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Laos✨ 10 best things to do in Laos

Things to do in Laos

1. Watch the dawn alms givingSee lines of monks walk silently through Luang Prabang at sunrise – respectfully, from a distance.
2. Swim at Kuang Si FallsPlunge into turquoise limestone pools cascading through the jungle near Luang Prabang.
3. Slow boat down the MekongSpend two days drifting between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang past villages and forested hills.
4. Kayak and climb in Vang ViengPaddle the Nam Song River, explore caves and hike to viewpoints above karst peaks.
5. Explore the Plain of JarsWander among giant ancient stone jars on cleared paths in Xieng Khouang.
6. Relax in the 4,000 IslandsSwing in a hammock on Don Det or Don Khon, cycle the islands and see Khone Phapheng falls.
7. Ride the Thakhek LoopMotorbike through limestone landscapes to the vast Kong Lor river cave.
8. Visit Wat PhouClimb the stone stairway of this UNESCO-listed Khmer-era temple near Champasak.
9. Learn at the COPE CentreUnderstand the legacy of unexploded ordnance at this moving visitor centre in Vientiane.
10. Eat laap and sticky riceShare minced-meat salad, grilled fish and baskets of sticky rice at a riverside market.

Laos🗺️ Where to visit in Laos

Where to go in Laos

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  Luang PrabangNorth · UNESCO townA serene former royal capital of gilded temples, French-colonial houses and night markets.
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  VientianeCentral · capitalA laid-back riverside capital with That Luang, Patuxai and lively Mekong sunset promenades.
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  Vang ViengCentral · adventureStunning karst scenery and outdoor activities from tubing to hot-air balloons.
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  Nong Khiaw & Muang NgoiNorth · river valleyDramatic peaks above the Nam Ou river, great for trekking and hikes to viewpoints.
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  Plain of JarsXieng Khouang · archaeologyA UNESCO site of mysterious megalithic jars on rolling hills.
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  Si Phan Don (4,000 Islands)Far south · Mekong islandsTranquil river islands with waterfalls and a slow island rhythm.
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  Bolaven PlateauSouth · coffee & waterfallsCool highlands full of coffee farms and spectacular waterfalls such as Tad Fane.
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  Kong Lor CaveKhammouane · river caveA 7 km river cave you travel through by longtail boat.

Laos🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Laos

Best time to visit Laos

Laos has a tropical monsoon climate, with a dry season from November to April and a wet season from May to October. Mountainous northern areas are cooler, especially at night in winter.

Typical daytime highs and rain in Vientiane (approximate averages).

Laos🎉 Festivals & events in Laos

• Mid-April
  Pi Mai (Lao New Year)Three days of water fights, temple visits and blessings, especially joyful in Luang Prabang.
• May
  Boun Bang Fai (Rocket Festival)Villagers launch homemade rockets to encourage the rains.
• October
  Boun Ok Phansa and boat racesThe end of Buddhist Lent is marked with illuminated boats floating on the Mekong and long-boat races.
• November
  That Luang FestivalPilgrims and processions gather at Vientiane's golden stupa for Laos's most important religious festival.
• Late November-December
  Hmong New YearHmong communities celebrate the harvest with traditional dress, ball-tossing games and music.

Laos🧭 Laos itinerary ideas

How many days in Laos?

Laos🎒 Backpacking Laos – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $25–35 a day

• The Laos–China railway is a fast, affordable link between Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang – buy tickets early as they sell out.
• VIP buses and minivans cover other routes cheaply; sleeper buses are popular for long journeys south.
• Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, Don Det and Thakhek have plenty of cheap guesthouses and hostels.
• Eat at night markets and noodle stalls; khao piak sen and baguette sandwiches are budget staples.
• Rent a scooter for loops like Thakhek, but check the bike well and wear a helmet.

Laos🛡️ Safety & money in Laos

Emergency: 1191 police · 1190 fire · 1195 ambulance

Laos🛬 Getting to Laos

Main international airports are in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, with some flights to Pakse. Land crossings connect with Thailand (including the Friendship Bridge near Vientiane), Vietnam, Cambodia and China, and the railway links Vientiane with Kunming.

✈️ Cheap flights to Laos: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Laos💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Laos

• Laos is Southeast Asia's only landlocked country.
• Lan Xang, the name of the old kingdom, means 'Land of a Million Elephants'.
• The Patuxai monument in Vientiane is sometimes called the 'vertical runway' because it was built with concrete originally meant for an airport.
• Sticky rice is eaten by hand at almost every meal, rolled into small balls.
• Kong Lor is one of the longest navigable river caves in Southeast Asia.

Laos❓ Laos travel FAQ

Laos travel questions