Some of the most popular islands are forced to be in constant competition, which cannot but please tourists. After all, making a vacation unforgettable for guests is their main goal. Phuket or Koh Samui – where is it better to relax? If today you need a clean coast and silence around – this is definitely Koh Samui with its measured pace of life, but if you need company and crazy parties to relax – this is Phuket.
The best time to relax
The “velvet” season on Koh Samui is from the second half of December to February, when everything on the island will favor your rest: cloudless skies, sun, comfortable water and air temperature (26 degrees), small waves and a fruit paradise. And if December and January still sometimes allow themselves precipitation at night, then February will provide ideal weather throughout the month. This period attracts a lot of tourists, and therefore the price of hotels and inns will jump by 20%.
For those who calmly endure the heat, there is an opportunity to significantly reduce costs and fly here in the spring. From March to April, calm seas and clear skies, but the thermometer will stay at around 30-34 degrees. A hat and sunblock will save you from the scorching sun, and swimming will help you cool off. Summer takes second place after the “velvet” season: it is marked by a long-awaited coolness and gusty but warm wind. September, October and November are the least favorable months for holidays, but you will still be able to catch a few sunny days.
View prices for tours on Koh Samui
The average temperature in Phuket does not fall below 26 degrees, and does not rise above 32 degrees all year round. But still, the best season for a beach holiday is the period from December to February with their steady clear weather, amazing sunsets and a quiet azure coast. However, this time is characterized by a crazy influx of tourists, and therefore the quality of service for beaches, hotels and restaurants is reduced. But from March to May, the cost of vouchers is reduced, for showers the hour has not yet come, and the sun, although equatorially hot, does not hide behind clouds.
The possibility of getting heatstroke or sunburn in the summer is reduced to zero. The weather is unstable, but intermittent rains will make your holiday varied and dilute your lazy pastime by the sea with exciting excursions to the sights of Phuket. September, October and November are the period of contemplation of the raging nature: surfers try to master the obstinate waves, tourists admire the turbulent streams of waterfalls, local residents prepare for national rites in honor of the Full Moon Festival.
Rain season
The location of Koh Samui in the tropical zone suggests a large amount of rainfall. But if in winter and spring they are almost absent, then in autumn, especially in November, there are frightening thunderstorms and monsoon winds. This phenomenon, bewitching with its power, is characteristic only of southern exotic countries, therefore, to catch such a natural miracle will be considered a great success and will be remembered for a lifetime.
Autumn is a golden period for fans of windsurfing and wakeboarding, a great opportunity to try extreme sea sports. The island is also flourishing: rare species of plants and exotic fruits appear. After 20-30 minutes, the downpour will end as unexpectedly as it began, and the sun will warm the earth in a couple of hours and compensate you for several rainy hours with a warm, gentle tan.
Phuket falls into the power of winds and rains from late August to early November, but even during this period they try not to disturb the guests and act at night. In the afternoon, if such a whim of nature arises, then literally for an hour or two. Almost the entire island is surrounded by coral reefs, on which two-meter waves break. With children, of course, it will not work to take part in taming the waves, but young people waiting for the surf are often found on the coast. Do not be upset if restless winds do not allow you to swim with your child – on neighboring islands, such as Phi Phi, there is always calm and a mirror sea.
Where is it cheaper to travel on your own?
The ticket price includes a round-trip flight (holiday duration 7-14 days).
Spring flights to Phuket have a record low cost compared to the rest, but this year the first ten days of December are the most pleasing – for a couple of weeks the ticket price will not exceed 30,000 rubles, which is a great success for the “dry” season. The red mark of summer flights should not scare you – high prices are related only to weekends, on weekdays the average ticket price is 36,700 rubles.
| Phuket | Koh Samui | |
| December-February | 28.085р – 30.906р | 37.803r – 42.291r |
| March-May | 28.091r – 28.102r | 37.774r – 46.381r |
| June August | 33.111р – 34.978р | 45.035р – 46.876р |
| September-November | 28.032r – 36.620r | 41.795р – 48.161р |
The “biting” ticket prices in the case of Koh Samui are explained by the lack of direct flights to this island. But many vacationers don't mind overpaying ten thousand for the sake of wildlife, local color and exotic personality, not yet spoiled by the blessings of civilization.
