Thailand is a spiritual, colourful, and peaceful land. Koh Samui is lush and beautiful, with tropical jungles and white-sand beaches surrounded by a sapphire-blue sea. An island in the Gulf of Thailand, Samui is situated in a high-energy zone, which directly affects practices like yoga and meditation, and makes it an ideal place for positive transformation and growth.

International Flights to Koh Samui, Thailand

International flights to Koh Samui are direct through Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, presenting travellers with many choices in getting here. We find that shopping around about three months in advance will usually produce the best option.

If you are flying from the US there are good choices through Korea, Japan, Taipei and Singapore.

If you are in Europe, there are also many choices. Some airlines, like British Airways, fly directly to Bangkok and Singapore, with a daily service. For those based in Australia/New Zealand or Asia, flying over is no more than a hop, skip, and a jump. 

Checking on www.skyscanner.com,  www.orbitz.com or www.expedia.com will give you a good idea of costs.

Passport holders of the United States, Australia, South Africa and most European countries do not require a visa if staying less than 30 days. If you are planning on staying longer, you should get a tourist visa from the Thai embassy in your resident country, which will allow you to remain in the Kingdom for a longer period. You can also extend your visa while in Thailand. Visa extensions now cost THB B1,900 for 15 to 30 days on either a 30-day or 60-day visa. Overstaying your visa costs THB B500 per day, with a maximum fine of THB B20,000.  This can be settled at the airport on departure.

For visa information, please go here for the United States and here for other countries.

The information we provide on our website is subject to change.  For up-to-date information we advise checking with the Thai embassy of your resident country.

You can check to see the latest exchange rate at www.xe.com. There are many ATMs and currency exchange places on Samui.

Thailand is a clean, healthy place to visit. No immunization shots are required. 

To help soften our impact on Mother Nature, please use refillable water bottles, biodegradable products, and cloth shopping bags and conserve electricity and water.

• Sticky yoga mat
• Yoga / fitness clothes
• Yoga / fitness towel
• Sunscreen and hat
• Insect repellent
• Open sandals
• Trainers / running shoes (especially for cycle classes)
• Socks
• Light rain jacket
• Swimwear
• Refillable water bottle
• Journal for writing
• Feminine sanitary products
• Mosquito repellent
• Travel documentation: passport with more than 6 months before expiry and visa if needed
• Recycled Mats are available to rent from our reception team on arrival.

The Samahita Eco-Life Boutique stocks t-shirts, yoga mats, water bottles and notebooks.

There is a Government Value Added Tax (VAT) of 7% on all items purchased. This is added to your bill for reconciliation at the end of your stay.

For those who want to venture out from Samahita, we’ve highlighted some of the many Koh Samui attractions, restaurants and places of beauty, which our guests have enjoyed over the years.

WHAT TO SEE?

As well as being a tropical haven of beaches, five-star hotels and spas, Samui has a rich Buddhist heritage and is home to many active temples. Only a five-minute walk from Samahita Retreat is the Laem Sor Pagoda. With its shining golden tiles and peaceful atmosphere next to the mangroves and the ocean you can also visit the remains of Leung Poo Daeng, a realized monk and climb up to the Khao Chedi, high on the mountain with breathtaking views. Wat Kunaram is home to the preserved body of the revered Lung Padaeng, known as the Mummified Monk as he is still sitting in the meditation position over 20 years after his death. The most iconic Buddha statue on Samui is Wat Phra Yai, or Big Buddha temple not far from the Airport, where you can climb the steps up to see the large majestic Buddha. Only a short drive from here is Wat Ban Plai Leam where you will find is a large selection of intricately designed temples.

WHERE TO SHOP?

For holiday trinkets and gifts, visit the peaceful and traditional port town of Nathon, or the busier bustle of Lamai. The island’s largest tourist hub is Chaweng which is home to miles of stalls and stands selling everything from carved elephants to buckets and spades. Feel free to barter and be aware that many of the clothes and handbags are counterfeit – hence the low prices.

From 5pm until late on certain days the towns close off one street to traffic creating ‘Walking Street’. These colorful market events combine delicious hawker food, fun shopping, live music and performance.

Thursday – Maenam
Friday – Bophut Fisherman’s Village
Saturday – Nathon
Sunday  - Lamai

For beautiful high-quality handcrafted Buddha statues from Thailand and Burma visit Double Dutch next to Big Buddha Temple.

ON LAND AND ON SEA

Join an organized tour from Samahita and the long tail boats (with shade) will collect you right in front of the shala and whisk you off to the peaceful tropical islands of Koh Matsum and Koh Tan for snorkelling and relaxing. Enjoy the stunning islands of the Anthong Marine National Park on a fun-packed day trip, made famous by Alex Garland as the setting for his novel, ‘The Beach’. Visitors can swim, snorkel, and visit the park headquarters on a beautiful white beach and climb to the viewpoint for a breathtaking panorama, before lunch and a visit to the emerald lake.

MUAY THAI

For those interested in learning more about Thailand’s martial art Muay Thai visit the Muay Thai Camps in Lamai. There are also great hikes through the centre of the island and waterfall hikes, Hin Lad Waterfall in Nathon is worth the trip.

BEACHES AND TOWNS

For deep swimming beaches, the North and East of Samui have less reef protection, with Chaweng’s powdery sands drawing in vast crowds of tourists from around the globe. A hub of shopping, nightlife and entertainment, this bustling metropolis feels like a million miles from the tranquillity of Samahita Retreat’s quiet beach. Silver Beach near Lamai is still reminiscent of old Samui with a few family-run resorts and restaurants and is a favourite for swimming beach with the locals.

RESTAURANTS

To discover authentic Thai food not far from Samahita take a taxi or wander down the beach to Sweet Sisters where Khun Noi and her team will take good care of you.  They also have a good selection of snacks, clothing, and crafts if you are looking for gifts to take home.  For the best coffee on Samui look no further than Boy’s Organic Coffee in the fishing village of Tong Krut, you can also stock up on some delicious organic coffee from Chiang Mai.  Although many of our guests prefer to stay in the peaceful tranquillity of our bay in the South of Samui if you feel like venturing further afield there are many great restaurants on the island.

TAXI RATES FROM SAMAHITA RETREAT

+Price is subject to 7% government tax(VAT).