Koh Lanta is made up of several islands, the most well known of which is Koh Lanta Noi. This is a very popular tourist destination as it offers an exciting nightlife with plenty of chic bars and restaurants as well as beautiful beaches and spectacular sunsets. Divers love to stay at Koh Lanta hotels, due to their proximity to the clear waters of the area and tropical marine life.
Koh Lanta has quite a mixture of beaches to choose from; along the western coast are the busier beaches which are suitable for families and younger people; however the further along one goes, the more serene and calm the beaches become. For those who want to avoid any hectic areas, Koh Lanta has plenty of more peaceful spots where visitors can relax and unwind if they so wish.
The Mu Ko National Park is a must see when visiting Koh Lanta; this landscape is covered in stunning rainforest and imposing mountainous areas. For nature lovers, this park is the perfect place to spend the day; the tropical flora and fauna are a beautiful sight and the wildlife roam the terrain.
The climate of Koh Lanta is mostly tropical, so there are just two seasons each year. The hot season lasts from the month of January until the month of April whilst the wet season lasts from the month of May until the month of December. The average temperatures of the area range from 77ºF up to about 90ºF.
The islands here in Koh Lanta are a melting pot of cultures, such as Thai-Chinese and Buddhists, who all manage to live together in a very peaceful manner. Because there are so many different cultures, there are year round festivals celebrating traditional holidays and holiday makers are sure to encounter some celebration, no matter when they arrive on the islands.
Places to visit include Lanta Old Town, which is a small, picturesque village along the east coast. It is incredibly diverse in terms of culture; here you will find the fascinating community of sea gypsies as well as lots of fishing families from Thailand as well as Chinese merchants. The Old Town is the capital of the district and is home to both Chinese and Buddhist temples, a post office, shops, Koh Lanta hotels and a pier with a beautiful view of the coast. The shops here sell lots of lovely handmade trinkets as well as traditional Batik and other artwork, so it is a great place to visit if you are looking for a souvenir of your vacation. From the Old Town you can easily reach Ko Talenbeng and Ko Bubu, so it is the perfect stop off point on your way to these islands.
The heart of the tourist area of Koh Lanta is a place called Ban Saladan, which is about 5 miles away from the beach of Klong Dao; here you will find some great Koh Lanta hotels as well as diving centers, modern shopping malls and affordable restaurants which serve many delicious local dishes; seafood and locally grown vegetables are often on the menu.
The caves of Khao Mai Kaew are a great spot for holiday makers who want to get away from the beach and town for the day; these are situated at the very center of Koh Lanta Yai and are home to some spectacular sights such as stalagmites, stalactites, rock formations and mysterious caverns. There is also a rock pool amongst the caves. To make your way around the inside of the caves, you will need to hire a guide but this is inexpensive and easily done. Elephant rides are also available and are an exciting way to see the area. The caves are situated about 2 and a half miles into the paths between the rubber plantations.
Koh Lanta hotels are available year round and can be found in both the busier and more peaceful areas, so you can easily find one which suits your preferences. They tend to be in the same, rich and decadent oriental style as the rest of the buildings here and have every kind of modern facility you could need during your stay; room service and high speed internet access often come as standard.
US Dollar Currency
1.2721
- |
0.9877
- |
0.9832
- |
0.1711