Here is an update as of 2016.
Getting There - Minivan + Car Ferry From Krabi is about 2.5 hrs and costs 250 THB. It's uncomfortable as the van will be packed to the rafters and 90% of the trip is on land.
Getting Around - Moped is a necessity and costs 200 THB/Day. The island is spread out but the roads are good. You will have to scoot around to the different parties but Tuk Tuks are readily available if you are planning to drink.
Where To Stay - I stayed at a resort mentioned by Allthethings above. I thought that some girls might not want to slum it and would prefer a nicer resort. However, the resort was all honeymooners and families.
I moved to a bungalow near the Tree House. On Long Beach, these bungalows would be between Lanta Sand Resort and Lantawadee Resort. tThe bungalows in this area are mainly filled by young backpackers. 30-40% of the bungalows will be occupied by families and even retired couples.
A cheap bungalow with fan might cost 500 THB. A nicer room with a better bathroom might cost 800 THB. AC bungalows are over 1200 THB. You can negotiate even in high season. You do not need a reservation. Simply show up around 10 a.m. and ask around.
Food - Meals in the beach restaurants nearby are decent and cost 120-150 THB.
Nightlife:
As mentioned above, this is NOT a party island. Phuket and Phi Phi are different animals with deafening music, cheap buckets and horny British and Australian dudes on the prowl. The vibe in Lanta is more like a reggae party where people will get drunk enough to dance to some live music.
Every night will have a different party. There will be lanterns on the main road to denote the beach entrance road to the party. You will also see advertisements on the main road and flyers at 7-11.
Parties:
Friday - Funky Monkey Karaoke is somewhat busy. The main party is at Fusion Bar - beach party with DJ at Relax Bay Resort
Saturday - Korner Bar
Sunday - Mushroom Bar - beach party
Monday - Irie Reggae Party with live band
Tuesday - Monkey Bar - Beach Party with DJ
Wednesday - Treehouse Reggae Party with live band
Thursday - Ozone Beach Party with DJ
Vibe of Nightlife:
I'd estimate the size of the parties is about 150 people. The ratio is about 3:1 in favor of Le Sausage.
There are a lot of seasonal workers from Sweden in Koh Lanta. They teach in schools for expat kids, work as dive instructors or help out in a fellow Swede's business.
A night out might have 40% tourists, 50% seasonals and 10% Thai locals. Subsequently, a lot of people know each other and you will see a lot of large mixed groups. I reckon the attractive seasonal girls travel elsewhere to let loose as the island is so small that you have to be conscious of your reputation.
Your best bet is to try and infiltrate a mixed set of travelers. You'll probably say to yourself, "I don't want to talk about snorkeling trips with this German dude wearing Thai pants" but you need to play the backpacker chit chat game to get access to the most number of traveler girls. The other guys are not aggressive but since they know the girls they will occupy the girl's time. You might have a hard time approaching quantities of girls since you can't be an approach machine in this environment.
You won't see the girls getting blind drunk like you would see in Phi Phi. The turnover of tourists is surprisingly slow. Girls go to Phi Phi for two nights but they seem to stay for an extended time in Koh Lanta. You also won't see many single two-sets just waiting for you and your wingman to approach.
Girls:
The girls are mainly 20-25 yr olds from Sweden, Norway, Finland, France, Britain, Germany and Argentina. The quality is okay but once you cancel out the frumpy, backpacker type girls and seasonal workers you are not left with a lot of targets.
I know most guys are probably salivating at the thought of Scandinavians at the beach but don't hit this island for the women. There's a hell of a lot more quantity and quality in the Greek Islands.
420: Galaxy Restaurant on the main road is 420 Friendly. You can be pre-rolled joints for 200 THB. You don't really have to worry about cops. Even if you don't smoke, it might not be a bad idea to buy some in order to splinter a large group at the end of the night.
Getting There - Minivan + Car Ferry From Krabi is about 2.5 hrs and costs 250 THB. It's uncomfortable as the van will be packed to the rafters and 90% of the trip is on land.
Getting Around - Moped is a necessity and costs 200 THB/Day. The island is spread out but the roads are good. You will have to scoot around to the different parties but Tuk Tuks are readily available if you are planning to drink.
Where To Stay - I stayed at a resort mentioned by Allthethings above. I thought that some girls might not want to slum it and would prefer a nicer resort. However, the resort was all honeymooners and families.
I moved to a bungalow near the Tree House. On Long Beach, these bungalows would be between Lanta Sand Resort and Lantawadee Resort. tThe bungalows in this area are mainly filled by young backpackers. 30-40% of the bungalows will be occupied by families and even retired couples.
A cheap bungalow with fan might cost 500 THB. A nicer room with a better bathroom might cost 800 THB. AC bungalows are over 1200 THB. You can negotiate even in high season. You do not need a reservation. Simply show up around 10 a.m. and ask around.
Food - Meals in the beach restaurants nearby are decent and cost 120-150 THB.
Nightlife:
As mentioned above, this is NOT a party island. Phuket and Phi Phi are different animals with deafening music, cheap buckets and horny British and Australian dudes on the prowl. The vibe in Lanta is more like a reggae party where people will get drunk enough to dance to some live music.
Every night will have a different party. There will be lanterns on the main road to denote the beach entrance road to the party. You will also see advertisements on the main road and flyers at 7-11.
Parties:
Friday - Funky Monkey Karaoke is somewhat busy. The main party is at Fusion Bar - beach party with DJ at Relax Bay Resort
Saturday - Korner Bar
Sunday - Mushroom Bar - beach party
Monday - Irie Reggae Party with live band
Tuesday - Monkey Bar - Beach Party with DJ
Wednesday - Treehouse Reggae Party with live band
Thursday - Ozone Beach Party with DJ
Vibe of Nightlife:
I'd estimate the size of the parties is about 150 people. The ratio is about 3:1 in favor of Le Sausage.
There are a lot of seasonal workers from Sweden in Koh Lanta. They teach in schools for expat kids, work as dive instructors or help out in a fellow Swede's business.
A night out might have 40% tourists, 50% seasonals and 10% Thai locals. Subsequently, a lot of people know each other and you will see a lot of large mixed groups. I reckon the attractive seasonal girls travel elsewhere to let loose as the island is so small that you have to be conscious of your reputation.
Your best bet is to try and infiltrate a mixed set of travelers. You'll probably say to yourself, "I don't want to talk about snorkeling trips with this German dude wearing Thai pants" but you need to play the backpacker chit chat game to get access to the most number of traveler girls. The other guys are not aggressive but since they know the girls they will occupy the girl's time. You might have a hard time approaching quantities of girls since you can't be an approach machine in this environment.
You won't see the girls getting blind drunk like you would see in Phi Phi. The turnover of tourists is surprisingly slow. Girls go to Phi Phi for two nights but they seem to stay for an extended time in Koh Lanta. You also won't see many single two-sets just waiting for you and your wingman to approach.
Girls:
The girls are mainly 20-25 yr olds from Sweden, Norway, Finland, France, Britain, Germany and Argentina. The quality is okay but once you cancel out the frumpy, backpacker type girls and seasonal workers you are not left with a lot of targets.
I know most guys are probably salivating at the thought of Scandinavians at the beach but don't hit this island for the women. There's a hell of a lot more quantity and quality in the Greek Islands.
420: Galaxy Restaurant on the main road is 420 Friendly. You can be pre-rolled joints for 200 THB. You don't really have to worry about cops. Even if you don't smoke, it might not be a bad idea to buy some in order to splinter a large group at the end of the night.
