Koh Lanta is a small island off the coast of Thailand that is quickly becoming a popular tourist destination. The island is known for its beautiful beaches, relaxed atmosphere, and abundance of activities. It's small enough to be circled in a few hours on a motorbike, but has enough variety of things to do to make it worth a longer stay. There are quite a few Swedish ex-pats on the island and being one of the southern Thai islands it has a larger Muslim population, so you'll hear calls to prayer every so often.
Getting to Koh Lanta
The easiest way to get to Koh Lanta is to fly into Phuket International Airport. From there, you can take a ferry or speedboat to the island. The ferry is the cheaper option, but it can take longer. The speedboat is faster, but it is also more expensive.
Personally, while I took this easier way out of Koh Lanta (and checked out The Beach's famous Phi Phi along the way), my route in was a bit more complicated. I found a cheap flight for under $50 from Bangkok to Krabi Airport. From there, I rented a driver who drove me through some remote parts of Krabi Provence during an hour and a half journey that eventually ends after a short ferry ride to the island.
Where to Stay on Koh Lanta
There are many different places to stay on Koh Lanta, from budget-friendly hostels to luxurious resorts. If you are looking for a hotel with its own private beach, you will find plenty of options. If you are on a budget, you may want to consider staying in a hostel or guesthouse. If you are looking for a more luxurious experience, you can stay at one of the many resorts on the island.
You can book in advance, but I decided to backpack around the island and choose my place in person. For the first few nights I stated at Lanta Wild Beach Resort - a beachfront hotel on the main strip on the westside of the island. Rooms were primitive, but for under $15/night it was hard to beat the price for a place right on the beach. The location was walking distance between two popular beaches - Klong Khong Beach and Lanta Klong Nin. I had a blast walking the beaches at sunset and wandering into beachfront bars and restaurants.
My next stay was at Narima Bungalow Resort, a bit further south on the island. At about $40/night, this was my "luxury" stay on Koh Lanta. The area was more secluded and while the beach wasn't empty, it had much more of a private beach feel. On many days the only other visitor to the beach was a random cow that wandered past me. But my favorite part of Narima was the staff and restaurant. I ate at the resort restaurant every night and after a few meals they remembered what I liked and made sure my curry was always "Thai spicy."
Things to Do on Koh Lanta
There are many things to do on Koh Lanta, from relaxing on the beach to exploring the island's natural beauty. Here are a few of the most popular activities:
Swimming and sunbathing: Koh Lanta has some of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand. You can spend your days swimming, sunbathing, and exploring the many coves and islets.
Snorkeling and diving: The waters off Koh Lanta are teeming with marine life. You can go snorkeling or diving to see a variety of fish, coral reefs, and other marine creatures. But my advice is to take a speedboat to the nearby Ko Rock islands. These two tiny islands - Ko Rok Nui and Ko Rok Yai - are spectacular for snorkeling. You can also hike around the islands, which are inhabited by giant monitor lizards.
Hiking: Koh Lanta has a number of hiking trails that lead through the island's lush jungles and mountains. You can hike to waterfalls, viewpoints, and other natural attractions. I enjoyed hiking at Mu Ko Lanta National Park, which is found on the southernmost tip of the island. People are definitely outnumbered by monkeys here.
Biking (with or without a motor): Koh Lanta is a great place to explore by bike. You can bike to the beaches, the villages, and the other attractions on the island. I'd recommend renting a motorbike. Gasoline is sold in liter bottles (pretty much looks like a small Coke bottle) on the side of the road.
Massage: Koh Lanta is a great place to get a massage. You can find affordable massages at many of the hotels, resorts, and spas on the island. Nothing beats a massage on the beach. particularly at the incredibly low Thai prices.
Food: Koh Lanta has a wide variety of restaurants serving Thai and international cuisine. You can find everything from street food to fine dining on the island. And, well, you'll see quite a few signs for "Magic shakes" or mushroom shakes if you're looking for a surreal meal.
Koh Lanta is a great place to relax and enjoy the beauty of Thailand. With its beautiful beaches, relaxed atmosphere, and abundance of activities, Koh Lanta is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
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