Best time of year to visit Laos

Due to its tropical location, Laos experiences only two seasons: a dry season from November to April and a wet season from May to October.

There is a change in temperature during the dry season, however, splitting it into a cool, dry sub-season from November to February and a hot, dry sub-season from March to April.

The temperature in Laos ranges from 57-79 degrees Fahrenheit (14-26 degrees Celsius) in December to 77-90 degrees Fahrenheit (25-32 degrees Celsius) in June. Humidity peaks during the worst of the rainy season in August, reaching highs of 85 percent, accompanying rains of 5-12 inches (120-300mm) that make many roads impassable.

Dodging these extremes, the cool, dry sub-season allows you to take in Laos’s sights under the best possible conditions, making it the consensus pick for the best time to visit Laos. As you experience pleasantly warm days and nippy nights, you’ll find yourself traveling through Laos’s flourishing green countryside or cruising on the swiftly-flowing Mekong, both fed by the recent rains.

Below is the list of some highlighted activities in Laos and best time for it if you may want to join.

Trekking the northern Laos

• Best Season: Rainy season for lush and vibrant landscapes
• Remember to Bring: Sarong, sunblock, mosie repellent and water 
• Watch out for: Opium & marijuana dealers – you could end up in Laos longer than you thought!

Trekking in Northern Thailand is well established on the tourist itinerary and as such is both well organized and over-crowded. Northern Laos offers similar experiences with fewer tourists, although of course numbers are now on the rise as the lure of tranquil landscapes and remote hill tribe cultures works its magic on the traveler circuit.

Treks are typically one to three days in length and have to be undertaken with a guide. Trekking guide is a popular profession in northern Laos and government schemes ensure guides are well-trained and proficient in English. Expect to marvel at the sight of luminous green padi fields, sprinkled with tiny wooden storage huts on stilts, while shadowy limestone hills loom behind. Treks are sweaty, yet stimulating, and the opportunity to stay as a guest (and as a potential purchaser of locally-made handicrafts) in a hill tribe village is still novel for both trekkers and villagers alike.

Mekong River Cruise

• Best time: from August until April
• Notice: it may get cold during December to late January, remember to bring some warm coats

In general, cruising the Mekong in Laos can be divided into 2 main routes: the northern route and the southern route.

The northern route starts from Huayxay, bordering with Chiang Khong, Thailand; and ends in the capital of Vientiane for the downstream cruise.

The upstream cruise will of course go the reverse route starting from Vientiane, and ending in Huayxay.

The most popular cruises ranges from 2-hour picnic cruise around Luang Prabang to 2-day-1-night cruise connecting Luang Prabang, Pakbeng, and Huayxay.

These cruises focus on the cheap and middle market.

For the upper market, there are 3 choices: Cruise Mekong, Mekong Kingdoms, Heritage Line, and Pandaw Cruise Laos with the length of cruise up to 15 days connecting Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Golden Triangle in Thailand, and Jinghong in China.

There is only 1 choice to explore the southern part of Mekong, that is 3-day-2-night cruise with Vat Phou Cruise starting from the boat pier in Champasak and finishing in 4000-island area or vice versa.

Tree Top Explorer

Best time to visit: Late October to mid-March

The Tree Top Explorer, a new jungle adventure in the mountains of Champassak province is blending fun with real nature experience. Officially opened early 2011, it quickly has become a must-go destination, with an enthusiastic feedback from visitors exceedingly even most optimistic expectations. The project delivers its promises of being something hilariously exciting – and strictly adhering to international safety standards, without any compromise!

The venue can only be reached by foot on a trek through coffee plantations and lush forest. No cars, no noise, no fumes! Main attraction is a system of zip-lines traversing steep gorges in touching distance to the waterfalls. A 'via ferrata' teases out the adventurous spirits of the visitor in a challenge to the limits of some. All is safe, however, with no part not being manageable by almost everyone, even the most fearful. The canopy walkway gives the visitor the chance to see the forest from a completely different and usually elusive angle.

