Are you thinking about visiting Koh Lanta, Thailand? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Koh Lanta worth visiting?
Koh Lanta is worth visiting for two to five days so that you can explore everything that the island has to offer. Koh Lanta is an island that's off the west coast of Thailand between Koh Phi Phi and the mainland. It's a quieter island that doesn't see the huge tourist crowds of other nearby places. The beaches are long and beautiful and the towns maintain their local charm.
Koh Lanta, Thailand
Reasons to Visit Koh Lanta
Beaches
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.
Food
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.
Resorts
Most of the hotels and resorts are small, family-owned businesses that have a local and welcoming atmosphere.
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
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.
Hiking
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.
Nightlife
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.
The Costs
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Koh Lanta might be a very affordable destination for you. Check out the travel costs for Koh Lanta here or see if Koh Lanta is expensive here.
Authenticity
Koh Lanta has an authentic vibe where you can experience local culture, cuisine, and activities without the large tourist crowds of other popular destinations.
Is Koh Lanta worth visiting in the Summer?
The weather here is somewhat warm for most of the season, with average temperatures around 27°C (81°F). However, this time of year it's also rainy, so it might not be ideal for many activities.
The low season for travel in Koh Lanta is during the summer. This destination is not very touristy, so in the low season it can become fairly quiet.
With the warmer weather, the beach is very popular this time of year. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your visit. The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. Resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to Koh Lanta looking for a relaxing vacation, so the resorts have plenty of nice amenities. A visit this time of year should definitely be on your list, as the natural scenery is just breathtaking. Explore the island scenery to take in the views, admire nature up close, and enjoy the fresh air. This is a great time of year to relax at the beach, get out into nature, and enjoy the amenities of a resort. Also, you'll be able to enjoy the evening activities and take in the beautiful scenery.
Summer Weather in Koh Lanta
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) |
| August | 27°C (81°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| September | 27°C (81°F) | 355 mm (14 in) |
Is Koh Lanta worth visiting in the Autumn?
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Koh Lanta. This destination is not very touristy, and in the shoulder season it can become fairly quiet.
The weather here is somewhat warm for most of the season, with average temperatures around 27°C (81°F). However, this time of year it's also rainy, so it might not be ideal for many activities.
With the warmer weather, the beach is very popular this time of year. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your visit. Resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to Koh Lanta looking for a relaxing vacation, so the resorts have plenty of nice amenities. A visit this time of year should definitely be on your list, as the natural scenery is just breathtaking. Explore the island scenery to take in the views, admire nature up close, and enjoy the fresh air. The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to admire the wonderful scenery, take a hike, and lounge on the beach. Also, you can experience the luxurious resorts.
Autumn Weather in Koh Lanta
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 27°C (81°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| November | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| December | 27°C (80°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
Is Koh Lanta worth visiting in the Winter?
The high season for travel in Koh Lanta is the winter, so expect to see more tourists than usual. Even though this destination is not very touristy, in the high season it's busier than usual because this is when most visitors come here.
The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 27°C (80°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.
With the warmer weather, the beach is very popular this time of year. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your visit. Resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to Koh Lanta looking for a relaxing vacation, so the resorts have plenty of nice amenities. A visit this time of year should definitely be on your list, as the natural scenery is just breathtaking. Explore the island scenery to take in the views, admire nature up close, and enjoy the fresh air. The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. During this season it's fun to experience the cuisine, the nightlife scene, and the beaches. Also, you can relax at a resort, take in the beautiful scenery, and go hiking.
Winter Weather in Koh Lanta
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 27°C (80°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| February | 28°C (82°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| March | 29°C (84°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Is Koh Lanta worth visiting in the Spring?
The weather here is somewhat warm for most of the season, with average temperatures around 29°C (85°F). However, this time of year it's also rainy, so it might not be ideal for many activities.
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Koh Lanta, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is not very touristy, and in the shoulder season it can become fairly quiet.
A visit this time of year should definitely be on your list, as the natural scenery is just breathtaking. Explore the island scenery to take in the views, admire nature up close, and enjoy the fresh air. With the warmer weather, the beach is very popular this time of year. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your visit. Resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to Koh Lanta looking for a relaxing vacation, so the resorts have plenty of nice amenities. The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. This is a great time of year to admire the wonderful scenery, grab some drinks at a bar, and relax at the beach. Also, you can check out the beautiful resorts and the hiking.
Spring Weather in Koh Lanta
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 29°C (85°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) |
| June | 28°C (82°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Koh Lanta
Museums
Koh Lanta isn't a place that's filled with a huge number of sights and attractions. Nature and tranquil beauty are what this island is all about, so you won't find much in the form of museums or temples.
Shopping
Koh Lanta isn't exactly a shopper's destination. 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.
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
Related
What is Koh Lanta most famous for?
Koh Lanta is most famous for it's long and sandy beaches, its idyllic paradise atmosphere, and its beautiful national park. The island is very popular for its beaches. It's also known for food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and hiking. And many travelers come for the nightlife, as well. It is often described as tranquil, peaceful, quiet, beautiful, and off-the-beaten-path.
What is the most famous sight in Koh Lanta?
The most popular sight in Koh Lanta is Long Beach. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Koh Lanta on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Long Beach and other attractions here.
How touristy is Koh Lanta? Is it a popular island to visit?
Koh Lanta is an off-the-beaten-path island that many travelers overlook. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- 4 Islands Day Tour By Opal Travel Speedboat: $42
- Oneday Tour 4 Islands and Emerald Cave By Tin Adventure Sea Tour from Koh Lanta: $45
- Snorkeling Tour to Rok and Haa Island by Speedboat From Koh Lanta: $48
- Koh Ha Koh Rok Day Tour by Opal Travel Speed boat: $47
- One Day Tour to Koh Rok & Koh Haa By Tin Adventure Sea Tour from Koh Lanta: $47
- Tin Adventure Sea Tour to Koh Rok and Koh Haa from Koh Lanta: $47
- Full Day Sea Cave and Mangrove Kayaking Tour From Koh Lanta: $52
- Tin Adventure Sea Tour to 4 Islands & Emerald Cave from Koh Lanta: $44
How long should I spend in Koh Lanta?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Koh Lanta is two to five days. Since Koh Lanta has a variety of activities such as beaches, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Koh Lanta?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Koh Lanta?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Koh Lanta?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.