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Laos

Currency: 

  • I USD = 8,840.00 Laotian Kip (as of Fall 2019)

  • Very cheap country to travel in! 

  • Exchange money at the airport, or if you are an AAA member, you can order cash ahead of time! I always just exchange money at a large international airport (Toronto, Ontario- since that is where I almost always fly out of when I travel internationally). 

  • There are ATMs all over the place here; it's very easy to take money out. Just be aware that there is a 5 USD charge to withdraw money from an ATM here. 

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Who to travel with: 

  • I traveled here as a solo female!  

  • Safety Note: It is a safe country; as long as you are aware of your surroundings and are smart about making certain decisions. 

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What not to miss: all these are in Luang Prabang (that is the only city I visited while in Laos)

  • This city is located in the Central portion of Northern Laos, along the Mekong River.

  • Mount Phousi: the top is great for sunset (if you don’t mind a TON of other people up there with you)

  • Kuang Si Waterfalls: swim in these gorgeous waterfalls! The water is super cold but worth it! The background of this page is at these waterfalls! 

  • Royal Palace

  • Bamboo Bridge

  • Night market

 

Tips:

  • Once you get to SE Asia, your money will go a LONG way! The flight is the most expensive part.

    • For example, 19 nights in Thailand, Laos, & Cambodia (in hostels) cost me $169 total!

  • Bring cash and exchange it at the airport.  Most everything here you had to pay for with cash. There are ATMs everywhere, but every time you use it, you will pay a 5 USD fee.

  • You can get a SIM card for your phone for extremely cheap (I only get one if I am traveling as a solo female; otherwise I would rather enjoy exploring a new place without being on my phone).

  • ALWAYS bargain with merchants! START LOW and be prepared to walk away; you will be surprised at how cheap you can get souvenirs!

  • Do not drink any water that is not bottled

    • Do not drink ice either, as that is not made from bottled water. 

    • Be careful with drinks at the bar.

    • I did not even brush my teeth without bottled water. 

    • Do not eat any vegetables (salads) that were washed in water. 

    • Thankfully I did not get sick at all, but I was very careful with the water and the food I consumed. As for food, I did not eat any meat from the street markets.

  • When visiting temples, you must wear clothes that cover your legs and shoulders!

    • Remember, these are holy sites; be respectful! 

  • I only stayed in Luang Prabang. Next time I will visit the rest of the country!

  • Swim in the Kuang Si Waterfalls- the water is cold but when will you get an opportunity to swim in such a gorgeous place again?

  • Mount Phousi is great for sunset. But it will be VERY crowded… I watched the sunset there the first night and then watched it at a tiny hidden beach by the water that I ran across the second night! I don’t remember the location of the beach… so go on a hunt for it!

 

Vaccines/ Medicines: if you are up to date on your vaccines, you should only need:

  • Prophylactic antibiotics for traveler’s diarrhea (you can get these from your doctor or a traveler’s clinic).

  • Anti-Malarial pills if you will spend any time in rural areas, hiking, or outside of the large cities (also get these from your doctor or a traveler’s clinic).

  • Hepatitis A vaccine: Must

  • Typhoid vaccine: Must

    • Note: there are two types of typhoid vaccine: a shot which lasts about 2 years or an oral pill that lasts up to 5 years. 

    • The oral form involves four pills over a span of one week that must be refrigerated prior to use. So DO NOT take your first dose on the way to the airport because you will not be able to refrigerate the other pill on the plane. 

    • I have used the Injection Vaccine and Emily has used the Oral Vaccine. Neither of us have had any problems with either and we both felt better to be traveling while safely vaccinated. 

  • Japanese Encephalitis: some people get this. I did not. Talk to your Doctor.

  • Always wear bug spray in these areas

  • **Visit the CDC website for more updated information, as things could have changed since I went on my trip

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Visa:

  • Laos visa is $35 on arrival at the airport. Nothing needed before arrival at the airport.

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Don't forget to check out my 2.5 week Thailand, Laos, & Cambodia Itinerary!

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