Best Time to Visit Laos: Month-by-Month Weather Guide

When Is the Best Time to Visit Laos?

The best time to visit Laos is from October to February. Rain is scarce, the weather isn’t too hot, and conditions are ideal for exploring the country.

Our personal favorites are October and November — the weather is dry and warm, tourist crowds are thin, and the landscapes glow in every shade of green.

One thing to be aware of: in northern Laos, Burning Season runs from roughly mid-February to mid-May. Air quality is very poor during that period, making it far from ideal for travel — we go into more detail at the end of this article.

You can also visit Laos during the rainy season from May to September. Expect heavy downpours every day, but they’re usually short-lived, and you’ll have the country almost entirely to yourself.

Climate in Laos

The climate in Laos is tropical, divided into a dry season and a rainy season.

• Dry season: November – April
• Rainy season: May – October

In northern Laos (e.g., Luang Prabang and Vientiane), it can get genuinely cool in the winter months (December – February). Daytime temperatures sometimes hover around just 59°F, and nights can drop below 50°F.

Dry Season in Laos

The dry season is exactly what it sounds like — very dry. From November to April, you’ll only run into rain in exceptional cases. Toward the end of the dry season (March and April), the landscapes look noticeably parched.

We visited Laos in January and February and found the weather genuinely lovely. It wasn’t too hot, and the sun shone every single day.

That said, it was always a bit hazy, so the views weren’t the best. We found that a little disappointing, especially in Vang Vieng.

Rainy Season in Laos

The rainy season isn’t ideal, but it’s not a dealbreaker either. The sun usually shines in the morning, and rain typically only moves in during the afternoon — though when it does, it really pours.

When the rain hits, try to stay indoors as much as possible — flooding and landslides can occur, especially in more remote areas.

Also read our safety tips for Laos

Be extra careful when hiking or riding a scooter during the rainy season, as roads and trails get slippery fast.

The rainy season is also hot and humid, which makes sightseeing more tiring — and there are more mosquitoes around.

The upside? Far fewer tourists in Laos during this time, which is a real plus if you prefer a quieter experience.

Climate Chart for Laos

Note: Some parts of Laos sit at higher elevations (e.g., the Bolaven Plateau at 3,900 feet). Temperatures there are generally lower than what the climate chart shows.

The Weather Month by Month in Laos

Here’s a closer look at what to expect from the weather in Laos throughout the year.

December, January, and February in Laos

December, January, and February are peak season and dry season in Laos. In the north it feels something like a mild winter — you’ll want long sleeves in the mornings and evenings.

But since the sun usually shines, the daytime weather is great for sightseeing. We were in Laos at the end of January and loved every minute of it — even if we got a little chilly on our Mekong River cruise.

March and April in Laos

March and April are the driest months in Laos — but that’s not entirely a good thing. Burning Season hits its peak in the north during this time, air quality is very poor, and the landscapes look quite barren.

We wouldn’t recommend this period for a Laos road trip, and northern Laos is best avoided. The south, however, can be explored comfortably during these months.

May, June, July, August, and September in Laos

From June to August, the rainy season reaches its peak. May and September still see plenty of rain — just slightly less. Expect some rain every single day across all five months.

Most of the time, a heavy shower rolls in during the afternoon while the morning starts out sunny — so plan your outdoor activities accordingly.

Also keep in mind that humidity is very high and mosquitoes are everywhere.

Protect yourself with mosquito repellent and light, long-sleeved clothing — Laos has malaria, dengue fever, and other tropical diseases.

Also read our travel tips for Laos

October and November in Laos

October and November are our favorite months to visit Laos — and honestly, it’s not a close call. October marks the end of the rainy season, but it already rains much less than in the months before. November kicks off the dry season properly.

The landscape is lush and green, it’s warm, and tourist numbers are still manageable. Seriously, it doesn’t get much better than this.

Burning Season in Laos

You might know Burning Season from Chiang Mai in Thailand — but it affects northern Laos just as much.

We haven’t experienced Burning Season in Laos firsthand, so we can’t give you detailed personal impressions. The timeframe also shifts a bit from year to year, so treat our figures as a rough guide rather than a fixed calendar.

What we can say is that even at the end of January and beginning of February, we noticed the haze — views were limited and visibility wasn’t great.

There may also be a smell of smoke in the air. How strong or bothersome it gets, we honestly can’t say from experience. But the air quality is definitely poor during this period, and that’s worth factoring into your plans.