Food:

Food is fresh and healthy on Koh Phangan, with increasing choices of not only Thai meals at restaurants, but also Indian, Israeli, Italian, and other international cuisines, as well as vegan and organic options. Food costs are increasing, however, on trend with global oil price hikes. If you plan to eat out all of your meals, budget to spend approximately 200-500 Baht per day depending on your appetite (€4-11). If you will prepare some of your own food with a rice cooker, gas, or simply eat fruit, muesli, salads, etc., you may dramatically reduce this cost.

Some restaurants we recommend:
In Thongsala: Pizza Chiara, A’s Café, Don Danielito, Khun-pen
At Ao Hin Kong: Ananda Yoga Resort, Silent Garden
At Haad Chaophao / Haad Yao: Jungle Hut, Village Green, Big Mountain, Khao Kheuw, Tantawan
In Haad Rin: Om Ganesh, plus many Israeli, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, and other restaurants

Accommodation:

Housing and resort construction is rampant on our side of Koh Phangan. This has the effect of greater selection for renters and increased competition among resort owners, but also tends to raise the bottom line of rental price indexing. Availability and good timing are the keys here: around the Full Moon Party rooms become more scarce and expensive. You can rent a bungalow on average for from 100-1,000 Baht (daily rate: €2-21) to 3,000-15,000 (monthly rate: €65-$325). The higher ends represent an elevated level of "luxury": tiled floors, hot water, air conditioning, kitchen amenities, etc. Low end signifies a simple older bamboo bungalow with attached bath.

If you are lucky, you may also find a house with bath and kitchen in the range of 300-1,500 Baht (daily: €6.50-32) or 4,000-15,000 Baht (monthly: €84-325). A house is ideal for couples, families, or those wanting more privacy and quiet.

Some bungalow resorts we recommend:
At Ao Hin Kong: Ananda Yoga Resort
At Haad Chaophao / Seetanu: Bovy Resort, Jungle Hut, Hut Sun, Great Bay, Seaflower, Seaview Rainbow, Lakeside Resort, Rock Garden, Khao Kheuw, Big Mountain

Local Transportation:
It is easy to get around by taxi; wait 5-15 minutes and one should pass in either direction. Shared taxi to Thongsala is 50-80 Baht (€1-1.75); the fare should be 20-30 Baht less for shorter rides within this range of distance. You can also rent a scooter for 150 Baht daily (€3) or 2,200-2,500 monthly (€47-54, range reflecting the age of the scooter). Try Bovy, Ananda Yoga Resort, Big Mountain, or Great Bay for a good scooter. You may also choose to rent or buy a bicycle to get around: renting may fall in the range of 1,000-1,500 Baht (€21-32) / month; Ananda offers bicycles for rent for 1,200 Baht per month (€26). You may also buy one at Tesco Lotus (supermarket chain on Koh Samui or in Surat Thani) for 3,000-5,000 Baht (€65-108).