Laos

Laos

Laos Travel Tips

G-Free Travel Rating

6/10

Major Airport

Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ)

Wattay International Airport (VTE)

Official Language

Lao (most tour guides will know some English)

Currency:

Laotian Kip

Power Outlets:

Types A, B, C, E & F

Voltage is higher = 230 V

Eating Gluten Free in Laos

Eating in Laos carried significant challenges like Thailand due to the ubiquitousness of soy sauce. Our best meal experience was on the slow boat to Luang Prabang. Kara checked numerous times to verify they could do gluten free but this wasn’t communicated to the guide who was helpful but didn’t have a great grasp of the problem. The chef was able to cook up lunch on the spot and it was amazing and an authentic Laos meal! The lunch the next day was just as amazing! We were able to navigate our other meals and still enjoy the local cuisine.

Best Time to Visit Laos

Similar to Thailand, Laos is known for their tropical climate. If you are looking for ideal weather then the best time to visit is between November to February (their dry season or “winter”). The weather is sunny, dry and presumptively considered cool. Of course, the crowds are greater during these months so if you are looking for less crowds then I would head there in a shoulder month.

The only months we recommend avoiding is during their heaviest rainfalls (August & September). The rains make transportation more challenging and depending on what you are wanting to do, activities may be more limited. Plus, the mosquitos will be worse. I know for me that is a big deal since they always seem to like me.

Other Pointers:

If you are up for the heat, mid-April offers the nationwide water fight to wash away the previous year’s sins. Known as Pi Mai is a festival during the Lao New Year offering rich cultural experiences.
Laos partakes in slash-and-burn farming during the months of March and April so the air quality will be low from all the burning.

Entry Requirements

Passport: 6-month validity on your passport with at least 2 blank pages. Endorsement pages don’t count.
VISA: Yes. On arrival for most ports. Some ports allow an eVISA which can take up to 3 business days to process. VISA costs $40 USD.
- …AND 40 baht if entering via land (not official, but how do you tell the government no?!)
Vaccinations: None.
Currency: Needs to be clean and crisp and within 10 years. Be aware they may not accept the $100 USD bill if the magnetic ribbon is not on it.
ATMS and Exchanges: Located everywhere in the popular cities.

Interesting facts about Laos

- Southeast Asia’s only landlocked country. And probably the most unexplored since they don’t have stunning beaches and most their mountain sides are too steep to expand on.
- They were also the most heavily bombed country during the Vietnam War with ~270 million bombs dropped on them. The scale of the bombing is equal to one planeload of bombs dropped every 8 minutes, 24 hours a day, for 9 years! With a shocking 80 million UXOs still active underground in ~30% Laos. This makes it hard for the country to expand economically.
- Because of all the UXOs, they have the world’s dangerous UNESCO site – Plain of Jars. Located on a plateau in central Laos, it showcases over 2,000 stone jars dated back to 500 BC. The purpose of the jars is still a mystery.
- Laos consistently ranks the highest in consumption of sticky rice every year. Mango sticky rice has become one of Terry’s favorite desserts!

Laos

Laos

Laos Travel Tips

G-Free Travel Rating

Major Airport

Official Language

Currency:

Power Outlets:

Eating Gluten Free in Laos

Best Time to Visit Laos

Other Pointers:

Entry Requirements

Interesting facts about Laos

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