Just off the coast of Krabi is the island of Koh Lanta, a chill, tropical spot with limestone mountains, coral reefs and a rainforested interior set in the Andaman Sea.

This beautiful island has so much to do and see. You can try out some hiking, caving, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkelling, climbing, or just spend your time zooming around the island on a moped trying all of the delicious food you can find!

But where do you wanna stay on Koh Lanta? Do you wanna spend your time unwinding on the beach, would you like a more jungle experience, or do you wanna be close to bars and restaurants?

Well, whatever you wanna do, we’ve got you covered. We’ve made a guide to the best hostels in Koh Lanta, complete with handy categories to make it super easy for you to choose the hostel that’s right for you.

Peep our list of the top Koh Lanta backpackers hostels below!

Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Koh Lanta

Best Hostels in Koh Lanta

The Best Hostels in Koh Lanta

Many a backpacker in Thailand finds there way to Koh Lanta and each one of them needs a place to crash. Let’s look at some of the best.

Saladan Village Koh Lanta

Blanca Hostel @Koh Lanta – Best Overall Hostel in Koh Lanta

Blanca Hostel @Koh Lanta best hostels in Koh Lanta
Blanca Hostel @Koh Lanta is our pick for best overall hostel in Koh Lanta
  • $$
  • Daily Activities & Tours
  • Free Breakfast
  • Bar

Featuring a super nice chill out area, a big ol’ garden, and a large number of beds, this place is just 2 mins from Long Beach – which is always handy. It’s run by a local family, with a few western members of staff too, so you can get the most out of Koh Lanta island life.

In that garden? There’s a massage hut, hammocks, plus a firepit that everybody sits round in the evening. Sounds pretty calm to us. There’s also a bar at the best overall hostel in Koh Lanta, complete with drinks deals which we can always get on board with. You can also do yoga classes, trekking and scuba diving through the hostel.

Non La Mer Hostel – Best Party Hostel in Koh Lanta

Non La Mer Hostel best hostels in Koh Lanta
Non La Mer Hostel is our pick for best party hostel in Koh Lanta
  • $$
  • Free Breakfast
  • Restaurant
  • Bar

Apparently ‘non la mer’ means sleepwalking in Thai, which is fun. Not sure if that’s a good thing or not, but… if you wanna stay at the best party hostel in Koh Lanta then look no further than this place.

They have their own pretty poppin’ bar complete with cheap beer. We should mention right about here that the bar is called Drunken Dude Bar so… yeah, you know what you’re getting yourself into with that one. But away from the loud music from the bar, you can get a good night’s sleep at this Koh Lanta backpackers hostel.

Hub of Joys – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Koh Lanta

Hub of Joys best hostels in Koh Lanta
Hub of Joys is our pick for best hostel for digital nomads in Koh Lanta
  • $$
  • Free Breakfast
  • Moped Hire
  • Cafe

Is this place really a Hub of Joys? Well, it’s definitely a hub of digital nomad HEAVEN, that’s for sure. Super modern, a cool place, and run by really friendly staff, the best hostel for digital nomads in Koh Lanta is… yeah, pretty much cool AF.

There’s a vibey, spacious coffee shop at the front of this place, plus a decent outdoor patio, so there are plenty of places in this top hostel in Koh Lanta to get your head down and get some work done on your laptop. Food is served here too, so you don’t need to worry ’bout that. Rent a scooter and zoom around the island when you’re done typing.

Chill Out Hostel – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Koh Lanta

Chill Out Hostel best hostels in Koh Lanta
Chill Out Hostel is our pick for best hostel for solo travellers in Koh Lanta
  • $
  • Bar
  • Restaurant
  • Book Exchange

A super warm and welcoming place (apparently made out of driftwood), this top hostel in Koh Lanta is a short walk to a great beach – plus nearby there are a load of restaurants and bars to eat at and chill out.

This is the sorta place where they try to treat each guest as a member of the family – so you can see why it’s our top choice for solo travellers in Koh Lanta. They put on family dinners every night, featuring great local food and chances to chat to fellow guests. The bar closes at midnight, so you can head out for more drinks or pop to the beach after.

Hey Beach Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Koh Lanta

Hey Beach Hostel best hostels in Koh Lanta
Hey Beach Hostel is our pick for best cheap hostel in Koh Lanta
  • $
  • On The Beach
  • Air Con
  • Bar

Hey Beach! You’d expect this to be right near the beach… and it IS! It’s right on Klong Dao Beach! That makes this a recommended hostel in Koh Lanta for anybody interested in snorkelling, sunbathing or just chilling on the beach.

It’s a very, very affordable place to stay, so that’s why it’s the best cheap hostel in Koh Lanta. And, well, being right on the beach we reckon it’s great value for money. You can rent scooters from this hostel and zip around the island, too. Not luxurious but decent enough. Chilled vibe.

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Aether Backpack

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

View on Osprey View on REI

Journey Hostel – Best Hostel for Couples in Koh Lanta

Journey Hostel best hostels in Koh Lanta
Journey Hostel is our pick for best hostel for couples in Koh Lanta
  • $$
  • Outdoor Terrace
  • Sick Private Rooms
  • Cool AF

Run by the friendly Jenna and Ulrik, this recommended hostel in Koh Lanta is an awesome oasis of calm featuring strong Wi-Fi (we all love that), super comfy beds, and a very chilled chill out area. The owners will tell you ALL about the secret spots on the island, which is cool.

