Laos
Between ancient temples, wild waterfalls, and the Mekong: your guide to traveling in Laos.
Our Guide to Laos
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Flair
Spiritual, super relaxed, and refreshingly off the beaten path.
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Best time to visit
November through February — cool, dry, and seriously pleasant.
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Trip length
Two to three weeks covers both the north and south well.
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Currency
Cash is king here — always carry enough with you.
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Tipping
No formal tipping culture, but rounding up generously at restaurants is always appreciated.
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Getting around
The slow boat along the Mekong is an experience in itself — or take the new high-speed train for speed.
Where is Laos?
Laos sits right in the heart of Southeast Asia, sharing borders with Vietnam, China, Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia.
The capital is Vientiane, in the north of the country. The most beautiful cities to visit are Luang Prabang in the north and Champasak in the south — both are absolutely worth your time.
Don’t let the size fool you: Laos packs in a seriously diverse range of landscapes, from flat river plains and rugged mountains to dense tropical rainforest.
5 Facts About Laos
Laos is about six times the size of Switzerland, but has roughly the same number of inhabitants.
Most dishes in Laos are made with sticky rice. You roll it into a ball with your hands and dip it into the most delicious sauces — seriously good.
Laos is known as the Land of a Million Elephants. Sadly, only around 1,500 remain today.
Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia.
Laos is home to the second-shortest people in the world, with an average height of 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m).
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to travel to Laos?
Like most of Southeast Asia, Laos runs on a rainy season and a dry season — not summer and winter.
The rainy season runs from May to October, though October is already fairly dry. November through April is the dry season.
In our opinion, the sweet spot is October to February. Laos is honestly one of our favorite destinations in December. That said, the shoulder season has real charm too — there are very few tourists in Laos during those months.
One thing to know about northern Laos: December and January can get surprisingly cold. Single-digit nighttime temperatures (Celsius) aren’t unusual, and during a cold snap, daytime highs can drop to just 59°F (15°C).
How much time should I plan for Laos?
You’ll want at least seven days in Laos — that’s enough to hit some highlights and get a real feel for the country.
Honestly though, we’d recommend closer to two weeks if you can swing it. Laos rewards slow travel, and two weeks gives you the space to actually get to know the place.
How do I pay in Laos?
The currency in Laos is the Kip. The rough rate is around 18,000 Kip to 1 euro.
At upscale hotels, bills are often issued in US dollars — credit card payments are always processed in dollars too.
ATMs are easy to find at airports and in tourist areas. Just keep in mind that each withdrawal comes with a 20,000 Kip ATM fee on top of whatever your bank charges.
Heads up: Don’t leave Laos with leftover Kip. It’s a purely domestic currency — once you’re home, there’s no way to exchange it.
What is typical Laotian food?
Lao cooking is very similar to Thai cuisine, with some Vietnamese influence thrown in. Expect curries, noodle soups, fried rice, fried noodles, and grilled meat in all kinds of variations.
The dish you absolutely have to try is laap (also spelled lap, laab, or larb) — finely chopped meat tossed with fresh herbs, chili, and onions. Seriously delicious.
Laap is most commonly made with chicken or pork, but you’ll also find versions with beef, duck, fish, and vegetarian options with mushrooms or tofu.
And don’t leave without trying Beer Lao. The local brew has a genuine reputation as the best beer in Southeast Asia — it’s hard to argue with after the first one.
How do I communicate in Laos?
The Lao language is closely related to Thai.
English gets you pretty far in tourist areas. In Luang Prabang especially, locals speak it quite well.
That said, a few words of Lao go a long way — people genuinely appreciate the effort:
- “Sabai-dii” means hello and good day — use it any time of day.
- “Khawp Jai” means thank you in Lao.
- “Khawp Jai Lai Lai” is the stronger form — roughly “thank you very much.”
What should I pack for my Laos trip?
If you’re heading to northern Laos between November and February, pack a few warm layers. Nights — and sometimes even days — can get genuinely cold, and you’ll be very glad you have them.
As for power adapters: standard European two-pin plugs fit Laotian outlets, so no adapter needed if that’s what you’re traveling with.
