Koh Samui

Where to stay

Mae Nam on the north coast has the quietest beaches and some of the cheapest beds on the island. If you want nightlife within walking distance, Hat Chaweng Road is the center of things, though you'll pay a bit more for the convenience.

Getting around

• Songthaews (shared pickup trucks) run fixed routes along the ring road for a low flat fare. Agree on the price before you get in, or drivers will charge you private taxi rates when you arrive.
• The Friday Night Market at Fisherman's Village in Bo Phut is the best cheap eating on the island. The restaurants along Hat Chaweng itself are overpriced for what you get.
• If you're headed to Koh Phangan, the Seatran Discovery ferry from Bang Rak pier takes about 30 minutes and costs a fraction of the tourist speedboat packages sold on Chaweng.

When to go

September and October bring afternoon rain and prices drop by nearly half. December through February is when hostels fill up fast as European winter holidays hit and the Gulf coast gets its best weather.