Visiting Koh Samui: How to Save Money

You don't have to spend a fortune to have a great time in Samui

You need not blow away your lifetime savings when visiting the ShaSa Resort in Koh Samui. Some sensible budgeting will help you to enjoy this popular destination’s pristine beaches and experience the quaint Thai culture without costing you an arm and a leg. Here are a few tips on how to save money in a trip to Koh Samui:

Manage travel funds well

Determine the bank fees which you may be charged if you use your bank ATM card during your trip. The bank fees imposed on such transactions are often substantial, and it could be a more cost-effective alternative to go for travelers checks instead.

Cut corners on local transportation

It is definitely more convenient and faster to fly in from Bangkok to Koh Samui. However, the air fare can be prohibitive for tourists on a limited budget. The less expensive choice is to use a combination of overland and sea travel facilities to the island. Bus and rail transports are available in Bangkok to the jump-off ports to Koh Samui. Going by these transport modes, you can choose from first-class or economy choices, which can further reduce the amount of money you’ll spend on a holiday on the island. Moreover, the land-sea trip itself can serve as a highlight to vacationing in Koh Samui.

Choose the beach resorts

Great value can be found in lodging and accommodations at Koh Samui beach resorts, and their rates are very reasonable. You can even opt for the less expensive non-aircon rooms in some of these establishments. The tropical climate in the island is surely warm, but with a choice of a room with good ventilation and a fan, a cool and comfortable stay can be assured. The ShaSa resort is great place to stay if you want have a relaxing stay in Koh Samui, 

Be sensible on travel accessories

Don’t invest in costly hiking boots; light and inexpensive footwear will do for your Koh Samui visit. Also, go digital in documenting your island vacation. Films and color slides are more expensive to process. Likewise, forego sleeping bags if you intend to have some overnight outdoor activities in your visit. Join organized treks or tours which already provide the equipment, such as tents, sheets, and beddings for such activity. 

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Ten Reasons to Do a Koh Samui Adventure Tour

Many adventure tours include snorkelling and gorgeous fish

1. Adventure tours abound now. Travel agencies have long recognized the income-generating potential of serving the niche for travelers who would want to go off the beaten path. This is why ecotourism has become increasingly popular in recent years in popular destinations like Koh Samui.

2. Opportunities open on meeting “cool” people in adventure tours.  Most of those who join an organized tour to rarely visited or exotic places have a bent toward environmental conservation and similar advocacies. Being in the company of like-minded souls is one sure way to enjoy a holiday or vacation.

3. Conscientious pre-planning goes into an organized tour. Adventure tour operators have already established specific protocols to ensure an enjoyable experience in various travel destinations. They already have a network on the ground which can facilitate arrangements for such things as wilderness guides and the right equipment for an offbeat travel destination.

4. There’s an advantage in numbers. Going on an adventure trip with a group is definitely a money and time-saver. For example, local transportation facilities can be procured faster and more economically by a travelling group compared to individuals going on their own.

5. Insurance coverage provides a safety net. Adventure tour operators generally build their clientele by providing sufficient insurance on their operations. A fully insured and bonded operator can fulfill its contractual obligations with its clients even if it meets some unexpected financial difficulties.

6. Group tours provide budget options. Established operators often offer several travel packages tailor-fit to budget-conscious adventure travelers. 

7. Local knowledge comes with a group tour. Language barriers are easily hurdled as guides can also act as translators.

 8. Adventure tour operators help create a unique experience for their clients. Additionally, they strive to differentiate their services from competitors.

9. There’s the thrill of discovery in adventure tours. Travel operators such as ShaSa Resort are a potent resource for less-known places to visit and enjoy, destinations which an individual traveler would find difficulty finding on their own.

10. Adventure tours can be inexpensive. Upfront price quotes can be discouraging, but in the long run, these tours are economical with the time saved in terms of preparation and the items already covered in a package, such as local transportation, guide, equipment, food, and accommodations.

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Staying Safe in Koh Samui

Helicopter view of Koh samui

One of the main reasons why ShaSa Resort in Koh Samui has continued to draw visitors is because the island is an extremely safe tourist destination, just like other major travel hubs in Thailand. Tourism contributes a significant portion of Samui’s economy, and hence, local authorities have instituted the necessary measures to see to it that untoward incidents involving those visiting the island are avoided as much as possible.

Nevertheless, it is also advisable for tourists to take some precautions in order to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit to Koh Samui. Its alluring locale of pristine beaches, for one, can be a distraction to those who became oblivious to their risks, which can be, encountered anywhere else.

Some lifestyle perils

Alcohol intake can be an issue for those seeking the many pleasures of available on Koh Samui. Being drunk or having a drink too many can be an invitation to disaster if it’s mixed with swimming, diving, or parasailing. Assaults on tourists in the island are rare and isolated cases, but being under the influence of liquor can certainly make you more of a target. This is especially so during the wee hours of the day, or when driving around motorbikes which are so popular in Koh Samui.

