A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Lanta vs. Bali for Food, Nightlife, Resorts, and Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Should you visit Koh Lanta or Bali?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Koh Lanta and Bali can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is a beautiful, off-the-beaten-path, and tranquil island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and nightlife.

Bali

Bali is a lush, frequented, and spiritual island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Koh Lanta and Bali: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Lanta or Bali?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bali than Koh Lanta, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bali is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and shopping, while Koh Lanta is more popular for its museums. Bali is more touristy than Koh Lanta and is known for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Also, Bali is famous for Pura Lempuyang. Koh Lanta is well known for it's long and sandy beaches, its idyllic paradise atmosphere, and its beautiful national park.

How is Koh Lanta different from Bali?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bali and Koh Lanta. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Koh Lanta or Bali?

Koh Lanta is not a good place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Koh Lanta offers a few options for museum-goers. Nature and tranquil beauty are what this island is all about, so you won't find much in the form of museums or temples.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Koh Lanta or Bali? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bali is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Koh Lanta is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Many restaurants in Bali have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

Koh Lanta has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are local markets that pop up in different places each day of the week. You may even get to sample deep-fried cicadas or dried fish. If you're looking for a more mainstream flavor, there are also curries and seafood dishes that are often locally caught.

Is Koh Lanta or Bali Better for Nightlife?

Bali is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Koh Lanta is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

People head to Bali just to party. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

If you're looking for night time activities Koh Lanta has a few options to choose from. This is one of the most chill islands in Thailand, so you won't find the hardcore party scene of some of the more backpacker heavy islands. That doesn't mean you won't find live music or places to hang out any night of the week.

Is Koh Lanta or Bali Better for Resorts?

Bali is a world-class destination for its resorts. Also, Koh Lanta is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

Bali is a world class resort vacation destination. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

There are plenty of resorts in Koh Lanta to choose from. Most of the hotels and resorts are small, family-owned businesses that have a local and welcoming atmosphere.

Is Koh Lanta or Bali Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is a world-class destination for its diving and snorkeling. Also, Koh Lanta is still popular, but not quite as popular for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Bali is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Koh Lanta. There are snorkeling and diving trips that leave from the island daily. It's also possible to snorkel off some of the beaches around the island without organizing a group trip.

Is Koh Lanta or Bali Better for Beaches?

Both Koh Lanta and Bali are considered to be amazing beach destinations.

Koh Lanta is considered to be a world-class beach destination. For a quiet and tranquil beach holiday, this is your spot. You can enjoy long walks along sandy beaches on the north side of the island, and on the south side you'll find dramatic beauty. The most well known beach is Long Beach, which is also the longest on the island.

Bali offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Is Koh Lanta or Bali Better for Hiking?

Both Koh Lanta and Bali are destinations which offer superb hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Koh Lanta. You'll find hiking trails in Koh Lanta National Park, which is at the southern tip of the island. You'll wander through the jungle, see wildlife, and take in breathtaking views.

Many visitors go to Bali for the hiking trails. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Lanta or Bali?

Bali is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for its shopping areas.

Bali is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Shopping in Koh Lanta can be found for those interested. The island doesn't have the huge tourist crowds of many places in Thailand, so you'll find few shops in the towns. If you need to buy clothes or other items, it's better to go to the mainland.

Is Koh Lanta or Bali Better for Families?

Both Koh Lanta and Bali are superb to visit with kids.

Koh Lanta is a very kid-friendly island. This is among the best island's in Thailand for kids. The waters are calm and the nightlife scene is relaxed. There are hotels that have kiddy pools and some even have kid's clubs. There are also kid-friendly menus at many of the restaurants.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Bali. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

Is Koh Lanta or Bali Better for Couples?

Both Koh Lanta and Bali are amazing destinations for a couple's getaway.

Koh Lanta is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The laid back vibe offers a bit of romance for couples. The beaches are beautiful and the island isn't as built up as many islands are in Thailand. And while you'll find places to go in the evening near the backpacker areas, most of the island has a chill and relaxed atmosphere.

Bali is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Is Koh Lanta or Bali Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Koh Lanta is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Bali. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Plenty of backpackers visit Koh Lanta. You'll find backpackers on almost every island in Thailand, but this one is a bit more chill than most. It's not as touristy as most of the country's southern islands, but there are still enough amenities to make it comfortable.

Is Koh Lanta or Bali Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bali is a island with good options for its public transit. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Bali, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Public transit is quite limited in Koh Lanta. There really isn't any public transit on the island. Most visitors hire taxis or rent motorbikes to get around.

Is Koh Lanta or Bali a more walkable city?

Bali is a island with a few options for its high level of walkability. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Bali is generally not very walkable. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

Koh Lanta is not a very walkable island. While there are some parts of the island that can be explored on foot, most people get around by motorbike.

For even more information, also check out Is Koh Lanta Worth Visiting? and Is Bali Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bali or Koh Lanta?

How long in Koh Lanta or Bali?

Both Koh Lanta and Bali have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than in Koh Lanta. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Koh Lanta, and 5-7 days is enough time in Bali.

Families should spend more time in Bali than Koh Lanta. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bali, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bali than Koh Lanta. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bali that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali than Koh Lanta if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bali.

One day in Koh Lanta or Bali?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the destination of Koh Lanta. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the island of Bali. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Koh Lanta or Bali?

Koh Lanta is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the beaches. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the cultural destination of Bali. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Lanta or Bali?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful destination of Koh Lanta. This island offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find nightlife and food around the cultural island of Bali. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

A week in Koh Lanta or Bali?

The beautiful island of Koh Lanta offers scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Bali is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bali, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lanta and Bali, we can see that Bali is more expensive. And not only is Koh Lanta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Lanta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Lanta and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bali would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bali than you might in Koh Lanta.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Lanta Expensive? and Is Bali Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Bali?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta and Bali, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Koh Lanta or Bali?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Bali in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lanta and Bali. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lanta year-round. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Also, June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta. April to September in Bali is the dry season. Koh Lanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Bali. Koh Lanta gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Bali receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In Koh Lanta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Koh Lanta usually receives less sunshine than Bali during summer. Koh Lanta gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Bali receives 253 hours of full sun in the summer.

Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Bali in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Bali fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Bali in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Lanta as well as Bali. Koh Lanta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year.

October to March in Bali is the rainy season. Koh Lanta receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in October than Bali. Koh Lanta gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Bali receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. In the autumn, Koh Lanta often gets less sunshine than Bali. Koh Lanta gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bali receives 266 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Bali. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Lanta in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Bali averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Bali in the Winter?

Both Bali and Koh Lanta are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lanta throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Koh Lanta is January to April. The rainy season in Bali is October to March. In January, Koh Lanta usually receives less rain than Bali. Koh Lanta gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bali receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually receives more sunshine than Bali during winter. Koh Lanta gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Bali receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Koh Lanta is generally around the same temperature as Bali. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 27°C (80°F), and Bali fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Bali in the Spring?

Both Bali and Koh Lanta during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lanta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round.

January to April is the dry season in Koh Lanta. June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta. April to September is the dry season in Bali. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in April than Bali. Koh Lanta gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Bali receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Koh Lanta. In the spring, Koh Lanta often gets more sunshine than Bali. Koh Lanta gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bali receives 226 hours of full sun.

Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Bali in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Bali fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Typical Weather for Bali and Koh Lanta