When to go to Laos

When is the best time to visit Laos?

Laos has two main seasons, ‘dry’ from November to early May, and ‘rainy’ from late May to October. The dry season is generally the most popular time to visit, however, during and just after the rainy season, Laos is at its most picturesque as the countryside is lush and green, and the waterfalls are at their most impressive.

If you travel between July and September, you should be prepared for heavy downpours almost every day.

When to travel to Northern Laos (Luang Prabang)

Luang Prabang experiences a tropical wet and dry climate. It is generally very warm throughout the year, although it is noticeably cooler during December and January.

The best time to visit Luang Prabang is during the dry season when the weather is dry and cool. March-April are the hottest months, and you might find that the heat, plus high levels of humidity, make sightseeing in the middle of the day somewhat challenging.

Late-May to October is the rainy season, however, the downpours only last for short periods, usually in the afternoon.

When to travel to Southern Laos (Vientiane)

The best time to visit Vientiane is from November to February, as you’ll experience sunny days and comfortable temperatures.

Then it starts to get hotter in March, April and May. You can expect temperatures between 30°C-38°C and high levels of humidity at the start of the wet season in May-June.

The rain continues until the end of October, and then you can expect drier and cooler weather.