If you’re able to visit Koh Lanta in May 2021, there are still several hotels and restaurants which are open. Thailand’s closed borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic mean that Koh Lanta is very quiet and tourism-related businesses are very much in need of customers.
With barely any international tourists coming to Thailand since early 2020, Koh Lanta has become a very quiet island. Many businesses including restaurants, banks, resorts and even some 7-11 shops have closed, either temporarily until better times come or shutting down completely. It’s a similar story in all of Thailand’s major tourists areas across the country.
You can see from the two videos below how deserted Koh Lanta really is in 2021.
Koh Lanta Is Still Open In May 2021
Despite the lack of business, there are still some Koh Lanta hotels and restaurants that remain open. Here is a rundown of useful information if you’re able to visit.
Travel To And From Koh Lanta May 2021
Currently the only way to travel to and from Koh Lanta is by public minivans or private taxis. The speedboat transfer is no longer running. Ferry services have been suspended. Using the search box, add in your starting point and date of travel to check availability and costs.
All ferries ceased operating this year. This may change in the future months and we will keep updating the situation going into November. Koh Lanta will also have a new pier in Saladan which will be completed by April 2021.
New ferry terminal under construction in Saladan, Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta Hotels That Are Open For Business May 2021
Below are 10 of Koh Lanta’s best hotels and villas that have remained open even though there are few visitors to the island. Please note the list is not in any particular order, just running along the beach areas starting in the north.
Layana Resort and Spa
Lanta Casa Blanca
- Golden Bay Cottage – Klong Dao Beach
(View on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
A long-established Koh Lanta favorite, these bungalows are very well kept within their own tropical garden and right next to the beach. - Royal Lanta Resort – Klong Dao Beach
(View on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
A large complex of villa-style rooms set within a tropical garden only a seconds walk from the beach. - Southern Lanta Resort – Klong Dao Beach
(View on Booking.com and Agoda.com)
Popular value-orientated apartments and rooms for up to four guests, perfect for families, located right next to the beach. - Layana Resort and Spa – Long Beach
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
A luxury boutique resort priding itself on excellent service, Layana is a discreet, sophisticated hideaway in the middle of Long Beach. - Long Beach Chalet – Long Beach
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com
Beautiful Thai-style stilt houses and bungalows with their own tropical garden and pool and located directly on the beach too. - Lanta Casa Blanca – Relax Bay
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Spectacular beachside villas in contemporary Thai style with a huge pool and its own semi-private beach. - Alanta Villa – Klong Khong
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
A luxury 2 bedroom villa with its own private pool and tropical garden. - Rawi Warin – Klong Nin Beach
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
A luxury resort arranged on the hillside near Klong Nin beach overlooking the ocean with four pools and six dining options. - Sri Lanta – Klong Nin Beach
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Beautifully designed, well-established, quiet resort with a mixture of villas and rooms right on Klong Nin beach. - Pimalai Resort and Spa – Kantiang Bay
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Koh Lanta’s most luxurious resort, Pimalai is a truly five-star experience with both spectacular rooms and private villas.
Although these are our top ten picks of where to stay on Lanta, there are other options too. Please use the below box to check the full availability on your dates of travel to Koh Lanta.
Where to Eat And Drink On Koh Lanta May 2021
Many of the Koh Lanta restaurants have not updated their information on Google or TripAdvisor. A quick list of what’s open at the moment is below.
Saladan
Barracuda Restaurant Barracuda has unique cargo netting over the sea, which you can laze on like a giant hammock. A very long-established, family-run restaurant is Baifern Restaurant. Also overlooking the sea is a great place for noodles and simple rice dishes. Moo Uan (The Fat Pig), again on the seafront offers a great build-your-own-breakfast selection.
Kaw Kwang
At the very end of the road Rock Beach Bar is part of Coco Cape Resort and is one of the best spots in the area. The cool design and different seating areas make this a great spot to hang out.
Klong Dao
Along Klong Dao beach is Black Coral which enjoys indoor and outdoor seating which helps depending on the weather. The Indian Bar opened on the 15th of January 2021 and it was nice to be back in the company of Pas the owner. The Easy Bar and Restaurant offers Thai and western classics and lovely shady areas under the trees on hot days. Right at the end of the beach is the Boogie Bay Bar a very chilled and relaxed beach bar, playing great music. The owners are an amazing couple and defiantly a great place for sunset beers.
Along Klong Dao Road Side Sole Mare Italian Pizzeria & Restaurant has a long list of Pizza, pasta and wine with everyday specials. Greek Taverna and Heama Indian Restaurant offer a nice alternative to Thai food. Seagull Kitchen The restaurant enjoys outdoor seating and some seating inside in the aircon when it gets too hot.
