WHERE IS VIKASA RETREAT LOCATED?
Vikasa is located by the ocean side on the ring road between Lamai and Chaweng Noi beaches. Right next is Samui Cliff View Hotel, and opposite there’s a Muay Thai boxing school and Sky Gym. We are 20 minutes drive away from Koh Samui International airport, and 35 minutes drive from both Nathon and Lipa Noi ferry terminals.

WHAT WILL THE CHARGES BE FOR THE ROOM IF MY HUSBAND/WIFE/PARTNER ACCOMPANIES ME BUT IS NOT ATTENDING THE TRAINING? It depends on which room you choose to stay in. There are only a few rooms with 1 queen or king size bed and each rate is different depending on the kind of room (ocean view, garden view, standard etc…). In this situation first choose the room and then contact info@yoqi.com to make sure that this room has 2 spaces available. You will then book your room on the website and your partner’s room rate will be paid seperately, as it will not be the same price. The rate of your partner not taking the course will not include the tuition fee. Again this fee will depend on the room rate. Check with info@yoqi.com

WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE AND LEAVE? Check In Time: 2:00PM, Wednesday February 14th Check Out time: 12:00PM, Saturday February 24th

HOURS OF HOTEL OPERATION: Front Desk: 7:00AM ­- 10:00PM Life Cafe: 8:00AM -­ 10:00PM Brunch: 9:30AM -­ 11:30AM Dinner: 6:30PM ­-8:30PM

HOW DO I TRANSFER FROM AIRPORT TO HOTEL? If you require airport pickup, please send an email  stay@vikasa.com  your flight number and estimated time of arrival. Please note that we do not provide pick­up from ferry ports or piers

DO I NEED TO BRING YOGA MAT AND TOWEL?
Yoga mats and other supplies are available on the spot. Unless your yoga mat is really wicked with a Batman logo on it there’s no need to bring it along :) Daily fresh towels are also provided both in your rooms and in yoga spaces.

HOW DO I GET TO KO SAMUI?
You can get to Koh Samui International Airport via many countries.

• At least 10 daily flights from Bangkok (Bangkok Air, and Asia Airlines)

• 2 direct flights from Singapore daily (Silkair and Bangkok Air)

• 2 direct flights from Kuala Lumpur daily (Firefly and Bangkok Air)

• 1 direct flight from Penang every second day (Firefly)

• 2 direct flights from Hong Kong daily (Bangkok Air)

• See flights via Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Pattaya as these are often cheaper (Bangkok Air)

• Alternatively there’s an option to fly cheap with AirAsia from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore to Suratthani International Airport located on mainland. From where you will need to take a bus to Donsak pier, then a ferry or speedboat to Koh   Samui, and finally a taxi to Vikasa.

WHAT’S THE WEATHER LIKE?
Koh Samui climate is tropical and high in both temperature and humidity. Most people find it pleasant. The average temperature is about 30 degrees Celsius, or 86 degrees Fahrenheit. When it is getting too hot, just enter an air conditioned room and you will “recharge your batteries”. A dip in a pool can also be very refreshing. Remember to drink a lot of water so you don’t become dehydrated. You will experience “summer temperatures” here year round. On some days you might find yourself in a refreshing tropical shower for a moment. The rain showers are often short and as island’s water supplies are finite, the rain is needed and important.

WHAT DO I NEED TO TAKE WITH ME?
Let’s start with what you don’t need to bring first. There will be towels available in each room including one beach towel. We also provide with a set of shampoos and soaps that are refilled regularly. We might not have your favourite brand though! Please bring your required set of personal hygiene items but don’t worry in case you forget something. There are plenty of shops you can buy practically anything on Koh Samui. Please note that there are no hairdryers in the rooms so please bring one if necessary. A lot of comfortable clothes that is easy to wash and dry will come handy for your daily yoga practice. Otherwise you won’t actually need a lot of garment other than t-shirts and shorts, light dresses, and of course flip flops. The temperature rarely drops below 24 Celsius, or 75 Fahrenheit, even at night, so no sweaters or parkas needed. Don’t forget about sunblock and bikinis!

ARE THERE MOSQUITOES?
Vikasa premises are sprayed against mosquitos once a week, but you cannot fight nature. Just remember to close your room door during sunrise and sunset hours when the they are usually most active. Mosquito repellants are available free of charge in Vikasa and in any pharmacy or 7-11 which are many on the island.

DO I NEED TO GET A VISA TO COME TO THAILAND?
Standard tourist visa upon arrival is normally valid for 30 days upon arrival to Thailand without prior application for the most of passport holders. Please consult a Thai embassy representative in your home country just to double-check.

DO I NEED TO BRING MONEY?
Local currency in Thailand is Thai Baht. You don’t need to bring a lot of cash with you. Banking infrastructure is well developed on Koh Samui. There are safe and reliable ATMs on every corner that accept all types of cards, VISA and Mastercard preferred. You can also exchange your home currency at any bank easily. There is an ATM on Vikasa premises as well.

CAN I BUY EVERYTHING IN KOH SAMUI?
Prices on your typical groceries including tropical fruits are most likely to be lot cheaper than back home. There are 7/11s and Family Marts that are open 24 hours on every corner in Koh Samui. Sometimes 2 or 3 on one corner! There’s also an awesome open-air shopping mall Central Festival where you can buy anything from beach clothes to electronics and cameras. It is located 15 minutes’ drive from Vikasa. Not to mention plenty of cute little shops along Chaweng and Lamai beaches, which are the two busiest areas in Koh Samui just 10 minutes’ drive from Vikasa. Finally, each Friday there’s a laid-back night market in Fisherman’s Village that is an absolute must visit.

IS IT SAFE?
Absolutely. Koh Samui is a safe place in general, and Vikasa in particular. This is a very popular upscale tourist destination, and also an island, so you do not need to worry about safety away from home. Vikasa will be like home, the staff are very helpful and warm, and also students become like a family. As in any country, we do recommend being very careful if you go to nightclubs or bars.

HOW ABOUT INTERNET AND LOCAL MOBILE?
You can easily acquire prepaid local SIM card at any 7-11 or Family mart. We recommend “AIS One-Two-Call” or “DTAC Happy”. All SIM cards are 4G ready allowing you to browse Internet at very reasonable speed and rates. Don’t forget that there’s a free WiFi throughout Vikasa resort.

WHAT ABOUT LAUNDRY?
Laundry service is outsourced with a next day delivery in most of the cases. Rates for doing laundry are very cheap so don’t worry about maintaining your hygiene requirements. However as we are using outside service providers please try to avoid bringing expensive clothes just to be on a safe side !