Laos is a beautiful country that maintains its natural beauty all year round. With two weather patterns: wet and dry. So tourists can have different experiences in this South Asian country. Continue reading this handy guide to find out the best time to visit Laos
When is the best time to visit Laos?
The best time to visit Laos is from October to April when the country that is not adjacent to the coastline is warm and dry.
Laos is a country influenced by the tropical climate. In addition, its geographical location is an essential factor in shaping the seasons. To explain why the time between October-April is the best time to visit Laos because this is the dry season with cooler air, and there are no rains that can interrupt your journey.
- Best time to visit Luang Prabang: The ideal months to visit Luang Prabang are November to March when the average temperature is pleasant (about 23°C), and the weather is delightfully dry. Be cautious about making reservations in advance if you’re traveling at this time of year. It can also get quite crowded, especially in January and during festivals.
- Best time to visit Vientiane: November to February is the perfect time to visit Vientiane and try Vientiane food. During this period, you will constantly be surrounded by dry, pleasant air and sunshine. If you miss this opportunity, the temperature and humidity will rapidly rise the next time, ranging from 30°C to 38°C, as the rainy season is just beginning in May.
Related tour: The Best Of Vietnam, Laos And Cambodia (17 days)
Visit Laos in Autumn (October – November)
Autumn (October – November) is the best time to join the big festivals, and some outdoor activities are back on
The rainy season will continue continuously for most of September, but by the end of the month the weather will be warm and sunny and the scenery is stunning at this time.
Through October, there are sometimes only scattered drizzles and the temperature usually falls around 30°C (86°F). This is when outdoor activities return and the best time to visit Laos before the peak tourist season.
Especially during autumn in Laos, rivers will take center stage in festivals that take place in October. Boun Awk Phansa – the end of Buddhist Lent will bring a wonderful sight to the Festival of lights (Lai Heau Fai). Celebrations come to life and glow in candle-lit lanterns and paper boats down the Mekong River in Luang Prabang.
The biggest Boat Racing Festival of the year (Boun Suang Huea) also takes place this Autumn. The Mekong River in Vientiane is a major festival venue. However, Laos’ riverside towns can also host their festivals and organize their races. The weather hasn’t been too wet in November, but rainfall still fills some rivers. This is the right opportunity for visitors to get on a boat to roam the waterways of Laos. Activities such as tubing, hiking, swimming,… in Muang Ngoi Neua are becoming popular. The pleasant, cool temperatures make the number of tourists visiting temples and famous sites like Pha That Luang, and Vieng Xai much more interesting and bustling
Visit Laos in Winter (December – February)
Winter (December – February) is the best time to visit the countryside and go on a river cruise.
November – January are the most comfortable months to travel to the lowlands of Laos. While daytime temperatures are pleasant, you will feel chilly at night. The countryside of Laos becomes sparkling and the trees greener after the showers. However, in the highlands, the temperature becomes much lower and can drop to a temperature that can cause freezing.
Entering December, the water level is very suitable for Mekong River tours because of the high rainfall in the previous months. For tourists who like adventure, you can fully participate in activities in the river region of Laos. These include kayaking, canoeing over the waterfall, and…on the Northern rivers such as Nam Xuang, Nam Ou. The ideal places to join a kayaking tour are Luang Prabang, Luang Namtha, and Vientiane. Besides, you will not want to miss the magnificent view of the beautiful waterfalls in the southern highlands.
Activities on land are also very interesting such as exploring Phousi mountain, coffee plantations, elephant camps, indigenous markets, Buddhist temples, and mysterious caves etc. In addition, this is also the best time to visit Laos through outdoor activities such as cycling, hiking, and rock climbing,… If you want a day or multi-day trip to the tribes in the north of Laos, you can choose the trip from Muang Sing town, Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, and Luang Namtha.
Once you’ve visited and are full of energy from your past adventures. So why don’t you try the Si Phan Don archipelago (Four thousand islands) with picturesque scenery? But visitors can only visit some islands such as Don Det, Don Daeng,… However, these islands still give visitors a place to enjoy a slow pace of life and relax comfortably.
For culture lovers, December is the Luang Prabang Film Festival time. This program will screen films appearing in Southeast Asia at outdoor venues in Laos city.
Please note that the dry season in Laos always attracts many tourists. As a result, the attractions will often be crowded and busy.
