When to go to Laos? Everything you need to know!

A few years ago, I was lucky enough to spend a year travelling around Southeast Asia. What a joy! But also, what a headache! Trying to work out the best time to visit each country based on the weather was a real challenge. When I started this travel blog, I naturally wanted to write about all the countries I had visited. Today, in this article, we’re going to talk about weather, climate, the rainy season and the monsoon. So, when to go to Laos to make the most of the country? I’ll also share a few tips and practical advice for planning your itinerary in Laos, depending on the local weather and the gear you’ll need.

And yes, I know what you’re probably thinking: it’s hot over there, right? Shorts and flip-flops all year round, and no need to worry too much about the weather for a trip to Laos! Well, yes… more or less. I spent a total of one month in Laos and, by the way, it’s the country I loved the most after the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. It still feels relatively off the beaten track compared with its neighbouring countries, which are much more popular with tourists. Are you planning your trip? I also explain how much to budget for your trip to Laos.

I mentioned my trip around Asia in the introduction. At the time, I tried to adapt my itinerary as much as possible to the weather in each country, so I could avoid the rainy seasons and the worst of the monsoon as much as possible. My itinerary looked like this:

Thailand: December/January
Laos: February
Vietnam: March
Cambodia: April
Thailand/Burma: May/June
July: Southern Thailand
August: Malaysia
September/October: Indonesia

Why am I telling you this? Simply to introduce this first section on the climate.

You may not realize it at first glance, but Laos is a tropical country in the northern hemisphere, so it follows the same seasons as France or the United States. The main difference is that the country has a long rainy season, also known as the monsoon, as well as a clearly marked dry season. There are also major differences between southern Laos, which is warmer and lower in altitude, and northern Laos, which is cooler and more mountainous. When planning a trip to Laos, two climate-related factors are especially important to consider: temperature and rainfall.

Overall, average temperatures in Laos are fairly pleasant, usually between 25°C and 30°C depending on where you are in the country. In the capital, Vientiane, the average temperature is around 28°C, with highs of 35°C in April and lows of 29°C in December/January, during the cooler season.

Across the country, temperatures are generally lower between October and February. Since you will probably travel through several regions, there is no need to list every temperature difference by area. Just keep in mind that southern Laos is generally much warmer than the north. For example, the lowest temperature recorded in Pakse, in the south, is 18°C in December/January. By contrast, in Luang Namtha, in the north of the country, temperatures of 7/8°C have already been recorded. In other words: pack a sweater!

That said, temperatures are not usually the main issue in a tropical country like Laos. You get used to the heat fairly quickly, especially when travelling. Rainfall, on the other hand, can be much more significant during certain months of the year.

In my opinion, avoiding the rainy season in Laos is the best way to fully enjoy the country. The rainy season usually begins around May and lasts until September, with more than 20 rainy days per month. If you’re planning a trip during this period, expect to get properly wet! Officially, the monsoon season starts in May in Laos.

Outside these months, from October to April, rainfall remains very low and should not really be a problem during your trip.

If we look only at the climate, which is not always possible on a long trip around the world, not to mention the tourist season, the best time to go to Laos is usually between October and March/April. This way, you can avoid the rainy season, which may make travelling more complicated, while still enjoying cooler temperatures. Keep in mind that March and April are often the hottest months.

Personally, I spent the whole month of February in Laos during my trip to Southeast Asia, and it was perfect. We had very little rain, and the temperatures were very pleasant. In that sense, it is quite similar to planning a trip to Thailand, for example.

Once you know the best time to visit the country, you can start thinking more generally about the things to do in Laos depending on the climate. In my opinion, the main thing to keep in mind for your trip to Laos, climate-wise, is whether you plan to visit the north of the country.

Overall, if you choose the best season mentioned above, all the tourist areas in the south should be accessible without any problems. The weather will also be ideal for taking a boat trip on the Mekong River, to the 4,000 Islands for example, visiting the city of Pakse, or exploring the temples of Champassak. The whole of southern Laos is ideal at this time of year, with little or no rain. It is also the perfect season to explore the Bolaven Plateau by motorbike. Since this area is higher in altitude, we recommend bringing a sweater and a windbreaker, as evenings can be quite cool.

