One great thing about holidaying in Thailand is that you can enjoy a wonderful island stay even on a small budget. With the blue sky above you, tropical weather, palm trees and beautiful beaches, your trip to Ko Samui in the south of Thailand is already exotic as can be. The Thai culture is intriguing, the temples are imposing and the authentic Thai food is absolutely delicious. What more could you possibly need for an amazing stay on Ko Samui Island? Here are some money saving tips for your holiday to Samui:
- Go local
The real, authentic Thai food isn’t served at high-end restaurants at all, it is found on the street at local eating stalls and on traditional night markets. So there, if you decide to go local when it comes down to food, you will not only be saving thousands of Thai Baht on your holiday budget you will also get to most delicious, most authentic food there is. Who can resist a good traditional Pad Thai sprinkled with crushed peanuts, freshly caught seafood, hot steaming Tom Yum soup and sticky rice with mango for dessert? Thai food is amazingly delicious, ruled by spices, herbs and chili peppers. The more local you go, the better the food gets!
- Free attractions
Some of the most amazing cultural landmarks of Thailand are free to enter such as the Big Buddha in Bophut. This golden Buddha statue catches your eye from afar as it towers 18 meters up in the air, sparkling in the shimmering sunlight. Apart from the temples, you can also visit the islands natural highlights such as the beautiful, tranquil waterfalls of Namuang and Hin Lad. Bring your bathers if you want to dip into the refreshing spring waters at the foot of these falls.
- Spend long lazy days at the beach
Some of the best things in life come for free. The beach is probably one of the main reasons why you travelled all the way to exotic Thailand and hanging out at the beautiful bays and beaches of Ko Samui is a 100% free. So, make the most out of this gift of nature and find yourself some awesome island accommodation near the beach. This way, you can walk to the beach every day to see swim, tan, relax and watch the sunset. A private villa near the beach on the tranquil west coast of Samui Island can be as cheap as USD $88 a night.
- Draw large amounts at the ATM
The Thai ATMs are not the most budget-friendly. In fact, with every withdrawal, the machine adds an extra 150 – 200 Baht to your bill (on top of the fee your own bank charges). It is a total rip-off but unfortunately, there is not a darn thing you can do about it. The wisest thing to do it to draw a large amount of money in one go so you won’t have to use the ATM too often.
- Get yourself around
Don’t lose your money to expensive taxis. Instead, rent your own motorbike. It is not only cheap but it also gives you the freedom to go wherever you want to go, when you want to go. Daily scooter rentals are available at 250 Bath but it gets even cheaper if you rent the bike for a week or a month. Driving a motorbike on Ko Samui Island is cheap and fun and it is the best way to explore all of the island and seeing all of its highlights.
Written by Stephanie – Villa-Finder.com