How to be a Digital Nomad in Koh Lanta, Thailand

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Best Accommodation in Koh Lanta

Pimalai Resort & Spa

The luxurious and elegant Pimalai Resort and Spa overlook the blue waters of the Andaman Sea and offer exclusive accommodations that are spacious and serene with personalized service. Above all, the property provides complimentary round-trip transfer from Krabi Airport to the resort. Nestled in a lush tropical forest, rooms at Pimalai offer a private balcony that overlooks the beautiful surroundings.

Golden Bay Cottage

A lending library, horse riding activities, and a bar are featured in Golden Bay Cottage Koh Lanta, located 2.2 km from Saladan Pier Ferry Service. All in all this resort offers accommodation in the Klong Dao Beach district with nearby access to the beach. You can get to Lanta Martin in a few minutes by car.

Nakara Long Beach Resort

Located in Long Beach, Nakara Long Beach Resort is 4 km from Saladan town and the pier. As a matter of fact the resort offers an outdoor pool, tour desk, and beachfront restaurant. Finally, Free WiFi is available at the lobby, restaurant, and pool bar. There is a free shuttle service from the resort to Saladan Town daily at 11:30 hrs. Nakara Long Beach Resort bungalows have a private balcony, refrigerator, and TV.

Hatzanda Lanta Resort

A short walk from Klong Khong Beach, Hatzanda Lanta Resort has a garden and offers simple bungalow-style holiday homes. Accommodations will provide you with air conditioning, cable TV, and a patio with an outdoor seating area.

Sayang Beach Resort

The allure of eastern colorful Sayang Beach Bungalows nestled inside the lush garden beneath coconut and pine jungle shelter on the private power white sand beach of Pra Ae or Long Beach of Koh Lanta.

Lanta Castaway Beach Resort

Lanta Castaway Beach Resort is a boutique resort in an ideal setting for those looking for pure relaxation, sun worshiping, and easy access to scuba diving and other activities.

Lanta Infinity Resort

Located in Ko Lanta, 1.3 km from Klong Toab Beach, Lanta Infinity Resort provides accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, and a garden. Each accommodation at the 3-star resort has pool views and free WiFi. It features airport transfers, while a bicycle rental service is also available.

Lanta New Coconut Bungalow

Located on the lively Lanta Island, New Coconut Bungalow is a 3-minute walk from Klong Khong Beach. It features an outdoor swimming pool, a private beach area, and standalone bungalows with a balcony. Set amidst a tropical landscape, Lanta New Coconut Bungalow offers accommodation with either a fan or air conditioning. The restaurant serves a fine selection of local and European dishes. Room service is also available upon request.

Hotel Lanta Thip House

This House is a boutique guesthouse nicely situated in a quiet area of Klong Khong and only a 5 minutes walk from Klong Khong Beach, well-known for its relaxed vibe and beautiful sunsets. This House has a restaurant where chef Oum prepares delicious Thai and Western dishes and where we serve a good breakfast and fresh coffee in a comfortable and homely environment.

Lanta Bee Garden

Featuring a private beach and restaurant, Lanta Bee Garden Bungalow is located directly on Klong Dao Beach. Hotel offers free Wi-Fi and pick-up services from the pier. Rooms at Bee Lanta Garden are fitted with a private balcony and hardwood furniture. Amenities include cable TV and a safety deposit box. Hot shower facilities are available in the en suite bathrooms.

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Pros and Cons of Living in Koh Lanta, Thailand

Best Places to Work in Koh Lanta, Thailand

Here’s the not-so-great news about Koh Lanta; as unique as the island is for digital nomads, there are not many choices regarding working spaces. Particularly it only has one coworking spot, and if you happen to be visiting in high season, you might not even be able to land yourself a desk.

KoHub

If like me, you can’t stand working from the confines of your apartment, you can always check out KoHub, located in the charming village of Saladan. I did visit Koh Lanta during the off-season, so it was effortless to subscribe to a membership. I particularly liked this spot because it offered the fastest Wi-Fi I could find on the island. You can choose between indoor or outdoor seating on the deck. I recommend the latter so you can experience the joys of working under a typical thatched roof and soak up some sun while the balmy island breeze swirls around you.

With proximity to the beach, KoHub also features an on-site restaurant, unique Skype rooms for online meetings, Hammocks, universal adaptors, and a tranquil walking trail that runs through its 1,500 sqm tropical garden. Open 24/7; this coworking space offers plenty of options that you can choose from. For example, a daily pass will set you back THB 295, while a weekly pass costs THB 2,000. You’ll need to fork over THB 6,500 for a month, THB 11,000 for two months, or THB 15,000 for three months.

Fruit Tree Lodge & Coffee Shop

True to its name, the Fruit Tree Lodge & Coffee Shop is nestled among the trees. While the complimentary Wi-Fi can go in and out, this place offers a scenic setting in Pra-ae Village. This café is open from 7:30 to 17:00 every day, excluding Tuesdays. It even provides on-site accommodation as well as yoga classes. Primarily known for its Colombian coffee, Fruit Tree Lodge & Coffee Shop specializes in nutritious smoothies. My favorite item from the menu was the delicious Brie and Blackcurrant sandwich.

Peak Café

Located on the beautiful shores of Klong Khong Beach, Peak Café has excellent Wi-Fi, but its oceanfront location can get quite crowded and noisy. If you need a peaceful work environment, I suggest you head there early or late afternoon. The vegetarian and vegan-friendly spot is especially reputed for its super-friendly waiters. Believe me when I say this is one place where you won’t be rushed to leave, even if you only order a coffee. Regarding food, I can recommend their fresh tropical fruit bowls, which are perfect for the humid tropical weather. Peak Café is open from 8:30 to 17:30, Monday to Sunday.

