Highlights
Luang Prabang
The old royal capital sits on a peninsula where the Nam Khan meets the Mekong, and its townscape of temples and French-era shophouses is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Climb Mount Phousi for sunset, visit Wat Xieng Thong and watch the dawn alms procession quietly and from a respectful distance.
Kuang Si Falls
About an hour south of Luang Prabang, a series of turquoise limestone pools steps down through the forest, ending in a tall main cascade. A bear rescue centre sits near the entrance, and early mornings are much quieter than the afternoons.
Vang Vieng
Once known for river-tubing parties, the town has turned towards the outdoors: kayaking on the Nam Song, caves, lagoons and hot-air balloon flights over a dramatic landscape of karst peaks. It is now a stop on the Laos–China railway.
Plain of Jars
Around Phonsavan in Xieng Khouang province, hundreds of large stone jars, many over a thousand years old, lie scattered across the hills. Their purpose is still debated. Stick to the cleared paths: this area was heavily bombed and unexploded ordnance remains.
Si Phan Don (4,000 Islands)
Near the Cambodian border the Mekong spreads into a maze of channels and islands. Don Det and Don Khon are for hammocks, bicycles and sunsets, and the Khone Phapheng falls, wide rather than tall, show the river at its most powerful.
Wat Phou
Near Champasak in the south, this ruined Khmer temple complex climbs a hillside towards a sacred spring. It predates Angkor Wat in parts and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, usually far less crowded than its Cambodian cousin.
Kong Lor Cave
In central Laos a river runs for several kilometres straight through a limestone mountain. Boatmen take you through the pitch-dark tunnel by torchlight, and the village nearby makes a peaceful overnight stop.
Bolaven Plateau
A cooler upland in the south known for coffee plantations, waterfalls such as Tad Fane and Tad Yuang, and ethnic minority villages. Many travellers loop it by motorbike from Pakse over a few days.
Interesting facts about Laos
- Laos is often described as the most heavily bombed country per person in history: more than two million tonnes of ordnance were dropped on it between 1964 and 1973, and clearance work continues today.
- The Laos–China railway, opened in December 2021, cut the journey from Vientiane to Luang Prabang from most of a day by road to a few hours by train.
- Laos is the only landlocked country in South-East Asia; the Mekong forms much of its border with Thailand.
- Sticky rice is the staple, eaten by hand from small woven baskets, and Laos consumes more glutinous rice per person than almost anywhere else.
- Lao New Year, Pi Mai, falls in mid-April and is celebrated with water throwing that soaks entire towns for several days.
Best time to visit
November to February is the dry, cooler season and the most comfortable time to visit, with clear skies and pleasant evenings, though nights in the northern mountains can be cold. March to May is very hot, and in the north farmers' burning can leave a smoky haze over the hills. The rainy season runs roughly from May to October: the countryside turns vividly green, waterfalls are at their fullest and crowds thin out, but some rural roads become difficult and river levels change boat schedules.
Practical information
| Capital | Vientiane |
|---|---|
| Currency | Lao kip (LAK); Thai baht and US dollars are sometimes accepted in tourist areas |
| Languages | Lao |
| Plugs | Type A, B, C, E, F |
| Voltage | 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Emergency | 1191 police, 1195 ambulance, 1190 fire |
| Driving | On the right |
| Tipping | Not traditionally expected. Rounding up or leaving small notes for good service in restaurants, and tipping guides and drivers on tours, is appreciated. |
Getting around
The Laos–China railway is now the easiest way to travel between Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, and tickets can sell out, so book ahead where you can. Elsewhere, travel is by bus, minivan and shared songthaew pick-ups, which are slow on mountain roads. The two-day slow boat on the Mekong between the Thai border at Huay Xai and Luang Prabang is a classic journey in itself. In towns, tuk-tuks are everywhere; agree the fare before you set off. Domestic flights link Vientiane with Luang Prabang, Pakse and a few other towns.
Staying connected in Laos
Mobile coverage is good in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Pakse and along the main roads, and 4G is common in towns. In the mountains, on long stretches of the Mekong and in remote river valleys signal drops out for long periods, so download offline maps before slow boat trips or motorbike loops. Guesthouses and cafés in tourist towns almost all offer Wi-Fi, though speeds vary. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land, so you can call a ride and check maps from the airport or border.
See Laos eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for Laos
- LOCA: The local ride-hailing app in Vientiane and some other towns, useful for getting fixed-price car rides without haggling.
- Google Maps: Download offline maps of Laos before you travel; signal is patchy outside towns and on the river.
- Google Translate: Lao is supported for text, so you can show drivers and market sellers a translated phrase.
- XE Currency: The kip comes in large denominations with many zeros, so a converter helps you check prices quickly.