When is the best time to visit Laos?

Laos is an enchanting gem in South-east Asia,

where you’ll find dramatic mountains, fascinating culture, exciting history, lush nature, adventurous cities and much, much more.

Laos has a warm, tropical climate all year round, but when is actually the best time to visit this welcoming country? Read a lot more about it below.

The climate in Laos

Laos is an attractive destination to visit at any time of the year as the climate is tropical and warm.

The weather system in the country is relatively simple, with two seasons: a dry season and a rainy season.

It is warm all year, but the months of March, April, May and June are particularly hot. As Laos consists of both lowlands and highlands, both the dry season and the rainy season as well as the temperatures can vary. In the northern highlands, temperatures can be slightly lower than in the southern part of the country.

South-east Asia’s longest river, the Mekong River, flows down through Laos, nourishing the Laotian vegetation. The Mekong River is the 12th longest river in the world and, in addition to Laos, flows through several countries such as China, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam before ending in the South China Sea.

Dry season

The dry season in Laos falls between November and April.

If you’re into lots of sunshine and minimal rainfall, the dry season is a good time to travel to Laos.

Warm weather, sunshine and few showers are characteristic of Laos’s dry season. This combination means that the dry season is generally considered to be Laos’s peak season.

If you’d prefer to travel in the dry season but still want to experience the lush, verdant Laos, it’s a good idea to visit the country at the beginning of the dry season, as green Laos and its lushness are still intact here after the previous months of rain. Towards the end of the dry season, temperatures tend to rise slightly, which means it can get very hot.

Look forward to exciting and authentic experiences under the warm rays of the sun when you visit Laos during the dry season.

Rainy season

The rainy season in Laos is from May to October.

The amount of rain that falls during this period causes nature and vegetation to flourish. The showers create a fantastic, rich natural landscape where everything blooms, becoming lovely, light green and lush.

During the rainy season, there may be heavy but brief rain showers, typically lasting an hour or two, and the rain usually falls at night or in the early hours of the morning.

In addition to the nutrition the rain provides, it also helps clean the Laotian air, and the weather then tends to clear up nicely. However, in southern Laos, the showers may be somewhat longer in July, August and September.

Although quite a lot of rain falls during the rainy season, it doesn’t mean that the temperatures drop. During the rainy season, the temperatures remain high, and it is warm and tropical all year round in Laos.

A lot of great experiences are to be had in Laos during the rainy season, and one of the advantages of travelling during this period is that the popular attractions are not as busy as during the peak season.

Weather in selected cities in Laos

Temperatures in Laos are generally high all year round, but they can fluctuate slightly depending on where you are in the country.

Below, you can read about the weather in some of Laos’s popular cities.

Luang Prabang

Located in northern Laos, Luang Prabang is known for being a former royal city.

The temperatures are high all year round, but especially in the months of March, April and May. The months with the most rainfall in the city are July and August. This does not mean, however, that you cannot take many fond memories home with you from Luang Prabang during these months.

The Mekong River runs right through the city, helping to make Luang Prabang green and lush. The city has a typical tropical climate and as it is located in northern Laos, temperatures tend to be slightly lower than in the south of the country.

Whatever the weather, Luang Prabang offers exciting experiences in a charming city with a relaxed atmosphere.

Vang Vieng

South of Luang Prabang is the scenic Vang Vieng.

The driest and sunniest period in Vang Vieng is from October to April, when there is little rainfall. This period is therefore also popular with visitors.

The wettest month in Vang Vieng is August, with least rainfall in January. So, January is also a popular month to visit Vang Vieng.

Vang Vieng is particularly popular with backpackers, but the city has much to offer anyone travelling there.

Vientiane

Vientiane is Laos’s capital, located right where the Mekong River passes.

The capital can be visited year-round, but it is particularly enjoyable during the months from November to April, when it is warm and dry most of the time.

April and May can be extremely hot in the capital. If you prefer temperatures that are not as high and you don’t mind the odd shower, you can visit Vientiane in June, July and August. At this time of the year, you have the opportunity to experience the beautiful surrounding countryside at its greenest and most lush during the wettest month.

No matter what time of year you visit the beautiful capital of Laos, there are plenty of interesting things to see and do.

Please note: The above guide to Laos’s climate is a guideline only. Always check the weather forecast before your tour and contact our travel consultants if in any doubt about when to travel.

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller