“Laos, a peaceful land-locked nation,
is one of Southeast Asia’s hidden gems. The stunning natural beauty of forested mountains and valleys teeming with wildlife combined with a fascinating Buddhist culture make Laos a superb destination for those seeking an adventurous and authentic cultural experience.
Laos has two seasons. The green season runs from May through October and the dry season from November to April. For the most part, Laos is hot, although there is a good deal of fluctuation between summer and winter temperatures. The capital, Vientiane, ranges from the upper-20s Celsius (mid-70s Fahrenheit) in January to mid-30s Celsius (mid-90s Fahrenheit) in April and May. In the mountainous region in Luang Prabang, however, temperatures can plummet to near freezing at night in December and January. During the rainy season, the highest precipitation is in southern Laos.
Please note: It can sometimes be smoky during February and March (in Northern Laos) when local people burn the rice fields and forests to prepare for the annual crops. This may affect visibility and result in minor respiratory irritation.
1. How to book a tailor-made tour with Justravel Asia?
Justravel Asia is a ground tour operator specialized in tailor-made travel itineraries base on your interests. We don’t sell group tours, we use our 20 years of combined travel experience to pick the accommodation and activities, create cultural-rich journeys with local insight.
Feel free to drop an email request to either Han (han.pham@justravelasia.com) or Alice (tu.luu@justravelasia.com) – the Co-founders, don’t forget to give some hints about your special interests. They will get in touch with you shortly to discuss over the travel plan and then get back to you with detailed itinerary and prices. We welcome your opinions to modify the itinerary until it fits your dream trip.
2. Do you need a visa to travel to Laos?
E-visa can be applied for most of nationalities. Lao eVisa can be processed within 3 business days provided that all information given by the applicant meets the criteria and is accepted by the Lao Government authorities. If the applicant fails to satisfy the criteria longer processing times may occur.
You can visit Laos Immigration Department website for official details:
3. How long should you travel to Laos for your first time?
Among 3 countries of Indochina, Laos is quite untouched and still has many legends to explore. However, people usually connect Laos with either Cambodia or Vietnam. In case you want to have a quick overview of this hidden gem, a short extension of 4-5 days would be fine, in which you can spend 2 nights in its capital Vientiane and 3 nights to discover Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang is an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those built by the European colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its unique, remarkably well-preserved townscape illustrates a key stage in the blending of these two distinct cultural traditions.
4. How much money should you bring to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos?
Comparing to other countries in Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are more affordable. The living cost in big cities like Hanoi, Da Nang, Saigon, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are obviously a little higher comparing to the rest. Let’s say, in these cities, you can get a big bowl of Cambodian noodles at $2.5, a loaf of Vietnamese banh mi at $1.5, while in the countryside, $1 street food is still available. Of course, there are dining places that costly, but in general, an average budget of $25 per day for transfer and local food will be enough. It actually depends on how much you want to spend and how adventurous you are for food and accommodation.
5. Are there luxury hotels in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos?
Eventhough Indochina has become popular destinations in the past 10 years, surprisingly we have most of top luxury international hotel brands, from Hilton, Hyatt, Accor and Marriot to Six Senses, Aman, Bayan Tree, Four Seasons and such. Some hotels and resorts are famous not only for top notch service but also for their unique design, such as Bensley projects.
6. Is Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos safe for solo travelers and female travelers?
There is nothing 100% but we are sure that we welcome all types of travelers. Crimes happen here and there anywhere in the world, but with our consistency in politics, we ensure social security. Vietnam also respect women and we even put more effort in supporting female travelers.
Justravel Asia has proudly welcomed many solo female travelers. We are a female-run business so we understand their concerns and has successfully turned it to happiness at the end of the trips.
Visa requirements:
All nationalities with exception of some Asian countries must have a tourist visa to enter Lao. You may apply for a visa through a Laotian embassy or consulate in your country. You are required to submit an application form with 2 passport-size photos, your passport and fee to process the visa. If you do not want to send off your passport or need your passport for your current travel, you can obtain a visa on arrival at international airports/borders. (There are several countries in Africa and Middle East who cannot obtain Visa on Arrival. Also, Turkish nationals cannot obtain Visa on Arrival. Please check with your travel agent or Justravel Asia for the latest information.)
The visas fee for most nationalities is US$ 35 per person for visa on arrival. Please note an additional service fee of US$ 1 will be added to each visa. Bring payment in US dollars and one passport photos or allow an extra US$1 if you do not have a passport picture. Please be aware that sometimes there can be long queues at the airport when obtaining a visa on arrival.
