Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Koh Lanta, Thailand

Koh Lanta is exactly what comes to mind when I think of having a Thai vacation.  With white sand beaches, clear blue waters, and so few tourists; Koh Lanta has seemed to maintain its small island charm and cheap prices despite its neighbors getting more and more crowded and commercialized.  In Koh Lanta you can still rent a motorbike for $5 and drive the entirety of the island.  Stopping when you need to cool off in the ocean, or grab delicious Thai food from one of the many roadside restaurants.  It’s an island where restaurants are on the beach, you eat with your toes in the sand, and an entire fresh caught fish costs just $8.

I’ve traveled extensively through Thailand and I can say with certainty that not only is Koh Lanta my favorite find in Thailand, but there’s truly magic on those beaches, in the eyes of the locals, and in the ocean waves.  This is everything you need to know about visiting Koh Lanta, Thailand.

 

Is Koh Lanta Worth Visiting?

If you’re looking for a small, quiet, island vibe – then yes, Koh Lanta is absolutely worth visiting.  While Koh Lanta’s neighbors have seen an influx in tourists, Koh Lanta itself has still managed to maintain its small-time island charm.  The island is beautiful, affordable, and peaceful.  If you’re primarily looking to come to Thailand to party or for luxury, I would skip Koh Lanta.  But if you’re coming for a local feel, beauty, and peace, Koh Lanta is for you.

 

If you’re trying to decide where to visit in Southern Thailand, don’t miss:

• What You Need to Know About Visiting Khao Lak
• The Ultimate Guide to Phuket, Thailand

 

Where is Koh Lanta?

Located in the Andaman Sea, Koh Lanta is part of the Krabi Province on the western side of Thailand.  Koh Lanta is an island, however, it’s close to mainland Thailand so you’re able to drive to Koh Lanta from the Krabi Province (you’ll drive your boat onto a ferry to get to the island).  Or you can reach Koh Lanta by boat from many other islands in Thailand including the Phi Phi Islands and Phuket.

 

How to Get to Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is located right off of mainland Thailand so it’s pretty easy to get to!  To start, depending on where you’re coming from, your best bet is to fly to Krabi and take a bus from the airport to the island.  You can book a bus directly from the Krabi airport to the Koh Lanta on 12Go and the drive is only about 1.5 hours.  (You can also fly to Phuket and take a 5-hour bus ride to the island or take a 3 hour ferry to the island).

If you’re traveling to Koh Lanta from another island in Thailand, you can book a ferry using 12Go.

 

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR THAILAND

If you’re planning on visiting Koh Lanta, I highly recommend protecting your trip with travel insurance in case anything were to go wrong.  (You can ready why here and here).  When I traveled to Thailand I used SafetyWing to cover both medical emergencies and travel mishaps like lost luggage, travel delays, hospital stays, emergency evacuations, etc.  As a former nurse, knowing I had insurance while traveling halfway across the world really helped put my mind at ease.

 

GET YOUR TRAVEL, MEDICAL INSURANCE HERE!

 

When to Visit Koh Lanta

Tourist season in Koh Lanta is brief, only lasting from December-March.  While the island is crowded during this time, and prices increase, the weather is the best.

Rainy season in Koh Lanta is from June-September so while you’re bound to experience rainfall, the island never fully shuts down.  If you want to visit when prices are cheapest, June-September would be ideal.

Year round, the average temperature in Koh Lanta ranges from high 70s to high 80s F.

 

Please note:  Koh Lanta doesn’t ever fully shut down during low season, but some hotels and restaurants close their doors at this time.  For this reason, some of the places I listed in this post might be closed if you’re not visiting during high season (December-March).

 

How Long to Stay in Koh Lanta

To see the entirety of the island, you only need a couple of days (the island is only 16 miles long and 3.7 miles wide so it’s quite small).  However, I would argue that Koh Lanta is the perfect place to unwind, relax, and spend more time than needed.  Personally, I would recommend staying on the island for four days.  That gives you two days to explore and two days to relax.

