Koh Samui
Koh Samui is Thailand’s second largest island, and full of fun for beach lovers and adventure junkies. With white beaches, waterfalls, mountain treks, and temples, there’s something for everyone on this island. Hire a scooter and get ready to explore.
How to get to Koh Samui?
We booked a van and boat through our hotel in Phuket. We normally use 12GoAsia for traveling around Thailand, but the price was actually cheaper booking with our hotel so we booked with them instead.
Where to stay in Koh Samui?
We loved Koh Samui so much we actually ended up staying longer than expected. The first few days we stayed in Samui Poshtel, which was a really good location for us. A private room and bathroom was about US$20/night. Plus they had scooters available for rent there. We were away from the crowds, and still only a 15 minute scooter ride from anywhere we wanted to go. After deciding that we wanted to extend our stay on the island, we moved to an Airbnb for the next week. TIP: Make sure to check Airbnb when traveling! There’s been quite a few times that Airbnb had cheaper options than the hotels/hostels in the area. Also, if you book a place with a kitchen, you have the option of cooking your own food and saving a bit of money that way, too!
Budget: Samui Us Hostel
Luxury: Baan Talay Resort
Where to eat in Koh Samui?
Nong Thai Food: Authentic Thai food at amazing prices. This was close to where we were staying, so we came here quite a few times.
The Hut Café: Family-owned, amazing restaurant in the Fisherman’s Village. Really authentic Thai food, all cooked to order. The price is very affordable compared to other places in the Fisherman’s Village. Book ahead if you want to go here on a weekend night, it fills up fast!
Beryl Bar: We came across this small Rasta bar when we were exploring on the scooter. The food is delicious, and its pretty close to the Monk’s Cave.
The Jungle Club: Restaurant/cocktail/view point! The food, drinks, and ambiance is absolutely worth every penny you pay. We went at sunset and spent a few hours here. We recommend the watermelon margaritas, pad Thai and (surprisingly!) the pizza.
our top 6 things in Koh Samui:
Na Mueang Waterfall 2: An hour and a half hike up to the top of the falls, this was a workout and viewpoint all in one! There’s a natural pool at the top to cool off in, and amazing views of Koh Samui. There’s a parking fee for scooters (30baht, US$1) which can be redeemed later for a bottle of water. You can either walk from this area to the start of the falls, or get a ride in a jeep for 100 baht. Something to keep in mind, on your way to the falls you will pass a “safari park” where they offer elephant rides and pictures with tigers. We personally don’t advise paying money to promote or support these activities, and encourage research to ensure visiting an ethical attraction that has the animals’ best interest at hand.
Silver Beach: A small little beach, located near Silver Beach Resort, this was our favorite beach to visit. The water is super clear and great for snorkelling, and there’s restaurants and cafes close by for lunch or drinks.
Overlap Stone: A natural made view point off the beaten track in Koh Samui. It can be difficult to find, but once you get there, the views are incredible. The stone is basically in the backyard of a local, so bring a few baht to give as a polite donation.
Temples, temples, temples: There are TONS of temples on Koh Samui, but our favorites were the Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai), Wat Plai Laem, and Wat Ratchathammaram (The Red Temple). The Big Buddha is the most touristy of all, but definitely worth a visit. It’s very close to Wat Plai Laem (our favorite of all 3) so you could do both at the same time if you wanted. Wat Ratchathammaram is the least touristy, and if you follow the steps down in the back you come to a secluded little beach area.
Grandfather and Grandmother Rock: Known as Hin Ta & Hin Yai Rocks, these 2 rock formations are of male and female genitalia. It’s a weird yet funny attraction to see, and there will most definitely be a lot of tour groups visiting here. It’s very close to the Red Temple, so you could visit both together.
Fisherman’s Village: A great place to walk around, especially at night time. Fisherman’s Village is full of restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops. Its also a great place to sit on the beach and watch the sunset.
