Explore the mysterious stone vessels of the Plain of Jars
Thousands of massive carved stone jars scattered across a highland plateau, dating back roughly 2,500 years with their purpose still debated.
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Southeast Asia
Things to do in Laos
A landlocked country of misty mountains and a slow Mekong River pace, thousands of unexplained ancient stone jars scattered across a plateau, and Southeast Asia's most laid-back capital.
Explore Laos on the map →Budget$
Best for9-11 days
CapitalVientiane
VisaVisa on arrival for up to 30 days for US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders, available at major airports and land border crossings.
CurrencyLao kip (LAK)
LanguagesLao (official); French and English spoken in tourism areas
InternetGood in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, more limited rurally
Typical lodging$10–$35/night
Driving sideRight
Power & voltage230V / 50Hz (Type A/C/E plug)
Time zoneUTC+7 to UTC+8
Emergency numberVaries by country. Save the local number on arrival.
Dialing code+856
★★★★★ Culture★★★★★ Adventure★★★★★ Photography
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled or purified water only. Not customary. Rounding up is common.
The Plain of Jars holds thousands of massive carved stone vessels scattered across a highland plateau, dating back roughly 2,500 years, with their original purpose still genuinely debated by archaeologists, a UNESCO World Heritage mystery unlike almost anywhere else on Earth. Laos also remains the most heavily bombed country per capita in history, a legacy of the Vietnam War-era Secret War that continues to shape both its landscape and a respected, ongoing unexploded ordnance clearance effort visitors can learn about directly.
When to go
Cool, dry seasonNovember–February
The most popular and comfortable window nationally, with clear skies and lower humidity.
Hot, dry seasonMarch–May
Rising temperatures, sometimes intense, particularly in lowland areas like Vientiane, before the rains arrive.
Wet seasonJune–October
Regular rain and higher river levels, good for Mekong boat travel but with more disrupted road conditions in mountainous areas.
Transition periodOctober–November
Rains easing as the cool season approaches, a scenic window with full rivers and greener landscapes.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
8Give alms to monks in Luang Prabang's morning tak bat ceremony
A centuries-old Buddhist tradition where saffron-robed monks process through the streets at dawn to receive food offerings from residents and visitors alike.
Explore Luang Prabang's UNESCO-listed old town temples
A former royal capital packed with gilded Buddhist temples (wats) and French colonial architecture along the Mekong River.
Visit the Vieng Xai caves, the Secret War's hidden capital
A network of caves that sheltered Laos' revolutionary leadership for nearly a decade during the Vietnam War-era conflict, now open for guided tours.
Explore the COPE Visitor Centre in Vientiane
A museum documenting Laos' status as the most heavily bombed country per capita in history and the ongoing unexploded ordnance clearance effort.
Wander Vientiane's Pha That Luang golden stupa
Laos' most important national monument, a gilded Buddhist stupa considered a symbol of both the Buddhist religion and Lao sovereignty.
Visit the ancient ruins of Wat Phou
A UNESCO World Heritage Khmer temple complex predating Angkor Wat, built into a mountainside in southern Laos near the Mekong.
Explore ethnic minority villages in northern Laos
Hmong, Akha, and other ethnic minority communities in the northern highlands maintain distinct textile and agricultural traditions, visited respectfully through community-based tourism.
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Adventure & outdoors
4Take a slow boat down the Mekong River
A multi-day riverboat journey between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang, passing riverside villages at an unhurried, genuinely traditional pace.
Kayak or tube through Vang Vieng's karst river scenery
Dramatic limestone karst formations line the Nam Song River, with kayaking and tubing among the region's most popular adventure activities.
Hike in Nam Ha National Protected Area near Luang Namtha
A community-based ecotourism program offering treks through dense forest and ethnic minority villages in northern Laos.
Zip-line through the Gibbon Experience canopy in Bokeo
A conservation-linked adventure program offering zip-lining and treehouse stays in a forest reserve home to endangered black-crested gibbons.
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Nature & scenery
3Swim in the turquoise pools of Kuang Si Falls
A multi-tiered waterfall near Luang Prabang with strikingly blue, swimmable pools cascading through limestone terraces.
Visit the 4,000 Islands (Si Phan Don) on the Mekong
A relaxed river archipelago near the Cambodian border, known for hammock-heavy guesthouses and rare Irrawaddy dolphin sightings.
Explore the waterfalls of the Bolaven Plateau
A cluster of dramatic waterfalls in southern Laos' highlands, including Tad Fane, one of the tallest twin falls in the country.
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Food & drink
4Eat laap, Laos' national minced meat salad
A spicy, herb-heavy minced meat dish considered the country's defining national dish, distinct from similar preparations in neighboring Thailand.
Try Lao sticky rice and jeow chili dip
Glutinous sticky rice eaten by hand alongside spicy chili dips, a genuine everyday staple central to nearly every Lao meal.
Try Lao coffee grown in the Bolaven Plateau
A volcanic highland region producing some of Southeast Asia's most respected coffee, with farm visits explaining the growing and roasting process.
Try Lao khao lam, sticky rice roasted in bamboo
Sweetened sticky rice and coconut milk roasted inside a bamboo tube over open fire, a genuine traditional snack sold at roadside stalls.
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Photography
1Climb Phousi Hill for sunset over Luang Prabang
A hilltop temple in the center of Luang Prabang offering panoramic sunset views over the Mekong and Nam Khan river confluence.
Common questions
▾Do I need a visa for Laos?
US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders can get a visa on arrival for up to 30 days at major airports and land border crossings.
▾What is the Plain of Jars?
A UNESCO World Heritage site holding thousands of massive carved stone vessels scattered across a highland plateau, dating back roughly 2,500 years, with their original purpose still genuinely debated by archaeologists.
▾Is it safe to travel off the main roads given Laos' history with unexploded ordnance?
Stick to marked paths and established trails, particularly in rural areas: Laos remains the most heavily bombed country per capita in history, and clearance efforts, while extensive and ongoing, haven't reached every area.
▾How many days does Laos need?
9-11 days lets you combine Luang Prabang, the Plain of Jars, and either the Mekong slow boat route or the karst scenery around Vang Vieng without rushing.
▾Is Laos affordable?
Yes, among the most budget-friendly destinations in Southeast Asia, with strong value across food, accommodation, and river or trekking tours.
▾How much do Laos's main attractions cost to enter?
Laos is genuinely inexpensive by regional standards: Kuang Si Falls near Luang Prabang, one of the country's most-visited sights, charges a small entrance fee typically under $2, and most temples and waterfalls follow a similar pattern. The bigger cost in a Laos trip is usually transport between towns rather than any single entrance fee.
