Best Time to Visit Laos

The best time to visit Laos starts in October and lasts until March. However, this recommendation varies by region. To help you know what clothes to pack and whether to bring an umbrella, I have compiled all the information for the different regions in this article. This will make your trip to the land of a thousand elephants unforgettable.

The climate in Laos is tropical and fundamentally consists of a dry season and a rainy season, influenced by the monsoon. To put it briefly: it's tropical warm to hot year-round in Laos. Throughout the year, temperatures hover around 30°C and can even rise to as high as 40°C at peak times-crazy, right?

Therefore, the best time to visit Laos is generally the dry season from October to March. During this time, while it remains consistently warm, there is no rainfall, and the humidity is bearable even for Europeans. However, there are some regional variations that I would like to introduce to you in the following.

Let's start all the way up north in Laos. This region is very popular among nature lovers and passionate hikers. If someone wants to take some culture along on their trip to Laos, they should travel to Luang Prabang. The city is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in all of Southeast Asia. The best time to visit Northern Laos is basically year-round. However, those who want to stay dry should travel during the dry season from November to March, although nature is especially lush and green during the rainy season.

A bit further south lies Central Laos. There, constant temperatures around 30°C prevail. This region is home to the most famous places and beautiful sights of Laos, including the capital Vientiane, the Wat That Luang temple, and the town of Vang Vieng. The best time to visit Central Laos is during the dry and slightly cooler months from October to April. However, November is the best month since the rainy season has just ended, and nature shines in lush green.

The south of Laos is the least visited region by tourists. Yet, countless attractions await in this area. For instance, the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia, Khon Phapheng, or the rare Irrawaddy dolphins. The absolute best time to visit Southern Laos is the dry season from November to March. Traveling during the rainy season is not recommended at all, as the Mekong river fills with a lot of water and flooding can occur.

From May to October, the rainy season in Laos, also known as the 'Green Season', occurs. Laos is almost 90% forest-covered. During the rainy season, the plants bloom, and everything turns a vibrant green. However, it does not involve monsoon-like downpours but rather showers in the afternoon or evening. You can still travel to Laos during the rainy season, provided you keep an eye on the weather forecasts. Given the prevailing heat, a small rain shower can even be a wonderful way to cool down.

Now that you know the best time to visit Laos, you can continue working on your vacation planning. While searching for the right deal, make sure to browse through my travel search engine. There you will find current vacation deals as well as affordable package trips to Laos.