Long Beach
First-timersThe most developed beach.
Koh Lanta city guide
Things To Do In Koh Lanta
A long, laid-back island on the Andaman coast, with miles of quiet beaches, an old town on stilts, a national park at its southern tip and the best sunsets in the south.
31
Hostels in the city
8.4
Average, from 9,495 reviews
~30 km
Long, north to south
Nov–Apr
The season
Koh Rok
Top snorkelling
The quiet Andaman island
Koh Lanta is a long, narrow island off the Krabi coast, with a string of beaches along its west side facing the sunset. It has avoided the crowds and parties of Phi Phi and Phuket, and it is where travellers come to slow down.
The island is home to Muslim, Buddhist, Chinese and Chao Leh sea-gypsy communities, and Lanta Old Town on the east coast still has its wooden stilt houses over the water.
From May to October, much of the island closes for the rainy season. Three to five days is right.
Where to stay
Long Beach, on the west coast, is the most developed, with bungalows, bars and restaurants. Further south, Klong Nin and Kantiang Bay are quieter and more beautiful. The Old Town, on the east coast, has stilt houses over the water and a slower pace.
Kantiang Bay
QuietA beautiful southern bay.
Old Town
CultureStilt houses on the east coast.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 12 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta, a long island off Krabi's coast, is quieter and more relaxed than Phi Phi or Phuket, with long sandy beaches on the west coast and a mostly Muslim local population.
Spend days on the west-coast beaches, from Long Beach south to Klong Nin and Kantiang Bay, and watch the sunset over the Andaman Sea.
Boat trips go to Koh Rok, two islands with white sand and clear water for snorkelling, and Koh Ha, with caves and reefs for diving. The 4 Islands tour includes the Emerald Cave, Tham Morakot, on Koh Muk, where you swim through a dark tunnel to a hidden beach.
The Mu Ko Lanta National Park, at the southern tip, has a lighthouse and a short jungle trail. The Old Town, on the east coast, has Chinese and Thai stilt houses and seafood restaurants over the water. The island's Urak Lawoi sea gypsy community lives on the east coast.
Kayak through the mangroves on the east coast, and take a Thai cooking class.
Free things
Free things to do in Koh Lanta
The beaches and sunsets are free, and so is the Old Town and its pier. Riding the coast road past the beaches is free, apart from fuel.
The national park and boat trips charge.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta's restaurants serve fresh seafood, southern Thai curries and dishes from the Muslim community, such as roti with curry. Beach barbecues are common in the evening.
A meal is €2 to €6.
Nightlife
Going out in Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is relaxed at night: beach bars with fire shows and reggae, and a few parties at Long Beach in the high season.
A beer is €2 to €3.
Getting around
Getting around Koh Lanta
Minivans run from Krabi Airport and Krabi Town, crossing to the island on car ferries. Boats run to Koh Phi Phi and Phuket in the high season.
On the island, rent a scooter or use tuk-tuks; the island is about 30 kilometres long.
Costs
What Koh Lanta costs
Koh Lanta is mid-priced. Dorms start around €7 and a careful day is €20 to €35.
A Koh Rok snorkelling trip is €30 to €50, the 4 Islands tour €20 to €35, and national park entry about €5.
The currency is the baht (THB), at roughly 37 to 40 baht to the euro; prices here are euro equivalents. Thai ATMs charge foreign cards about 220 baht per withdrawal, so take out larger amounts. Cards work in cities and resorts; street food is cash or QR payment.
Safety
Staying safe in Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is safe.
From May to October, the sea is rough with dangerous currents, and many businesses close. Lanta's local community is mostly Muslim; dress modestly away from the beaches.
Scooter accidents injure more travellers in Thailand than anything else. Only ride if you are licensed and insured for it, and always wear a helmet.
Since 15 September 2026, eligible visitors get 30 days visa-free, for tourism only, extendable once by 30 days at an immigration office, and fewer nationalities qualify, so check whether you now need a visa. All visitors must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within three days before arriving.
Tourist Police: 1155. Emergency: 191 police, 1669 ambulance.
Day trips from Koh Lanta
Snorkelling islands, a hidden cave beach and the mangroves.
Mangroves
East-coast mangroves.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The Laanta Lanta festival celebrates the island's cultures.
March
Laanta Lanta Festival
Lanta Old Town
The island's cultures and food.
November to April
High season
Koh Lanta
Calm seas.
Hostels
Where to stay in Koh Lanta
The top-rated places to stay in Koh Lanta right now, live from Hostelworld.
Slacklines Hostel
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
De Bra Hostel
Dorms from €4 a night
See dates and book
Ok Chawkoh Bungalow
See dates and book
DOX Ko Lanta
See dates and book
Aha Lanta Cozy Hostel
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
Sustainable
Lanta Hostel
Dorms from €5 a night
See dates and book
Non La Mer Hostel - Bed & Yoga
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
Blanco Hostel@Lanta
Dorms from €4 a night
See dates and book
C Lanta Hostel - Adults Only
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
Lemonade Boutique Inn
Dorms from €8 a night
See dates and book
Hub of Joys
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
Best Stay Hostel At Lanta
Dorms from €8 a night
See dates and book
When to go
November to April is the season; many places close from May to October.
Jan
Peak
Feb
Peak
Mar
Laanta Lanta
Apr
Hot
May
Rains, closures
Jun
Low season
Jul
Low season
Aug
Low season
Sep
Wettest
Oct
Reopening
Nov
Season opens
Dec
Peak
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in baht locally; these are euro equivalents. Excludes diving and snorkelling trips.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Koh Lanta travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Koh Lanta good for families?
Yes, it is relaxed, with long beaches and calm water in the dry season.
What is the Emerald Cave?
Tham Morakot on Koh Muk, where you swim through a dark tunnel to a hidden beach.
Is it open all year?
Many businesses close from May to October, when the sea is rough.
How do I get there?
By minivan from Krabi, with car ferries, or by boat from Phi Phi in season.
How many days do you need?
Four or five.
When is the best time to visit?
November to April.
Where should I stay?
Long Beach for convenience, Kantiang for quiet.
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