When to go
The best time to visit Laos is from
November to February, since it is the coolest part of the dry season.
In November, however, typhoons or tropical storms may still affect the country, and sometimes even in the first half of December. In February, the temperature usually begins to rise and can exceed 35 °C (95 °F).
Consequently, the best time is
from mid-December to late January, though it can sometimes get hot even in January, but the humidity is not high and nights remain cool. It is worth while to recall that, in winter, it can get cold at night across the country, in fact, the minimum temperature can drop below 10 °C (50 °F), but especially in the north, where it can drop in some cases to as low as the freezing point.
In March and April, and also in May until the arrival of the monsoon, it's uncomfortably hot in the lowlands, while the heat it's more bearable in the mountains. However, the weather is still good, although there may be some showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon.
During the rainy season, from May to September, the heat is sweltering, at least in the lowlands; the sky is often cloudy, and torrential rainfall can sometimes make travelling difficult; in the brief periods of good weather, which last a few days, the heat returns to be intense.
What to pack
In
winter: in the north (see Luang Prabang), bring light clothes for the day, a jacket and a sweater for the evening, and a raincoat for the drizzle; in the northern cities above 1,000 meters (3,300 feet), bring spring/autumn clothes, a warm jacket and a sweater for the evening.
For the south-central plains (Vientiane, Savannakhet, Pakse), bring light clothing, a light sweatshirt for the evening, and possibly a light jacket or a sweater for cooler evenings. For the highest peaks, warm clothes, such as a down jacket, a hat, and gloves.
In
summer: all over the country, at low altitude, bring lightweight clothing of natural fibers, a light raincoat or umbrella, and a light sweatshirt for the evening. Above 1,000 meters (3,300 feet), you can add a sweatshirt and a light jacket. For the highest peaks, warm clothes, such as a sweater, a raincoat, and hiking shoes.
Before entering pagodas, it is customary to remove shoes, dress neatly and cover a little.
Back to the climate of
Laos