Laos: what to see, itineraries, and when to go

Laos is a small landlocked nation situated among other more famous Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, and Myanmar.

Often overlooked by large tourist flows in favor of its more well-known neighbors, Laos is one of the most captivating destinations in Southeast Asia, a small country with much to offer due to its unspoiled landscapes, marvelous waterfalls and rivers, ancient temples, and remote villages waiting to be discovered through some of the best trekking routes and outdoor activities found in Asia.

Long isolated from the rest of the world due to political issues, Laos retains a slow-paced, timeless way of life.

Meeting its people-relaxed and friendly even by Asian standards-is one of the highlights of any visit.

Its population consists of Lao Buddhists in the river valleys and a variety of hill tribes at higher altitudes, while the larger cities of Vientiane and Luang Prabang still show signs left by French colonialism.

With its suspended atmosphere, Laos feels like a country frozen in time, rich in nature, food, history, and Buddhism, where even in the absence of the beautiful beaches of neighboring countries, nature offers dreamlike landscapes with rolling fields, lush vegetation and thriving forests, rice paddies, tall rocky mountains that rise from nowhere, and meandering rivers that carve through the landscape like the Mekong flowing along the country.

Laos is an ideal destination for first-time travelers due to its safety and relaxed atmosphere, but also for those seeking an adventurous trip that respects ecotourism principles with boat excursions on long-tail boats along the Mekong River from Luang Prabang to Nong Kiaow, rock climbing, tubing sessions, drifting along the Nam Song river sitting on a tire surrounded by spectacular limestone mountains, admiring epic sunsets over the mountains of Vang Vieng, or traveling along Route 13 beyond the mountainous scenery to Luang Prabang and then continuing to the capital Vientiane with its lively night markets and the golden temple of Pha That Luang, a national symbol of Laos, or strolling with monks at Wat Si Saket, a UNESCO site among over 2,000 Buddha statues of various sizes.

The best time to visit Laos is from October to April, when the country's weather is consistently warm and dry, while the mountainous areas experience much cooler temperatures year-round compared to other regions.

April and May tend to be the hottest months, with temperatures reaching up to 104°F (40°C) and extremely high humidity levels.

The rainy season lasts from late May to October but remains a possible time to visit the country since daily rainfall doesn't last long and tourist flow decreases further.

The journey to discover the main attractions of Laos begins at its gateway, the capital Vientiane.

Nestled along the banks of the Mekong River, Vientiane is a tranquil former French colony, as can still be seen in its architecture and signage.

The city offers several attractions to visit before enjoying a sunset drink on the Mekong banks, among which stands out Wat Si Saket, the oldest temple in Vientiane, which has over 2,000 representations of Buddha in silver and ceramic.

Not far from the temple is Haw Pha Kaew, the national museum of religious art that houses the best collection of Buddha images in Laos.

Patuxai (Victory Gate) is the Laotian version of the Arc de Triomphe, with a beautiful panoramic view of the city from the seventh-floor terrace.

About 4 KM northeast of downtown, Pha That Luang is the most important national monument of Laos and symbolizes Laotian Buddhist religion and sovereignty.

Further out is Xieng Khuan (Buddha Park), which is a highlight of attractions in Vientiane and its surroundings for many tourists, featuring a river park with gigantic Buddhist and Hindu sculptures.

Vang Vieng has a more festive personality with a flourishing downtown of boutique hotels, upscale restaurants, and crowded bars.

Set against a backdrop of sparkling green rice fields and karst hills, Vang Vieng is the ideal starting point for outdoor adventures, jungle trekking, and river trips in kayaks, or engaging in activities such as rock climbing and long walks in the countryside.

Luang Prabang, the former capital of Laos, offers epic sunsets over the Mekong River and the chance to stroll through streets characterized by French colonial architecture, spend time at the incredible waterfalls of Kuang Si and Tad Thong, visit the Buddha Caves, hike up Phou Si, the panoramic hill that overlooks the entire city, visit the former royal palace of Haw Kham, shop at the vibrant night market, or explore some of the dozens of temples in the city like Vat Xieng Toung, one of the world's oldest monasteries.

The quiet town of Nong Khiaw, a few hours north on the Nam Ou River, is surrounded by towering limestone peaks and is an excellent base for trekking and kayaking in the region. Just a bit further up the river, accessible only by boat, Muang Ngoi Neau is a popular spot for travelers with incredible views of karst formations.

In the southern part of Laos lies a large archipelago on the Mekong River known as 'Si Phan Don' or the 4,000 Islands, an area of small mostly uninhabited islets in Champasak province near the Cambodian border, one of the cheapest regions in Laos, with extraordinarily affordable accommodations and a relaxed atmosphere.

Accommodation is available only on three of the islands: Don Khong, Don Kon, and Don Det. The islands also have some spectacular waterfalls, as well as traditional street markets with handcrafted products. The most common way to get around this area is to rent a motorcycle or a boat, all of which can be done with a guide at a very low cost.

The Plain of Jars, recognized as a UNESCO heritage site, has thousands of stone jars scattered across three different sites.

Believed to be part of Iron Age funerary practices, this is one of the largest and most significant prehistoric sites in Southeast Asia. Legend says that the jars were made by a race of giants to store alcohol.

Further east, approaching the Vietnamese border, the Vieng Xai caves are a vast network of caves that served as a hidden city during the Vietnam War.

One of the highlights of a trip to Laos is a visit to Tham Kong Lo cave, hidden in the wilds of central Laos. The limestone cave is 7.5 km long and up to 328 feet (100 m) high in some places.

Savannakhet is a pleasant urban refuge of great architectural charm that holds together a mix of Vietnamese and Laotian culture, with honey-colored French villas, a sleepy historic center, a war museum, the oldest monastery in southern Laos, and a dinosaur museum.

Pakse is a regular stop in the south thanks to over 20 Wats, elephant tours, and the option to try traditional Laotian home-cooked meals and street food at many stalls in the center.

Not far from Pakse is the charming riverside town of Champasak, with some colonial villas and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Wat Phu, a complex of crumbling Khmer temples located at the base of Phu Kao mountain with decaying pavilions, the enigmatic crocodile stone, and tall trees that give Wat Phu a mystical atmosphere.

For those looking for a bit more adventure in this peaceful country, the Bokeo Gibbon Experience might be the ideal solution as it allows you to stay in one of the tallest tree houses in the world while getting up close with wild gibbons in their natural habitat.

The journey starts with a hike through the lush jungle, where you'll encounter wild gibbons, deer, pigs, and even tigers, then arrive at your final destination and spend the night sleeping among wildlife in one of the suspended tree houses.

Here you can also get an adrenaline rush with a thrilling zip-line ride through the heart of Nam Kan National Park.

Do not miss the bear sanctuary in Laos, located in dense jungle where you can observe rescued bears from poachers, relaxing in the shade of trees and visiting the Tat Kuang Si waterfall.

Markets remain a staple of daily life in Laos, packed with stalls selling everything from pig heads and congealed blood to bamboo baskets for rice and toiletries imported from Vietnam.

They are also a great place for a quick meal - even at the smallest market you can find someone cooking fõe (Vietnamese-style noodles).