The cost of flights throughout the year is approximately the same, but it is better to wait a little with a trip in January – there are especially high prices, while the first half of December and the whole of February will save you 5,000-10,000 rubles.
Entertainment
The undisputed leader of water activities is Chaweng Beach, where there are all kinds of extreme recreation, from banana rides ($6/10 min.) or jet ski ($3/20 min.), to a leisurely sailing boat ride ($45/ hour), boat ($152 / hour), or fishing ($180 / 4 hours – for 4 people).
For diving, you should turn to the turtle island of Tao, where one of the best water sports schools is located (the cost of a one-day tour, which includes training and practice, is $ 50). Jungle, caves and wildlife await you at Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park ($6 adult, $3 child).
Viewing platforms, waterfalls, bizarre rocks will meet on your way every 100 meters, just have time to take pictures. When it comes to adult entertainment, nightclubs, bars, transvestite shows are in abundance, where girls usually get free entry with the purchase of one cocktail.
Phuket can pamper tourists with diverse leisure activities. These are petting zoos (meetings with predatory tigers and peaceful elephants), and educational lessons in cooking national Thai dishes ($ 80 / lesson), and visiting Thai boxing competitions ($ 50-75), and all kinds of relaxing massages (from $ 6 up to $25 per session).
If you are interested in the history of this country, then the Thalang National Museum in Phuket will show and tell better than others about the ancient artifacts found on the territory of this city, about the Chinese people, about the culture of sea gypsies ($ 3 – adult, $ 1.5 – children). “Flying Hanuman” will give you an unforgettable experience of flying through the jungle – on a suspended cable you will be transferred from one tree to another like a monkey ($70-75). And for nightlife, tourists turn to Bangla Road, where you can get flyers for free access to clubs, bars and 18+ shows with lady fights.
Excursions
Experienced travelers recommend diving in Koh Samui with sightseeing group tours of the island by car or on foot. They usually include elephant rides, visits to several Buddhist temples, sightseeing of natural attractions (waterfalls, mountains). The price of such a hike/trip is $150-200 for a group of 4-5 people and will take 3-5 hours.
And then you can stop at one thing: be it a “yoga day” ($120 / person), when your body will be endlessly subjected to relaxing procedures; a shopping tour ($42/person), thanks to which you will be able to save time searching for the right store to buy gifts for your relatives; adrenaline-pumping jeep safari at the sight of predators a meter away ($48/person) or an eight-hour yacht cruise past paradise islands ($121/person).
Excursions in Phuket are mainly concentrated around the nearby islands: they go to the Similan Islands for the diversity of the underwater world, the curious inhabitants of which are the leopard shark and giant turtles, and Phi Phi is famous for the best night discos on the seashore and colorful fire shows. Group trips to the islands by boat will cost $50-100 per person.
Sightseeing tours with tasting Thai dishes cost $25 per person, and individual tours by car start from $72. Nightlife in Phuket will live up to even the wildest fantasies of tourists – “Go-Go” bars with dancing girls on a beer counter, performances of transvestites performing tricks with animals, and XXX shows with intimate contests starting at $29.
Hotels
The best hotels on Koh Samui:
The best hotels in Phuket:
Service
Thailand is a very hospitable country for tourists, and you will be convinced of this from the first steps, when the hotel administration will contact you upon arrival and inform you about the transfer waiting for you at the entrance to take you directly to the hotel. Then, at the 24-hour reception, an employee who speaks your language or at least English will be picked up for you, and the concierge will take things to your room. Wi-Fi, parking, breakfast will not require additional costs, and for a small fee you can use the services of a laundry, a spa center and children's animators.
Most hotels have rooftop terraces, gardens, indoor and outdoor pools, children's water complexes, hairdressers, fitness rooms, saunas and games rooms that are included in the room rate. Additional services can be ordered to the room: massage, tickets for city events, lunches and dinners, newspapers.
For fans of self-guided tourism, bike rental ($5-10/day) or car ($5-10/day) is available in any hotel, asphalt roads are ideal here, so driving is a pleasure. Thais see the meaning of life in children, and therefore they receive increased attention, especially foreign ones. In a cafe, they can bring fruits as a compliment, and even a toy, they will pick up the best table and try to speak to them in English.
