One of the most demanded travel destinations is Thailand, Koh Samui. This island belongs to the second most popular place, after Phuket. Despite the tourist boom that has hit the state in recent years, nature has been preserved here almost in its original form.
Features of Koh Samui
Koh Samui is the third largest island in 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 a mostly 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 large number of beautiful beaches, you can find a quiet, uninhabited place by the ocean even during 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, it is not afraid of even a tsunami.
It is noteworthy that until the twentieth century, the island of 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, it is not allowed to build hotels taller than palm trees on the island, so bungalows are mainly offered to vacationers.
Koh Samui airport
Of course, the fastest and easiest way to get to the island is by air. At the same time, Samui has its own airport, which can be safely attributed to the attractions of the island. This beautiful airport is privately owned and owned by Bangok Airlines. It operates most of the flights, although the company has started operating there since 2008.
Koh Samui Airport makes a lasting impression on tourists. Immediately after getting off the plane, the atmosphere of relaxation and celebration is felt.
Passengers are met by a road train with open trailers, which takes 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. After receiving your luggage, visa and passport stamp, you need to exchange money and choose a way to get to the hotel. Transfer to hotels is offered directly at the airport, individual or group. You can use a taxi, 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 save a lot on the trip to the hotel. Due to the absence of walls, 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 means of transport that can be used to get from Russia to Thailand. Koh Samui offers another type of transport, with the help of which you can get to it after arriving in the country. This is a ferry service that is quite well developed on the island. Communication with the mainland is carried out using ferries from the three main companies of Samui and high-speed catamarans. The first ones get to the island on average in 1.5 hours, and catamarans - in 40 minutes. There are also regularly running boats that go to different islands of the archipelago. Thus, transport links between the islands and the mainland are well established.
On Koh Samui itself there is public transport - songthaew. This is a pickup truck with an awning covering the rear, and underneath there are benches for seating. There are also benches without seats, in this case the passenger is offered a handle that can be held on during the trip. Taximeters and motorcycle taxis still operate on the island.
Koh Samui beaches
Each beach on this amazing island is unique in its own way. In total, there are 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 most 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 is home to a large number of hotels, beach bars and an active trade. Due to its popularity, this is the most crowded beach, therefore, despite the length of 6 km, it does not seem realistic to find a secluded place.
The second most popular beach is Lamai. It is not as crowded as in Chaweng, but the infrastructure is nevertheless well developed.
The rest of the beaches are less popular and therefore offer more privacy. In general, the quantity and quality of beaches is one of the advantages of the state of Thailand. Samui from its wide variety allows you to choose the one that suits every tourist the most.
Samui cuisine
The island has a huge variety of different places where they offer delicious food. These can be inexpensive cafes with real Thai cuisine, and gourmet restaurants with dishes from various countries. At the same time, given the popularity of the resort among Russian tourists, Russian cuisine is also presented here.
The island cuisine is a true gourmet paradise.
Lovers of exotic can try the most unusual options, and supporters of traditional food can pamper themselves with their favorite dishes. At the same time, the prices for Samui are quite democratic and allow everyone, without exception, to enjoy exactly what they want. While vacationing in this exotic country, you can try a great variety of different dishes from chicken, rice, noodles and pork. Each of them is accompanied by sauces of varying degrees of pungency, which add a special piquancy to food.
Many, having tried Thai cuisine once, become its loyal fans. Tourists often bring home all kinds 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. These are banana rides, parasailing, water skiing, flyboarding, and speedboating. Tourists are also offered a four-hour deep sea fishing trip. Of course, on Koh Samui you cannot do without immersion in crystal clear water. There are diving schools on the island that help beginners enjoy the beauty of the underwater world. Fans of extreme types of recreation can also make a rope descent, which has 7 levels of difficulty.
In addition, Koh Samui has golf courses, go-kart circuits, shooting ranges and state-of-the-art cinemas. You can also go to the nature park or 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 spots are described in detail on maps and 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 huge numbers.
Thus, on Koh Samui you can find entertainment suitable for all ages and physical activity.
Children's holiday on Koh Samui
Many parents are faced with the problem of choosing a place to stay with children, because not all resorts take into account the specifics of age. From this point of view, Samui is an ideal choice. Beautiful beaches with soft sand, dazzling sun, sea of fruits and friendly Thais - all this will only delight the child. At the same time, the level of tourism allows you to minimize all the inconveniences that may be during your vacation. In addition, the safari park, zoo and animal shows will impress any child.
If we are talking about several 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 improve your English.
on Koh Samui
For loving young people who have just tied the knot, Koh Samui will be the best honeymoon destination. The silence and serenity of this piece of paradise will not prevent newlyweds from enjoying each other's company, and the hotels offer special rooms for newlyweds. White sand beaches, untouched beauty of nature and measured sound of waves - all this will give young people the opportunity to feel the depth of their feelings. And the photographs taken on this most beautiful island will preserve the memory of the most wonderful days of the beginning of family life.
Samui landmarks
The main attraction of the island is the beautiful beaches, which are its main attraction. However, not everyone wants to just lie on the seashore for the whole vacation. And for those who want to diversify their vacation and get fresh impressions, all conditions have been created here.
The most famous attraction on the island is the 42 Antsong Marine Park.It's a great place to go diving, snorkeling or just enjoy the beauty of the wilderness 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 very close, which is very convenient, given the presence of a small pool in which you can swim. This waterfall is of particular importance for the locals, as members of the royal family have come to bathe there many times.
Also, the sights of Koh Samui, which are known far beyond the island's borders, are two rocks called Grandmother and Grandfather. They are famous all over the world and attract many tourists to the island every year.
The cultural center of Samui, which is located away from the main tourist spots, is not often visited by guests of the island. Therefore, deciding to go there, one can hope for a calm and serene 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. The excursions are quite varied, so everyone can choose a program that suits him personally. During your Thai holiday, you can see the sights of the island, visit national parks, watch various shows with animals, go fishing in the open ocean, or simply enjoy the beauty of the waves by taking a boat trip. Also, excursions to Koh Samui include trips to the neighboring island of Tao, which is also called the turtle island. It is a very popular diving site and 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 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.
Weather on the island
There are only two seasons on Koh Samui - dry, from January to April, and the rainy season, from May to December. However, unlike the rest of the islands of Thailand, the rains here are very short, and due to their 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 higher than normal - this is May and June. Therefore, the weather on Koh Samui is relatively mild and not subject to large differences. All this contributes to the fact that the flow of tourists on the island does not stop all year round.
Best time for vacation in Koh Samui
Today tours to Samui are one of the most popular. Due to its weather conditions, the island offers an excellent holiday all year round. Therefore, no matter what month the vacation fell on, you can safely go there. However, if you have 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 Samui in January - ideal place to relax.
