The island was without roads until the early s but has long attracted backpackers. In the early s tourists started arriving in increasing numbers and is now a fully-fledged tourist destination with luxury hotels, spas and boutiques. It offers a warm tropical beach climate, with average daily temperatures of about 86 F.
White sandy beaches and headlands fringe the island. The main beaches are recognized as some of the best in the world, with inviting crystal blue waters and you can still find delightfully secluded coves or a long stretch of beach to wander along. Low-rise housing developments are dotted with coconut palms and lush jungles climb the hillsides.
The growth in luxury resorts has attracted quality chefs and restaurants. Tropical fruits and vegetables, countless varieties of seafood, free-range poultry and meats, aromatic herbs and spices blended with Thai, Asian and European cuisine make for mouth-watering dishes. A benefit of living in Thailand is the easy access to other countries and at a low cost. Samui has an international airport and you can be in Singapore , Malaysia or Hong Kong in just a few hours.
Bangkok Airways offers residents discounts too. Passenger ferries also go to beautiful Koh Tao and Pha Ngan and to mainland Chumpon, where there are connecting buses to Bangkok. Living in the heart of Asia, at a low cost, means travel is more affordable and attractive.
Most expats live in the northeastern region around Lamai, Chaweng, Choeng Mon, Bophut and Maenam where you will find the most shopping and amenities. You can get practically whatever you need on the island. There are supermarkets stocked with imported foods, white goods and furniture stores, top-notch home improvement and consumer electronic stores.
High-speed, fiber optic internet and digital TV access are affordable. There are well over 1, restaurants on the island, plus many food and market stalls offering excellent value for money tasty meals. Fine dining establishments provide culinary delights at much less than what you would pay at home.
With a vibrant expat community that swells up to 40, in peak periods, there are many opportunities to make new friends. Put on your thinking cap for trivia nights, join a service organization like Rotary or learn the Thai language. When looking for a place to retire, cost of living is the first concern for most. Samui is the third largest Island in Thailand and the largest in an archipelago of more than 80 islands that includes the Ang Thong National Marine Park, a kayaking paradise and day trip from Ko Samui.
While Samui is small enough to be circumnavigated in just a couple of hours by motorbike or car, the island features such a variety of Beach es and activities that it would be impossible to experience everything in a single visit.
Besides plentiful nature, the island is also full of History and Culture. Activities around Ko Samui include cooking courses, yoga instruction, Muay Thai training, scuba diving, and even golf. While there are a few quieter beaches that are ideal for relaxation, particularly those that feature some of the finest 5-star resorts in the world, and some that exude old-world charm, such as Bo Phut, which features converted, old Chinese shophouses, Samui is a lively, exciting place than it was a few decades ago.
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