Laos

Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, located at the heart of the Indochinese Peninsula and bordered by Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, many travellers just pass by this peaceful and unexploited country. From foggy mountain landscapes of the north, to the thousand islands of the Mekong in the south, there is a lot to discover in this deeply religious and respectful land.

Highlights

Buddhist temples

Mountain landscapes

Nature and wildlife

Mekong

When to go

The best moment to visit Laos is between November to February when the weather is dry, with warm days and cool nights. Note, however, that the northern areas are considerably cooler. During the hot season (from March to May), the temperatures increase to unpleasant levels except at high altitudes in the north. The rainy season (from June to October) is characterized by frequent brief showers, a time Buddhist monks are required to remain in their temples and concentrate on spiritual development.

Historical Places and Temples: from November until February if you want to avoid strong humidity and frequent showers. Also roads may be affected.

Visiting ethnic minorities: the best moment to visit tribes in the northern mountains or in the Bolaven Plateau is from November to March, when the weather is less hot and dry.

Si Phan Don (4.000 islands): the best moment for travelling in Mekong´s River is between November and January, when high water levels make passage easy and waterfalls are at their best.

Boun That Luang Festival: is the national symbol and most important religious monument of Laos. Vientiane’s most important is held here for three days during the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (November).

Trekking to Bolaven Plateau: is famous among trekkers. It has gorgeous vistas, ethnic villages, coffee, and tea plantations, and two spectacular waterfalls: Tad Fane and Taat Fang, also known as Dong Hua Sao. The best season is from end-October to February.

Practical information

Currency

The Lao Kip is the official currency. Although the US Dollar and the Thai baht are widely accepted and exchanged in hotels and tour operators. Always keep smalls bills when buying from street vendors as they often lack change. The exchange rate is typically 1 Euro to 8.000 – 11.000 kip, while 1 US Dollar equates to 8.000 – 9.000 kip.

Language

Lao, but English is widely spoken in major hotels and restaurants throughout the country and by tour operators, most accommodations and eateries, as well as by street vendors in towns like Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng. French is also spoken by the older generations, due to the days of French Colonialism.

Visa

Visa is essential when entering in Laos. Depending on the visitor´s nationality and can be acquired on arrival in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse aiports, as well as the land borders such as the one at Nong Khai, Chiang Khong (on the Thailand -Laos border). Tourist visas generally permit a stay of 30 days. You can extend the visa up to an additional 60 days through the Department of immigration in Vientiane. At certain ports of entry, you can use an eVisa. If you plan to get a visa on arrival, make sure you have 2 photos (passport-type) and cash in US dollars for the visa fee, which varies according to your nationality. For more information check this website

ATM & credit card

ATM are common in major towns and generally accept foreign cards, although a fee is typically charged. Credit cards such as Mastercard and Visa are mostly accepted only in top-end hotels, boutiques and restaurants.

Opening times

Temples, museums and town markets are open 7 days a week, typically from 7-8am until 4-5pm. Restaurants are typically open continuously from lunch to dinner times (11am to 10pm) and cafes open for breakfast (7-8am) but close after lunch or early evening (4-6pm). Shops typically open from Monday to Saturday with various opening times and banks are open from Monday to Friday 8:30am until 15:30pm.

Time: GMT + 7 hours.

Main airports

Wattay International Airport (the distance from the airport to the centre of Vientiane is 5km, by car, it takes 7 minutes)

Luang Prabang International Airport (the airport is located about 4 kilometres from the centre of Luang Prabang, is the second busiest airport in the country, it is a regional hub for international flights. By car, it takes 6 minutes)

Pakse International Airport (is one of the few international airports, located in southern city if Pakse. The distance from the airport to the centre is 3 kilometres, by car, it takes 4 minutes)

Domestic flights are limited to Lao Airlines and prices are expensive.

Public transport

Laos lacks a reliable city public transport that travellers can use it. The quickest way of getting around bigger cities is on “motos” (motorcycle taxis), motorized tuk-tuks and metered taxis, which are typically only available in major cities. It is important that visitors negotiate the price before taking the ride. The bus system has relatively improved and comfort has improved in recent years. Getting into Laos by bus from Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam is easy and cheap. The buses used for long journeys such as Laos-Thailand are better, cleaner and more comfortable than those used for local commuting. Laos has no train system apart from the very short distance cross-border train from Nong Khai in Thailand to Tha Naleng station in Vientiane, buses are the main form of public transportation for long distances. The bus network covers all provinces, although the density is not that great for some areas. Renting a motorbike is a great way to see the country if you are an experienced rider. Also rent a bike is a good option to explore Luang Prabang. Lao Airlines offers domestic flights between main cities and service is good. However, during the high season (from November to February), flight demand may exceed supply and it is advisable to book reasonably far in advance.

Things to avoid

Going for elephant rides unless you can make sure animals are fairly treatement, drinking tap water, giving money to beggars, pointing or gesturing with your feet or put your feet on the furniture, touching monks or their robes, or handing something directly to them, not dressing modestly (this may be enforced when visiting major temples), showing affection in public, leaving your shoes on when entering a temple or a house (some accommodations as well), arguing with the police and bargaining too low.

Food

Cuisine in Laos shows similarities with that of northern Thailand, full of great mixes of chillies and herbs. Some of the most representative dishes are: “Mok Pa” (White fish blended with spices. The mixture is then wrapped in banana and steamed), “Laap” (the Lao national dish, consist of minced meat, poultry, or fish flavored with lime juice, onion, garlic and mint), “Lam” (Luang Prabang speciality. Dried buffalo meat and skin are stewed with eggplant and spices), as well as the ever present green papaya and green mango salads.

Electricity and plug types

Power sockets typically found at accommodations would allow both Type A (US) and Type C (Europe) plugs. The electric current is 230V and 50Hz.

Health and insurance

Laos still has a developing healthcare system. With weaknesses in financing, health records, infrastructure, and management of health services, medical care in Laos remains inadequate and unevenly distributed. Medical facilities are quite poor and visitors should have traveller’s insurance that includes medical evacuation. A medical treatment for foreign visitors is expensive and visitors need to have a private medical insurance. Vaccines recommended for Laos beyond typical vaccinations that most adults will have include hepatitis A and typhoid. If spending long period of time in the country or in rural areas Japanese encephalitis and rabies meningitis are also helpful. Mosquito-borne diseases are a serious problem in some areas of Laos. Travellers should consider bringing antimalarials depending on the areas they are travelling. Mosquito repellents and netting are strongly recommended. Zika, dengue and chikungunya are also present in Laos. Although there is no risk of yellow fever in Laos, the government requires proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever. Share your itinerary with a travel medicine specialist, if in doubt.

Other

Tipping is not expected, but it is always appreciated. Many service workers earn a low wage, so if you are happy with the services provided by waiters, drivers, guides or others, leaving a small tip depending on the service is a good way to show your appreciation. If you plan to attend the “Tak Bat” (alms giving ceremony in Luang Prabang) please be respectful since this is a deeply religious ritual and inform yourself on what to offer to the monks.