Laos is a landlocked country located in the Southeast Asia, sharing its borders with Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and China. Although Laos is an extremely beautiful and peaceful country, it still remains unexplored unlike its neighboring countries. However, recently it started getting the well-deserved attention from tourists and honeymoon couples.
Table of Contents
- Honeymoon in Laos at a glance
- Honeymoon destinations in Laos
- Things to do in Laos on honeymoon
- Best time to visit Laos
- Useful information for Laos
Honeymoon in Laos at a glance
Laos offers a totally unique honeymoon experience full of culture, history, natural beauty and laid-back lifestyle of its friendly people. If you and your significant other love outdoors, you will absolutely be satisfied by your Laos honeymoon. Laos is full of pristine forests, picturesque valleys and crystal blue waterfalls. It’s a perfect destination for hiking, biking, trekking, rock climbing, caving, kayaking and ricer cruising.
If you can’t think of a honeymoon with warm sandy beaches though, Laos might be a little bit let down for you. However, like many couples are doing, you can pair your Laos honeymoon with another neighbor country such as Thailand, Vietnam or Cambodia to enjoy the warm sea and sandy beaches.
Honeymoon destinations in Laos
The most famous and most visited place in Laos is Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage City and the former capital of Laos. Luang Prabang is home to many natural and historic sites. It is located at the junction of Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. Inside this ancient city, there are many temples and monasteries you can visit. Early in the morning, you can see the Buddhist monks who walk into the city and accept the food served to them by people. During the day, you can either visit the historic buildings and sites or you can go explore the nearby waterfalls and even ride elephants. The night market at the end of the main street of the city is a must see place. You can try carious dishes from Lao cuisine and buy souvenirs.
If you want to get away from the modern world and get lost in the pure nature, Vang Vieng city is an ideal place with its small charming villages, caves and streams. Located just 4 hours away from Laos’s capital city Vientiane by a private car or bus, Vang Vieng is located on the banks of the Nam Song River, where many touristic activities can be tried. In recent years, Vang Vieng has become a backpacker-oriented town thanks to the beautiful landscape full of limestone karst hills. Kayaking and tubing on the Nam Song River are the most popular tourist activities in Vang Vieng.
Things to do in Laos on honeymoon
- Visit the The Kuang Si waterfall in Luang Prabang
- Spend time with elephants in one of the elephant sanctuaries
- Explore the Kong Lor caves in central Laos
- See The Khone Falls and Pha Pheng Falls near the Cambodia border which are forming the worlds widest waterfall together.
- Try various outdoor activities from kayaking on the rivers to mountain biking.
Best time to visit Laos
The best time to visit Laos is between October and April. During this period, the weather is warm and dry. With lots of sun and clear blue skies, this period is perfect for all kinds of activities such as trekking, biking and boat rides on the rivers. In the highlands, temperatures can get a little bit cooler though due to the high altitude.
Between May and October, Laos experiences moderately rainy season. Although the rainfalls are in the form of short bursts lasting a few hours, it can affect travel plans. However, during the rainy season Laos is still worth visiting thanks to the lush green scenery that the rains bring.
Useful information for Laos
- Official language of Laos is Lao. You can find people who can speak enough English in the touristy areas.
- Local currency in Laos is the Kip. However, Thai Baht and US Dollars is widely accepted in many transactions. Therefore, we recommend you to bring some US Dollars in cash.
- Laos is still pretty much a cash society; credit cards are not accepted in many restaurants and shops. You should always carry some cash with you especially if you are visiting rural areas. ATM machines are not widely available in Laos either except the capital and a few major tourist hot spots.
- Tipping is usually not expected in Laos. If you really like the service you get, you can round up the bills.
- In touristy areas, the dress code is relaxed and you can dress however you like. However, you should avoid wearing swimsuits while walking around town.
- Before entering temples or religious sites, you should dress modestly, cover up until your knees and elbows and remove your shoes.
- Avoid touching the monks, especially if you are a woman because it is considered rude in Lao culture.
- Pack some medication with you in case you experience food poisoning, diarrhea or headache. Better safe than sorry.
- Bring a lightweight rain jacket and a pair of comfortable shoes for hiking and sightseeing.
- Bring a mosquito repellent with you.
- During your stay in Laos, always prefer bottled water instead of tap water