Laos Travel Guide

Overview

Laos is a Southeast Asian country that is sandwiched between Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The sights here are a little bit like a mix of each of those countries: jungles and mountains, hidden waterfalls, and bizarre Buddhist temples.

Laos may not be a tourist hotspot, but it has a lot of interesting things to see and do in places like Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, and Vientiane. Read through this complete Laos travel guide for more info on what to expect!

Quick Facts

Language

Laotian

Religion

Buddhism

Currency

US Dollar; Lao Kip is given for change

Capital

Visa

VOA available to most nationalities

Climate

Tropical; hot & humid year round. Dry season is Oct - May

Apps

N/A

Flights

As a tourist, your main airports in Laos are in Luang Prabang (LPQ) and Vientiane (VTE), which have direct flights from nearby Southeast Asian cities like Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. There's no airport in Vang Vieng, but you can go by bus from Vientiane. You can shop for flights to Laos on Skyscanner.

Safety

Laos is generally a safe travel destination, although some precautions should be taken. Petty crime is a bit of a problem, and tourists should avoid walking around after dark. Still, the biggest safety risks are probably motorbike accidents and natural threats, like dengue fever or malaria. Be sure to wear mosquito spray in rural areas and during the rainy season.

Climate

The climate of Laos is tropical, so the weather is hot and humid year round. The rainy season runs from May to late September, and the sunny season runs from October to late April. It's still possible to visit Laos in the rainy season, but give yourself some extra days as a buffer in case of bad weather.

Budget

Laos is a very budget friendly travel destination, withΒ hostels available from $5 USD and private hotels from $15. Meals are also cheap, costing about $1 to $5 depending on location. Transportation in Laos is generally by taxi or motorbike, but sadly the transportation apps likeΒ Grab and Uber don't work here.

Tours

The best Laos tours & activities

Posts

My latest blog posts about Laos

Get In Touch

Feel free to contact me if you have travel questions, comments, or suggestions!

I'll try to get back to you!