Laos is really beautiful and there is so much to know about this country that it would of course take some time to tell you everything about it. So if you are interested in knowing everything about Laos, it is best to take a look at our site. We elaborate everything in different sections, of course sorted by the best travel destinations. Don’t forget to check it out. Nevertheless, we have put together 10 of the best activities in Laos for you here. There is surely something to make your travel heart beat faster. Especially if you’re an adventurous person.
Explore the intriguing caves
We’ve never seen as many caves as we did in Laos. There are really a lot of them. The caves in Vang Vieng are by no means the only ones. Vieng Xai and other cities also present you with a lot of choices if you want to explore some dark and intriguing caves. Don’t forget, however, that some of the caves may not have a guide. It’s important that you prepare accordingly. Make sure you have good shoes, a torch and a headlamp. It also doesn’t hurt to know what to expect in the cave. Just inform yourself a little. For example the risk of injury in the Tham Phu Kham Cave isn’t to be underestimated. You could slip, fall, or hit your head. That’s why you prepare yourself and never go alone.
Try the tasty Laotian cuisine
Of course, Laos food is not the first thing that you think of when it comes to Asian food. However, it is also underrated. There are some really delicious dishes. Most of them are similar to the food from Northern Thailand but there are also a few typical unique food choices. If you don’t like to eat too spicy, the food in Laos may be better than the Thai food for you anyway. In any case, you shouldn’t just go to foreign restaurants. Just try the country’s culinary specialities. No matter whether you go to the street stalls, street restaurants or classic restaurants: It‘s definitely worth it. Make sure to check out our different articles when it comes to food in Laos!
Go swim in one of the natural springs or waterfalls
Laos does not only have an incredible number of caves, but also a lot of natural springs and waterfalls. Not to mention the numerous rivers and lakes. If you like to swim, you’ll have a lot of options. The same applies to water activities. One of the highlights are the famous Blue Lagoons. In total there are 6 different lagoons. They’re all located in Vang Vieng and one is more beautiful than the other. The bigger ones even have extras like rope swings and turbulent slides. Anyway the lagoons are just a tiny part of what awaits you in Vang Vieng. Be ready for impressive waterfalls like the Tad Yuang Waterfall(s), cozy rivers like the Nam Song River, nearly unknown lakes like the Tha Falang Lake and much more.
Enjoy the nightlife
The nightlife in Laos isn’t the same like in some other countries of Southeast Asia. However, that doesn’t mean that Laos is bad for partying. Provided, of course, that you’re in the right place. In the larger cities and in Vang Vieng you have plenty of opportunities to party. The only problem is that most locations in Laos usually close quite early. So it is better to start early in the evening. It must also be said that there are exceptions. There are better countries to party all night long. Still, the nightlife in Laos is fun. You should give it a try.
Learn more about the exciting culture of the country
One exciting way to learn more about a country’s culture is to visit the cultural sights and we really recommend you to do that. There are way more sights in Laos than just temples. If anyone told you something else, he’s definitely wrong. One of the famous landmarks of Laos is the Patuxai Victory Arch. The monument is located in Vientiane and an important memorial for the fallen Laos soldiers. Also worth seeing are Phat That Luang, the Laos National Museum and the Xieng Khuan Sculpture Park. Not to mention all the other cultural impressive sights. If you’re interested in culture, you’ll have a lot of opportunities in Laos. The country’s history is really interesting and there are a lot of great buildings. You can also visit a lot without having to spend too much money.
Enjoy a traditional massage
Even if not much is said about it…the massages in Laos are among the best in the world. Even for Asian standards. They’re really good and pretty cheap. Many tourists who indulged in a massage in Laos have done it again and again. As you can imagine, we’re no exception. We even go so far as to say that the Laotian massages can keep up with the Thai. If you like to relax, you really shouldn’t miss a massage. In general, Laos is a nice spot when it comes to wellness. Herbal saunas are also famous. Many locals and expats visit the saunas several times a week. They’re not very different from normal saunas. However, the aromatic experience is really incomparable as the steam is infused with odoriferous herbs. For us one of the best ways to enjoy your day. If you’re into wellness you’re going to love Laos. You get an incomparable experience for little money.
Do some adventurous activities
Laos has so many outdoor paradises that you have to do some adventurous activities. Otherwise your trip to Laos would simply not be complete. Anyone who has been here before can certainly confirm that. If you want some action on vacation, you‘ll have a lot of choices. In our opinion one of the best activities is the zip lining. There are several places in Laos where you can go ziplining. A famous one is the Gibbon Experience in Huay Xai. But that’s by far not the only option. If you aren’t near the Thai border you could also do zip lining in Vang Vieng. You probably won’t see any gibbons but you still are going to literally fly through the jungle. That’s one amazing thing about zip lining in Laos, eventually all the zip lines are located in the jungle, what really enhances the experience. Well, there are also a lot of other great activities. If you like to drive around in outdoor areas, you could rent a buggy or a motorcycle. If you aren‘t afraid of heights, you could climb in the mountains or fly with a hot air balloon. And that‘s by far not everything. In terms of adventure Laos won’t disappoint you.
Visit one of the lively markets
As you probably can image there are a lot of markets in Laos. Basically it doesn’t matter where you are, it‘s definitely worth taking a closer look at them. You can get fresh food there, try some specialties, buy cheap clothes and find good souvenirs. You can probably also locate some stalls with electronic devices, watches and other stuff. Depending on which market you’re visiting, there may be more to discover. At the Vientiane Night Market, for example, you can find a few bars, including some that have an incredible selection of different beers and delicious food. Another thing that we really like about the markets is the fact that you can watch the daily life of the locals. Watching the going-ons in the markets can be really fun. However, you should be prepared to haggle a little. This is normal in the markets and if you‘re a foreigner you‘ve to reckon with it anyway, since you don’t know much about the prices and the vendors are aware of that.
Take a hike through the jungle
Did you ever think about hiking through the jungle? Well, jungle trekking is a fun activity and you should try it. If you go alone or with a guide is up to you. However, you should never be completely alone and some areas are not recommended without a guide. Mostly because there are still areas with landmines from the Vietnam War. In itself, you don’t need to worry. Just prepare accordingly and you‘ll have a lot of fun. There is really a lot to discover. You’ll surely see some cows and other farm animals. We surprisingly saw a lot of them in the middle of the jungle. That’s because they belong to nearby farms and like to walk around there.
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