9 Unmissable Things to Do in Laos (And Where to Go to Find Them)
Not sure where to go in Laos or what to do once you’re there? We’ve been in your shoes – until we spent 30 incredible days traveling across the country and uncovering the very best things to do in Laos.
To save you hours of research, we’ve pulled together a guide to the must-see places in Laos and the unforgettable experiences you won’t want to miss, all based on our firsthand journey.
Nestled in the heart of Southeast Asia and bordering five countries, Laos is easy to add to any regional itinerary – and trust us, it’s absolutely worth it.
In this guide, we’ll share our favorite things to do in Laos, from jungle treks and waterfalls to unique local traditions, giving you a mix of cultural highlights and natural wonders.
👉 Keep reading to map out your Laos adventure and discover why this country deserves more than just a quick stopover.
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Best Things to Do in Laos (Our 30-Day Experience)
1. Jungle Trek in Luang Namtha (Our 3-Day Adventure Into the Wild)
Explore the jungles of Northern Laos by conquering a trek with The Hiker. This 2-day hike sets you up nicely for the rest of your Laos trip.
You’ll meet wonderful people, eat delicious food, and be fully prepared to explore the rest of Laos with an open mind.
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, be sure to look into other tours on offer for longer, even more immersive experiences.
The Hiker (as well as other agencies in town) run “survival” style treks, multi-day kayaking adventures, and even mountain biking excursions.
When you’re unsure of where to go in Laos, Luang Namtha and a jungle trek is a great starting point.
2. Herbal Sauna in Luang Namtha (Local Secret Worth Trying)
Combine the adventure of a jungle trek with the calm of a relaxing spa treatment during your time in Luang Namtha.
A hidden gem in the town, this herbal sauna is family-owned and an experience you won’t find elsewhere. We promise this will be very different from the usual spa treatments you may be accustomed to.
It’s authentic to say the least! Listen to your body and head over here for a truly local experience.
The building may be rustic, but it’s clean and the owner is very hospitable and patient. There is warm tea on offer in between sauna sessions and a massage service is provided if you feel like it.
🌿 Luang Namtha has even more to offer than trekking and saunas! Read our beginner’s guide to Luang Namtha for all the details.
3. Lao Massage and Hair Wash in Nong Khiaw (Not Your Usual Spa Treatment)
Keep the ball rolling with another memorable moment unique to Laos.
A Lao massage is similar to a Thai massage, but generally a little more gentle. Get ready to be stretched in ways you never thought possible by the professional masseuses.
Tapom Lao Massage also offers hair washing services. Trust us on this one! Jump at the opportunity to indulge in the 40 minute process – you’ll be sure to come out feeling fresh and beautiful.
🌄 Planning a visit to Nong Khiaw? Check out more interesting things to do whilst you’re there.
4. Kong Lor Cave in Kong Lor Village (7km Underground Boat Ride)
A truly magnificent natural wonder. Reaching up to 100m in parts, the impressive limestone cave is filled with spooky stalagmites and stunning stalactites.
As on many occasions in Laos, we weren’t quite sure what to expect from the Kong Lor Cave boat tour. However, 5 minutes in we knew this would definitely be a highlight of our entire 30 days in Laos.
When planning where to go in Laos, many have the Thakhek Loop on their list. Kong Lor Cave is definitely the best part of this loop, so we urge you not to pass it by.
🚍 If you’re not planning to do the Thakhek Loop, read our guide on reaching Kong Lor Cave by bus.
5. Kuang Si Falls in Luang Prabang (+ A Bonus Tourist Activity)
Ask anyone where to go in Laos, and Kuang Si Falls is bound to be at the top of everyone’s list of recommendations. (Here’s a few more things to do while you’re in Luang Prabang)
The dramatic waterfalls cascade over limestone rocks, creating a bold and bright backdrop to enjoy a swim.
As an extra treat during your visit, the Bear Rescue Center is also located on the grounds of Kuang Si Falls.
You will learn about the bear rescue efforts in Laos, and watch the bears enjoying life basking in the sun along the trail up to the falls.
You can reach the waterfalls by asking any of the tuk tuk drivers in Luang Prabang to take you.
Alternatively, if you’d like to pack a little more in on your day out, book an arranged tour. Many offer transport to Kuang Si Falls as well as an additional experience such as Pak Ou Caves.
6. Blue Lagoons in Vang Vieng (Which Ones Are Worth It?)
While we have written about our disappointment with Vang Vieng as a whole in past posts, we still found plenty to enjoy during our visit!
The Blue Lagoons on the outskirts of Vang Vieng are some of the best swimming spots in Laos!