Long Beach
Walk along the beach and enjoy Lyms Rice Bowl offers cheap good food with nice decor and hammocks to relax into. Right at the very end of the beach is the Fat Turtle Beach Restaurant with great food and great cocktails. If you walk up the beach road near Nakara Resort check out Kraken for home made paninis and burgers.
Along the main roadside is the Irie Bar and Restaurant. The Glass House is a modern building with outdoor garden and seating. It’s a restaurant, cafe, and co-working space. In the central Long Beach hub Kindee Restaurant has just opend late January. The Irish Embassy offers Pub grub, Thai food, Sunday Roast. Le Colibri offers some of the best pizzas on the island.
Further along is Time Thai Restaurant with its pleasant decor and open kitchen. On the opposite side is the new Tuesday Morning restaurant who opened in November 2020 when they had completed the refurbishments.
Just after the 7 11 shop Cozy restaurant and bar moved to a larger premises in the same building complex. Fruit Tree Lodge & Coffee Shop offer deliscious homemade cakes and desserts and of course great coffee. Spaghetti By Mangia sits on the left side of the road as you head south and on the right is The Garden Restaurant.
Klong Khong
Patty’s Secret Garden by the Sea is set out in lush tropical gardens with nice chilled out vibe looking out to sea. If you like a drink, the Devy Ale Cafe is the only craft beer cafe on Koh Lanta, providing a wide range of beers such as weizen, IPAs, stouts and many local craft beers, too. There is a pleasing small bar area with chilled and comfortable bean bag seating on a terrace right on the beachfront, a perfect place to watch sunsets. Along the roadside is Lucky Tree Restaurant wth nice Thai food.
Klong Nin
Just before entering Klong Nin area make a stop at Shanti Shanti Beach House, a rustic beach setting with authentic food. Next door is Salty Fish beach bistro. Go inside to see the back terrace and decking overlooking the small beach area. If you like seafood it’s definitely a place to try. Sitting back from the roadside, Smoon Cafe is an airconditioned purpose-built coffee shop.
Klong Nin main beach road Rasta Baby Bar offers amazing music and friendly staff. Worth going here also for sunset happy hour cocktails. A little further along is Otto’s Bar and Grill.
Kantiang Bay
K. Himalaya Indian Restaurant Lanta is a must-try. The Indian food here is an amazing full stop! One of the best places in Kantiang Bay for food. Drunken Sailors Coffee Shop – a laid back cafe where you may get stuck all day lounging in hammocks Why Not Bar, with nice, oversized bean bags to relax on the beach.
Things To Do On Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta has still been providing some great activities. Especially the scuba diving and snorkeling trips, having a whole dive site or snorkel site to your self is a very luxurious experience.
- Go Dive Lanta – Saladan
- Lanta Diver – Saladan
- Blue Planet – Saladan
- Scuba Fish – Kantiang Bay
- Oasis Yoga – Klong Dao
- Pirates Bar Horse Riding – Long Beach
- Lanta Animal Welfare – Near Relax Bay
- E-bike tours and rental – Long Beach
- Speedboat Trips – Long Beach
- Lanta Muay Thai Complex – Klong Dao roadside
Health Services on Lanta
The clinics which pop up every high season, offering great services to you if you have travel insurance have all closed down.
The Koh Lanta Hospital in Old Town, Dr. Salarin located in Long Beach, and the Health Centre in Saladan are still open. If you need a dentist, Lanta Dente along Klong Dao roadside is open. Every village still has independent pharmacies are open.
Local Markets and Shopping
All local markets are open but some have been reduced in size with the introduction of social distancing. The Monday market in Klong Dao, the Wednesday market near the Koh Lanta bridge, and the Saturday market in Klong Dao near Saladan are still the most popular ones.
Lanta Mart in Saladan is open every day except Sunday. It’s one of the largest shops for general shopping including wines, select meats, vegetables, and child products like diapers.
Lanta Cinema Is New On Lanta
Koh Lanta Cinema, Klong Dao Beach
Lanta Cinema opened in Klong Dao where you can relax under the stars watching a movie. There is a bar area where you can grab a cocktail, draught beers, and also popcorn and snacks. Some movies are in English and some in Thai with English subtitles. Check out their FB page Lanta Cinema for movie schedules and times.
Here’s hoping the COVID-19 virus will soon be brought under control around the world and Koh Lanta is able to safely welcome tourists back soon.