 

Where to Stay in Koh Lanta

There are tons of great hotels and hostels to stay at in Koh Lanta from the north to the south.  Personally, I would recommend staying on the west coast, in the middle of the island.  The north is near the pier and is crowded with shops and people; and further south lands you near one of the most famous beaches on the island, which also draws a lot of tourists.  Because it’s so easy and affordable to rent a motorbike in Koh Lanta, I recommend the middle of the island, on the west coast.  It’s much quieter here but you can easily walk to the beach, the beaches are more secluded, and you can take a motorbike out when you want some more people around.

Another recommendation I’d have would be to stay in Lanta Old Town.  This area is less beachy but does have tons of bars, restaurants, and shops if that’s more your scene.

When I visited Koh Lanta I stayed at Lanta Thip House and loved it so much I extended my stay 5 nights.  The rooms are affordable, comfortable, and the owner of the hotel is so incredibly kind.  In 5 minutes you can walk to the beach (with a beach bar), and within 5 minutes you can ride a motorbike to a number of bars and restaurants on the island.

Here are some more hotels I’d recommend on the island…

• Rawi Warin Resort & Spa – 5*
• Lanta Casa Blanca – 4*
• Treeya Lanta – 4*
• The Lazy Lodge – 3*

 

BOOK YOUR STAY IN KOH LANTA HERE!

 

Best Things to do in Koh Lanta

Below, you’ll find my favorite things to do on the island!

 

RENT A MOTORBIKE

My favorite thing to do in Koh Lanta was just to rent a motorbike and explore.  As of 2023, motorbike rentals cost around 200 Baht for 24-hours and you can get gas all around the island for 40 Baht/bottle.  You can also get gas at one of the stations for a bit cheaper, but in areas when there isn’t as much around, conveniently, there is always somewhere to buy a bottle from a local.

 

CATCH THE SUNSET

The sunsets in Thailand are just magical and on Koh Lanta, it’s no exception.  The sun rises on the east and sets in the west so you’ll want to head west to experience this magical time in the evening.  My favorite place to watch sunset is from Coco Tango, and if you don’t want to sit at a table, you can get drinks and walk down to the beach.

 

GET OUT ON THE WATER

There’s no better way to spend the day in Thailand than a day on the water.  And in the case of Koh Lanta, there are so many great islands nearby that you can visit!  Here are three tours I recommend when you’re visiting Koh Lanta…

• 4 Islands and Emerald Cave Tour by Long-Tail Boat
• Adventure Sea Tour to Koh Rok and Koh Haa
• Romantic Sunrise by Gondola

 

VISIT LANTA OLD TOWN

On the east coast of Koh Lanta you’ll find Lanta Old Town.  A charming, town with shops, bars, and restaurants.  I would recommend heading here for half a day to walk around and explore.  Its a very quaint area!

 

BEACH HOP

Of course, you can’t visit the island and not expect to spend one day beach hopping.  You’ll find my favorite beaches below, but I recommend starting in the north (or the south) and heading the opposite direction.  Staying on the west coast, you’ll hit all of my favorite beaches!

 

Best Beaches in Koh Lanta

Having spent nearly two weeks in Koh Lanta, I made sure to visit a majority of the beaches.  Below you’ll find my top recommendations and details about each one.  Also, some of these aren’t “beaches” but by putting these names in your maps, they’ll lead you to a beach area.

 

ELI’S HOLE – Perfect for Privacy

This is not the name of the beach, but as far as I can tell, the beach doesn’t have a name.  Located between Coco Tango and Shanti Beach House, you’ll find an area where you can park and walk down to the beach.  Every time I went or drove by there was almost nobody around so its a perfect spot if you want some privacy.  It is where the fisherman keep their boats, so at times you’ll see locals coming and going.  However, the boats make for a nice backdrop as you swim.