Drug abuse is another potential holiday spoiler. As in most Asian countries, the laws on regulated drugs, including marijuana, are very strict in Thailand. Getting high while partaking of the leisure opportunities in Koh Samui could turn into an unsavory adventure that is to be regretted later.

Plain common sense is the key

Food and non-alcoholic beverages are less worrisome. It is only those visitors whose digestive systems aren’t conditioned to intake of spicy Asian foods who should be wary of the local cuisine. They should go easy first on such local delicacies, which can upset not only their stomachs but also can alter their travel itinerary due to health issues. Sticking to bottled water intake is also wise, as local tap water can be suspect, especially outside of the upscale hotel facilities.

A common-sense approach can easily resolve other safety and security concerns in a stay at Koh Samui. Among these are securing personal belongings while in transit which are safer with government-run buses plying the route from Bangkok to jump-off points to the island. Wearing flashy jewelries and flaunting expensive gadgets are to be avoided, precautions that should also be part of safe daily living.

Tips to Enjoy a Great Holiday in Thailand

Update on the Local Scene

Get the most out of your trip to ShaSa Resort by keeping up to date with what makes it hot as a travel destination. Tourist guide books and similar literature can sure help first-time visitors acquire basic information about the country and its tourist attractions.  However, be sure to include as a reference in your info-gathering Thai newspapers and magazines, some of which are accessible online. These sources of current events can further help you plan out a Thai trip.

Employ the Phrasebook’s Magic

Going around Thailand can be a more enriching experience with some mastery of useful phrases in the Thai language. These are helpful not only in asking for directions or instructing drivers to your destination. Knowing some key phrases can also be of use as you shop around for bargains around Koh Samui's popular markets. With recent advances in technology, hard-copy phrasebooks may now even be dispensed with. Easy-to use apps for mobile phones are now widely available to fast-track learning Thai as well as other languages.  

Keep your options open

Don’t keep a rigid itinerary in planning a vacation in Thailand, where activities can be dynamic particularly at its urban centers. Allow for some flexibility to go to points of interest which can crop up as you discover more of what this country has to offer. Remember, the best of vacations are often woven around a few surprises here and there.

Gear up for the tropics

One big plus point in visiting Thailand is that you can afford to travel light. Necessarily, the apparel and accessories you’ll need should be suitable for a warm climate and therefore not as bulky as when going to tourist destinations in temperate countries. Light cotton clothing is a smart choice, and should you need some fashionable clothes, there are lots of shops and boutiques in Thailand where prices are quite reasonable.

Don’t fret about reservations

Thailand is a joy to visit, especially for budget travelers. You don't have to worry too much about finding a hotel room prior to arrival. Finding a place to stay is not a big issue as many hotel rooms are readily available for walk-in guests. The exception of course is during peak season at heavily visited tourist attractions where lodging reservations would be advantageous. ShaSa Resort gets booked up very quickly, so be sure to make a reservation to ensure that you can get a room. 

Beaches for Everyone at Koh Samui

Samui has tons of beaches for everyone

Droves of tourists, both foreign and local, visit ShaSa Resort each year, mainly because it is a beach-lovers paradise. Its numerous bays and coves are host to expansive beaches, each offering quaint attractions of their own suited to the varying inclinations of island visitors.  

Expats and foreign guests are drawn more toward the Choeng Mon area which has several small but cozy and protected bays blessed with very clean beaches and clear waters. Some of the upscale resorts on Samui are also found here, along with a good number of excellent restaurants.

Among Thai families, the popular choice would be Bang Rak Beach. Its shallow and calm waters are relatively safe for children. At the same time, its sandy shoreline can yield some succulent clams as an add-on for lunch or dinner.

Expect bigger crowds at Chaweng Beach on the east coast of Samui. Besides having white sand and clear offshore waters, it also boasts of having the longest stretch of beach on the island. Swimming is by no means the only water-based activity which can be enjoyed at Chaweng Beach. Like most of the main beach attractions on Samui, it has facilities for kayaking, stand-up paddling, kite surfing, and even jet skiing. 

For backpackers, the destination is typically the western end of Bophut Beacn and Mae Nam Beach which is also a good option for family outings. These two beaches are flanked by Samui’s high-end villas and resorts, and hence, are less crowded than Chaweng.

Those who enjoy some quiet and contemplation have also a choice in Lamai Beach. The sand here may not be as white as in Chaweng, but it also features an extensive beach and calm waters. Some choice beach spots away from the crowds can likewise be found moving south from Chaweng.

One superb choice would be Thong Ta Kien, and the long stretch of Lamai beach is another.  Less frequented too are Bang Kao and Hua Thanon on the south coast, as at low tide, mudflats are the dominant features of this pair of beaches. Equally quieter locales can be had at the beaches of Taling Ngam, Ban Tai, and Thong Yang.

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