We reckon it’s the best hostel for couples in Koh Lanta because, well, the owners are great, the vibe is super calm, and the private rooms are super nice and have big sliding glass doors for a definite getaway feel. It’s one of the coolest hostels in Koh Lanta too – think minimalist design, polished concrete floors and loads of stylish furniture.

Lemonade Boutique Inn – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Koh Lanta

Lemonade Boutique Inn best hostels in Koh Lanta
Lemonade Boutique Inn is our pick for best hostel with a private room in Koh Lanta
  • $$$
  • Tours/Travel Desk
  • Restaurant & Bar
  • Air Con

Sounds lovely, doesn’t it? And yeah, it is. Set in the Klong Dao beach area, even the dorm beds at this cool hostel in Koh Lanta are nice – they’re not even bunks. But… dang… the private rooms are BIG and feature cosy beds, mini fridges, TVs, big light windows and places to put your clothes. Plus a private bathroom.

So you can easily see why this is the best hostel with a private room in Koh Lanta. The staff at Lemonade Boutique are very helpful and will sort you out with transport and tours if you need it, plus give you tips on what to do around the island. High-quality surface.

Travel with peace of mind. Travel WITH a security belt.
Active Roots Security Belt

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Hide Yo’ Money!

More Best Hostels In Koh Lanta

Do you want to stay in the party district or maybe somewhere more laidback? Use our accommodation and area guide to decide on where to stay in Koh Lanta before booking your hostel.

Best Stay Hostel At Lanta

Best Stay Hostel At Lanta best hostels in Koh Lanta
Best Stay Hostel At Lanta
  • $$
  • Free Breakfast
  • Luggage Storage
  • Air Con

They’re telling us it’s the best stay and, well… it IS pretty good. Crisp and clean linen, cool common room space (complete with swings) and a whole lot of light wood meets polished concrete, it’s definitely one of the coolest hostels in Koh Lanta.

Sure, this Koh Lanta flashpackers hostel isn’t the most vibey of places, but the staff are nice, it’s pretty dang clean and it’s a decent place to relax. Plus you also get welcomed with a welcome drink, so that’s always good.

Slacklines Hostel

Slacklines Hostel best hostels in Koh Lanta
Slacklines Hostel
  • $
  • BBQ
  • Bar
  • Swimming Pool

A typical sorta rustic beach stay, this top hostel in Koh Lanta features thatched beach huts surrounded by tropical gardens. Very nice. It’s just 5 mins from the beach, too. Plus there’s a swimming pool and a bar here.

Each bungalow (thatched hut, whatever) at this place comes with its own bathroom for extra convenience, but generally, this place is like a chilled jungle experience. You can rent scooters here to get around the island. Just don’t expect 10/10 cleanliness ’cause, y’know, it’s a bamboo hut.

Let it Bee Econo Hostel

Let it Bee Econo Hostel best hostels in Koh Lanta
Let it Bee Econo Hostel
  • $
  • Communal Kitchen
  • Security Lockers
  • Air Con

Does it have a bee theme? No. So the name makes literally no sense. But other than that, this budget hostel in Koh Lanta is a decent enough place to stay. The staff are nice, at least.

The private rooms here come complete with big windows and en-suite bathrooms, but the dorms are a bit… cosy. Well, cramped actually. And we dunno who decided on the red colour scheme… But anyway. It ain’t sociable, but it IS cheap. So there’s that.

What to Pack for your Koh Lanta Hostel

Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from us, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straight forward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art we have perfected over many years.

Product
Description
Don’t Let Snorers Keep You Awake!
Don’t Let Snorers Keep You Awake!

Ear Plugs

Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.

Keep your laundry organized and stink free
Keep your laundry organized and stink free

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

Stay Dry With a Micro Towel
Stay Dry With a Micro Towel

Sea To Summit Micro Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Make Some New Buddies…
Make Some New Buddies…

Monopoly Deal

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Reduce Plastic – Bring a Water Bottle!
Reduce Plastic – Bring a Water Bottle!

Grayl Geopress Water Bottle

Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!

Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!

Why you should travel to Koh Lanta

That’s our list of the best hostels in Koh Lanta all finished.

Now you know all about the top hostels on this stunner of a Thai tropical island.

From chilled out beach hut style accommodation that feels like a rustic getaway, to more modern hostels that are literally SO cool and design-y, we reckon you’ll find something to suit you thanks to our handy guide.

But if you can’t decide… well, we don’t blame you. (There’s a lotta choice!)

So we’d recommend Blanca Hostel @Koh Lanta, easily the best overall hostel in Koh Lanta and a great shout for anybody.

All you gotta do now is book a bed then prep yourself for a sick time on this amazing island!

Blanca Hostel @Koh Lanta best hostels in Koh Lanta

FAQ about Hostels in Koh Lanta

Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Koh Lanta.

Travel Safety Tips for Koh Lanta

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

If want to learn more about security in Thailand, check out our separate safety guide for insider tips and stories.

More Epic Hostels in Thailand and Asia

Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Koh Lanta.

Planning an epic trip all across Thailand or even Asia itself?

Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!

For more cool hostel guides around Asia, check out:

Over to you

By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Koh Lanta has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!

If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!


And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!