When choosing a holiday destination, a number of things are taken into consideration: the amount of money you’re ready to spend, the free time you have and the time of the year when this trip will take place. These are, as it always turns out the night before departure, the easy questions – it’s the hard ones that make you crazy: how much clothes and sunscreen to take with you, do you need another pair of shoes, should you buy another bathing suit. But, when it comes to picking which exotic island you wish to visit, pay attention to its history, geographic location, climate, local customs and activities to enjoy. Here are some details concerning the very beautiful and exciting island of Koh Samui.
Location
Over the course of the past several years, this island has gained much popularity and has been attracting a constantly rising number of tourists every year. It doesn’t come as much of a surprise knowing how exotic and cared for it really is, but also bearing in mind that its unique location has a lot to do with this rise of attraction. Being on the eastern coast of Thailand’s Malay Peninsula, Koh Samui is this country’s second biggest island, but its population of about 63 thousand is drastically outnumbered by the annual arrival of tourists which surpasses one and a half million every year. What most of them find extremely interesting are not just the sandy beaches, corals, coconut and palm trees, but also the island’s central part – this tropical jungle hasn’t been fully explored yet and therefore attracts those of more adventurous spirit who aren’t satisfied with being on the beach the whole time.
History and Climate
Even though it has been inhabited for over a thousand years and present on world maps since the 17th century, Koh Samui hasn’t gained international notice until quite recently. Only in the past several decades has it been connected to the aforementioned peninsula and, due to established roads, can it see economic prosperity, positive changes in the cultural and environment spheres. Much of the island’s fame within international tourism today is owed to the warm climate that is present all year long. With only one dry month, Koh Samui is, despite being in a predominantly tropical monsoon climate region, relatively dry and much more pleasant than the rest of the country. Moreover, the temperatures are always between 29 and 33°C, so it’s actually possible for those who rent a place in paradise to spend the entire day on the beach.
Activities
Speaking of the beach, here is the fun part about Koh Samui – the activities you can enjoy on this beautiful island. First of all, there is the standard offer present in all similar places worldwide – swimming, diving, snorkeling, deep sea exploration around the coral reefs, jet skiing, etc. – but have in mind that it’s the environment and surroundings that separate this place from all the others. It’s not too hot nor is it too humid, so the conditions for a full day in the sea are quite perfect. However, for those who are into something else, there is the already mentioned exploration of the jungle in the central region of the island, with hiking, climbing and mountaineering. Finally, if you are in the festive mood and want a bigger celebration, there are several festivals held in Koh Samui and they cover different ranges of activities, from buffalo fighting and parading, to sailing and triathlon and even cultural and art activities.
Finally
Thailand has been in the top ten tourist destinations for the past several years on the global level and actually a runner-up in the Asia and Pacific region, right after China. Many of its visitors spend time in Koh Samui and have a strong tendency to return to this “paradise island” soon after leaving and relive the days of fun and games in a great climate.