Take the chance having great fun in a simply stunning environment. Be invited to see and experience the difference!

Elephant Experience

Best time to visit: All year round

Laos, the Land of Millions of Elephants, is now facing the rapid decrease of this big friendly mammals both in nature and captive because of many reasons. Joining elephant tour is to raise the awareness of the problem and help raise fund to the protecting efforts. 

The activity is more and more toward responsible acts, and the elephants are more and more well taken care of. It is the fact that most of the camps now cease the riding activity and even no more other tricky circus.

Most of the tours are designed so the travelers just observe the daily activities of the elephants, go along with them, watch them enjoy their life, and learn how to give some cares.

If you are interested, we recommend 5 elephant camps below:

1. Elephant Conservation Center in Xayabouly
2. MandaLao Elephant Sanctuary in Luang Prabang
3. Elephant Village in Luang Prabang
4. Mekong Elephant Camp in Pakbeng
5. Vang Vieng Elephant Sanctuary in Vang Vieng

No matter how the weather is, some of the key events will draw your attention to Laos

• Wat Phu Festival (full moon of the third lunar month; February 8, 2020): traditional festivities like buffalo-fighting, elephant racing, and performances of Lao music and dance take place amidst the ruins of Wat Phu
• Visakhaboucha/Bun Bang Fai (full moon of the sixth lunar month; May 6, 2020): the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passage to Nirvana is celebrated with an ancient Rocket Festival tradition
• Khao Padap Din (14th day of the waning moon of the ninth lunar month; August 29, 2019): the Lao day of the dead, accompanied by boat races on the Nam Khan River
• Awk Pansa (full moon of the eleventh lunar month; October 13, 2019): celebrates the end of Buddhist Lent with Bun Nam boat races along the Mekong
• Bun That Luang (full moon of the twelfth lunar month; November 4-11, 2019): a week-long festival situated around That Luang stupa in Vientiane
• Lao National Day (December 2): Independence Day festival marking the triumph of the ruling Communist Party over the Lao monarchy

Here is the list of 18 unmissable festivals & events in Laos

That said, Laos weather is divided into 2 main season: dry season and wet season. The dry season will then be devided into 2 sub-season: Cool dry season and hot dry season.

Let's check more detail below.

Sometime around October, the prevailing winds throughout Southeast Asia shift direction. The northeast monsoon blows down from Siberia, bringing cold, dry winds to areas still soaked from the rains brought by the late southwest monsoon.

These ghosts of the bitter taiga winds make Laos a pleasant place to visit between November and February. Temperatures hit an all-year low of 57-79 degrees Fahrenheit (14-26 degrees C) in December, with rains likewise dwindling to a mere 0.4 inches (10mm) in the same month.

As a rule, the climate feels chilliest in the north and east of Laos, at higher-altitude destinations like Luang Namtha and Phongsali, where temperatures can drop down to 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees C) in the evenings. Vientiane and Luang Prabang experience comfy temperatures of 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees C) in the cool season, while Pakse and other parts of Laos’ southern region still feel warm at 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius).

Pack accordingly for the cooler, drier weather. Bring light sweaters for lower-altitude locations like Luang Prabang, but wear heavier clothing if headed north or east of the country.

Waterways in Laos will still be swelled from the recent rains, so travel on the Mekong or other waterways will be easy in the cool, dry season. This is a great time to take a day trip to Muang Ngoi, far up the Nam Ou River from Nong Khiaw.

It’s no coincidence that the Lao celebrate the splashy New Year festival Bun Pi Mai (same time with Thailand Songkran) during the height of the hot, dry sub-season from March to April. As temperatures rise to a scorching 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), the green countryside wilts and the rivers start to run low.

And as the rice harvest comes in, farmers set fire to their fields, a traditional way of preparing the ground for the next crop. As a result, much of Laos is covered with a smoky haze that irritates eyes and aggravates allergies.

