Koh Samui districts: the best places to live in 2026
The most popular areas for expats in Koh Samui are located in the north and east of the island, where there are many international schools, hospitals, and private clinics. This part of the island is considered the most touristic due to its numerous attractions, developed infrastructure, and luxury hotels.
The administrative centre of the island is in the western part of Koh Samui, where most locals prefer to settle. There is also a small port and a state hospital here. The southern part of Koh Samui is favoured by those who want to escape civilization and enjoy solitude on wild beaches.
District | Investment Potential | Tourism Potential |
Mae Nam | Attractive for family buyers and long-term tenants, stable price growth | Quiet area with greenery, wide beaches, and a secluded atmosphere |
Bo Phut | Promising for short-term rentals, well-developed infrastructure, cultural value | Atmospheric area with markets, restaurants, and shows; popular with families and couples |
Maret | Developing as a mid-range housing area, appealing for land purchase and construction | Adjacent to Lamai, close to the beach and mountains, quiet and green |
Na Muang | Infrastructure development, availability of large plots, prospects for developers and eco-projects | Known for waterfalls and nature trails, popular among active tourists and on excursions |
Taling Ngam | Premium leisure area, attractive for wellness investors, plots with sunset views | One of the most secluded areas of Samui: stunning sunsets, jungle, luxury resorts |
Ang Thong | Low building density, interesting for long-term investments, good land plots | Close to Nathon, fewer tourists, natural scenery and tranquility |
Lipa Noi | Popular with family buyers and renters, premium beachfront villas available | Beach with shallow entry, few people, ideal for secluded family holidays |
Maenam District
Maenam is ideal for those who appreciate comfortable, secluded living with well-developed infrastructure, although it is far from the island’s main tourist attractions. There are 2 large beaches in the area, Maenam and Bang Po, and several luxury five-star hotels, including Four Seasons. In the central part of the island there are hiking trails with observation decks, a water park and an elephant farm.
A night market is open in the Maenam Soi area in the evenings. Nearby there is the international school Oonrak Bilingual School.
From $445,000
Yield 13.0% Built in 2024
From $242,000
Total of 54 apartments
From $746,000
Built in 2024 11 units in total
$820,000
Total area 554 m² 4 bedrooms
$542,000
Total area 357 m² 3 bedrooms
$373,000
Total area 185 m² Land area: 784 m²
$403,000
Total area 287 m² Land area: 370 m²
Bo Phut district
Bo Phut is a large area in the northeast of Koh Samui. It includes Bo Phut Beach, Chaweng, Coral Cove, Bang Rak, Choeng Mon, and others.
The area is considered the tourist centre of the island. Koh Samui Airport is located there, several piers from which ferries depart to nearby islands, the statue of the Great Buddha, and the Wat Plai Laem Temple Park.
Bo Phut has several hospitals and clinics with world-class services, as well as international schools like the International School of Samui (ISS) and PBISS, the British International School of Samui. It also features the largest number of luxury five-star hotels with private beaches and an elephant farm.
$650,000
Land area: 2,912 m² 3 bedrooms
$925,000
Total area 308 m² 5 bedrooms
$1,342,000
Total area 560 m² Land area: 1,491 m²
$492,000
Total area 280 m² 3 bedrooms
$1,342,000
Total area 800 m² Land area: 2,300 m²
$1,939,000
Total area 550 m² 5 bedrooms
$462,000
Total area 253 m² Land area: 309 m²
Maret district
Maret is one of the most popular areas for tourists and expats to stay in. It is located in the southeast of Koh Samui and includes the beaches of Lamai and Crystal Bay — lagoons with picturesque boulders and palm groves that are popular with photographers. In Maret, you’ll find the Overlap Stone viewpoint, several markets, a tiger farm, and an aquarium.
The area is attractive for expats from other countries due to the presence of international schools Lamai International School (LIS) and Windfield International School (WIS).
From $343,000
Built in 2025 9 units in total
$187,000
Total area 136 m² 2 bedrooms
$179,000
Total area 115 m² 2 bedrooms
$209,000
Total area 120 m² 2 bedrooms
$194,000
Total area 145 m² 2 bedrooms
$176,000
Total area 105 m² 2 bedrooms
$206,000
Total area 105 m² 2 bedrooms
Na Muang district
Na Muang includes the central and southern parts of the island near Bang Kao Beach. This area is relatively underdeveloped in terms of tourist infrastructure and is better suited for those who prefer a secluded vacation surrounded by tropical nature.
In the area of Na Muang there are several waterfalls, an elephant farm, a cobra farm, and in the mountainous part there is a park «Magical Garden of the Buddha» and several camping sites.
Taling Ngam district
It is located in the southwest of the island and is the most non-tourist area of Koh Samui. Most of this district is away from the road and consists of tropical mountain forests and wild beaches. There are many Buddhist temples here, as well as a coconut farm, Phang Ka Beach, and several five-star hotels.
Ang Thong district
The area includes a small part of Koh Samui in the northwest in the vicinity of Naton Town, as well as several islands included in the Ang Thong National Marine Park. Ang Thong includes Nathon Beach and Bang Makham, and the coast is characterised by a high degree of urbanisation: there is a public hospital and other administrative institutions, the main pier of the island and a night market.
$697,000
Total area 320 m² Land area: 700 m²
$2,724,000
Land area: 1,980 m² 3 bedrooms
$955,000
Total area 350 m² 5 bedrooms
$746,000
Total area 350 m² 4 bedrooms
$13,398,000
Total area 2,994 m² Land area: 3,772 m²
$12,302,000
Total area 2,749 m² Land area: 5,751 m²
$1,760,000
Total area 623 m² 4 bedrooms
Lipa Noi district
Located in the east of the island. The area features Lipa Noi Beach, the Koh Samui Cultural Center, several waterfalls, and the Paradise Park animal farm. Numerous mid-range hotels are located along the coast.
Lipa Noi also hosts Greenacre International School (GIS), making it especially attractive for expats.
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