Visit Mae Nam Koh Samui's Laidback Beach Escape

If your idea of paradise is relaxing on crescent white sand beaches, swimming in turquoise waters with palm trees swaying in the wind as you sip on a fresh coconut, look no further! Mae Nam has a stunning seven-kilometre long beach facing Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand and is the perfect place for a tranquil beach escape.

Mae Nam is considered the last backpacker haven on Koh Samui and accommodates travellers of all kinds, including those on a budget. The atmosphere is relaxed and laid back and still has an authentic, local village feel. Spend your days relaxing on the beach, swimming or indulging in a spa treatment. Eat your way around the world in restaurants specializing in different cuisines or stay with your favourite Thai specialities. Explore the island or simply unwind and relax on your island sanctuary.

How to get there

The most convenient way to get to Koh Samui is via a direct flight from Bangkok or elsewhere in Thailand, this is also the most expensive option as Bangkok Airways own the airport and charge a premium. The cheaper option is to fly to Surat Thani and then travel by Lomprayah bus and ferry company (roughly a two-hour journey) to Koh Samui.

Most of Mae Nam’s dining options are located directly on the ‘walking street.’ On offer is a huge range of international cuisines including, Japanese, Korean, Mexican, French, Austrian, Bavarian and more! There are also a few local joints cooking up delicious local Thai specialities at very affordable prices. A meal for three including non-alcoholic drinks and a huge sweet and sour flavoured fried fish will cost you roughly 360 Thai baht ($10.80 USD).

Accommodation

Numerous accommodation options are available on Mae Nam from cheap fanned bungalows to high-end luxury resorts. If you are travelling with family or friends it might be worthwhile considering renting a villa on Airbnb. You’ll be surprised at how far your money can take you and will likely be cheaper than booking individual hotel rooms.

Getting about

If you plan to explore the rest of the island your best option is to hire a motorbike for roughly 200 Thai baht ($6 USD) per day. Taxis can be very expensive, yet the allure of travelling in an air-conditioned car can win over the most discerning traveller. Taxi fares are negotiable so make sure to try your bargaining skills.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.