Laos may be one of the poorest countries in South-East Asia,
but it is still a popular destination for travelers from all
over the world. This is because of the lush countryside, the
good (low) prices when visiting, and the friendly people who
inhabit the nation. The landlocked country is surrounded by
Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and China. So, if you're traveling
in one of those areas, Laos may be a good side destination where
you can pick up some deals and see the interior of South-East
Asia.
People from some countries won't need a Visa to travel to this
communist country, but for Americans and most other Europeans
(except the Swiss), a tourist visa for one or two months is
needed. Prices will vary slightly depending on what country
you're coming from, so you'll want to check for current details.
Once you have the tourist visa, you'll have several options for
getting into the country. While you can fly in, there are also
several border crossings available to foreigners from China,
Vietnam, Cambodia and Thaland. Once you're in the area and if
your papers are all in order, you should have no problem getting
into the country.
Once you arrive in Laos, there is plenty to see and do, even
though the country isn't that large. Here's a list of just some
of the destinations in Laos that you might be interested in
checking out:
Hiking / Trekking - If you
want to see the beautiful countryside on foot, you'll want to
check out Luang Namtha or Oudomxay, which is just south of
Luang Namtha.
Herbal Sauna - If relaxing
and being pampered is more your style, you'll be happy to know
that Laos is well known in the region for their herbal saunas.
Here are
some tips for travel to Laos:
Local Currency - The kip is
the local currency in Laos. While you can exchange foreign
money for kip, once you're outside Laos, you won't be able to
exchange the kip into your own type of currency. There are
plenty of places to exchange the money before you leave the
country. Just be sure that you remember to do this as the
currency is basically worthless outside the country. US
Dollars are accepted in most places in Laos, but you'll want
to check before assuming.
Food in Laos - Expect the
local food to be very similar to that found in Thailand - i.e.
it's going to be spicy. Salads are very popular in the
country.
Crime in Laos - While it's
a small and relatively poor country, crime is relatively low
overall in the country. You'll want to take precautions as you
should when you travel anywhere in the world, but no extreme
measures are necessary to stay safe in Laos.
Politics - Being a
communist country, you'll want to make sure you are in the
country to enjoy the scenery and culture and don't try to stir
up any political trouble or bring attention to yourself.
Cost of
Travel
One of the good things about traveling to Laos is that it is
really inexpensive. A few hundred US dollars goes a long way in
the country, lasting a week or more if keeping on a modest
budget without too many extravagances. That said, with a little
more money, you can live like royalty in Laos - if the country
had royalty. In any case, it's relatively inexpensive to stay in
Laos, so if you're looking for a budget destination that still
offers a great experience in South East Asia, this might be for
you.
Travel to
Laos?
When it comes down to it, there are quite a few reasons to
travel to Laos. While there are a couple reasons you might not
want to go, if you're looking for somewhere a little different
in South East Asia that won't cost an arm and a leg, this little
landlocked country might be a hidden paradise a little off the
beaten bath. There's not a lot of glitz or glamour, but there
are good medium sized hotels in the bigger cities. One last word
of note - Internet in Laos can be slow and runs around 100 kip
per minute. The bright side is that a vacation to Laos might
result in you actually taking a vacation!
About Laos