Joanna James
Laos is less travelled than its neighbours Vietnam or Thailand. But it is a hidden gem and one of the most fascinating places to visit in South East Asia. And as with all destinations, there is a good and bad side. Read this article to understand how to travel, enjoy, and stay safe exploring Laos.
Laos is a landlocked country located in South East Asia. The Nation is bordered by Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and China. There are direct flights to Laos from both Hanoi and Bangkok. But for a really budget trip to Laos, you can choose to travel via land from any one of the neighbouring countries.
The currency used is the Laotian Kip. It is very highly devalued against major currencies. Hence, you will be carrying a lot of cash around when you convert your dollars or euro. About 10,000 KIP is one euro! But cash is the easiest option when travelling in Laos as credit or debit cards are not widely used. You will, however, find international hotel chains in Laos. Hence, finding a good hotel Luang Prabang has to offer is easy. Simply choose reputed chain hotels. The choice is easy with hotels like Avani+ Luang Prabang offering comfortable accommodation and credit card facilities. There are ATMs throughout the airport and capital Luang Prabang while the US$ and Thai Baht is also an accepted currency in Laos.
It is necessary to obtain a visa when entering Laos. You can obtain one before arriving in the country. Or, if eligible, obtain a visa on arrival. Most countries qualify for a visa on arrival. Simply check your country's eligibility online.
For smart tourists, Laos is a safe place to travel. Just follow the basic rules you would adopt for travelling to any destination and you will be able to stay safe. Do not leave your valuable items unattended. When possible, keep them in the safe of your hotel in Luang Prabang. Carry only necessary cash and do not openly display large amounts of cash. You must be mindful of 'tourists' scams', which is, in fact, a problem in South East Asian countries. Act wisely and do not let yourself be fooled by scammers. Also, make sure you obtain good travel insurance to keep you covered in case of an emergency.
The official language spoken in Laos is Lao. It is a dialect very similar to Thai; hence, knowing a bit of Thai is an advantage. However, you can use English too as most locals have a basic knowledge of the language.
The transportation infrastructure in Laos is very good. The nation has several international airports, making it easy to fly into the country. The least expensive transportation option is the bus. Which you can use to travel within Laos when exploring the cities. And you can even choose to enter Laos via bus or minivan from other countries.
The best time to explore Laos is the dry season falling in between November and April. May to October is not good as it is the rainy season and does cause occasional floods.
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