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MU KOH LANTA NATIONAL PARK
The Mu Koh Lanta National Park is about 130 km2. All of Koh Lanta and the islets to the east of the island belong to this Thai national park. Also the much more southerly located island of Koh Ngai belongs to the national park of Koh Lanta.
Although the surrounding islands do belong to Mu Koh Lanta National Park, you can’t reach them via the southern entrance of Muh Koh Lanta National Park. You usually visit the surrounding islands by means of an island tour or snorkel trip that you can book anywhere on Koh Lanta. On some of these beautiful tropical islands you can spend the night snorkeling and diving in the clear blue sea.
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Entrance fee Mu Koh Lanta National Park
When people talk about the Mu Koh Lanta National Park on Koh Lanta, they usually mean the far south of the island. To enter this part of the island you have to pay an entrance fee of 200 baht per person (children 100 baht) and 20 baht for a scooter or 30 baht for a car.
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How to get to Mu Koh Lanta National Park?
To get to Mu Koh Lanta National Park it is best to rent a scooter or car on the island. From the Saladan Pier you are there in about an hour and from Koh Lanta Old Town around 45 minutes. Much of the route goes over hills and along bays with beautiful beaches such as Kantiang Bay, Ao Nui and Bamboo Beach which are definitely worth a stop.
The road sometimes goes up quite steeply and down just as steeply again, so sometimes you’ll have to accelerate a bit and at other times you’ll have to brake well dosed. We drove past signs with gradients of 35 percent! The roads consist of concrete slabs that were in good condition almost everywhere.
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On the way to Mu Koh Lanta National Park
In addition to beautiful beaches you will also see a number of cozy bars and restaurants along the way with astonishing views from the hills. During the low season these are not all open, but you will not dry out or starve to death. The route to the Mu Koh Lanta National Park is in our opinion the best feature of the whole park. So take your time for this scooter or car ride and enjoy the surroundings!
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What to do in Mu Koh Lanta National Park?
When you have paid the entrance fee you will often get a simple map with the most important sights and activities on it. There is also a sign with a map of the area in the park itself, this one is a bit more detailed. The national park consists mainly of rugged hills covered with rainforest and a forest along the coastline. The park isn’t very big and doesn’t have many attractions, but you can enjoy yourself for a few hours.
The lighthouse
Once arrived in the park most visitors walk directly to the lighthouse which is visible as soon as you walk into the park. The lighthouse stands on a hill and you can easily walk and climb the way to this landmark. Once you arrive at the top of the lighthouse you have a beautiful view over the two bays of the Mu Koh Lanta National Park. Think about this as well… you are at the southernmost point of the island Koh Lanta!
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Swimming and snorkeling
When the sea is calm you can snorkel in Mu Koh Lanta National Park. We have no experience with this ourselves because during our visit the sea was not calm enough. The easternmost bay of the park has a fairly large sandy beach where you can sunbathe and swim. By the way, there are no sunbeds on this beach.
Amenities in the Mu Koh Lanta National Park
In the park you can buy something to eat and drink at the restaurant or in a shop. There are fairly clean showers and toilets, but just to be on the safe side, bring your own tissues or toilet paper if you don’t master the Thai toilet arts.
Hiking route through the National Park
The walk through the National Park has quite a few steep stairs. Along the way there is a viewpoint from where you can see the bay and the lighthouse from the other side. You don’t need a guide, there is a clear path, but you do go more and more into the jungle. Chances are that you will encounter a group of monkeys or a monitor lizard.
At some trees in the jungle there are signs with information about the tree species. The information boards in the park indicate that you will be sweet for 2 hours with this walk but then you either have to be very slow or you have to be a biologist who wants to study every tree or shrub thoroughly. Most people take about an hour to walk this 2 km route. Keep in mind that the sometimes very high and steep steps make this route less suitable for small children.
Cheeky monkeys!
The monkeys in the Mu Koh Lanta National Park and especially on the beach can be a serious problem. If you have something to eat and the monkeys are on a poaching parade, they want nothing more than to take that food away from you. We saw people forced to give up snacks because the monkeys claimed them by harassing them all the time. Everywhere in the National Park there are signs that it is forbidden to feed the monkeys, a fine for this is 500 baht. But maybe in the meantime it is time for a commandment sign for these cheeky monkeys!
Do you have a drybag? Then take it with you because if you leave your stuff on the beach unattended while swimming, the monkeys may want to turn your bag upside down or even steal it. Especially if they think there is something tasty in your bag. That is why it is wise to take your valuables with you when you go swimming or snorkeling.
SAVE CASH
Are you travelling on a limited budget or do you have little time and you don’t necessarily need a selfie with a lighthouse or monkey? Then skip Mu Koh Lanta National Park. Why should you skip it? The entrance fee is on the high side for what you get. Everywhere on Koh Lanta are beautiful beaches and the jungle trail is fun but not very special. We liked the scooter ride to the park the most!
What else is there to do on Koh Lanta?
Besides a visit to the Mu Koh Lanta National Park there are of course many more fun things to do on Koh Lanta! We have picked out some nice locations for you. Like well-appreciated accommodations, restaurants, bars, beautiful beaches and other attractions on this fine island! In the InfoBox below you will find all the information you need!
Spending the night on Koh Lanta
On Koh Lanta you can sleep as cheap or expensive as you want. The range of accommodations is very diverse. From luxury resorts to back to basic in a nice small bungalow, the choice is yours! In general, the price-quality ratio on Koh Lanta is better than on the surrounding islands.