Even when organizing your own visas from home or other countries, it is a local requirement to provide Justravel Asia with your full passport and visa information prior to entering Laos. This is also applicable for the airlines to issue the air-ticket and for the hotels to prepare the check-in procedure.
Please make sure your passport is valid more than 6 months from the date of departure of each country you are visiting. Also, make sure you have enough blank pages – you may need up to 1.5 pages for each country you visit in Southeast Asia.
Insurance:
It is compulsory to have comprehensive travel insurance whilst travelling in Laos. Comprehensive travel insurance, may cover you for unforeseen circumstances prior to departure should you be forced to cancel. Comprehensive travel insurance should cover you for emergency and medical evacuations, hospital fees, loss of property etc. Justravel Asia would like to a copy of your insurance in case of emergency, please forward your policy details to your agent who will in turn advise Justravel Asia.
Health:
Please consult your doctor to discuss your particular health or immunization requirements. If you would like to have a source of further information, please refer to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov
Money:
The Laotian currency, the Kip, exchanges at a rate of about 18,000 Kip to the US Dollar. However, the US Dollar is also widely accepted. Bring new, clean US Dollars and small denominations ($1 and $5) which are useful for making local purchases.
Cashing traveler’s cheque is not possible anymore in Laos. ATMs are now available in main towns and are widespread in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. They will only issue the local currency, the Kip. Many banks (open Monday to Friday) issue cash advances for Visa and MasterCard, usually for a small commission.
Mobile Phone:
Laos uses a GSM (GSM900/1800) mobile phone network. There are 4 main phone carriers in Lao, with Lao telecom and Beeline having the widest coverage. It is easy to purchase a pre-paid SIM card in Laos (approx US$4) – just make sure your phone is unlocked to accept SIMs from other networks, or buy another handset. Handsets are cheaper in Thailand and Vietnam.
Internet:
Many hotels have wireless (wifi) internet access available in the lobby or business center. There are many cheap internet cafes in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, and a couple in smaller towns. Be careful not to save your password or sensitive information on public computer terminals.
Electricity:
Laos has 220V, 50Hz electricity. As both two-prong and flat pins are in use you would be wise to bring an adaptor. Three-pin plug adaptors are usually provided by hotels; just ask the reception. In all countries, protect sensitive electronic equipment like laptops from power fluctuations by using a surge-protector.
Clothing:
Since the weather is consistently warm throughout the country, it is advisable to bring comfortable lightweight, loose fitting, cotton clothing and long-sleeved items for protection from mosquitoes and the sun. During the rainy season an umbrella and open-toe sandals are recommended. A jacket may be needed in hotels and restaurants using excessive air-conditioning. A hat and high-factor sun block is advisable for protection against the hot sun when sightseeing. T-shirts and knee length shorts are acceptable for visiting temples or pagodas. From November to January, particularly in the northern mountainous region, the temperature can dip below zero so you will need to bring a sweater or a light jacket. Since the cities and towns in Laos are ideal for walking, be sure to bring comfortable and supportive walking shoes.
Travel documents:
You should bring a money-belt to safely carry your travel documents and cash, and ensure that your luggage has a lock. Bring photo-copies of your passport and visa, plus some extra passport-sized photos if you’re applying for on-arrival visas. When flying into or within Laos, you will probably be given baggage claim tags (they will be stuck to the back of your ticket). Keep these, as you might need to show them when leaving the airport.
Tipping
While not compulsory, tipping is greatly appreciated throughout Southeast Asia, especially in the service industry, when you are pleased with the services provided. For reference, we have provided a general guideline below:
- Guides (>4 travellers): $10-$15 per day per traveller
- Drivers (>4 travellers): $5-$7 per day per traveller
- Guides (<5 travellers): $5-$10 per day per traveller
- Drivers (<5 travellers): $3-$5 per day per traveller
- Restaurants: 10-15% of the total bill
- Hotel Maid Service: $2 – $3 per day
- Porters: $2 – $3 at time of service
- Local Boat Transport: $5 – $10 per boat
- Overnight Cruise: $5 – $10 per night per traveller (to cover all crew)
Water
It is advisable not to drink water from the tap unless it is boiled properly.
Medical
When traveling in Laos, it is advisable to avoid public hospitals as they may be unsanitary. If
a problem arises where you are in need of medical attention, the best option is to visit an
international clinic. Please contact your hotel or guide for information on clinic services and
to find one that is appropriate for Western visitors. Additionally, when traveling to Laos, it is
important to remember to bring enough of your regular medication for the duration of your
stay
