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When to go · Laos

Laos, month by month

The best months for Laos: Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec. Months to avoid: Sep.

Month by month

  1. JanuaryGreatDry, clear, cool mornings in the north; peak season in Luang Prabang.North: cool · Centre: best weather · South: best weatherCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
  2. FebruaryGreatStill dry; the burning season can start late in the month — check air quality.North: best weather · Centre: best weather · South: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
  3. MarchMixedSmoke haze in the north; flights to Luang Prabang can be delayed; the south is hot but clear.North: smoke haze · Centre: hot · South: hotCrowds: Low
  4. AprilMixedHottest month and Pi Mai (13–16 Apr): water fights, closed shops and sold-out trains.North: smoke haze · Centre: hot · South: hotCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
  5. MayMixedFirst rains clear the smoke; Boun Bang Fai rocket festivals in villages.North: hot · Centre: hot · South: hotCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
  6. JuneMixedGreen season: waterfalls full, roads muddy; trains keep running.North: rainy · Centre: rainy · South: rainyCrowds: Low
  7. JulyMixedSteady rain; slow boats run well on high water, road legs take longer.North: rainy · Centre: rainy · South: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
  8. AugustMixedWettest month in many areas; landslides on mountain roads; western holiday crowds in Luang Prabang.North: rainy · Centre: rainy · South: rainyCrowds: Medium
  9. SeptemberAvoidFloods along the Mekong in some years; Kuang Si pools brown and fast.North: rainy · Centre: rainy · South: rainyCrowds: Low
  10. OctoberMixedRains end; Boun Ok Phansa boat races and floating lanterns (lunar, check).North: fine · Centre: fine · South: fineCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
  11. NovemberGreatDry and green; That Luang festival in Vientiane (lunar, check).North: best weather · Centre: best weather · South: best weatherCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
  12. DecemberGreatCool and clear; book Luang Prabang beds and train seats early.North: cool · Centre: best weather · South: best weatherCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Laos, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Jan: Great

    Feb: Great

  • Crowds

    Jan: High

    Feb: Medium

  • Prices

    Jan: High

    Feb: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 2

    Feb: 2

January: Dry, clear, cool mornings in the north; peak season in Luang Prabang.

February: Still dry; the burning season can start late in the month — check air quality.

Laos: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

Weather by region

How each climate zone rates each month.

Weather rating by region and month
RegionJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
NorthLuang Prabang, Nong Khiaw, Luang Namtha, PhonsavanCoolBestHazeHazeHotWetWetWetWetOKBestCool
CentreVientiane, Vang Vieng, ThakhekBestBestHotHotHotWetWetWetWetOKBestBest
SouthPakse, Bolaven Plateau, 4,000 IslandsBestBestHotHotHotWetWetWetWetOKBestBest