Clear, bright blue water fed from natural springs fills these pools and makes the perfect place to chill out and cool down on hot afternoons.
We hired a tuk tuk to take us to Blue Lagoon 3.
For 250,000KIP (10USD), we were driven round trip to the lagoon from the center of Vang Vieng, and the driver even waited for us for 2 hours while we ate some lunch, swam, and lounged by the water.
This price was for the whole tuk tuk – if you have more people in your group, you’ll be able to divide this cost!
🌄 Need somewhere to stay in Vang Vieng? These are our recs for the best hotels and hostels in Vang Vieng.
7. Hot Air Balloon in Vang Vieng (Cheaper Than You’d Think)
Riding in a hot air balloon in Vang Vieng was without a doubt a bucket list moment for us. We chose to book with Above Laos as they are a highly reputable company with excellent health and safety reviews.
TOP TIP: There are many companies to choose from in town, but if you choose the cheapest option, don’t expect the ride to be as enjoyable. We spoke to a few travelers who regretted their decision as they didn’t feel safe with kids handling balloons and overcrowded baskets.
The views were magnificent, and seeing the other balloons float around us added to the unforgettable moment.
Vang Vieng offers lagoons, hot air balloons, and many more adventure sports, so be sure to book a tour beforehand to ensure a high-quality experience.
8. COPE Visitor Centre in Vientiane (Learn Laos’ Hidden History)
Count the COPE Visitor Centre in Vientiane as an essential stop when deciding where to go in Laos. The museum is pay as you wish, making it a great activity for budget travelers!
The center is a museum and rehabilitation facility for victims of the Vietnam War.
Laos is the most heavily bombed country in the world – it became a “secret” battleground when the US dropped millions of UXO devices on innocent communities. A huge number still remain undetonated today.
The goal of the COPE Centre is to raise awareness about the struggles Laotian people face, whilst offering support to people across the country who have suffered (directly or indirectly) from the war.
We left the museum grateful to understand more about local Laotian communities, their hardship, and their determination to make their county safer.
When you visit, be sure to leave a donation at the entrance to help maintain the amazing work the people here do.
9. Bolaven Loop near Pakse (Motorbike Journey Through the South)
Many people will mention the Thakhek Loop when discussing where to go in Laos.
If you have time to do both loops and enjoy riding a motorbike, do both the Thakhek and Bolaven Loop! But if you only have time for one, we recommend the Bolaven Loop.
The Bolaven Loop has an abundance of waterfalls, great coffee, and lush vegetation that can’t be missed!
The loop is a fantastic insight into daily life in Laos you won’t see by staying in the cities. If you have at least two weeks to spend in Laos, the loop should be high on your must-visit list.
🎯 For more information on the Pakse Loop, read our full 3-day motorbike itinerary to discover all the best spots.
Laos Travel FAQs
Is Laos worth visiting?
Short answer – yes. In our opinion, Laos is the most severely underrated country in all of Southeast Asia. Laos is filled with natural wonders, kind people, and a history we should all know about.
Make Laos your next trip – you won’t regret it!
Is Laos expensive?
Laos is not expensive by Western standards. We spent the least money in Laos out of all the countries we visited in Southeast Asia.
How many days should I stay in Laos?
We recommend spending a full 30-day visa in Laos. However, we understand this isn’t possible for everyone!
Spending 14-30 days in Laos would be best, but you could still see a few highlights in 7 days as well.
Is Laos safe?
We are both women, we are both queer, and can honestly say we felt very safe all over Laos. We met lots of solo female travelers on our trip and didn’t hear of any unsafe encounters.
Of course, like anywhere in the world, it’s important to keep your wits about you. There is crime everywhere, and Laos is no exception.
😇 For peace of mind whilst traveling, we always take out travel insurance with SafetyWing. Their customer support has never failed us plus you can pay monthly AND cancel anytime.
Final Thoughts – Where to Go and What to Do in Laos
Our 9 unmissable experiences prove that there’s no shortage of things to do in Laos – whether you want to trek, pamper yourself on a budget, take boat trips through caves, swim in waterfalls, learn about history, ride in hot air balloons, or sightsee on motorbikes.
With 2 to 4 weeks in Laos, you can easily fit most of these into one trip. And if you don’t manage them all, don’t worry – Laos is the kind of place you’ll want to come back to anyway.
⏳ Short on time? Check out our 7-day or 2-week Laos itinerary to see the best highlights.
🏍️ Craving adventure? Don’t miss our full guide to the Pakse Loop for an unforgettable motorbike journey.
🌏 Curious how Laos fits into a wider trip? Here’s how we slotted it into our 3.5-month Southeast Asia itinerary.
