Chaweng, Koh Samui

Chaweng is Koh Samui's busiest beach, on the east coast, and the island's main nightlife area. It is close to the airport, which makes arrival easy. Soi Green Mango, Chaweng Beach Road and the beach clubs are all here. Most visitors who want a bar within walking distance of their room pick a hotel on or just off the beach road.

Busy and lively late. Soi Green Mango packs bars and clubs into one lane, Chaweng Beach Road keeps the main strip going, and the beach clubs draw holidaymakers and couples. It is the one place on the island where the nights run long, though it is smaller than Pattaya or Phuket.

Soi Green Mango is the closest, a lane of beer bars and clubs where the women working the bars are bar girls and the usual bar fine rules apply. It is listed with the Soi Green Mango beer bars. There is no gogo strip on the scale of Bangla Road.

Of 23 places, 14 are bars, 4 are nightclubs, 2 are markets, 1 is a beer bar, 1 is a massage listing and 1 is a mall. The clubs include Reggae Pub, Sin by Night, The Green Mango Club and Way2 club. Bars include Ark Bar Beach Club.

Chaweng is busier, with the main club lane and the beach clubs, while Lamai is quieter and has a smaller bar plaza. Chaweng is more expensive and more crowded. Choose Chaweng if you want the most bars within walking distance.

Stay in Chaweng if nightlife is your priority, because you can walk to Soi Green Mango and the beach road bars. Start with a drink at a beach bar, then move to the soi. Check your hotel's guest policy before you book.

The airport is close, so a taxi or Grab or Bolt from there is short. Within Chaweng you walk. Between beaches, use taxis or songthaews, and agree the fare first because island taxis rarely use meters. Late at night a Grab or Bolt booking is simpler than haggling with a driver who has just seen a crowd leave a club.

Resort pricing and scooters. Drinks on Chaweng Beach Road cost more than at the beer bars, so check prices before you order. Roads are hilly and accidents are common at night, so avoid riding after drinks and keep your drink in sight.