If you’re coming for Bun Pi Mai or planning to brave the hot season regardless, pack light, quick-drying clothing that wicks away sweat; bring sunblock, sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats to ward off the sun.

Sometime around April or May, the prevailing winds perform another switcheroo, with the southwest monsoon bringing moist, hot air from the Indian Ocean. Rains begin to fall on Laos’s parched, brown countryside; as the storms ramp up, the Lao begin planting rice around June.

The “green” season from May to October is Laos’s official low tourist season, with package tours, hotel rooms and fares sinking to all-year lows. This is partly due to the increased difficulty in getting from place to place: some roads may be washed out or too dangerous to drive on, and the jungle trails can be too slippery or flooded to hike on.

This is an excellent time to go on a Mekong cruise, though, as the waters will be running high and fast when the rains come.

Laos’s rains are actually quite moderate – instead of day-long torrents, expect short, strong showers in the afternoons, averaging about 4-11 in (120-300 mm) and lasting no longer than a few hours. The rains also don’t affect Laos equally; areas further north get more (at an earlier time), and the areas south of Vientiane get less.

Expect high humidity and temperatures between 73 degrees Fahrenheit (23 degrees Celsius) to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). To deal with the showers and the climate, pack rain-gear and light, moisture-wicking clothing for the warm and humid weather.

It is also good to know the weather detail of every month and the festivals that will be held during the period. 

Visit Laos in January

It is dry throughout the country in January, with comfortably warm temperatures, although it can get quite cold in the north of the country.

It’s therefore best to wrap up during river travel, early mornings and late evenings.

River levels should be high, making this a good time to explore the country’s waterways.

Boun Pha Vet: Held over three days and three nights, this is a religious festival celebrating the penultimate incarnation of Buddha, with the story recited in temples across the country.

Visit Laos in February

It remains dry throughout the country, with temperatures only rising a little and the north still getting quite cold during the early part of the month.

River levels should still be good; however, damming by the Chinese has impacted water levels in recent years.

Boun Ma Kha Bu Saar/Full Moon Festival: This festival celebrates a speech given by Buddha. You can observe chanting and parades of worshipers bearing candles at local temples.

Wat Phou Festival – Champasak: Buddhists attend this three-day festival from across the region, taking part in processions, recitals, boat races and dances.

Elephant Festival – Xayabouly: The festival is held to raise the awareness of the problems that our giant friends is facing, and to find the solution to help them and the mahouts to have better life.

Visit Laos in March

The dry season continues, with temperatures rising throughout the country to over 30°C in places; although cooler conditions can still be found in the highlands.

Travel in the central and southern regions can be a little uncomfortable, and a top tip would be to combine southern Laos with the Bolaven Plateau, where the higher altitude gives respite from the hot climate.

River levels will be getting low at this time of year, making river travel in the north difficult and somewhat unpleasant due to the haze created by the slash and burn season, which is in full swing.

Boun Koun Khao: An agricultural festival celebrated in rural villages and local temples at harvest time – a great opportunity to observe rural customs and traditions.

Visit Laos in April

This is the last month of the dry season, although there is a slim chance of rain towards the end of the month.

River levels will be at an annual low, meaning river travel may be difficult in some parts of the country.

Temperatures will be at their highest throughout the country, reaching 36°C in the south, so travel may be uncomfortable.

Slash and burn will also continue to impact the surroundings and smoke and haze will normally be seen in the major towns and countryside.

Boun Pi Mai/Lao New Year: A great time to visit as celebrations are held country-wide for several days. Be prepared to get wet as people are doused with scented water in the street as a cleansing ritual!

Visit Laos in May

There is a chance of dry weather during the first half of the month; however, rain is expected and will almost certainly arrive by the latter stages.

River levels will again remain low and the recent damming has made this worse. Slash and burn may continue in some parts of the country until the rains arrive.

Hot and humid throughout.