Lastly, this beach can be rocky depending on whether its high tide or low tide, so I would bring water shoes with you just to be safe.

 

KANTIANG BAY – Popular beach, perfect for being around others

Kantiang Bay is perhaps the most popular and well-known beach on the island.  A French TV show was filmed here, called Koh Lanta, and it’s a version of Survivor in the US.  Because of this, the beach attracts a lot of visitors (and a lot of French visitors).  Its probably the most beautiful beach in Koh Lanta with white sand beach and crystal waters, but because of the crowds the nearby restaurants have really jacked up their prices making it not as affordable as elsewhere on the island.

 

KLONG KHONG BEACH – Perfect for chill beach vibes

In my opinion, Klong Khong Beach is a perfect mix of beauty and also chill.  It isn’t as popular as Kantiang Bay, but it isn’t as quiet as Laem Koh Kwang Beach or the beach near “Eli’s Hole”.  To take it a step further, I would recommend heading to Krit Friendly Bar & Diner (towards the southern end of the beach) and post up there for the day.  Depending on the tide, the beach can be rocky (so bring water shoes) but even when it’s low tide, I love this area.  Here you can get incredible massages on the beach for 300 Baht, get great food at the restaurant, and hang out under the umbrellas on one of the beach chairs Krit has set out.  (Krit’s is closed during low season).

 

LAEM KHO KWANG BEACH – Idyllic, big beach

In the north of the island, on the west coast, you’ll find Laem Kho Kwang Beach.  This is a great spot if you want something quiet with the option of bars and restaurants around.  It’s much less crowded than some of the other beaches and is very big so even if there are people around, you can definitely find a secluded spot.

 

The Best Bars & Restaurants in Koh Lanta

Just like I did my research on the best beaches in Koh Lanta, I also did my research on the best bars and restaurants in Koh Lanta.  Below you’ll find my favorite choices on the island!

 

COCO TANGO – Cocktails

As I mentioned earlier, Coco Tango is my favorite place on the island to watch sunset.  While you can also dine here, I recommend just coming for cocktails (the food is overpriced compared to many other spots on the island).  The restaurant is closed on Mondays.

Cash only.

 

EL GRECO – Greek

If you’re craving something other than Thai food, El Greco is a fabulous choice!  The owners of this restaurant moved from Athens to Koh Lanta 14-years ago and have been serving the island incredible Greek food ever since their arrival.  While it’s more expensive than other spots on the island, most of the food is imported which accounts for the price hike.  But I promise, even with the extra expense, it’s worth it!

Cash only.

 

JEAB’S DINING – Beachside

Jeab’s Dining is right on the beach and one of my favorite restaurants on the island.  The food is good – like really good – and prices are comparable to other beachside restaurants.  I highly recommend trying the fried bananas while you’re here!

Cash/card.

 

KRIT FRIENDLY BAR & DINER – Beachside

Krit Friendly Bar & Diner is a place you absolutely cannot miss.  If you’re only staying on the island for a short time and only have time for one restaurant – Krit should be it.  Family owned, this small bar and restaurant has been servicing the island of Koh Lanta for 15-years.  While the husband entertains the guests, the wife cooks incredible Thai food.  I’d highly recommend coming to this restaurant at least once.

Cash only.  Krit Friendly Bar & Diner is closed during low season.

 

M THAI – Thai

I pulled over at M Thai when I noticed them grilling fresh fish and chicken outside.  Seeing as the spot seemed a bit random, I was unsure whether or not to stay but I’m so glad that I did!  (In fact, I ended up returning twice more!).  M Thai is a great Thai food restaurant with the star of the show being their fresh fish and Khao Soi – a dish from Chiang Mai.  (One of the cooks is originally from Chiang Mai and brought the recipe with her to the island).

Cash only.

