A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Lanta vs. Can Tho for Couples, Food, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Koh Lanta or Can Tho?

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 Can Tho 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. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and nightlife.

Can Tho

Can Tho is a cultural, unique, and fascinating city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Koh Lanta and Can Tho: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Lanta or Can Tho?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Can Tho than Koh Lanta, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Can Tho is better known for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Koh Lanta is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Can Tho is more touristy than Koh Lanta and is popular for its colorful floating markets, fresh produce, friendly people, and intricate waterways. Also, Can Tho is famous for Cai Rang Floating Market. 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 Can Tho?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Can Tho 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 Can Tho?

Can Tho is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Can Tho. The main attraction nearby is Cai Rang Floating Market, but visitors also enjoy seeing Binh Thuy Ancient House, the Can Tho Rice Noodle Factory, Ong pagoda, and Nam Nha Pagoda.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Koh Lanta. Nature and tranquil beauty are what this island is all about, so you won't find much in the form of museums or temples.

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

Foodies will find both Koh Lanta and Can Tho both to be superb destinations.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Koh Lanta. 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.

Can Tho has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's the largest city in the Mekong Delta, and there are many restaurants with rooftop views and lively atmospheres. The food is local and fresh. Grilled meats, noodle soup, and local produce are all popular. Many visitors come to Cantho specifically to experience the nearby floating markets. You really must sample the many dishes available at the markets, which are unique to the area and offer a whole new approach to street food.

Is Koh Lanta or Can Tho Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Koh Lanta or Can Tho has a better nightlife scene.

Koh Lanta has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Can Tho has a few options to choose from. The city is very beautiful at night with many colorful lights. There are a number of bars and places for tourists to hang out and socialize.

Is Koh Lanta or Can Tho Better for Resorts?

Koh Lanta is great for its luxury resorts. However, Can Tho is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Koh Lanta. Most of the hotels and resorts are small, family-owned businesses that have a local and welcoming atmosphere.

Can Tho is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Lanta or Can Tho Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Lanta is great for its diving and snorkeling. However, Can Tho is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in 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.

Can Tho is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Lanta or Can Tho Better for Beaches?

Koh Lanta is a must-visit destination for the beache. However, Can Tho is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Koh Lanta is a very popular vacation 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.

Can Tho is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Lanta or Can Tho Better for Hiking?

Koh Lanta is great for hiking. However, Can Tho is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Koh Lanta for the hiking trails. 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.

Can Tho is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Lanta or Can Tho?

Can Tho is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Can Tho make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is large with malls and a central market, but most visitors come specifically for the nearby floating markets. These unique markets are best visited by boat. Goods and food are sold out of vendor boats and popular food dishes include noodle soup and local fruits. Each boat has a tall bamboo stick displaying the items that it sells.

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 Can Tho Better for Families?

Both Koh Lanta and Can Tho 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 Can Tho. Kids and adults alike will be fascinated by the floating markets and the beautiful Mekong Delta. Most visitors use this growing city as a base for exploring the area, which has a fascinating culture and interesting sights.

Is Koh Lanta or Can Tho Better for Couples?

Koh Lanta is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Can Tho is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, Koh Lanta 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.

Can Tho is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can take a romantic evening boat ride on the Mekong Delta. During the morning hours, the floating markets are one of Vietnam's most interesting destinations. You can sample local dishes and experience a completely different way of life.

Is Koh Lanta or Can Tho Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Can Tho is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Koh Lanta is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Can Tho is a great city to visit for backpackers. This is a large city with a number of hostels and many backpackers who pass through during their trip to the floating markets and through the Mekong Delta.

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 Can Tho Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Can Tho is a city with a few options for its public transit. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Can Tho. There are local buses, but many visitors come to this area as part of an organized tour because transportation can be a bit a tricky.

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 Can Tho a more walkable city?

Can Tho is a city with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Can Tho is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is relatively walkable.

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 Can Tho Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Can Tho or Koh Lanta?

How long in Koh Lanta or Can Tho?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Koh Lanta or Can Tho to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Koh Lanta than Can Tho because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Koh Lanta, and 1-2 days is enough time in Can Tho.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Can Tho 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 Can Tho.

One day in Koh Lanta or Can Tho?

In Koh Lanta, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Can Tho. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Can Tho has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Koh Lanta or Can Tho?

In Koh Lanta, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koh Lanta has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Can Tho. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Lanta or Can Tho?

Koh Lanta is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koh Lanta has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the unique city of Can Tho. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the shopping. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Koh Lanta or Can Tho?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Lanta. Many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting Koh Lanta. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Can Tho is a popular choice for travelers. 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. 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 Bicycle Tours in Vietnam, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Vietnam.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lanta and Can Tho, we can see that Can Tho 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 Can Tho would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Can Tho 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 Can Tho Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Can Tho?

Can Tho has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta and Can Tho, 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 Can Tho?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Can Tho in the Summer?

Both Can Tho and Koh Lanta during the summer 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 Can Tho year-round.

June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta. Can Tho gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually gets less rain in July than Can Tho. Koh Lanta gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 313 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Koh Lanta. In the summer, Koh Lanta often gets more sunshine than Can Tho. Koh Lanta gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Can Tho receives 168 hours of full sun.

Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Can Tho in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Can Tho fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Can Tho in the Autumn?

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

December to April in Can Tho is the dry season. Also, May to November is the rainy season in Can Tho. Can Tho receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Lanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Lanta usually receives less rain than Can Tho. Koh Lanta gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 343 mm (13.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Koh Lanta usually receives more sunshine than Can Tho during autumn. Koh Lanta gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Can Tho receives 158 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Can Tho. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Lanta in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Can Tho averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Can Tho in the Winter?

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

Also, January to April in Koh Lanta is the dry season. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in January than Can Tho. Koh Lanta gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Can Tho. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Lanta this time of the year. In the winter, Koh Lanta often gets more sunshine than Can Tho. Koh Lanta gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Can Tho receives 240 hours of full sun.

In January, Koh Lanta is generally around the same temperature as Can Tho. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 27°C (80°F), and Can Tho fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Should I visit Koh Lanta or Can Tho in the Spring?

Both Can Tho and Koh Lanta are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lanta throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Can Tho 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 Koh Lanta is June to September. The dry season in Can Tho is December to April. The rainy season in Can Tho is May to November. It rains a lot this time of the year in Can Tho. It's quite rainy in Koh Lanta. In April, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Can Tho. Koh Lanta gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in Can Tho. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Can Tho during spring. Koh Lanta gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Can Tho receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.

Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Can Tho in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Can Tho fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for Can Tho and Koh Lanta