. The water falls into a round rocky depression where you can swim. The sight is simply mesmerizing. Even the royals come here. Unfortunately, during the dry season, the waterfall dries up and you won't see it.
Hin Lad. To get to this waterfall, you need to walk about two kilometers through the real jungle. On the way, you can go to the temple and make a wish. A large number of fruit trees can be seen in the jungle. Many tourists do not even realize that the waterfall has three tiers, rare people climb to its very top. Here you can take pictures and swim all alone.
A waterfall, next to which there is a statue of a girl. It has several stages. On the way to the top, there are observation decks and places to rest.
Namuang waterfall. Its height reaches eighty meters. To get to it, you can make a journey through the jungle on elephants.

Souvenirs and gifts

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

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

7 most popular leisure activities

Helpful information

So that no troubles and inconveniences overshadow your vacation, take note of the following information:

Bring sunscreen and mosquito repellent with you.
The national currency of Thailand is the baht. For comparison, one American dollar is equal to 30 baht. It is better to take cash on a trip in small bills, they do not really like to give change here.
If you are going to visit local temples, then 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.
In no case drink tap water, so as not to be subsequently treated for gastrointestinal infections.
It is customary to enter many places on the island after leaving your shoes at the entrance to the building. These include: pharmacies, hospitals, temples and some shops.
Thais are very sensitive to their king, so there should not be any dissatisfied statements about this.
Never pat children on the head or shake hands in greeting.
Photography is prohibited in temples. It is worth carefully posing next to various Buddhist sculptures. It is advisable not to touch them with your hands. By respecting foreign culture and country, you will avoid a huge number of problems and enjoy your vacation with pleasure.