Boun Bang Fai/Rocket Festival: A festival to mark the sixth month of the lunar calendar, used as a call for rain and a celebration of fertility. Home-made fireworks are launched by locals and entered into competitions.

Boun Visakhaboucha: Candlelight processions can be observed at temples as the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha is commemorated.

Visit Laos in June

Rain will start to fall throughout most of the country; with the north seeing the least.

The rain tends to be short-lived and plenty of sunshine can still be expected away from the south of the country. Temperatures hover around the low 30°Cs.

Boun Bang Fai/Rocket Festival: A festival to mark the sixth month of the lunar calendar, used as a call for rain and a celebration of fertility. Home-made fireworks are launched by locals and entered into competitions.

Visit Laos in July

The wet season is now in full swing and temperatures continue to average around 30°C. It is not uncommon for temperatures to drop a little; with cooler temperatures found in the south (specifically the Bolaven Plateau).

As it becomes wetter, lush green foliage begins to swathe the landscape in central Laos, while in the south, cascading waterfalls can be admired once more.

Boun Khau Phansa: It is in Laos the start of the three-month period sometimes referred to as “Buddhist Lent”. Boun Khao Phansa starts on the full moon of the eighth month and runs till the full moon of the eleventh month of the Buddhist Calendar.

Visit Laos in August

Rainfall reaches its peak in August as showers become longer and more intense, and little of the country will remain dry.

River levels begin to fill up in time for the dry season approaching, and Laos’ beautiful landscapes return.

During this time, travel to remote areas can be somewhat difficult. Temperatures drop to the low 20°Cs throughout the country.

Boun Haw Khao Padap Din is celebrated on the 15th day of the waning moon in the 9th month (Lao calendar). The festival is to show respect not only to one’s own ancestors, but also to the dead with no relatives to remember them. It is also the time to show respect to maethaulanii, the earth god. Literally, padap means decorate and din means dirt (earth).

Boun Haw Khao Salak: Celebrates the deceased. It takes place 15 days after haw khao padap din, on the full moon of the 10th month of the Lao calendar. For this celebration, offerings to the dead are passed to monks during the morning ceremony at the temple, just after takbat. A basket is filled with food and daily amenities such as soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, cigarettes, etc. along with the names of the dead persons the family wishes to honor.

Visit Laos in September

Rainfall continues to peak all over the country, and travel to remote areas can still be troublesome.

However, towards the end of the month the sun will start to make an appearance and combined with the waterfalls and leafy landscape helps to make this one of the most attractive times to visit for those seeking stunning natural scenery.

Boat Racing Festival in Luang Prabang: The boat racing festival in Luang Prabang usually takes place after Boun Haw Khao Padap Din. Traditional racing boats are carved using one single tree. The boats belong to a village and are usually kept in a shelter on the temple grounds and come out only once a year for the race. Several days before the race the boats are cleaned and presented with offerings because the boats are considered sacred items

Visit Laos in October

The drier weather returns, but some rain may still make an appearance.

Overall, temperatures are cooler at this time of year but not uncomfortable, hovering around the mid to high 20°Cs.

This is an excellent time to visit as you will beat the crowds yet still enjoy fair weather and the fresh green landscapes created by the wet season.

Boun Ok Phansa (nationwide) / Boat Racing Festival (Vientiane) / Festival of the boats of light (Luang Prabang): Celebrated at the end of the rainy season, elaborate boats are raced along the Mekong River and various festivities take place on the riverbank in honor of the Naga king. In Luang Prabang, Boun Lhai Heua Fai (festival of the boats of light) is held.

Every family makes a small round container, using banana leaves on a section of banana trunk. They put flowers, incense sticks, candles, betel nuts and other condiments for chewing and sometimes food and money.

At the bank of the river, they light the candles, say prayers and send the boat of light floating away. The spectacle of thousands of boats of light with their twinkling candles on the Mekong River is most moving.

Naga Rocket Festival in Bolikhamxay Province: Held on the last night of the Lao Buddhist Lent, small multi-coloured fireballs can be seen on the water where the Nam Ngum and Mekong River meet in Bolikhamxay.

