Must-see · Free itinerary

3 Days in Koh Lanta

17 hand-picked stops across 3 themed days — including 6 hidden gems locals actually go to — drawn on an interactive map you can customize stop by stop.

Free · no signup · swap any stop

Day 1: Old Town, Sea Gypsies & Sunset

1
Lanta Old Town
Stilted wooden shophouses on the east coast, home to Chao Ley sea gypsies and Chinese-Thai traders.
2
Koh Lanta Community Museum
Small museum in an old shophouse explaining the island's Urak Lawoi and Chinese roots for under 100 THB.
3
Shine Talay Restaurant
Waterfront deck over the bay serving whole steamed snapper and crab curry with rice.
4
Old Town Pier Viewpoint
Wooden jetty framing the karst islands of Koh Klang; free and the best photo angle in Old Town.
5
Kantiang Bay Beach
Curved southern bay with calm swimming water and a laid-back row of beach bars for sunset.
6
Reason 'n' Things
Kantiang institution for wood-fired pizza and Thai curries, big tables for groups.

Day 2: Mu Ko Lanta Marine Park by Longtail

1
Koh Rok Islands Snorkel Trip
Two tiny islands with the clearest water in the park; book a speedboat to beat the day-trip crowds.
2
Koh Lanta Old Town Pier
Grab an iced Thai tea at the pier kiosks while the boat crews unload — cheap and refreshing.
3
Ba Kantiang Restaurant
Southern Thai kitchen known for gaeng som fish curry and massaman — order family-style for the table.
4
Klong Nin Beach
Long west-facing beach where the sun drops straight into the Andaman; bars line the sand.
5
Koh Lanta Night Market (Saladan)
Weekend pier-side market with grilled squid, mango sticky rice and 60 THB smoothies.

Day 3: Waterfalls, Mangroves & Songkran

1
Klong Chak Waterfall
Short jungle trail to a cool plunge pool — a refreshing stop before the Songkran heat peaks.
2
Koh Lanta Mangrove Forest
Boardwalk through old-growth mangroves with monitor lizards and kingfishers; 100 THB entry.
3
Lanta Seafood (Ban Saladan)
Saladan pier restaurant with tanks of live crab and prawns — pick your fish, they grill it.
4
Songkran Water Fight — Saladan Main Road
Apr 13-15 the main road becomes a water battlefield; join in or watch from a cafe, expect to be soaked.
5
Klong Dao Beach
Wide sunset beach just north of Saladan — dry off and watch the sky go orange after the water fight.
6
The Frog Distillery & Restaurant
Klong Dao spot with local rum cocktails and Thai plates, roomy enough for a group celebration.

Good to know

•Songkran water fights peak Apr 13-15 on Saladan main road; carry a dry bag for phones.
•April is hot and dry — start outdoor hikes before 10:00 and swim midday.
•Many small businesses close for Songkran; book boats and dinners a day ahead.
•West-coast sunsets around 18:30; east-coast Old Town is best in the morning.
•ATMs cluster in Saladan and Klong Dao; carry cash for markets and songthaews.
•Boat trips and Songkran gear are cheaper booked at pier agents than hotels.

FAQ

How many days do you need in Koh Lanta?

3 days is a great fit for this must-see route — 3 themed days covering 17 stops without rushing.

What is the daily budget for Koh Lanta?

Roughly ฿1200–฿2200 per day for food, transit and activities on this plan, and 7 of the stops are completely free.

What should I know about the season in Koh Lanta?

Songkran water fights peak Apr 13-15 on Saladan main road; carry a dry bag for phones.

What local etiquette should I know in Thailand?

Never splash monks, elders or people on motorbikes during Songkran. Dress modestly when visiting temples and Old Town shrines.

Want a different vibe or more cities? Build your own route →

Day 1: Old Town, Sea Gypsies & Sunset

Lanta Old Town

Stilted wooden shophouses on the east coast, home to Chao Ley sea gypsies and Chinese-Thai traders.

Koh Lanta Community Museum

Small museum in an old shophouse explaining the island's Urak Lawoi and Chinese roots for under 100 THB.

Shine Talay Restaurant

Waterfront deck over the bay serving whole steamed snapper and crab curry with rice.

Old Town Pier Viewpoint

Wooden jetty framing the karst islands of Koh Klang; free and the best photo angle in Old Town.

Kantiang Bay Beach

Curved southern bay with calm swimming water and a laid-back row of beach bars for sunset.

Reason 'n' Things

Kantiang institution for wood-fired pizza and Thai curries, big tables for groups.

Day 2: Mu Ko Lanta Marine Park by Longtail

Koh Rok Islands Snorkel Trip

Two tiny islands with the clearest water in the park; book a speedboat to beat the day-trip crowds.

Koh Lanta Old Town Pier

Grab an iced Thai tea at the pier kiosks while the boat crews unload — cheap and refreshing.

Ba Kantiang Restaurant

Southern Thai kitchen known for gaeng som fish curry and massaman — order family-style for the table.

Klong Nin Beach

Long west-facing beach where the sun drops straight into the Andaman; bars line the sand.

Koh Lanta Night Market (Saladan)

Weekend pier-side market with grilled squid, mango sticky rice and 60 THB smoothies.

Day 3: Waterfalls, Mangroves & Songkran

Klong Chak Waterfall

Short jungle trail to a cool plunge pool — a refreshing stop before the Songkran heat peaks.

Koh Lanta Mangrove Forest

Boardwalk through old-growth mangroves with monitor lizards and kingfishers; 100 THB entry.

Lanta Seafood (Ban Saladan)

Saladan pier restaurant with tanks of live crab and prawns — pick your fish, they grill it.

Songkran Water Fight — Saladan Main Road

Apr 13-15 the main road becomes a water battlefield; join in or watch from a cafe, expect to be soaked.

Klong Dao Beach

Wide sunset beach just north of Saladan — dry off and watch the sky go orange after the water fight.

The Frog Distillery & Restaurant

Klong Dao spot with local rum cocktails and Thai plates, roomy enough for a group celebration.

Good to know

•Songkran water fights peak Apr 13-15 on Saladan main road; carry a dry bag for phones.

•April is hot and dry — start outdoor hikes before 10:00 and swim midday.

•Many small businesses close for Songkran; book boats and dinners a day ahead.

•West-coast sunsets around 18:30; east-coast Old Town is best in the morning.

•ATMs cluster in Saladan and Klong Dao; carry cash for markets and songthaews.

•Boat trips and Songkran gear are cheaper booked at pier agents than hotels.

FAQ