Chefs in restaurants are very attentive to guests and take into account their wishes regarding the moderate spiciness of the dish, which should be warned about. Among the traditional cuisine, there are also European establishments, McDonald's and other well-known fast food chains. The price of a dinner for two in a Thai “diner” is $3-6 for two, in a cafe – $6-10, in a decent restaurant with wine and delights – $37, a few liters of water per day – $1.
Thailand pays great attention to the safety of its citizens, but you can still be aggressively dragged into “evil places“. If you make it clear that you do not need it, they will leave behind. The only unpleasant phenomenon on the islands is theft, taxi drivers (price per landing – $ 1) can decently round up the amount of the trip, and in hotels money does not stay in a conspicuous place for a long time – it is better to use a safe. There are no murders, robbery or dangerous viral diseases here.
Holiday prices
The cost of the tour per person includes flights, accommodation, meals, insurance and sometimes excursions (duration of the tour is 7-14 nights).
| Phuket | Koh Samui | |
| December-February | 39.664р – 58.151р | 43.992r – 64.305r |
| March-May | 39.664r – 51.765r | 61.983r – 64.900r |
| June August | 43,596р – 55,448р | – |
| November | 33.344р | 49.791р |
A ticket to Phuket costs one and a half times cheaper than to Koh Samui. This is due to its location and the lack of a direct flight. February is the most expensive month to travel to any southern country, as it has the advantage of favorable climatic conditions compared to the autumn rainy season, when the tourist business practically ceases to operate. But even in the “peak” season, you can catch a last-minute ticket at a low price or book a tour in advance.
But do not give up on cheap autumn or summer tours for fear of rain. In fact, the notion of a “velvet season” is just as exaggerated as are rumors of daily heavy rains during the autumn months. Yes, there is a lot of precipitation in October, but mostly at night, and by morning all the streets dry up. The tropical climate has a capricious and unbalanced “character”, which means that you can expect “meanness” from it in winter, and in autumn, in turn, it can please you with a series of sunny summer days.
It is enough to look at the weather forecast to avoid showers, and put the money saved on entertainment. And, of course, it is better to choose a tour online – this will also significantly reduce costs, because travel agencies not only add a percentage to the cost of the tour, but also try to sell those that are more expensive.
All inclusive or breakfast
“All inclusive” is a fairly common food system when buying weekly tours around the world, and sometimes you need to pay extra 20-30% of the total cost of the tour for it. In the case of European or American countries, this is a rather advantageous offer, because a separate meal outside the hotel will seriously hit your pocket, as these states are famous for the high price of services, food and entertainment. But is it justified in Thailand?
A country whose language does not even have the word “hunger” can boast of an abundance of seafood, meat, vegetables and fruits all year round. Their prime cost is low, and therefore, even taking into account the payment for the services of a cook, waiters and rent of premises included in the price tag of a dish, it will not work to feel awkward when paying in restaurants.
Therefore, for Asian countries, it is better to choose a hotel with breakfast, where if you are too lazy to get up to the buffet early in the morning, you can ask to pack a couple of dishes and drinks with you. And given the developed infrastructure of the country and a wide range of entertainment, tourists are unlikely to want to sit all day in a hotel, which means they will miss the “package” meals they paid for.
Beaches
The most versatile beach on Koh Samui is Chaweng. The shallow sea, clean sand, water attractions are ideal conditions for couples with children. Young people in the daytime can sunbathe and make friends here, and at night go here for a disco. The only thing missing here is silence. Lamai is not much quieter than the previous one and is also designed for a wide age range, but it is notable for the opportunity to rent a house right on the beach from local residents at a better price than in hotels.
Bang Rak is also suitable for renting housing, and although its bottom is rocky and shallow, the prices will pleasantly surprise you. For privacy, you should go to the small but cozy Coral Cove, the elite Tongson and the quiet Hua Thanon – the sea is clean, there are no entertainments, there are few tourists. Among the picturesque and safe beaches with a gentle slope are: Thongtakian, Bophut. They are protected from the waves by rocks, there are many entertainments nearby, grocery stores – an ideal place for children. Chong Mon is known for the Russian-speaking diaspora, which is founded here every year, and Menam is a deep bottom from the first steps.
