Laos

With over 10 years of experience throughout Laos & Southeast Asia travel, we are pleased to provide hereunder the best travel guides, information, and exceptional suggested itineraries with photos.

Please contact us at any time for expert planning advice and unrivaled support for your memorable trip.

Laos Destinations


  Country Facts & Airport Codes for Laos


 Best Time to Visit Laos


 Top 10 Things to Do in Laos


 Visa Policy of Laos


 Laos Highlights by Map


  Laos Travel FAQ


  Laos Public Holidays


  Destinations & Attractions in Laos


 Best Laos Tours


 Best Southeast Asia Tours




Country Facts & Airport Codes for Laos


Capital City of Laos:       Vientiane
Religion:                       Buddhism
Currency:                      Kips
International Dial Code:  +856

Laos’s two busiest international airports:  Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ) in Luang Prabang
                                                          •  Wattay International Airport (VTE) in Vientiane.

These flights times are to/from Luang Prabang:  1hr flight to Vientiane, Laos (domestic flight)
                                                                       1hr 05min flight to Hanoi, Vietnam
                                                                       1h45min flight to Bangkok, Thailand
                                                                       2hrs 15min flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia.


Best Time to Visit Laos


Laos has 2 seasons: The dry and wet (rainy) seasons
The best time to visit Laos is in the dry season from October to late February when the weather is warm and dry throughout the country, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 30°C.
River travel is best between November & January when the Mekong River has high enough water levels for easy passage along the waterway
The wet/ rainy season lasts from May to late August, with temperatures ranging from 27 to 36°C.

Laos weather

Laos weather


Public Holidays in Laos


Jan. 1st – International New Year
Jan. 20th – Armed Forces Day
Mar. 8th – International Women’s Day
Apr. 14-16th – Lao New Year
May 1st – Labor Day Laos travel Laos travel Laos travel Laos travels
Dec. 2nd – Lao National Day


Visa Policy of Laos


To begin, a passport valid for at least 6 months is required and you should have at least one blank visa page.

Laos Visa Exemption
With an ordinary passport from the below countries, you can travel to Cambodia without a visa up to
30 Days for Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore
14 Days for Brunei and Myanmar
15 Days for Japan, South Korea, Russia, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland)

Laos Visa On Arrival
•  Visa on arrival in Laos is available at all ports of entry in this country, including international airports and major cities.
•  You should bring two passport-size photos with you if you want to apply for a visa on arrival.
•  Travelers from Africa and the Middle East must apply for Visas in advance.
•  Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival in Laos or E-Visa before arrival to Laos, valid for 30 days, including:
EU citizens
Australians
North Americans
•  Visa on arrival is also available at all border checkpoints in Laos: Thailand – Laos
                                                                                              Cambodia – Laos
                                                                                              Vietnam – Laos
                                                                                              China – Laos border
•  Fee for Laos Visa on arrival:  China: US $20
                                         Australia and other countries: US $30
                                         USA and UK: US $35
                                         Canada: US $42
                                         India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka: US $40

Laos Visa Extension
•  Travelers can extend their visa up to an additional 60 days for about $1 for each day through the Immigration Department in Vientiane
•  However, if you extend after the visa expiry date, you will be fined $10 for the days you overstayed
Note: an additional $1 is charged from the overtime fee on weekends, Laos public holidays, and before 8 am and after 4 pm on weekdays.

Click to apply online for your tourist E-visa to Laos, valid for a maximum of 60 days after receiving the Approval Letter


Laos Highlights: Best Things to Do with Photos


Laos Destinations

Luang Prabang: With The Old Quarter, a UNESCO World  Heritage Site & picturesque landscapes of palm-lined riverbanks, ornate golden temples, and ancient monuments.

Vientiane: The capital and largest city of Laos is located in the northeast of the Mekong River and serves as the country’s central river port located in a country that heavily relies on its rivers for transportation and its surrounding hinterland of intensive rice cultivation.

Pakse: World-famous with Wat Phu, one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites dating back to the fifth century, as well as the spectacular Bolaven Plateau, a lush, cool region famous for home-grown coffee and spectacular waterfalls!

Don Khong: Dong Khong is a natural beauty island with 4,000 small islands and 19 villages, many of which depend on fishing for a living. The main market, which is organized in the early market to offer a wide variety of fresh Mekong fish, is extremely beautiful.


Top 10 Things to Do in Laos


1. Do not miss to experience and talk with the children in the Tribal villages

Children in Laos' Tribal Villages

Children in Laos’ Tribal Villages

2. Must explore the Mekong Smile boat – very relaxing and amazing 

Amazing cruise routes along the Mekong River.

Amazing cruise routes along the Mekong River

3. The best lodging is Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge resort 

Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge Resort in Laos

Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge Resort in Laos

4. Enjoying the textiles in Laos – Pakbeng market 

The Textiles in Laos - Pakbeng Market

The Textiles in Laos – Pakbeng Market

5. Pak Ou Caves is a treat, home to 4000 Buddhas in a cave!

Pak Ou Caves in Laos

Pak Ou Caves in Laos laos photos laos photos

6. Best adventure: The elephant village camp in Luang Prabang, feeding and footing on elephants in the Mekong!

The Elephant Village Camp in Luang Prabang, Laos

The Elephant Village Camp in Luang Prabang, Laos

7. Walking through the Luang Prabang Street market starting right after the morning ALMS ceremony!

Walking through the Luang Prabang Street Market that Start Right after the Morning ALMS Ceremony!

The Morning ALMS Ceremony in Laos laos photos laos photos

8. Visiting a shop where a master weaver creates the most unique and beautiful products

A Master Weaver is creating the Most Unique and Beautiful Products in Laos

A Master Weaver is creating the Most Unique and Beautiful Products in Laos

9. Enjoying the Ban Chan pottery village & Khmu Village

The Ban Chan Pottery Village, Laos

The Ban Chan Pottery Village in Luang Prabang, Laos

10. Staying at a hotel in Luang Prabang, enjoying cuisine along the river across the street 

Staying at a hotel in Luang Prabang, Eating Along the River Across the Street

One of the beautiful hotels in Luang Prabang laos photos

Best Laos Tours
Best Southeast Asia Tours


Destinations & Attractions in Laos