Jai-Dee Home

This is the place to be if you want to work while sinking your toes in the warm, soft sand. Located right on Klong Nin Beach, just steps from the water’s edge, this restaurant has reliable Wi-Fi and some of the best dishes I’ve tasted in Koh Lanta. Because it does have a great bar, it can get quite packed in the evenings, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. The good news is that Jai-Dee Home offers a tranquil environment during the day, especially off-meal times.

Living Room Café

What I liked about this place was how most of its items were freshly prepared in-house, including jam, sausage patties, granola, and the like. Nestled at the center of Koh Lanta District, this café is trendy among locals and foreigners. As such, it may not be suited to those needing a quiet work environment. This place is mainly known for its breakfasts featuring continental, American, or local Thai fares.

Best Neighbourhoods in Koh Lanta, Thailand

Despite its long and narrow surface, the island has plenty of neighborhoods you can choose from according to your budget and personal preferences. The thing about Koh Lanta is that its areas can stand in stark contrast to each other – while one end of the island is brimming with a constant flow of wild, booze-fueled parties, the other end is dead at best. As such, it does pay off to take the time to explore the various areas before deciding where to settle.

Klong Nin Beach

Let’s start with the Western side of Koh Lanta, where you’ll find most tourists and party-goers. Indeed, areas such as Klong Nin Beach, Phra Ae Beach, and Klong Dao Beach are primarily known for having the wildest bars, pubs, and restaurants, as well as the notorious moon and mushroom parties. While the west coast is home to some of the prettiest beaches on the island, real estate prices in this area are undeniably on the higher side. Additionally, it’s not exactly appropriate for digital nomads traveling with kids since it has more of a party vibe than a family-friendly atmosphere.

Saladan

If you have children, you may wish to consider places such as Saladan, where you’ll find most local families. Often considered the ‘metropolis of Koh Lanta’, Saladan is located on the north of the island. It’s also the main exit and entry point into the island. What I liked about Saladan – besides its low real estate prices – was the friendly and hospitable atmosphere permeating the region. Most locals live in wooden huts built on slits right above the water, but you’ll also find cottages that you can rent further inland. Another excellent thing about Saladan is that it’s a super walkable village, so shops, restaurants, beaches, and mini-marts are all easily accessible on foot. The majority of local and international schools are found in Saladan.

Old Town Lanta

You can also check out Old Town Lanta on the East Coast for super-cheap accommodation. This is the best way to completely immerse yourself in the local culture since the Old Town is the one place in Thailand that managed to retain a more traditional way of living. On the downside, most locals in the Old Town don’t speak English, so the language barrier can be an issue. With plenty of thick mangrove forests, the east coast is somewhat isolated, so you’ll often need to hop on a Tuk Tuk to reach the best beaches and restaurants.

South Koh Lanta

tends to be quieter, but there aren’t many options in terms of real estate other than a few beach huts or bungalows overlooking the water. However, I must point out that the Far South Beach Area is generously blessed with the most spectacular sights on the whole island. With hidden waterfalls, soothing creeks, thick jungles, and pristine beaches, there’s no denying that the southern part of Koh Lanta is ideal for digital nomads who need complete isolation to work on creative projects.

Culture and Food of  Koh Lanta, Thailand

In true Thai fashion, the local food scene in Koh Lanta includes plenty of spicy, sour, and sweet notes – all generously drizzled with oil and more often than not, served with a hearty side of carbs. You’ll also find plenty of seafood on the menu – in fact; you’ll even see plenty of beach vendors offering sea urchins and oysters freshly plucked from the ocean.

I did notice that Koh Lanta is one of the rare few Thai provinces where you’ll also find healthier options. Unlike Bali, the island is sprinkled with vegan, raw, or vegetarian restaurants, so rest assured that the local cuisine caters to various palates.

However, I have to point out that there are no international fast-food outlets on the island. If the local cuisine isn’t quite up your alley, you’ll find plenty of eateries specializing in Western fares- although these can be more expensive.

Some of my absolute favorite dishes that I tried at Koh Lanta included:

• Pla Kapung Neung Manao

Best enjoyed at a beachside restaurant so you can savor the freshest ingredients. This dish consists of a whole steamed fish abundantly flavored with cilantro, Thai chilis, fried garlic, and lime soup. If you’re not a fan of spicy dishes, you can always opt out of the chilis. It’s usually served alongside a heaping bowl of freshly boiled rice.

• Yam Nua

A fragrant roast beef salad, Yam Nua was my go-to lunch on the island. Ideal for a hot summer’s day, this dish is made up of thin beef strips, chopped red onions, shallots, cabbage, and carrots and sprinkled with spearmint leaves. Most restaurants allow you to choose your dressing, and if you want to be particularly adventurous, I can recommend the chili-infused lime juice and garlic sauce.

• Massaman Curries

While it looks just like any regular Indian curry, the Massaman Thai curry has an entirely different flavor profile. Indeed, these curries utilize fewer spices but more tamarind paste and coconut cream. Restaurants usually serve meat, fish, and chicken curries, but you’ll also find plenty of places serving up Vegetable Massaman. Like most Thai dishes, these are accompanied by steamed rice or flaky Rotis that you can dip into the sauce.

• Crab summer rolls

Another refreshing snack that’s perfect for the warm Thai climate is straightaway crab summer rolls in virtually every restaurant around the island. Since some places even use fried octopus instead of crab. One word of caution, though the dipping sauce in Thailand is probably much spicier than what you’re used to, so be sure to do a quick taste test before completely submerging your rice wrapper.