Acquaintance with the beaches of Phuket usually begins with Patong. Parties, fresh juices and alcoholic drinks, water rides, convenient location attract tourists who are unpretentious about the cleanliness of the beach and a measured relaxing holiday. But the neighboring Freedom is clean and quiet, but in order to sunbathe on it, you need to work hard – the path is about 1 km on foot through the jungle thickets.
Also, hunters of silence will like the wild Mai Khao and Banana – very beautiful beaches, but difficult to access. With a child, it is better to go to Kamala, Karon, Kata, Nai Harn – snow-white fine sand, there are almost no waves, the water is clear. Surin will surprise you with pine trees instead of palm trees, and Bang Tao will surprise you with a high level of service and elite spas on the coast.
Vacation with children
Koh Samui has a huge amount of entertainment centered around animals. The main zoo on the island Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo ($14 for children, $23 for adults) is dedicated to the kingdom of tigers, birds and marine life. The highlight of this zoo is the opportunity to feed the animals, stroke and take pictures with them. And Paradise Park Farm ($3 for children, $12 for adults) offers children contact with pets: hedgehogs, rabbits, iguanas, etc. They are tame and love attention.
But if kids are 8 years old and ready for a more exhilarating wildlife experience, Samui Snake Farm ($9) and Samui Crocodile Farm ($8 for kids, $16 for adults) will leave a lasting impression on little visitors, because they not only demonstrate the life of crocodiles and snakes from the moment of birth to adulthood, but also prepare exciting shows with the participation of these predators – trainers twist their tails, put their heads in their mouths and sit on their backs.
Phuket is classified as a family resort, so it is not difficult to find exciting leisure activities for a child on this island. The most desirable object for a child is the Splash Jungle water park ($23 for children, $46 for adults): pools with artificial waves and winding slides are designed for any age in terms of extreme level. The mini-golf course sounds boring, like for children, but its name is justifiably intriguing – “Dino Park” ($ 3 for children, $ 4 for adults). The fact is that it is not necessary to play golf, but it is very interesting to wander around the territory with giant dinosaurs emitting a loud and frightening roar.
Fascinating circus shows with the participation of elephants and buffaloes are held at Phuket Fantasea ($60 – basic ticket price, $66 – with dinner and transfer). The performances themselves are not only interesting, but also informative – in colors and faces, Thai actors will tell about the history of Thailand in such a way that the information will involuntarily be remembered and postponed for many years. All this will be accompanied by special effects, creating a feeling of four-dimensional space.
shopping
The cost of everyday clothes varies within $10, fur and evening dresses – from $600 to $3000. Jewelry and jewelry are considered a good investment of money – they are much cheaper here: $ 13 / g (gold 750 pr). Be sure to try Thai cosmetics and medicines from the Tropicana and Sabai Arom brands – toothpastes, ointments, creams, balms, tinctures with coconut oil and even snake and bee venom. The prices are cheap and the results are amazing. As gifts, you can buy key rings, caskets, interior gizmos in the form of Buddha or elephant figurines – from $1 to $20.
In tourist markets and streets, souvenirs are always more expensive, but you can bargain. The best of them on Koh Samui is Night Market, and on Phuket, Phuket Chatuchak. In shopping centers, prices are fixed, but there is everything. The largest in Koh Samui are Central Festival and The Wharf, in Phuket Jungceylon and Tesco Lotus.
Conclusion
Tour operators offer couples most often Koh Samui, because it is less built up with entertainment centers and leads a rather hermit life. Of course, there are discos, bars, and an amusement park, but you don't have to choose. While Phuket does not make you wander the streets for a long time in search of a good restaurant or nightclub, which attracts crowds of young people here.
This cannot but affect the cleanliness of the coastal zone, and therefore the beaches of Koh Samui with its white sands win in this part. Now you can safely choose what is closer to you this year – daring Phuket with its bright neon lights, flashes and loud rhythmic music, or balanced Koh Samui with a leisurely pace of life.