KOH SAMUI in 2024 (Is it expensive? What to do? Best places to stay?)

What is Koh Samui like in 2024? Is it overrated? What is the cost? Is it expensive? Is it worth visiting? What is the best area to stay in?

In this video I'll share my first impressions after my second visit here and more recently spending 1 month here.

Best things to do in Koh Samui, best places to stay, best areas, nightlife, food & drinks, best beaches, we check it all in this video.

[Shdana]

Great video, mate. Solid info and honest. I'm heading over for about a month soon and am very much looking forward to it 🙌

[joe-cyol]

Wow, cool...my wife and I (we're in our mid 50's) just got back from Koh Samui 3rd September. For us, we love it, this was our 4th trip to Koh Samui, our last trip was Feb 2020, so some things had definitely changed. We keep saying that we should try somewhere different in Thailand, but we just love the ease and familiarity of Samui. I know everyone's opinion will differ on that, but we come out from NZ and find that our $$ go a lot further than back here in New Zealand and don't feel that anything is too expensive at all (such a rip off here in NZ) so you getting heat below in a comment about the scooter hire price in my opinion is unwarranted...compared to NZ $$ and for what you're hiring, it's a fair deal. We're planning on a longer stay next year (4 weeks) to see how we'd fit in for retiring or just spending 3 months/year (NZ winters) there. Good vid mate.

[prussell]

Good honest opinion, we visited in 2014, 19, big difference in prices, for us it’s lost its appeal, prices now similar to UK doesn’t help, we have since been to Cambodia, Vietnam, far cheaper, love the people in South East Asia 😎👍

[northshoreplaid]

Another well put together video Josh..Thank you!

[drewcorry]

I am absolutely shocked on how many people still overpay on hotels. Excellent all around

[Mary-AnnMcGowan-lxen]

You nailed it! Fair and accurate. Really enjoyed. We're in our 60s and enjoying living on west coast. With best wishes on your travels.

[mark_______]

Nice work Josh. Always found Samui the most expensive outside of say Mai, Rai, Phuket. Air fare, local taxis, it always felt like entrapment, with no other options (have done the ferry's, buses, trains, never did the bikes...older now, just wanna get there). What I love about Samui was it really felt like I'd been on an island, away from mainland hustle n bustle which I also love. Lamai / Chaweng beaches, beautiful clear water. Loved conversing with the locals and coming out of covid, last visit, Aug '22., I felt lucky enough to "just be" and feel the Samui love / vibe. Not a cheap place, yet if you get the chance to come, absolutely. Nice work again. Cheers mate. 🙏

[Kristian.A.E]

Great tip about the scoother, def going to check that out when we get there i feb. Going to be staying in lamai, but traning in chaweng. So a nice scooter will be great! Thanks mate.

[Kristian.A.E]

Regarding Samui, we stay at Lamai and always come back. We’ve been to Koh Chang, Koh Tao, Hua Hin, Ao Nang, Railay, Koh Lanta, and Rayong. I guess it depends on what you like and what you’re looking for. I agree it is a bit more expensive, but it is also much easier to get that tropical island feeling without having to travel too far from Bangkok. However, the flight prices are getting ridiculous. When traveling with kids, I prefer this place much more than Phuket.

[garyz]

An epic place to stay is Skye Beach. I've stayed there twice and am already booked to stay there again in Jan 2025. Expensive yes, but the place is beautiful and super quiet.

[americaninchina]

Well done buddy! This vid should do quite well as it’s a good overview of Samui. Anyone planning a trip to Samui should have a watch.

[paulbarrett]

great video just stayed there 5 days chawang beach, so many restaurants but short on decent bars Ark beach resort is a must visit on an evening for the music and beach party, i didnt rent a scooter out due to the traffic and quality of the scooters available so didnt see as much of the island as i would of liked, i would definetely use the hire place you mentioned next time, the weather was amazing btw so much better than koh larne and samed

[KeithBrockwell]

I first went to Samui in 1998 and boy was it different then!!!! thats when I fell in love with the island (been loads of times since) but my last trip May 2024 was still great but i have to agree with you, id love to retire there in May (only 54 now ) BUT its just a little more expensive say than the dark side Pattaya,
BUT saying that i found a room on the beach for £11 a night right next to Ark bar so bargins can be had (the ark bar i remembered was a little shack on the beach!!!) back in the day

[kevd]

Really helpful. I was thinking of retiring there but your comments have had me thinking!

Like you I would like a place that has all amenities relatively close.

Where is your ideal place in Thailand based on your experience so far?

[stephenhall]

back in the day 25 years ago it was awesome for a about 6 years

[ThomasBauch-dq]

Koh Samui is a so much cleaner Place than other Areas of the Country, i am suprised !.

[JohnPadgett]

We visited Crystal Bay last year and it was covered in trash. Both on the beach and in the sea. It was after a couple of stormy days, so this may have been the reason but we were so disappointed.

[chrishammond]

Josh

Lived in issan for four years visiting sumui for a, month every year,
One month bungalow rental 6000 baht not brilliant but just a place to sleep, bike rental 3000 baht for the month you're right at that price they have seen there better days
I'm a cheap charlie and living in sumui for a month on 25, 000/30, 000 baht

[JohnwilliamsWilliams-pg]

Hi just subed were would you recommend the most u have been to

[Zerinth]

nice vid 😀 can i ask what camera you're using? Really excellent quality