On the other hand, if you travel to this part of the country during the monsoon, expect heavy rain and possible flooding. That said, travelling is still possible during this season, and you may well appreciate avoiding the crowds of high season. As soon as you enter central Laos and head north, temperatures become a little cooler. The centre of the country is especially known for its authentic towns and villages, as well as its limestone caves.

If you visit Laos during the right season, there is one climate-related detail you should pay particular attention to when travelling to the north of the country. During the day, there is no real issue: temperatures remain mild, the days are very pleasant, and rainfall is almost non-existent.

However, in the late evening and at night, temperatures can drop quite a lot. Once you go north of Luang Prabang, minimum temperatures can fall to around 9/10°C or even lower, and the nights can be very cool, even cold. If you are planning to hike in the northern part of the country, around Luang Namtha, Muang Xay, Pak Beng and the surrounding areas, make sure you bring warm clothes.

Of course, we usually choose when to visit a country based on the climate, or sometimes on the logic of a longer round-the-world itinerary. However, in a country like Laos, where culture and religion are so present, I thought it would be useful to share the dates of some local festivals and celebrations. I’m not saying you should plan your entire trip around them, but if you have the time and flexibility, travelling during one of these events can clearly be a bonus, right? Some travellers even plan their holidays around specific celebrations, such as Holi, the famous festival of colours in India.

Here are a few festivals that happen to fit very well with the best season in Laos. If you are travelling through the country at that time, they are really worth experiencing:

• The national holiday (December 2nd): this marks the abolition of the monarchy. Early in the morning, people gather in towns and villages across the country to celebrate. In some villages, you may have the chance to see locals wearing traditional dress.
• Elephant Festival: held every year in February in the city of Sayabouri, this festival brings together a large number of elephants, along with traditional dances and songs.
• Pi May (15 to 17 April): this is the Buddhist and Lao New Year. The festival marks the beginning of the rainy season. It is known for being very joyful and festive, with huge water fights, local dances and songs.
• The Rocket Festival/Bun Bang Fai (early May): this is a very famous festival in Laos, where the main event is the launch of homemade bamboo rockets. According to local beliefs, these rockets are meant to fertilize the clouds and bring the rain needed for the rice fields.

Finally, there are other local festivals too, such as the canoe races in October, Bun Pha That Luang in November and Hmong New Year in December. All these traditional festivals are worth keeping in mind if you are still wondering when to go to Laos for your trip.

I’ll end this article with a more personal note based on my own one-month trip to Laos. I’ve talked a lot about the climate, but is it really the most important thing to consider when travelling to a tropical country? Do you necessarily check the climate before planning a trip to Vietnam? Myanmar? Bali? Sri Lanka? I’m not so sure.

Of course, climate is an important factor to consider, especially in countries where it can seriously complicate your trip. I’m thinking, for example, of cold countries, where things can quickly turn into a nightmare if you are not properly prepared. In Laos, the heat is still bearable in my opinion, and even travelling in the middle of the hot season, which is supposedly very unfavourable, could still turn into a great experience.

Because in the end, in a country like Laos, rather than only asking yourself “When should I go to Laos?”, I think it is even more useful to ask: “What should I visit in Laos? What are the most interesting things to do in Laos? What are the best places to see in Laos?”

Once you have chosen when to visit the country, I really recommend trying to get off the beaten track. Like everyone else, we felt we had to see the classics: the 4,000 Islands, Pakse, the Bolaven Plateau, Vientiane and Luang Prabang.

But as soon as we moved away from that classic route, especially towards the north-west of the country, things became much more interesting. Today, I really regret not spending more time in the country’s highlands, those mountainous border regions where many ethnic minorities live. The opportunities for discovery and adventure in this region are truly incredible. There is no need to organize everything before you leave. Instead, I would recommend going to Pakbeng, or further north to Luang Namtha, renting a motorbike for a week or 10 days, and simply getting lost in these areas.

If I ever go back to Laos, this is definitely something I would love to do. But after this little digression, let’s come back to the climate and weather in Laos. If you are heading north, make sure you bring warm clothes, such as a fleece, thermal layers, a hat, and so on. I remember crossing the border in northern Laos towards Dien Bien Phu in northern Vietnam, and believe me, it was not warm at all up there!

I hope this article has helped you understand when to go to Laos. Enjoy your stay there: Laos is a Southeast Asian country where you can still get lost and discover some truly amazing places. I know I’m repeating myself, but don’t spend too long in the tourist spots. Instead, head inland.

See you soon for another article.