It is difficult to visit Koh Lanta and not pass through Baan Saladan, the ‘metropolis’ of Koh Lanta, but it is certainly not the biggest town you will ever go to. Many European villages are bigger, but Baan Saladan is attractive with its buildings on stilts over the sea, and it is the centre of activity on the island. Located the furthest north you can go and overlooking the more traditional Thai island of Lanta Noi, it is home to the island’s banks, post office, police, most dive and snorkelling boats, passenger ferries as well as many great restaurants, shops, hotels, cafés and more.

Built on a T-Junction with only four-five driveable roads, Saladan does not take long to pass through. Saladan took over from Koh Lanta’s Old Town, due to it being the arrival and departure point for the passenger ferries to/from Krabi, Phi Phi, Phuket and Koh Lipe. In recent years however, it is proving to be a destination in itself, with recent improvements made to the beach and a huge growth in the number of affordable hotels and budget accommodation in and near the town.