Koh Lanta is one of those places you can visit for a few days and end up staying for weeks. Which is exactly what happened to us. We spent two amazing weeks here to explore all the best things in Koh Lanta Thailand.
And from all the places we’ve been in Thailand so far, this charming and lovely island is by far our favorite one. For some, it’s still a forgotten gem. But that’s also the reason why this beautiful island is still uncrowded and has such an authentic vibe.
The beaches in Koh Lanta are beautiful, Nature is raw and unspoiled, locals are kind and welcoming, sunsets are memorable, and there are a lot of things to do in Koh Lanta Thailand. Koh Lanta is definitely worth to add on your itinerary.
Read also: The 8 best islands in Thailand to visit
How to get in Koh Lanta?
By plane: Located in the Andaman Sea and only 40 minutes from the famous Koh Phi Phi, the easiest way to get to Koh Lanta is to book a flight to Krabi or Phuket first. From Krabi or Phuket are daily ferries to Koh Lanta.
Check here for a flight to Krabi or Phuket
By bus: If you have booked a flight to Bangkok, you can take an overnight bus to Krabi (and probably with a stopover in Surat Thani), from Krabi you can take a ferry to Koh Lanta.
Check here for bus schedules and prices from Bangkok
Best time to visit Koh Lanta?
Dry season: December – April
During these months you can expect dry and sunny weather in Koh Lanta but as in most cases, the weather is always unpredictable and can change without any prior notice.
Wet season: June – October
Most boat companies and tourist businesses are closed during this period. The sea can be very rough and tropical storms are common and bring a lot of rain and wind.
Electricity in Koh Lanta, Thailand
The power plugs and sockets in Thailand are of type A, B, and C with a standard voltage of 230 V and a frequency of 50 Hz. During our stay in Thailand, we used the Skross Pro World Adaptor which was perfect to charge all our gear.
The 4 Islands Tour
If you like snorkeling at secluded spots and relaxing on white sandy beaches , this trip is something for you! The 4 islands tour is the most popular full-day trip on a traditional longtail boat or speedboat that takes you to the 4 nearby islands of Koh Chuak, Koh Mook, Koh Kradan Koh Ma, and the famous Emerald Caves all in one day. A lovely experience, you can’t miss it!
COST
By longtail boat: around THB800 per person
By speedboat: around THB1600 per person
BOOK
This 4 Island Tour is the perfect day trip around Koh Lanta
Cooking with Mon
This amazing cooking class is run by Mon, a super passionate cook who makes everyone laugh. Cook like a local and eat like a local, that’s his motto. The cooking class is located in the Old Town of Koh Lanta and was the best cooking experience we’ve ever had. You will be making 3 delicious main courses and one dessert all from scratch, learning a lot about Thai cuisine and you’ll be able to taste all possible ingredients. As we are plant-based, Mon even simply adapt to the whole menu for us. The classes are always with a small group of people, start at 11 am and finish around 4 pm. Must do!
COST
THB1600 per adult and THB1000 per child
BOOK
We did the cooking class with Mon, which was really fun and we highly recommend it. Find here more cooking classes in Koh Lanta
Visiting Old Town
The Old Town of Koh Lanta is a traditional fishing village located on the eastern side of the island. In fact, it’s the most charming place to visit on the island, with traditional wooden houses and lovely restaurants. We loved to go here early in the morning to have a yummy breakfast at Sunee Place or with dinner to have the best curry at Chomlay with stunning ocean views.
FAVORITE PLACES TO GO
- Sunee Place (best of the best, roti pancakes and healthy options)
- Chomlay (such a cute family-owned restaurant with that makes one of the best massaman curries we ever ate)
- Pinto (great vegan options, stunning ocean views from their terrace deck)
- Shanti Old Town (quite a hidden spot owned by a lovely Italian guy, offers great lunch options and delicious home-made ice cream)
Koh Mu Lanta National Park
At the very southwestern tip of the island, you’ll find Koh Mu Lanta National Park. Only the road to it makes it worth to visit it. Koh Mu Lanta National Park is not really a big park, as we first expected, but it’s home to a beautiful secluded sandy beach and a one-hour long jungle trek through the park. There is also a lighthouse on top of a viewpoint where you can take some scenic shots like below.
COST
Entrance fee is THB200 per person
OPENING HOURS
Everyday from 8.30 AM – 6 PM
Rent a scooter and explore the whole island
The island of Koh Lanta is super laid-back, very safe and much larger than you might expect. Renting a scooter is the perfect way to explore all the hidden beaches, secret spots, and just drive around. It’s also really cheap and you don’t need to bargain anymore with the tuk-tuk drivers or taxis to get from point A to B. Hello freedom!
Costs
Scooter rentals start from THB180 per day
Take a yoga class
Even though traveling itself is a chance to relax and unwind, there are so many benefits of also doing yoga during your trip. An asana and meditation session every day will not only stretch and tone your body but also reduce stress, increase your energy and you will become more mindful and happier. On Koh Lanta, there are many yoga options like Oasis Yoga which offers daily drop-in classes that are great.
COST
Drop-in: around THB400
Private sessions: around THB2000
BOOK
your Yoga sessions with Oasis Yoga Bungalows
Visit the beaches in Koh Lanta
Aaaah, the best part! There are so many beautiful beaches in Koh Lanta on the west side of the island and they are very easy to explore as the main road is running right next to the beaches in Koh Lanta.
In the north of the island, you will find long white sand beaches like Long Beach and Klong Nin Beach which are fantastic for long beach walks. The further you go down the island, the more untouched and quiet beaches you’ll find like Bamboo Bay and Niu Bay which were our ultimate favorites beach in Koh Lanta.
FAVORITE BEACHES IN KOH LANTA
Long Beach
Klong Nin Beach
Bamboo Bay
Niu Bay
Coconuts and sunsets at Salty Fish
Salty Fish is a cute little vegan-friendly beachfront bistro between the beaches of Klong Khong and Klong Nin. With its wonderful setting, unique affordable menu and a perfect sunset view, this is truly a must-visit. Our favorite picks: fresh coconut, bbq veggie platter and homemade pad thai.
OPENING HOURS
Daily from 11 AM to 11 PM, closed on Monday
LOCATION
Salty Fish, Klong Toab Beach
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