Last updated on February 27th, 2019

Visit Laos – Plan Your Trip

Best Time of Year to Visit Laos

The monsoon season extends from April to October, but it mainly affects the southern part of Laos.  November to March is the dry season with lower humidity and more bearable temperatures.  December and January get our vote as the best time of year to visit Laos.

Visit Laos – Visa Requirements

Tourists began visiting Laos again in 1989.  The visa requirements for a 30 day tourist travel visa can be done when you arrive in Laos.  You can get your travel visa at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, Luang Prabang International Airport, Pakse International Airport in southern Laos and the Friendship Bridge at the Thai border with Vientiane.  Japan and ASEAN member states from Southeast Asia are exempt from travel visa requirements.  Check your specific country at VisaHQ.   For a list of exempt countries, visit Project Visa.

Plain of Jars, Xieng Khouang Province, Visit Laos

Plain of Jars, © Can Stock / shanin

Laos – Currency

The national currency in Laos is the Kip (LAK).

Electrical Adapters for Laos

When you Visit Laos you will find that they use North American two / three prong electrical outlets and also European Type C two prong outlets.  You should bring electrical adapters for either of these types.

Laos Background

The people of Laos referred to themselves as Lao and the official language is Lao.  Laos shares borders with Thailand, Burma, Cambodia, China and Vietnam.  About 6 million people live in Laos.  The capital and largest city is Vientiane.  Laos was a kingdom from the 14th – 18th centuries and then broke into three areas – Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Champasak.  The French controlled Laos in the mid 20th century.  In 1975 the Communist Pathet Lao party took over the country.

Visit Laos – Tourism

The most popular destinations for tourism are Luang Prabang and Vientiane.  Laos is often described as relaxed and authentic.  Their tourism slogan is “Simply Beautiful”.  The tourism highlights for those who visit Laos are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Luang Prabang and Wat Phu. The Plain of Jars is expected to also become a World Heritage Site, but the Plain of Jars needs to be made safe from land mines first.

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