Laos Local Knowledge

PASSPORT AND VISA

A valid passport with at least six months validity from your return date is required for entry into Laos, your passports requires a blank page for visa stamp. All foreign visitors to Laos need the correct visa to enter the country, except for citizens of Japan, The Republic of Korea, Russia, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and ASEAN member countries. Passport holders of these countries are eligible to enter Laos and stay for 15-30 days without a visa.

A 30-day Tourist visa for Laos can be obtained at embassies or general consulates of the Lao PDR in foreign countries. It is also available at International airports in Laos and International border crossing points. One identity photograph and one application form are required. All Visa fees are paid locally. A full list of international border crossings is available, please contact us for the most up to date information you’re your trip

MONEY

In Laos the local currency is the KIP(LAK), it has a variety of notes ranging from the 500 to the 50,000 note, however the main notes are the 500, 1000, 2000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and the recent addition 50,000 Please take care with 20,000 and 50,000 notes they are both red and can cause some confusion.  The US Dollar is very popular to use, as is the Thai Bhat, we suggest carrying some US Dollars for larger notes and the local KIP for smaller transactions.

However you can easily exchange both US Dollars British Pounds and also the Euro.  ATM machines are now readily available throughout most cities and resorts. Most do have a fairly small daily limit by western standards.

However, if you travel to more remote regions, you are best to have local currency with you.

The exchange rates fluctuates now more than ever, however the approximate rate for each are 

$1 = 8,000LAK

£1 = 12,500LAK

€1 = 10,250LAK

FOOD & DRINK

Laos food has typical flavor of cuisine for this whole region, which is similar to the food in neighboring countries Thailand and Cambodia. The first impression on Laos food is that it is very fresh, simple, tasty and normally spicy!! Like Thai, Laotians think most of their dishes merely are perfected when they are cooked really spicy, it could be a nice experience of this unique flavor but don’t worry if you are not familiar with or enjoy spicy foods; as you have many different choices to enjoy with Laos cuisine. The staple dish in Laos is sticky rice. It’s said that Laotians eat more sticky rice than any people in the world. You are strongly recommended to try sticky rice in Laos as here you can try the best one. “Larb” is another favorite dish, a spicy mixture of marinated meat and/or fish with a variable combination of herbs, greens, and spices. You can try from street food to higher end restaurant cuisine, both brings great feeling with a great experience.

Drinking is definitely a great hobby in Lao as “Beer Lao” – the most famous brand throughout the country is really fresh and tasty and served everywhere and something you should try.

CLIMATE

Being the only landlocked nation in Southeast Asia, Laos is not only undiversified in geography but also quite lack of extreme change in climate, which provides travelers with many good time to visit this beautiful country. It has typical monsoon climate with one dry and one wet season in general, but there is a difference in the dry season that offers both cool and hot weather. Therefore, we can observe exactly 3 seasons in a year throughout the country.

• The cool dry season (from October to February)

This is the most beautiful time to take a trip to explore Laos, it is really comfortable with low humidity, finest and coolest weather for a typical tropical country, clear and sunny sky. Although it may be cold at night, it is the ideal weather for every kind of tours through Laos, especially adventures or outdoor activities.  The average temperature is about 16 degrees Celsius but the coolness varies in geography. The higher territory is, the cooler it is. Some rare really cold days might be seen in the mountainous regions of Laos (Houeixai, Pak Beng, Luang Prabang, Plain of Jars) with temperatures of 5 degrees Celsius so please check with your Travel Expert on clothing, for your own personal trip.

• The hot dry season (From March to May)

When it is hot, it is really hot and dry with the average temperature is around 38-39 degrees Celsius but there is almost no rain and it’s sunny all days so your travel itinerary is rarely interrupted.

• The wet season (From June to September)

As Laos doesn’t have any beach destinations, the wet season is still a great option for travel with quite comfortable weather. Although the average temperature is upper than 30 degrees Celsius, there is high humidity, cloudy but sunny days, sometimes heavy rains to reduce the heat.

LANGUAGE

Laos has its own language, however this is shared in many ways with the Thai language and is almost identical to the neighboring Isan region. The language is fairly basic and many words one syllable however to read or write it is much harder for most visitors, as script writing similar to Sanskirt the classic language of India is used. But still be brave, put your hands together bow your head slightly and say “sabai dee” which is hello in Laos.

TRANSPORT 

Within Laos most trips are done so by flight, however some road journeys may also be required. The road system is getting better and many roads have been updated to a modern standard, however you will still experience a more local and rural roads, our cars and drivers to the highest standard to ensure your safety. Car hire, whilst you can hire a car here, we do not advise this currently.  

Where possible we suggest taxi’s always try and get a metered taxi to avoid any confusion. We shall advise which companies to use to ensure not only the price but also your safety and that the car has insurance. You, may wish to try the local Tuk-Tuk, these can be fun but again may not have any insurances so please consider this.

TIPPING

For tipping this is at your discretion, however it is appreciated especially if a good job has been done. Normally a tip of a couple of dollars is very well received and if you have a private guide around $5 per day is seemingly the average rate. We will help you with this, if you require. 

CUSTOM

Greeting gesture always with smiles

The greeting in Laos is considered very important, showing respect, welcome, and politeness. The Lao people greet each other by pressing their hands together as a prayer-like gesture called a nop. Also, they always smile during greetings. This is a very nice manner the whole country follows, which creates a very friendly and gentle atmosphere to welcome visitors here.

Neat and respectful dress to visit religious shrines

As a Buddhist land, Laotians really care about religion and how to show respect to their worship. It is not considered polite to visit religious monuments in sleeveless shirts, shorts, miniskirts or hot pants and in most of their temples and pagodas; they don’t allow those in that clothes to enter. Shoes also should be removed outside the worship place. Thus, always prepare a long sleeve shirt when you take a tour to pagodas or temples even it is normally hot in Laos.

Take photos but never touch a monk

Many visitors want to take a photo with monks on the streets or at temples, but remember you could be in shameful or funny case if you touch a Buddhist monks, as they are not allowed to touch or be touched by a woman, or accept anything from a woman's hand.

Never touch someone’s head

The head is considered the highest part of the body both literally and figuratively, so touching someone's considered extremely rude and impolite but touching children’s head is acceptable.