Visit Laos in Spring (March – April)
Spring (March – April) is the best time to go to the plateau and participate in the biggest festivals of the year in Laos
The time slash-and-burn cultivation will take place from the onset of the monsoon in March. Most of the northern areas will be covered in smoke regularly; if visitors are planning to come to the North, this will be quite a difficult bear.
From early spring to late spring, Laos will have significant transformations. Temperatures will increase rapidly and peak in April. At this time, the lowlands and most of the plateau will be both hot and humid. However, you can avoid the heat by going to Paksong (Bolaven Plateau) because it has a mild climate all year round.
April is also the time when the river water level in Laos is the lowest of the year, causing disruption to river travel. However, that is not all, as Spring is considered the best time to visit Laos to see the festivals. March – April will have major festivals, and mid-April is also the time of the Lao New Year. Besides, there is an event where locals will wash the Buddha statue and water festivals take place right after. Water in the Laotian people’s concept, is considered lucky and also soothes the hot weather at this time. Homemade rockets will be launched into the sky to convince the spirits above to bring rain.
Read more: Luang Prabang Night Market: Things You Need To Know
Climate of Laos
Dry season (November – April)
Laos’s dry season starts from November to April. There are two remarkable things about the dry season in Laos. Firstly, this is also an excellent season. The air ranges from 15℃(59℉) and 30℃(86℉). In addition, the land is recorded with almost no rain. It is very suitable for water trips to explore the Mekong delta area.
The second noted feature is Laos in November-February is the peak season. There will be a lot of tourists coming annually during this time. To keep the quality of the trip, visitors should find out and book the necessary services here, such as hotels and restaurants. If the above takes too much of your time, contact Ftrip for a customized tour.
Events and Festivals
Bun Pha Wet Festival
- Time: December – January
The Bun Pha Wet festival is a story about Jataka returning and embodying Buddha for the second time until the end. The Buddha here is the Pha Wet or Prince Vessantara. The festival will take place at the local monastery on different days throughout December or January. In addition, the Bun Pha Wet festival hosts dances and live bands in larger towns.
Boun Makha Busa
- Time: February (full moon)
Under the full moon of February, The Boun Makha Busa is celebrated. This festival commemorates the Buddha giving his legendary sermon in front of 1,250 disciples who gathered around the Enlightened One in a very natural way.
Read more: The 13 Best Waterfalls in Laos For Your Next Visit
Laos New Year (Bun Pi May)
- Time: April (13th – 15th of every year according to the Buddhist calendar)
Bun Pi May – Laos New Year will be celebrated across the country in mid-April. Especially in Luang Prabang, there will be an event where Buddha Phra Bang is held as a bathing ritual.
The rainy season (May – October)
Laos’s rainy season is from May to October.
During this period, Laos will be hot and humid, and the streets are always watered from the rains. Rainfall is highest in August and September, reaching 250mm to 300mm per month, along with hot and humid climate background of 20℃ (68℉) and 30℃ (86℉). Downpours will usually visit Laos in the afternoon. The rest of the time, the showers and the blue sky fought each other to invade the firmament.
During the wet season, the highlands in the northern, eastern, and central regions will bring cooler temperatures because the forests are free to bathe with the endless water mother nature bestows. Helping plants stay green and nature more vivid than ever, covered with a striking green color, makes visitors wonder when the ‘Green season’ is the time to revive the country’s vibrancy. Even though it’s not the best time to visit Laos, travelers will get a chance to adorn the scene, waterfalls begin to flow again, and the lush landscape attracts a wide variety of wildlife in this time.
The rainy season in Laos offers advantages for visitors, including a cleaner atmosphere, fewer tourists, cheaper overnight costs, and easier access to local restaurants. Penetrating the old forest is a must-have experience to enjoy the vast natural space and the smell of moist soil after a clear wet.
Events & Festivals
Rocket festival (Bun Bang Fai)
- Time: May
Bun Bang Fai – The rocket festival will feature rockets with raw bullets made from bamboo poles stuffed with gunpowder. These rockets will then be launched into the air. Locals hope that the explosions of the missiles will be heard by the spirits above and bring rain after months of prolonged drought.
Wat Si Saket – The Temple With The Most Ancient Statues In Vientiane – Laos
Festival of lights (Lai Heaua Fai)
- Time: October (the full moon of November in the Lao Buddhist calendar)
Lai Heau Fai – Festival of lights is a vivacious festival in Luang Prabang. To prepare for this festival of lights, people in Laos will build giant palanquins decorated with incredibly majestic and shimmering lights.
