Koh Samui

There are times when you just need a respite from your mundane everyday life. You just need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Rather than visiting the closest place with a view, why not take yourself and your family halfway across the world to a place the likes of which they have never seen before? Like an island right out of a Daniel Defoe novel, Koh Samui is home to some of the most magnificent beaches in the world. You have Chewang Central and Chewang South, the two busiest beaches on the island. Littered with tourists, these two beaches are perfect for people who are rather fond of partying. All in all, you shall not regret your trip to Koh Samui. If you are someone who wishes to blend with the locals, Bo Phut on the north, situated near The Fisherman's Village, will be to your liking. Although the water here is shallow and on the murkier side, the warmth of the locals, with their charm and omnipresent smile definitely make up for it. Choeng Mon and Northern Chaweng are a bit on the expensive side thanks to large bungalows, but it caters mostly to families and couples. The water is a lot clearer here and though not deep enough for proper swimming can be floated around in. Lamai on the South represents the best of worlds. You have the busier tourist section and on the other side, you will find a peaceful, serene beach populated with many bungalows. Plus, viewing the sunset at Lamai is a sight to treasure. The water here is turquoise. Finally, there is Baan Pang Ka, a place where you will find yourself separated from the rest of civilization. This is the one place where you can completely lose yourself in your thoughts while on holiday in Koh Samui. It is an unforgettable place to spend your holiday in Thailand.

When you visit a place so rich in natural beauty, you have no choice but to embrace it. Some might consider Koh Samui to be archaic in comparison to other parts of Thailand, but that means most of the island's original splendor has been left untouched, which makes holidays in Koh Samui all the more amazing. Located on the south side of the island, you will find two waterfalls aptly named Na Muang I and Na Muang II. The two waterfalls are very close to one another and while the Nu Muang II is nearly 4 times as high as her sister; they are both aesthetically pleasing. The tropical forest surrounding the waterfalls is gorgeous as well. The climb to the waterfalls is a bit steep, but concrete roads will aid your way up and once you reach the top, the trouble is completely worth it.  You can even let go of all your inhibitions by going snorkeling at the Angthong Natural Park. You can arrange for a tour through the tropical forests, during which you can take a pit stop at one of the many rubber plantations. At the Namuang Safari Park, you can go trekking on elephants. Riding these enormous beasts is an experience you will never forget. If you are feeling particularly brave, you can even go bungee jumping or go a few rounds at the local shooting range.

Perhaps not so surprisingly, the food in Koh Samui tastes a whole lot different than that on mainland Thailand and that is very much a good thing. Despite the intense competition among the restaurants, the chefs still manage to work in harmony, resulting in food that is simply scrumptious. As far as cuisines go, everything from grilled local seafood to gourmet international delicacies are widely available.  Cafés such as Relax Café make delicious local curries while restaurants like Tree Tops offer a more upscale atmosphere suitable for a romantic night out. At the Fishermen's Village, you will find the best of the day’s catch while the steakhouse at the Akaryn Resort and Spa has the most succulent cuts of steak. A crazy nightlife with a large number of clubs having tourists going at it all night long make Koh Samui holidays even more fascinating.

Island or not, you have to remember Koh Samui is in a tropical country, meaning the weather is mostly hot although not as scorching as the rest of Thailand.

This makes Koh Samui suitable for tourists all year long. As far as seasons are concerned, Koh Samui has three distinct seasons: dry, hot and rainy. Below, we look at the different seasons and whichever one you pick, don't forget to bring plenty of sunscreen and a hat. You will need them during your holiday in Koh Samui.

"Wonderfully Warm" Dry Season:

The dry season in Koh Samui goes from December to February. The weather is a little bit cooler during the dry season and you will not have to experience the extreme midday heat. Despite being generally dry, occasional spurts of heavy rain do occur during this time. Dry season is mostly considered the best time to go for a holiday in Koh Samui. However, this does result in higher ticket prices and the island is crowded with tourists.

"Not So Rainy" Rainy Season:

The rainy season in Koh Samui lasts from September to November. In spite of what the name might suggest, the rain more often than comes in short bursts after 3 pm and then stops leaving the air without the thick humidity frequently associated with tropical countries. Monsoon storms which do hit the island now and then tend to last for a few days. This is more of a relief than a hassle as it gives nature a refreshing aura. Some choose to ignore the rain warnings as this is the time when you will come across the lowest prices to come holiday in Koh Samui.

"Bring Loads Of Sunscreen" Hot Season:

The hot season in Koh Samui which is between March to August, is unbelievably hot with temperatures often crossing the 30 degrees mark. As hot as it gets, people are rarely discouraged by it as those who make the decision to holiday in Koh Samui go there as much for the heat as they do for the coconuts and expensive resorts which are in plenty. You will be getting a lot of sunshine and of course, there is the customary midday thunderstorm which only lasts for a short while before the sky goes back to being cloudless like before.