atlas•

Before you go to Laos: what to know

Must know

  • Russians and Belarusians enter visa-free for 30 days; most other tourists get a 30-day visa on arrival (cash USD) or an e-Visa at laoevisa.gov.la.
  • The e-Visa is only valid at certain checkpoints (main airports, Friendship Bridges I/II/IV, Boten railway station); check your entry point.
  • Submit the free Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF) within 3 days before arrival and departure; confirm the procedure for your checkpoint.
  • In 2024 several tourists died from methanol-laced drinks in Vang Vieng: avoid free shots, cheap spirits and unbranded alcohol.
  • Unexploded ordnance (UXO) remains in rural areas: stay on marked paths.

Entry and visas

ASEAN, Russian, Belarusian and a few other passports are visa-exempt. Most other nationalities can get a 30-day tourist visa on arrival at international airports and main land borders (USD cash, photo needed) or apply for a 30-day e-Visa online. Visas can be extended twice in-country. A digital arrival/departure form (LDIF) is being rolled out.

Online arrival forms and permits

Passport validity: At least 6 months from entry, with blank pages.

At the border you may be asked for

  • For VoA bring USD cash, 1–2 passport photos and fill in the forms on arrival.
  • Show LDIF QR code where required.
  • The VoA is not available at Boten railway station from China—use an e-Visa there.

Customs

  • Declare large amounts of cash on arrival.
  • Antiques and Buddha images need permission to export.
  • Drugs and weapons are prohibited.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: laoevisa.gov.la ↗, visasnews.com ↗, nashaplaneta.net ↗, en.wikipedia.org ↗, travelfish.org ↗, immigration.gov.la ↗, indianembassylaos.gov.in ↗, kdmid.ru ↗

Money

Mostly cash is used. Cards are rarely accepted.

Payment networks: Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay

Apple Pay — no data · Google Pay — no data

Where to exchange money

  • Bank counters (BCEL, Lao Development Bank) and their exchange booths in Vientiane and Luang Prabang
  • Bring USD, THB or EUR cash; THB is often accepted directly near the Thai border

Where not to exchange

  • Black-market street changers
  • Hotels and guesthouses for large amounts

ATMs: ATMs (BCEL, JDB, Phongsavanh) charge foreign cards a fee per withdrawal and have low limits (often 1–2 million kip); withdraw in towns, as rural areas have few ATMs.

Tipping: Not traditional; small tips for guides, drivers and good restaurant service are appreciated.

  • Kip is not convertible abroad: spend or change it before leaving.
  • Cards mostly work only in upmarket hotels and restaurants, often with a surcharge.
  • Russian-issued Visa/Mastercard cards do not work abroad; bring USD cash.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: bol.gov.la ↗, gov.uk ↗, mfa.gov.sg ↗, usa.visa.com ↗, mastercard.com ↗

Rules and bans

Prohibited

  • Drugs: very severe penalties, including death penalty for trafficking; 'happy' shakes and pizzas in tourist bars are illegal.
  • Sexual relations between foreigners and Lao nationals outside marriage are illegal (fines/deportation).
  • Criticism of the government or one-party system can lead to arrest.
  • Drones need permission; never fly near military or government sites.
  • Photographing military installations is banned.
  • Vapes, heated tobacco and shisha are illegal to possess, use, import, sell, buy or export; penalties can include fines or imprisonment.

Laws visitors break unknowingly

  • Carry your passport or a copy; police checks occur.
  • Riding motorbikes requires a valid licence; helmets are mandatory.
  • Overstay is fined per day on exit.
  • Religious proselytising is restricted.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗

Culture and clothing

Religion: Theravada Buddhism about 65%; folk and animist beliefs widely practised; small Christian minority.

Clothing: Temples (wats): cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes. In Luang Prabang dress modestly in town; swimwear only at pools/rivers.

Etiquette

  • Watch the alms-giving (tak bat) in Luang Prabang quietly from a distance; no flash, don't block monks, only participate respectfully.
  • Women should not touch monks.
  • Don't touch heads or point feet at people or Buddha images.
  • Greet with the nop (palms together).

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, tourismlaos.org ↗

Climate

Tropical monsoon. Cool, dry season Nov–Feb (cold nights in the north and mountains); hot season Mar–May with smoky haze from crop burning in the north; rainy season May/Jun–Oct.

Month by month
  • January: Dry and cool; cold nights in north
  • February: Dry; haze begins in north
  • March: Hot; smoky haze in north
  • April: Hottest; Lao New Year (Pi Mai)
  • May: Hot; first rains
  • June: Rainy season
  • July: Rainy; lush, fewer tourists
  • August: Wettest; some roads difficult
  • September: Rainy; rivers high
  • October: Rains ending; Boat Racing Festival
  • November: Dry season begins
  • December: Dry and cool; peak season

Best season: November to February.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: en.wikipedia.org ↗, tourismlaos.org ↗

What to pack

  • Plug adapter (types A, B, C, E, F; 230V)
  • USD cash in clean notes plus passport photos for the visa
  • Warm layer for the north and mountains (Dec–Feb)
  • Clothing covering shoulders and knees
  • Insect repellent (dengue, malaria in rural south)
  • Basic medical kit and diarrhoea remedies (limited healthcare)
  • Rain jacket (May–Oct)

Do not bring / prohibited to import

  • Drugs of any kind
  • Drones without permission
  • Relying on cards (bring cash)
  • Vapes, heated tobacco and shisha

Practical

Plugs: Types A, B, C, E, F; 230V 50Hz

Water: Don't drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water.

Traffic: drives on the right

Mobile and eSIM: Unitel, Lao Telecom and ETL SIMs (passport registration); coverage weak in remote areas.

Apps: LOCA, WhatsApp, LCR (Laos–China Railway tickets), Google Maps

Health: Healthcare is limited; serious cases are evacuated to Thailand. Dengue risk; malaria in rural south and border areas. Consider hepatitis A, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis and rabies vaccines. Avoid unbranded spirits (methanol).

Insurance: Not required for entry; essential to have cover including medical evacuation to Thailand.

Emergency: Police 1191; Fire 1190; Ambulance 1195

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, wwwnc.cdc.gov ↗, gov.uk ↗

Entry rules change. Before your trip, check the website of the embassy or immigration service of the country.