Laos, officially known as Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), is the smallest and only landlocked country of the Southeast Asian Indochinese peninsula. The country is bordered by Myanmar and China to the north, Thailand to the west, Vietnam to the east, and Cambodia to the south. Laos is often overlooked and described as “forgotten” due to being overshadowed by it’s much larger and refined neighbors. That is changing quickly as more people are realizing the potential this country has to offers. The land is very green, lined with breathtaking rolling hills, jungles, mountains, rice fields, and anything green you can think of. Floating or walking along the Mekong river is a serene experience while waterfalls will leave you stunned. Laos feels as if the world had stopped in perfectly in time when being the most peaceful and laid-back place in the southeast peninsula. People will wake up and realize PDR actually stands for “please don’t rush.”
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
LAOS VISA
U.S. Citizens visiting Laos are required to have a visa before visiting the country. You can obtain a 30-day tourist visa on arrival at all international airports and most international border crossings for a fee between 30 USD – 45 USD. The process requires all passports to be valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond their stay in Laos and a passport picture. U.S. citizens looking to stay longer or for purposes other than tourism should check with the Lao Embassy about visa requirements.
WEATHER
Laos has a tropical monsoon climate with two seasons: wet and dry.
Wet (May – September): Rainfall is generally heaviest from August through September.
Dry (October – April): The best time to visit is during the cool dry season from November through February. Hot dry season occurs March through April
MONEY EXCHANGE
Laos’ main currency is the Laotian Kip. At the time of writing the current exchange rate is 8,491 LAK/USD. You can find money exchanges in the airport and across the city. International ATMs will provide you with the best exchange rate but you will get charged ATM plus any additional bank fees. I highly recommend opening a checking account with a bank that waives all ATM transaction fees before you travel abroad. You could easily save hundreds of dollars.
Cash is the most common form of payment in Laos. Up-to-date hotels, large retail stores and modern restaurants may accept credit card but most vendors are cash only.
ELECTRICAL SOCKET TYPE
The power sockets are mainly type A (2 flat parallel pins), type B (2 flat parallel pins and a grounding pin), type C (2 round pins), type E (2 round pins with receiving ground hole) and type F (2 round pins with 2 side grounding clips). The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. If you are coming from the U.S then chances are your current plugs will work assuming your adapter has an automatic voltage converter (please take the extra precaution and check). Most laptop and cellphone chargers are dual voltage but you will need a voltage converter for appliances such as hair straighteners.
CELL PHONE DATA & INTERNET
If you have an unlocked cell phone then you can purchase a SIM card at the airport or in the city that includes internet data, local calls and text depending on your needs. You can also rent and share a pocket Wifi if you have multiple people in your group.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is not required but highly encouraged when traveling to a foreign country. Laos is home to many physical activities including hiking mountainous terrains, exploring caves and waterfalls, and trekking through forests. On top of that, different climate conditions, insect bites, or trying new types of food can cause one to get seriously ill. Unforeseen accidents do happen and expenses can add up and ruin your trip. The most popular insurance for all types of travelers is World Nomads. Their policies are created specifically with travelers in mind. It doesn’t hurt to Get a Free Quote and decide from there.
TRANSPORTATION
There are multiple transportation options when it comes to getting around Laos. Here are the most common for travelers and will vary between cities.
Tuk-Tuk: Relative of the rickshaw. These are three-wheeled motorized vehicles with an open air roofed seating in the back. You can get these by flagging them down or booking in advance. Make sure to negotiate an agreed price beforehand.
Motorcycle Taxi: These are motorcycles that can carry two people comfortably. Getting one of these works the same way as getting a tuk-tuk.
Songthaew: Pick-up trucks fitted with 2 rows of seats in the back for passengers. They can vary between having set routes like public buses or where their passengers want to go. You’ll be sharing the ride with other people and in some cases won’t start to move until the seats are full.
Taxis: Always make sure to ask your driver to switch on the meter. Some deliberately neglect to do so resulting in customers usually paying a higher lump sum fare.
Hire a driver: The most expensive but luxurious option is hiring a driver for a day. The driver will take you to where ever you want at an agreed price for the day.
Rent a motorbike/scooter: This is by far my favorite method for getting around. On top of freedom and flexibility, it really allows you to live in the scene and venture off the beaten track.The cost ranges from 5-10 USD plus gas per day and can come out to be cheaper than public transportation depending on usage.
LANGUAGE
Laotian is the main language of Laos. Many people speak and understand limited English in tourist areas but many do not. English will become almost nonexistent if traveling to remote areas. It is best to brush up on basic laotian to enhance your experience.
LAOS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS
The most convenient international gateway to Laos is through Bangkok’s international airport. From there you can fly into Wattay International Airport (VTE) in Vientiane or Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ) in Luang Prabang.
Grab app services is not available in Laos so you will need to get a taxi or a tuk-tuk.