Laos weather by month
- January
This is one of the best times to visit Laos. The rest of the country will be dry and affected by warm temperatures, with much lower temperatures in Luang Prabang and northern Laos. Visitors should join the experience of the waterways in Laos during this time because the rising river levels make your traveling on the water smoother.
- February
The weather remains dry with only a slight increase in temperature, and the north is quite cold during the beginning of the month. The river level is still good for joining river cruises. However, the experience will be better than in January as the neighboring country’s dam building has affected water levels in recent years.
Related tour: Classic Laos With Muang La (7 days)
- March
March Laos will continue the series of days of the dry season. However, the temperature will be somewhat higher than in previous months, exceeding 30°C in many places. In the highlands, there are still cold air currents in some areas, but central and southern Laos will experience the first hot climate. The river level at this time makes it difficult for activities on the water.
- April
April closes the dry season in Laos with the last sunny days before entering May. River levels remain low year-on-year, meaning river navigation in some areas can be difficult in some places in the country. Temperatures will be among the highest in the country, possibly reaching 36°C in the south.
Temperature levels at this time may dehydrate visitors with outdoor activities for long periods. In addition, slash-and-burn farming will also continue to impact the surrounding environment, creating smoke and fog in some areas.
Related tour: Essential Vietnam & Laos (12 days)
- May
The first month in the wet season is relatively comfortable when the weather in the first months is still dry. From the middle of the month on, expect more frequent rains. Hot and humid conditions persist everywhere.
- June
Almost all areas in Laos will welcome the constant arrival of rain. Usually, the showers are short-lived, and there can still be plenty of sunshine in the country’s south. Temperature is lower than in late April; the temperature is just around a low of 30°C.
- July
July brings intense rains, keeping average temperatures above 30°C. Fresh rains have helped cool the temperature somewhat, particularly in the southern Bolaven Highlands.
At the same time, the central area also becomes fresh when the foliage is fabulous, bringing lush green. The murmuring stream will draw you deep into the forests to the south, bringing a refreshing landscape from the multi-tiered waterfalls.
- August
August has the most prolonged and most intense rainfall. The water in the rivers is gradually filling, waiting for the next dry season. The smoke is dispelled, returning to the beautiful landscape of Laos. This month, traveling in remote areas can be difficult. Temperatures dropped to as low as 20°C throughout the country.
- September
Rainfall continues to peak as they consistently plague many areas across the country. Visitors should not move to remote locations at this time. The clear sky will soon return at the end of the month, revealing the sun, letting its rays dance over the waterfall, and warming the leaves that have been nourished during the rainy season. This turned Laos nature into one of the must-see spots for nature-loving tourists
- October
Only some stubborn rain remains in August when Laos resumes dry weather again. In general, temperatures will stay cool, ranging from moderate to high 20°C. This is when you can soak in the cool air of Laos and admire the green landscape.
- November
The whole country has entered the dry season. At the same time, the river level will be at its highest, attracting many family tours to experience water travel through famous landmarks in Laos. Temperatures will be pleasant in the mid to high 20°C range, and nature is in its most vibrant stage.
- December
Quite similar to the previous month, December offers visitors a wonderful atmosphere for land and water travel with dry, warm weather and blooming vegetation.
Travel tips for the best time to visit Laos
- Visitors should check information about Laos’s temperature and seasons before traveling to prepare for clothes, personal items, and essential commodities.
- March and April have the hottest temperature of the year. The temperature and atmosphere affected by slash-and-burn burning make the atmosphere invariably smoky, blocking the view in some areas.
- Laos’s dry season is also when this country welcomes the most visitors. In addition, many special occasions during this period, such as Christmas, the end of the year, or Laos new year in mid-April, will make Laos a gathering place for many people. All the reasons above will drive up travel costs. If you want to visit Laos around this time, booking the services at least one month in advance is recommended to avoid inconvenient instances.
- The first or last month of the rainy season has primarily stopped the continuous rains. With a few tourists, you’ll get more deals and enjoy popular tourist attractions without scrambling.
Frequently asked questions about the best time to visit Laos (FAQs)
What is the best time to visit Laos?
The best time to visit Laos is October to April because it is the dry season, and the air is not too hot. More specifically, visitors can join boat tours when the water level in Laos from November to January is high.
What is the rainy season in Laos?
The rainy season in Laos lasts from May to mid-August. And August is also the month that has the highest rainfall.
Visitors should note that November to April is Laos’s dry season, as known as the best time to visit Laos. If you have not yet planned your trip, please get in touch with Ftrip for a satisfactory schedule.
