Koh Samui is one of Thailand’s many exotic islands. It resides of the Eastern coast and it located close to the famous Koh Phangan (full moon parties) and Koh Tao (Turtle Island, famous for snorkelling). Koh Samui has a great mix of so many things that make travel destinations appealing: Beautiful beaches and stunning scenery, crystal-blue water, friendly people, affordable hotels, tasty dining places, great marketplaces and storefronts, Come with your friends or meet new ones from all parts of the globe.

The only challenge you will find is determining the appropriate mix of time between sightseeing, relaxing, participating in activities/tours, shopping, and eating–it’s easy to lose an entire day between beachcombing, sunbathing, eating dinner, then grabbing a quick massage. Pace yourself and settle on some priorities for your time in Samui - once you determine what the “can’t-miss” options are, the rest can fall into place on its own. Enjoy it!

Local beach boys offer the chance to rent jet skis and boats, whilst beach traders try to tempt you with hot corn on the cob freshly prepared, selections of fresh fruits, or a variety of jewelry, silks, and other knickknacks.

The only truly touristy-type activity I went for was the trip to Ang Thong Marine Park - after seeing pictures of the archipelago everywhere, I had to see it for myself, and it did not disappoint. There is so much unique natural beauty to this place that it would be a shame to miss it.

Best Way to Get Around
Walk. Chaweng is quite compact! But for those wishing to travel around the island, rent moped for a few pounds a day or get one of the many buses/trucks that offer tourists trips for a small fee. ALWAYS be sure to set a price before getting in though, as they will try to charge you more if they think they can get away with it!

Tips and Suggestions
Bargain for all your lodgings.Too many tourists are paying cost price for their night’s stay and this is driving prices up. Thais love to bargain with you as it’s part and parcel of their trading culture. Try and find out what others are paying before going in and negotiating your room price. Get out of your hotel - you didn’t come all the way to a place like Thailand to sit on your butt in a hotel room or hotel pool - rent a motorbike, explore the island, visit with the locals, shop at the marketplaces, eat at a new restaurant every night, and soak it all in - places like this are rare, and Samui may not have this charm for much longer at the rate it is developing–some say its charm is already lost, but I disagree.