When is the best time to travel to Laos?

According to Countryaah, Laos is the pearl of Southeast Asia. In Laos, steep mountains, vibrant culture, interesting history, lush nature, fascinating cities and much more await tourists. Laos has a tropical climate, so there is plenty of warmth all year round. But what time of year is it worth traveling to the country? Read more below.

The climate of Laos

Laos is an excellent travel destination at any time of the year as the country has a tropical climate.

In terms of climate, the year can be divided into two seasons, the rainy season and the dry season.

In Laos, temperatures are high all year round, but especially in March, May and June can be really hot. Geographically, the land is divided into lowland and highland areas, which can differ in terms of both temperature and time of rainy and dry season. Particularly in the northern parts of the highlands, temperatures can be lower than in the southern parts of the country.

The mighty Mekong River flows through Laos and nourishes the country’s lush vegetation. The Mekong is the longest river in Southeast Asia and the 12th longest river in the world, and on its way to the South China Sea, it flows not only to Laos but also through China, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Dry season

The dry season in Laos begins in November and ends in April.

If you love the sunshine and want to avoid rain until the last, you should travel to Laos just during the dry season.

The dry season is characterized by warm and sunny weather and very little rainfall. Thanks to this combination, the dry season in Laos is also the high tourist season.

If you want to travel during the dry season, but also want to experience Laos in its greenest, you should schedule a trip just at the beginning of the dry season. At this time of year, nature is still green after months of rain. Towards the end of the dry season, temperatures start to rise, so late spring can already be very hot.

When you travel to Laos during the dry season, you know you can enjoy the heat and sun to your fullest.

Rainy season

The rainy season in Laos runs from May to October.

Heavy rains make the vegetation flourish at this time of year. After a long dry season, the welcome rains enchant the landscape with delicate light greens.

During the rainy season, the rains come as heavy deafness that typically lasts an hour or two at a time. Rainfall usually hits the hours of the night or early morning.

In addition to nourishing nature, rains purify the air, and after rain, the sun usually emerges quickly. In southern Laos, however, rains can last longer at once, especially in July, August, and September.

Although it rains during the rainy season, temperatures do not drop much. Laos ’location in a tropical climate zone means that mercury stays high throughout the year.

You can also travel to Laos during the rainy season. One of the advantages of the rainy season is that the most popular attractions are not quite as congested as during the high season.

Weather in different cities of Laos

In Laos, temperatures remain high throughout the year, but there is some geographical variation across the country.

Below you can read more about the weather in different cities in Laos.

Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang in northern Laos was the capital of the kingdom of the same name in ancient times.

The weather in the city is warm all year round, but especially in March, April and May it can be very hot. The wettest months are July and August. Despite the rains, Luang
Prabang is also a good travel destination during these months.

The Mekong flowing through the city makes the scenery lush greenery. Luang Prabang has a typical tropical climate, but the northern location of the city means that temperatures here are slightly lower than further south.

Regardless of the weather, Luang Prabang is a charming city with a lot to see and a nice relaxed atmosphere.

Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is a scenic city located south of Luang Prabang.

Vang Vieng’s driest and sunniest season lasts from October to April, when rainfall is low and rare. Therefore, these months are also popular with tourists.

The wettest month is August, while the wettest month is January. January is the peak tourist season in Vang Vieng.

Vang Vieng is particularly attractive to backpackers, but the city offers interesting sights for travelers of all types and ages.

Vientiane

Located at the bend of the Mekong River, Vientiane is the capital of Laos.

Vientiane is a year-round destination, but the weather is especially pleasant for tourists between November and April, when the weather is warm and light rainfall.

April and May in Vientiane can be very hot. If you want to avoid the heat but are not bothered by occasional rains, you should head to Vientiane in June, July and August. At this time of year, the natural landscapes surrounding the city are particularly green and beautiful due to the rains.

The beautiful capital of Laos offers interesting experiences in all seasons.