1. Climate & Clothing

Cool & Dry Season: November to February
Temperature averaging from 10-20ºC.

Hot & Dry Season: March to May
Temperature reaching as high as 30ºC.

Wet season: May to October
Temperature averages 30ºC, and may be relatively hot and humid.

The best season to travel is the period between November to February when weather is amicable and relatively void of rain. Best bet of attire would be that of jeans and T-shirt, with a light coat on hand.

When traveling during the hot season, lightweight clothing made of natural material such as cotton would be advisable. Although sleeveless tops or shorts may be more comfortable in the hot weather, it may be good idea to wear clothing that covers the arms and legs in the evenings for protection against insect bites.

During the rainy months, a lightweight raincoat will come in useful. If you intend to head further north of Laos during the winter season, it will be good to pack in some warm clothing.

An advice for travelers who intend to visit the religious places such as the temples in Laos is to avoid wearing shorts, short skirts or other skimpy clothing as such are unacceptable and considered disrespectful in temples.

2. Culture

Laos has very distinctive religious figures and exhibits, being greatly influenced by the religious environment especially in Pha Lak Pha Lam, which is the Lao version of India's legend Ramayana.

Also unique is the Lao folk music, played often with the khaen, a wind instrument made of two rows of Bamboo-like sticks placed in a wooden soundbox. The khaen is often played in accompaniment to a bowed string instrument or saw.

If you find the locals dancing around in circles, you are probably looking at the local folk dance called Lamvong. Join in the fun and dance along!

As in most asian countries, when visiting a Laos home, do remove your shoes before you enter.

3. Electricity

230V 50HzHz

Acceptable plugs
Japanese-style plug with two parallel flat blades
American-style plug with two parallel flat blades above a circular grounding pin
European plug with two circular metal pins

4. Health & Safety

Health
Vaccination is not a requirement. However, it will be prudent for tourists traveling to the suburban areas to be vaccinated against typhoid, hepatitis, malaria and tetanus.
 
Safety
The usual tourists spots are relatively safe, however, tourists are advised to practice precautions eg keep your bags close to you and avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

Tap water is not potable in Laos. You are advised to buy bottled drinks instead.

5. Languages

Lao is the official language in Laos, but most of the government officials speak French. You will also find the younger generation generally speaking in Thai and English.

6. Money

The currency unit in Laos is Kip. The US Dollar and the Thai Baht are also widely accepted. Credit cards such as the Visa Card and Mastercard are accepted at the larger hotels in Vientiane and Luang Prabang.

7. Religion

Buddhism is the predominant religion in Laos.

8. Transportation

Laos has a very basic infrastructure comprising a very simple road system. You could get about on a bike relatively easily and bike hires are readily available. If you intend to go somewhere further, a bus or modified pickups with benches is the recommended public transport for long distance trips. Buses, which are air-conditioned and faster, can be found down busy routes in Laos.

9. Visa

30 days visa can be obtained from Lao embassies abroad and authorised tour agencies prior to travel. It is also possible to apply for visas on arrival at the airport.

Please check with the Lao Embassy in your country for prevalent visa requirements and details of application for your travel to Laos.

10. Attractions in Laos

Weaving
In Laos, weaving is an industry of its own, where most craftsmen work from home. Laos is where you find some of the finest silk and woven products. Take delight in the varying styles and designs between the provinces.

Carving
Another highly recommended art of Laos is the carvings done on wood, bone and stone. Note however that export of artifacts and antiques out of Laos is prohibited.

Jewelery
If you enjoy buying jewelry on your overseas trips, precious stones such as sapphire can be gotten at very reasonable prices. Popular and much sought after by many tourists are the gold and silver jewelry crafted by the local the hill tribes. Noteworthy however that silver and copper items taken out of Laos will be taxed according to the weight of the item.

The central markets in Vientiane and Luang Prabang have a great variety of souvenirs and unlike the private shops which have fixed prices, bargaining is acceptable.

Recreation
You can plug in a two-day relaxing boat ride down the river between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang.

If you enjoy riding bicycles, you can rent mountain bikes at several locations such as Luang Nam Tha, Vientiane and Vang Vieng.

If you are a nature lover, there is abundance of nature in Laos. Nature Parks, Waterfalls, Trekking, River Rafting, Kayaking, Elephant riding are what you could look forward to. Packages with permutations of such itineraries are rampantly available. If, however, you are looking at exploring the forests on your own, it may be quite necessary to engage a professional guide to steer clear of unexploded mines and bombs leftover from the Second Indochina war!

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