 

PANORAMA – Thai

If you’re looking for a quiet lunch spot with incredible views, Panorama is it.  Located in the south of the island, Panorama sits up on a hill, overlooking the ocean and several other islands.  It’s the perfect spot for a quiet, tasty lunch.  (My only complaint is that the portions are a bit small, so don’t come with a big appetite).

Cash only.

 

SHANTI BEACH HOUSE – Thai

Shanti Beach House sits up on beach and has incredible views of the ocean.  The food here is excellent and my favorite part about this restaurant is that there are tons of fresh seafood choices.  And there’s a variety of wines to choose from as well (something that isn’t common at restaurants on the island).

Cash only.

 

SIAM HOME BAKERY & CAFE – Bakery

Siam Home Bakery & Cafe was one of my favorite finds on the island.  It’s located in a remote spot off a dirt road and is home to a local Thai couple who bake freshly made cakes and desserts.  You’re quite literally invited into their home for pastries and coffee and while the pastries are delicious, the experience as a whole is pretty great.

Cash only.

 

SMOON – Cafe

If you’re looking for a space to work from or just a beautiful space to grab a coffee, Smoon cafe is it.  This beautiful space has wifi, air conditioning, plentiful spots to sit, and great light.  On Google Maps you’ll see that it says “closed on Sunday”, but this isn’t true.  I asked the staff about it and they were unsure how to fix it so rest assured, Smoon is also open on Sunday.

Cash only.

 

OLD TOWN COWBOY – Beer

When I stumbled upon Old Town Cowboy I was immediately transported to the kitsch old western bars in the American Southwest.  I stumbled in, enamored, and ordered myself a local craft beer.  I loved this little bar; if you’re in Lanta Old Town, make sure to stop by!

Cash only.

 

LEARN TO COOK LIKE A LOCAL – BOOK A COOKING CLASS HERE!

 

Koh Lanta Itinerary

Below you’ll find my proposed itinerary for a quick trip to Koh Lanta.

 

DAY 1 IN KOH LANTA

• Grab coffee and breakfast at Smoon
• Stop at “Eli’s Hole” for views and a quick dip in the ocean
• Head south to Kantiang Bay for a beach day
• Sunset cocktails at Coco Tango
• Dinner at Krit Friendly Bar & Diner

 

DAY 2 IN KOH LANTA

• Head to Lanta Old Town for breakfast & shopping
• Lunch at Panorama
• Spend your day in the North of Koh Lanta at Laem Koh Kwang Beach
• Dinner at El Greco or M Thai

 

If you’re considering visiting Thailand for your honeymoon, check out these Thailand Honeymoon packages!

 

FAQ

Q:  “Is Koh Lanta Expensive?”

• A:  Koh Lanta is one of the cheaper islands I’ve visited in Thailand, but prices of hotels do rise during tourist season.  If you’re on a budget, you can get by on $30/day including your motorbike, hostel stay, and food (not eating out but eating road side food/stopping at the market).

Q:  “Is Koh Lanta too touristy?”

• A:  I visited Koh Lanta in 2023 and did not experience too many tourists.  In fact, it was a nice change from the busy-ness of Phuket!

Q:  “Why do people go to Koh Lanta?”

• A:  There are a number of reasons Koh Lanta attracts visitors – beautiful beaches, friendly locals, affordability, the laidback nature of the island, and more.  Plus, the island is extremely accessible from other popular parts of Thailand, another attractive reason to visit.

 

Thailand Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Thailand

 

I hope that this guide to visiting Koh Lanta inspires your travels and helps you plan your trip.  If you have any questions about Koh Lanta, let me know in a comment below!

 

For more on Thailand, don’t miss:

• Khao Lak to Similan Islands – A Complete Guide
• The Best 3 Day Bangkok Itinerary
• The Ultimate Thailand Bucket List
• The Most Important Things to Know Before Traveling to Thailand

 

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For more information on things to see and do in Koh Lanta, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinthailand” or under my highlights for “Thailand”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Thailand” highlight

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