Koh Samui holiday travel

Thailand’s third largest island is a welcome change from the hectic pace of the more popular holiday resorts of Phuket and Pattaya. Koh Samui is situated 84 kilometres off the eastern coast of Thailand, near the mainland city of Surat Thani. It offers a more pristine island experience that is preferable to families and couples. The island provides first class facilities while keeping its laid-back, relaxing atmosphere.

Click for Samui tourist information.

Where to stay – hotels

There are numerous of accommodation facilities to be found on the island. From budget hotels to luxurious 5 star hotels and resorts, Koh Samui offers something suitable for all kinds of holiday makers. Lamai and Chaweng beaches are the most popular and the most reputed hotels on Koh Samui are to be found here.

There are plenty of hotels in other locations as well on Samui. The well known resorts and hotels offer excellent facilities like swimming pools, barbeque spots, bars and restaurants. A useful and easy to use site with which to book Koh Samui Hotels and Resorts is DirectRooms.com, please have a look.

Making your hotel in Koh Samui reservation in advance on-line is attractive because it will save you money on the actual hotel rates. Booking hotels on-line is safe and secure and it will take only a few minutes of your valuable time.

What to do

The beaches are pristine and offer sailing, jet skiing and parasailing, among other choices. Those who like active holidays will not be disappointed, Koh Samui is an excellent water sports holiday makers destination.

Other activities are bungee jumping, jungle trekking and Thai cooking classes. Learning to cook some delicious Thai dishes is really worthwhile and you can spoil your friends with an exotic meal when you are back home.

Lamai and Chaweng beaches, both located on the eastern side of the island, are among the most popular and have ample accommodation and a lively nightlife scene.

Lamai also boasts the famed Wonderful Rocks.

For a change of scene and pace, head inland to explore the beautiful waterfalls of Nam Tok Hin Lat and Nam Tok Na Muang.

What to see – by car hire

Car hire on Koh Samui is well catered for and numerous of small local companies as well the reputed bigger ones are represented on the island. Koh Samui hire car is the most practical way to get around, even if you only spend a day exploring island.

By hire car you can drive to Ko Samui's famed Wonderful Rocks - the most important of which are the sex-organ-shaped Hin Yaay and Hin Ta (Grandmother and Grandfather Stones).

Another attraction easy to reach by hire car from Koh Samui is the gold-tiled Wat Phrayai (Big Buddha) for an imposing view on the northeast coast. The stunning Buddha image is sitting atop Ko Faan (Barking Deer Island) Make sure you hire a car to see this great site.

For a taste of Thai buddhist culture, start a temple tour by hire car and visit the many temples scattered across the island such as the gold-tiled Wat Phrayai (with imposing views) or the teakwood Wat Ban Thale (near Na Muang Falls).