Ko Samui – About Ko Samui in Thailand
The island of Koh Samui, off the southeast coast of Thailand, is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, visited by about 1,500,000 travelers annually. Many of these tourists are repeat visitors, drawn to return again and again by Koh Samui’s special magic, which nurtures both body and soul. On this island, you can explore the fascinating world under the waves or enjoy nature’s beauty from the vantage point of dry land. Even though foreign tourists have known about Koh Samui as a vacation spot since the early 70s, it still hasn’t lost its charm. Shopping, nightlife and other signs of “progress” have not damaged the innate beauty and serenity that are Samui.
In the late winter months, when most Europeans and North Americans are shivering in the snow and sleet, the warm sunny shores of Samui are powerfully appealing. This marks the dry season on Samui; rainy season will begin towards the end of the summer, bringing the heaviest rainfall from September till the end of November or December. Be aware that it doesn’t rain all day even in the peak rainy season, and some travelers come to enjoy the intermittent sunshine – and lower prices – at this time of year. If you would rather not have your sunshine watered down, then January and February are the best months to visit, before the temperatures rise.
You can get around on the island conveniently and inexpensively by bus or songthaew during the day. Taxis are another option. The most popular tourist areas, Chaweng on the east side of the island and Lamai a little further south, are great places to stay if you’d like to be within walking distance of everything. If being close to nature sounds more like your cup of tea, you might prefer accommodation in Meanam on the island’s north side; from here you can always rent a car when you want to visit the attractions and nightlife. Also on the northern side, Bohput is a fishing village which is worth visiting for the shopping and the restaurants in the hotels nearby.
Accommodation
There is plenty of accommodation available on Koh Samui. The best choice for you really depends on what type of vacation you have in mind. There are convenient hotels with everything you need close at hand that are great for families. If you are looking to get away from it all, however, a quiet place like Meanam will be a better choice for you. One of the best things about Koh Samui is that you really can have it all here. Enjoy a day frolicking or relaxing on one of the white sand beaches, combined with a soul restoring Thai massage and topped off with a taste of the local nightlife in the evening. Speaking of massage, the inexpensive spa treatments available are a "don’t miss" island attraction.
You’ll notice a lot of coconut palms on Samui. The fruit of these trees is used for all kinds of treats – a refreshing drink of coconut milk straight from the shell, a coconut milk shake or ice cream or even a very different kind of treat, coconut oil skin care products to pamper your outsides.
Activities
Massage and beauty treatments, swimming, snorkeling, diving, canoeing, elephant rides, golfing, cooking classes and shopping at the exciting night markets sound like the stuff dream vacations are made of. Add to that friendly locals always ready to greet you with a smile. What are you waiting for? Reserve your flight, book your hotel and prepare for a visit to paradise. Until then you can dream about Koh Samui.