Visit Laos in November

Dry conditions are seen throughout the country, and this is the peak season for river travel, with river levels at their highest. Temperatures will be comfortable at around the mid to high 20°Cs, and flora and fauna are in abundance.

That Luang Festival and Trade Fair in Vientiane: A three-day religious festival where tens of thousands of monks and pilgrims gather at the That Luang or Grand Stupa, which is an important symbol of Laos, bearing wax candles.

Visit Laos in December

December offers a similar outlook to November, with dry, warm weather and ideal river cruising conditions. Towards the end of the month temperatures can drop in the northern parts of the country.

Hmong New Year: the celebration is helping to give thanks to ancestors and spirits as well as to welcome in a new beginning. The Hmong New Year celebration is an “in-house” ritual that takes place annually in every Hmong household. The celebration is to acknowledge the completion of the rice-harvesting season so that a new life can begin as the cycle of life continues.

Some of the regions are best visited during this period, but not good as others during other periods. Get to know the best time to visit each part of the country help you make your plan smoothly

The tropical capital of Laos is marked by typical wet and dry seasons.

The best time to visit Vientiane is from November to March, which is drier and slightly cooler, with lows around 17°C (63°F) and highs not quite reaching 30°C (86°F) until it starts to heat up in March.

There is almost no rain at this time of year, so tourist numbers reach their peak.

April and May are hot with highs around 34°C (93°F) and temperatures peak at around 31°C (88°F) between June and October, with lows around 24°C (75°F).

Heavy afternoon rains occur from May to September; however, this rarely affects travel.

Below is the climate of Vientiane throughout the year:

You can find the next 7-day forecast for Vientiane as below

VIENTIANE CAPITAL WEATHER

Here is our Vientiane travel guide

Temperatures in Luang Prabang are similar to Vientiane, with evenings a few degrees cooler.

The heaviest rains occur from June to August, reaching nearly 300mm (12 inches) with some rainy afternoons a couple of months either side.

November through to March is the best time to go with temperatures averaging 27°C (83°F), although some people prefer to go during wet season when there are fewer travelers and the countryside bursts with color and earthy scents after brief downpours.

Below is the climate of Luang Prabang throughout the year.

You can find the next 7-day forecast for Luang Prabang as below:

LUANG PRABANG WEATHER

Here is our Luang Prabang travel guide

Vang Vieng is known for its beautiful limestone karst scenery and is the adventure activity capital of Laos, where travelers go caving, rock-climbing, rafting and kayaking.

During the wet season from May to September the Nam Song River fills up and flows up to four times faster.
While this does not stop activities, extra caution must be taken.

This also applies to caving and rock-climbing as heavy rain can cause pathways to become slippery and dangerous.

This is the best time to visit to see the lush green mountains glistening after heavy afternoon rains and the spectacular scenery when it is at its finest.

Below is the climate of Vang Vieng throughout the year.

You can find the next 7-day forecast for Vang Vieng as below:

VANG VIENG WEATHER

Here is our Vang Vieng travel guide

In the south of Laos, June to September experience very heavy rains with over 300mm (12 inches) each month.

This can prohibit travel by unsealed road, however this is the best time to travel by boat, a common way to get around southern Laos.

November to March is drier and cooler, the best time to travel by land, while March through May is known as the hot season, when temperatures generally reach 34°C (93°F) and evenings rarely drop below 25°C (77°F).

Below is the climate of Southenr Laos throughout the year.

You can find the 7-day forecast for Southern Laos as below

SOUTHERN LAOS WEATHER

In recent years water levels on certain stretches of the Mekong River have reached record lows during February and March.

This is not simply due to lower rainfall and global warming, but because of eight new Chinese super-dams stemming the water flow to ensure a plentiful water supply to regions of China outside the Mekong River’s natural basin.