This is our selection of the best places to sleep on Koh Lanta:
- The best luxury resorts on Koh Lanta
- The beste mid-range hotels on Koh Lanta
- The best cheap places to sleep on Koh Lanta
Also read our reviews of:
Good dining at Koh Lanta
- Yang Garden TIP
This is without a doubt our favourite restaurant on the island! Everything’s right here! Of course the food is great but also the location and staff get a big 10/10 from us! Do it! - Drunken Sailors
Near one of the most beautiful beaches of Koh Lanta (Kantiang) lies this gem! You can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner here. Already eaten? The cocktails are also great here, just ask those swaying sailors who walk out the door… - The Reggae Bar TIP
All the way to the north of Koh Lanta and not far from the village of Saladan you can enjoy great dishes and powerful cocktails in your own private (tree) hut on a rocky beach! This special location belongs to the beautiful Avani+ Koh Lanta Resort. - Rareview Coffee & Restaurant TIP
Not only the dishes and drinks are here to savour, also the view is very appetizing! The team at this restaurant in Koh Lanta’s Old Town is super friendly and will do everything to make sure you have a great time! - Global Local – Home of the serious burger
They take the hamburger seriously here, very seriously! Taste it yourself! - Pad Thai Rock n Roll
Dance for joy as you taste the toad thai or other dishes here! Located just before Kantiang Bay in the south of Koh Lanta. - Di Farina Pizza
The best pizza of Koh Lanta can be found in Old Town, unfortunately closed in low season but if you are here in the months November to May then you know where to go!
If you want to know more about the above restaurants read our article about the best restaurants on Koh Lanta.
Going out on Koh Lanta
There are a number of not-to-be-missed bars on Koh Lanta where you can socialize and have a drink. Do you only want the best of the best? Then read our article about the best bars on Koh Lanta.
- Majestic Bar Koh Lanta
There are a number of not-to-be-missed bars on Koh Lanta where you can socialize and have a drink. Do you only want the best of the best? Then read our article about the nicest bars on Koh Lanta. - Why Not Bar
A popular bar at perhaps the most beautiful beach in Koh Lanta. In the bay of Kantiang you come to relax and enjoy the fire shows that are held here! - The Reggae Bar
Not far from Saladan Village and situated on the grounds of a beautiful luxury resort you can drink special cocktails in an equally special setting… - Rasta Baby Bar
On Klong Nin Beach there is relaxed reggae and jungle playing all evening. The friendly family at this bar will make sure you have a great night, yah man! - Big Bang Bar
Attention beer lovers! On the beach of Klong Nin you can enjoy countless different craft beers.Let yourself be seduced by names like Coconut Cream and imagine yourself on a tropical island while taking your first sip…wait, you’re already on a tropical island! Cheers! - Freedom Bar
A beautiful beach, good music, nice people and nice drinks. Feel happy and free because here on Klong Khong Beach it is wonderful to stay! - Funky Monkey
Singing talent wanted! At the Funky Monkey near Long Beach you can grab prizes if you make the most of your singing talent. Who knows, you might get a record deal and become a famous pop star in Thailand, but of course you can also go for the free drinks! - Pangea Beach Bar
If the Funky Monkey (tip above) is a place for nightingales, then this bar is the ultimate place for night owls! From Techno to Deep House you’ll find it at Long Beach. - Cheeky Monkey Bar
If the Funky Monkey (tip above) is a place for nightingales, then this bar is the ultimate place for night owls! From Techno to Deep House you’ll find it at Long Beach.
Koh Lanta is a lovely island to explore by scooter or car. You bypass the high taxi prices and you can visit nice places at your leisure. We have a very good experience with Lanta Sky. You can rent a scooter or car from them that they bring and pick up again when it suits you best. If you want to rent a car you have to leave your passport, that is Koh Lanta everywhere. Renting a scooter without your passport is often possible when you pay a few thousand baht deposit. Are you going to Mu Koh Lanta National Park? Then ask for a powerful scooter, especially if you want to go with two people on a scooter. The roads to the National Park go up a lot and that calls for some extra power.
What else to discover on Koh Lanta?
- Saladan Village & Pier
Almost everyone arrives at the pier in the village of Saladan. The small village has everything a traveler needs. - Klong Dao Beach
Klong Dao Beach is a nice long and wide beach near the village of Saladan where beautiful resorts such as Twin Lotus are located. - Long Beach
Long Beach is the most popular beach of Koh Lanta, you have plenty of choice of nice bars and good restaurants. - Klong Khong Beach
Klong Khong Beach, also known as Relax Bay has a hippie vibe, you will find nice bars and budget accommodations at the beach. - Kantiang Bay
According to many visitors of Koh Lanta, Kantiang Bay is the most beautiful beach on the island. - Bamboo Bay
Small paradise beach with not much more than a white beach and a blue sea. - Ao Nui Beach
Lovely small beach with a few nice beach bars for a cool drink. - Mu Koh Lanta National Park
The Mu Koh Lanta National Park is a beautiful area all the way south of Koh Lanta. Just the ride on the scooter is already worth it! - Old Town
Old Town has beautiful authentic houses, souvenir shops and nice restaurants with the famous Instagram swings by the sea. - Time for Lime
You can find the best and most enjoyable cooking course at Time for Lime! And the great thing is that a large part of the proceeds are donated to Lanta Animal Welfare! - Lanta Animal Welfare
Straight dogs and cats get a better future thanks to Lanta Animal Welfare! A must visit if you are on Koh Lanta.
Take a look at our selection of some impressive pictures of Koh Lanta through our ninth Picture This article.
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