To be fair: there aren’t many Thai islands that feel so extremely relaxed and not completely taken over by tourism (yet). Unfortunately, I wouldn’t call Koh Lanta a hidden gem anymore, because it became quite popular over the last couple of years. But, it still gives you a quieter feeling and more laid-back vibe than other islands like Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, or even parts of Krabi though.
Koh Lanta is the kind of island where it seems like everyone and everything is less rushed. You can spend the day easy, cruising around on the scooter and feeling the sun and hot air on your face. Enjoying the raw, peaceful island life without feeling annoyed by the crowds.
But here’s something I’ve noticed: Koh Lanta is absolutely not for everyone. The island is quite spread out, there is no such thing as a party area, and if you’re looking for luxury high-end beach clubs, you’ll probably better of going to Phuket or Krabi. So, in this post you’ll read if I think Koh Lanta is still worth visiting in 2026.
Is Koh Lanta Still Worth It? Quickly Explained
I have been to Koh Lanta twice now, and both times were part of a Southern Thai islands trip. As we are digital nomads, it feels too rushed if we only stay for a couple of days in one place. So, most of the time we stay at least 4 days to have the ability to explore the place outside of our working hours.
My short answer: definitely yes!! This post will reveal my honest opinion based on my own Koh Lanta experiences. I’ll tell you what makes Koh Lanta so special but also be fair about the reasons why it might not be the right island for every type of traveler. After reading this post, you’ll have a better idea if Koh Lanta is the right fit for you to add to your Thailand itinerary in 2026.
What I Absolutely Loved About Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is less crowded
One thing you’ll notice when visiting Koh Lanta is that the island isn’t too crowded at all. Compared to other Thai islands, Koh Lanta has just this chill laid-back atmosphere. I really loved the fact that everyone was minding their own business, and you mostly see families and couples just simply enjoying the scenery of the island.
Koh Lanta has plenty of good cafes and restaurants
Don’t expect struggles to find a good café or restaurant for brunch or dinner. Koh Lanta really has a lot of amazing cafes where you can get a fancy iced latte caramel and a tasty avocado toast or just a local breakfast with a fresh ice-cold coconut. Besides the numerous good cafes, there are loads of different restaurants to choose from. Luxurious Western food or a local dish, there’s enough variation for everyone’s taste.
Koh Lanta’s relaxed beaches
A long-stretched island, with many, many beaches. Koh Lanta really has it all. Long Beach, for long morning walks and easy to spend a whole day laying on the beach, sipping on the straw of a fresh coconut and watching the waves come closer to the shore. Down south, there are smaller beaches, which are less touristy. So, if you want to enjoy a quiet beach day, you should hop on a scooter and go as early as you can to check them all out!
Easy to go around by scooter
When in Thailand, if we leave Bangkok out of it, renting a scooter is one of the most common ways to go around and discover the beauty of a place. It’s by far the easiest way to get around the island and gives you all the freedom to go wherever you want to go whenever you want to go.
When we rent a scooter, we always find hidden gems you certainly don’t discover if you’ll stay around your accommodation. This way you’ll easily find local fruit shops alongside the road or discover a tucked away viewpoint when you randomly decide to take another turn. This is exactly how we discovered a cute little cafe called Escape Café, where we got ourselves a delicious, iced vanilla latte. For us, driving a scooter in Asia is the best feeling of freedom and always feels like an adventure.
Things I Did Not Like That Much About Koh Lanta
Visiting in monsoon season
You can visit Koh Lanta every month of the year, but there are some months I would personally think twice about, especially during monsoon season. The first time we visited Koh Lanta was in the month November, and unfortunately, we had quite a lot of rain and thunderstorms. One night, there was a thunderstorm that was so loud I couldn’t sleep because it scared me so much. This doesn’t mean that the weather will always be this bad during these months, but it’s something to keep in mind when planning your trip.
Food markets & restaurants can be closed during off-season
During peak season, most food markets, cafes, and restaurants in Koh Lanta are open and easy to find. But during low season, it can feel slightly different. When we visited Koh Lanta in the off-season, around November and December, we didn’t really think about the fact that some places might be closed. A few cafes, restaurants, and even street food markets were not open when we expected them to be. You will still find plenty of places to eat, so actually it’s not a big deal, but it’s good to keep in mind that not every restaurant you saved beforehand will actually be open during the low season.
Not very walkable
The busier part from mid-island (where our hotel was located) all the way up north, isn’t the best place to go around by foot. I really like a long morning walk to wake up and grab a coffee somewhere as a reward, but the only way to make this happen in Koh Lanta is along the beach.
There was a lot of construction going on the last time we visited (back in early 2025), so by now they have paved parts of the roads. However, it still isn’t the best sidewalk to go for a walk. The height difference between the sidewalk and the road is big, so it can be a little dangerous if you’re not paying attention to where you walk.
Things You Cannot Miss When Visiting Koh Lanta
4 Islands Tour
The 4-Island Tour is one of those experiences that really shows you why this part of Thailand is so special. Even though Koh Lanta itself is already a beautiful island, getting out on the water shows you a completely different part of Koh Lanta. You go from the huge beaches and slow island life to insane blue waters, visit hidden caves and enjoy the coolest snorkeling spots. These tiny islands really look like a stunning Thai postcard.
Visit an ethical elephant sanctuary
If you want to see elephants in their natural habitat, choosing the right place really matters. Koh Lanta is home to Following Giants, one of the oldest ethical elephant sanctuaries in the country. We didn’t visit the location in Koh Lanta ourselves, but we did go to their second sanctuary in Krabi. I can say that it left a strong impression on us. The caretakers shared the stories behind each elephant they rescued. They also explain why elephants should never be ridden, bathed by tourists, or used for other entertainment. Instead, you observe them from a respectful distance while they walk, eat, and move around freely. I would highly recommend booking in advance, because the spots sell out quickly.
Final Thoughts: Is Koh Lanta Worth Visiting?
So, for me, if you still haven’t noticed, Koh Lanta is a must to add to your Thailand itinerary.
It’s not the island you visit for big parties, fancy beach clubs and staying up all night. You’ll get to slow down and fully live the island life and discover the quiet beaches by scooter, have a coffee in one of the many cute cafes, and order a delicious local dish at the street food market.
What I loved most about Koh Lanta is that it feels so relaxed to be there. The island is quite long, so it never felt too touristy or packed with people at every corner or on the beach. Tourists are just spread around the island and not stacked up in one place like on Koh Phi Phi.
But that being said, I would choose the period of your visit carefully. The first time we’ve visited the island I did not pay too much attention to the time of the year, and we ended up being there in monsoon season. This doesn’t have to be a bad thing, but if you can travel around it, you’ll have a better chance of good weather. The weather also plays a huge part in some of the several water activities, so I’ll keep that in mind if I were you. Nevertheless, you’ll for sure have a fantastic time when adding Koh Lanta to your itinerary.
Read My Other Koh Lanta Blogs
The Ultimate Koh Lanta Thailand Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Koh Lanta
The Best Restaurants on Koh Lanta: Cafes & Restaurants I Would Recommend
What to Do in Koh Lanta Thailand: My Favorite Things to Do on an Island
The Best Beaches on Koh Lanta: Beaches I Would Visit in 2026
