For most people Laos is not the first country to think of when they plan their holiday. However, Laos has much to offer and the tourist industry is growing each year. If you are not sure wether to visit Laos or not, here are five reasons that should make up your mind.
Mixed Cultures
Because most people in Laos are Buddhist you will find many temples in and around the cities in Laos. The people are very friendly and the monks don’t mind to pose for a nice holiday photo.
Laos has been colonized by the French, which is something you will notice as soon as you walk around the capital ‘Vientiane’. The architecture is influenced by the French and you will find at least one bakery in every street selling delicious baguette sandwiches.
Laos is a very cheap country, which makes it a great destination for backpackers. We paid on average $1 per meal and $1 for a delicious fruit shake. We paid $5 a night for a two person room in Vang Vieng.
Tubing in Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is an extremely populair destination for the adventurous backpacker. This small village is surrounded by mountains and rivers, making Vang Vieng the perfect place for a long hike or a couple hours of…. Tubing!
Tubing is a must-do activity. You simply grab an inner tube, jump in the Nam Song River and let the current take you till you reach the city. It takes a couple of hours before you reach Vang Vieng, but you can stop on your way at one of the bars next to the river. Just grab one of the ropes and they will pull you in. Just make sure you don’t drink to much, because drunk accidents happen every year.
UNESCO World Heritage City: Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is a tiny town located in the north of Laos, 700 metres above sea level. It is surrounded by mountains, forests, the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world, Kuang Si Waterfall.
Luang Prabang was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, resulting into more tourists and higher prices for accommodation. Everything is still very cheap, but expect to pay a bit more than you would in Vang Vieng or Vientiane.
Untouched nature
Laos is a pretty big country with just a couple of small cities. There are no long highways or metro systems, there are no big shopping malls and most locals use bicycles or buses to travel.
Because of this, huge areas of nature feel relatively untouched. You can walk around for hours without meeting anyone else. You can explore random caves, climb mountains, hike through fields with hundreds of cows or just sit down and have a picknick.
Weather
Laos has no coast line to influence the weather. Because of this there are only two seasons, the dry season (October to late April) and the wet season (May to late September). It is relatively warm during the whole year, but during the dry season temperatures can drop in the evening. At these times a shirt with long sleeves or a thin jacket is advised.
