With its otherworldly, Avatar-ish nature, hospitable locals, and affordable island getaways, Southeast Asia is back to being on our travel radar, especially now that new Trans-Pacific flight routes are launching, making it easier for Americans to get there.
While Thailand, Bali, and Vietnam receive all the attention, landlocked Laos is typically ignored altogether.
After all, it doesn’t have a coast, flight connectivity is poorer than that of its neighbors, and it’s not your typical resort destination.
Be that as it may, this is a hugely underrated cultural gem with the potential to become the region’s next travel hotspot, and here are 5 reasons why:
No Beach, But Stunning Natural Scenery Instead
Laos is not among the largest countries in Southeast Asia, nor does it straddle the ocean like its competitors. It covers an area of 236,800 square miles––Thailand is roughly 2.2 times bigger, for instance––but whatever it lacks in landmass and beach access, it makes up for in beauty:
Large swathes of Laos are forested, from the north, bounded by the Luang Prabang mountains and rice terraces, to the village-sprinkled Bolaven Plateau to the south, inhabited by elephants, Asian tigers and what have you, it’s a dreamland of nature-made wonders.
You could spend a lifetime in Laos and still not see it all, but if you’re looking to get your mind blown, then definitely pay Tad Fan Waterfall a visit: the highest in the country, falling from a height a 100 meters, it is one of the main attractions in the Bolaven Plateau.
In the southern half of the Luang Prabang province, the Kuang Si Falls are just as impressive, emptying into a natural pool of crystalline water.
For the odd enthusiastic hiker who doesn’t shy away from challenging summits, conquering nearby Mount Phousi is a must-do.
It Is Home To The Scenic Thakhek Loop
Speaking of adventurous spirits, if you’re coming all the way to Laos and you love getting off the beaten track, then you’re likely to want to do the Thakhek Loop: a scenic 3-4 day roadtrip crossing the Laotian countryside, it is one of the most incredible tourist experiences in Southeast Asia.
Tourists normally scooters to complete the 295.7-mile loop, which visits imposing karst formations, vast plantations, postcard-perfect waterfalls, like Tad Song Souk, and Indiana Jones-like temples, including pilgrimage site ‘Buddha Cave’, a Buddhist shrine housed in an isolated grotto.
There are countless points of interest along the extensive route, whether it’s traditional villages yet to know the spoils of globalization or beautiful natural sites virtually untouched by mankind, but one of the most unique stops is at Tha Bak.
A sleepy waterside village, it has a number of abandoned, missile-shaped ‘Bomb Boats’, used during the Vietnam War still lining the riverfront: though it was largely fought between socialist forces in Vietnam and the United States, it also saw Laos be heavily attacked for nine years.
If you’re renting a scooter or bike for your Thakhek Loop, however, you’ll want to make sure you take insurance, if available, and that you bring a lock to keep it safe, just in case.
Laos is generally safe for tourists and crime rates are low, but according to a Reddit user, bike thefts are somewhat common here, and in case it gets stolen, tourists have to pay the full cost, estimated to be $1,000-$1,500.
To give you a more balanced overview, according to the U.S. State Department, however, bike theft isn’t specifically mentioned in the official travel advisory.
Quaint Villages Untouched By Globalization Trends
Laos is not somewhere you go for vibrant city breaks and nightlife, exactly: the largest city in the country, home to over 948,000 residents, is national capital Vientiane, and though that’s fairly big, it comes nowhere close Bangkok’s, or Ho Chi Minh City’s cosmopolitanism.
There are many who love it for its mix of French-colonial and Indochina architecture, and others who are not fans, as it is reputed to be less vibrant than its counterparts: definitely don’t expect to find as exciting a social scene here as you would in a sprawling Thai metropolis.
Laos’ true charm lies in its quaint towns, like Vang Vieng, sandwiched between imposing limestone peaks and the historic Nam Song River, Pakse, in southern Laos, where the Mekong and Xe Don rivers converge, and a religious center for Buddhists, and former capital Luang Prabang:
Named after the province, the 56,000-strong municipality is found at the bottom of a valley, flanked by verdant mountain ranges, and it’s cultural hub of the sorts, being home to 16th-century Wat Xieng Thong temple and Wat Mai, once the residence of the head of Laotian Buddhism.
If you love Northern Thailand, with its remote temples, dense jungle and elephant sanctuaries, then Laos is right up your alley: it’s even less developed, with frozen-in-time rural hinterlands in stark contrast with a rapidly-growing continent, and the kind of idyllic charm you can’t get elsewhere.
Laos Wants More Tourists To Visit
For a country with a recent history as complex, if not sad as Laos, locals are surprisingly warm-hearted and hospitable, and the country itself has long overcome its suspicion of foreign guests, welcoming guests with open arms.
As long as you respect their culture, they’ll take no issue with you: for women, that means dressing conservatively––tank tops and short skirts are not perceived as appropriate in most settings––and for the lovey-dovey couples out there, tone down your display of affection in public.
Laotians are a very simple people, and as long as you don’t overstep their boundaries, they’re more than happy to host you, as is the Laotian Government: in the last few days, Laos further eased its ultra-strict visa policy.
This brings it in line with Thailand and Vietnam, which have recently eased visa requirements as well.
Laotian authorities have scrapped visas for visits of up to 15 days for a handful of European nationals, with Austrians, Belgians, Danes, Spaniards and Swedes among them, and as for Americans, they can now apply for Laotian visas lasting 60 days instead of only 30.
We don’t know why U.S. passport holders have not been included in the visa-free arrangement like certain Europeans have, but they can stay longer in Laos than their fellow visa-exempt Westerners, and getting a Laotian visa online via the official platform is an incredibly straightforward process.
Laos Is Still Perfectly Affordable For Westerners
Besides the relaxed visa policy, another factor that makes Laos an incredibly attractive destination in 2024 is its high affordability: once again, this is not one of Southeast Asia’s Westerner-dominated resort destinations, so consumer prices are fairly low.
There is definitely a range to be noted here, as luxury travelers are likely to favor eating at upscale restaurants, booking private tours and other exceptional experiences, and sojourning in five-star properties, but the average traveler is likely to spend an average $250 for the week.
That’s according to Budget Your Trip estimates, which is based on member reports as opposed to peer-reviewed work, so you should take those with a pinch of salt.
That being said, looking at the range of room rates on Booking.com, and local food prices as shown on Numbeo, those don’t seem to be too far off:
For instance, you can book a relatively-comfortable three-star room in a centrally-located hotel in Phnom Penh for only $17 per night, while a meal in a local restaurant frequented by Laotians themselves can cost a dirt cheap $2.22, or the equivalent in the local currency.
More elaborate dinners in mid-range restaurants are an average $13, according to Budget Your Trip, and that’s typically generous portions and multi-course presentations in a Western-style eatery, potentially with AC and English-speaking staff.
In sum, Laos is an absolute bargain if you’re earning in dollars, and you’re usually conscious about how you go spending your hard-earned money.
If you’re intent on exploring Laos during your next trip to Southeast Asia, you’ll be thrilled to learn that getting to the offbeat country has never been easier with the new passenger train traveling from Bangkok, Thailand to Vientiane.
You can find out more about the scenic journey, and how much tickets cost here.
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