Travel Essentials: Laos

Before finalising your next big adventure devote some time to pre-planning to ensure you are as best prepared as possible. Included here you'll find useful 'Essential Info' with links through to the experts in Travel Health Advice, Visa Regulations, Government Travel Advice, Books and Maps.


To get the most out of your next adventure it makes sense to consider some of the very local factors that combine to make up what you feel is the best time to travel to a destination. Many of these factors are very personal - some people prefer to travel when the weather is not too hot, or sites too crowded - others prefer to travel when a traditional local event is taking place. Taking into account the dates of public holidays can also make sense as these may have an impact on opening times of attractions, shops and restaurants, or might affect public transport or other services. Conversely public holidays can be a time of great local festivities and celebrations providing a feast of local expressionism and culture.

Climate

Laos is a hot and humid tropical country dominated in the lowlands by two distinct seasons. The rainy season extends from the beginning of May to the end of September, and the dry season is from October through April. The yearly average temperature is about 28°C, rising to a maximum of 38°C or 40°C during April and May, the hottest part of the year.


In Vientiane a minimum temperature of 19°C is to be expected during January. In mountainous areas, however, temperature drops to as low as 14°C -15°C during the winter months, and O°C is not uncommon in the mountains during winter.

Southern Laos has the most rain, where the Annamite Mountains receive over 3000 mm annually; Vientiane rainfall is about 1500-2000mm, and in the north only 1000-1500 mm.

 
Seasonality

The best time to visit Laos is between October and April, the high season. The months of April / May should be avoided unless heading for the hills as it’s so hot and between March and May certain river trips may not be possible.

 
National Holidays  
01 Jan 2008

New Year's Day

01 Jan 2008

Pathet Lao Day

20 Jan 2008

Army Day

07 Feb 2008

Chinese New Year. Changes annually

08 Mar 2008

International Women's Day

22 Mar 2008

Day of the People's Party

13 Apr 2008

Lao New Year (Pi Mai). Changes annually

01 May 2008

Labour Day

20 May 2008

Buddha Day (Vesak)

01 Jun 2008

Children's Day

01 Jul 2008

Khao Pansa (Buddhist Fast begins)

13 Aug 2008

Lao Issara (Day of the Free Laos)

01 Sep 2008

Bouk Ok Pansa (Buddhist Fast ends)

12 Oct 2008

Day of Liberation

02 Dec 2008

National Day

National Events