The result of this damming is that the river’s fish stocks are declining dramatically in the lower Mekong countries, with other wildlife expected to become quickly over-hunted as a result.

At this time a typically disappointing amount of international pressure is being applied to China to exercise more stringent control on their damming procedure to ensure the countries of the lower Mekong receive acceptable levels of water.

If you intend to combine Laos with its neighbor countries, check below for more information about best time to visit these destinations.

Vietnam

The best time of year to visit the whole Vietnam is spring (February to April) and autumn (September to November). The temperatures are more moderate, and rainfall is lighter. In spring, March and April have the lowest rainfall across all destinations and temperatures are pleasant, though still cool in the far north.

It is the fact that Vietnam is a year-round destination. Every time of year, you can always find the sun somewhere (more or less).

Here is more detail about where and when to visit Vietnam throughout the year.

Thailand

Although the climate varies throughout Thailand, you can visit the country all year round. The best time to travel is during the cool and dry season between mid-October and early April. 

In the south, the climate differs between the eastern and western coasts. The west coast is more favorable during the winter months, when diving and snorkeling will be at its best. 

The weather on the east coast is good for most of the year, with the lowest rainfall in January and February and the highest in November.

Here is more detail about where and when to visit Thailand throughout the year.

Cambodia

Cambodia is best known for being home to Angkor Wat, one of the most stunning religious monuments in the world. But the ancient kingdom of Cambodia has much more to offer to visitors-from sandy shorelines with crystal blue waters to great café culture and historical places.

Whether you're planning a trip just to see the magnificent ancient temples or want to explore more of what the country has to offer, deciding when to travel here will help you make the most of your trip. The best time to visit Cambodia is between November and January, as the temperatures are lower, there's little rain and spending long days outdoors exploring is more comfortable.

Here is more detail about where and when to visit Cambodia throughout the year.

Myanmar

The very best time of year to visit Myanmar is between November and February, with warm dry days bringing in the bulk of the country’s annual visitors. However, a visit in the 'green season' (the months immediately either side of these high season dates) can reward those looking to explore key sites in more solitude. 

Like Cambodia, Myanmar has a tropical monsoon climate, with distinct wet and dry seasons. However, the seasons of the two countries are not perfectly coordinated with each other. The dry season in Myanmar runs from October through to May and the wet season from May or June to early October. In Cambodia, there is a little shift in the seasons, with the dry season running from October to April and the wet season from May until late September. But that does give a huge window of opportunity in which to be able to travel to both countries at their peak times, from around mid-October until late April.

Here is more detail about where and when to visit Myanmar throughout the year.

Q. What is the best month to visit Laos?

Laos is best visit in the month of November, it is the beginning of the cool dry season. The rainy season just passes by; hence the green covers the country from north to south. The whole country is blessed with the pleasant weather with the temperature around 20-30 degree Celsius. This is also the peak travel season in Laos, the price of accommodation and travel services also reach its peak during this month.

Q. What is the worst month to visit Laos?

The worst month to visit Laos is during May and June. The whole country is heated up, with temperature around 35-40 degree Celsius. As not many travelers are willing to visit the country, you can easily find a good 4-star hotel at the price of a guesthouse. The whole country is yours if you plan to visit during this period.

Q. What is the cheapest month to fly to Laos?

Logically, the cheapest month to fly to Laos is during the low season period from May until late September. Not only the flight, all the services are very cheap during this period. You can even negotiate to have better price than the quoted one if you keen to do so.

Here is how to get the cheapest flight to Laos

Q. When is the low season in Laos?

That said, the low season in Laos is during the dry hot season and wet green season from May until late September. Whilst it is inconvenient to visit some places, it is actually the good time to visit northern Laos, especially during the green season.  

Q. When is the rainy season in Laos?

The rainy season in Laos runs from July until late September. That said, most of the rains come during late in the afternoon and early in the morning. It cannot be said that the rain will not catch you sometimes during the day time, but it is the time to visit the country with the lower budget than normal.