Laos in January
IdealThis month
Dry and cool: 27°C in the afternoon in Luang Prabang, 16°C in the morning. One of the busiest months.
River: Falling, sandbanks reappear.
When is the best time to visit Laos?
From November to February, Laos is dry and mild: highs of 26 to 27°C in Luang Prabang in December and January, and early mornings around 16°C. It is also high season. March and April are scorching, and smoke from crop burning hangs over the north. From May to October, the monsoon turns the country green and swells the Mekong, with the most rain in August.
Photo by Getty Images on Unsplash+ · Unsplash+ License
The best time to visit Laos, region by region
Our month-by-month verdict, based on the weather and the river level. The south gets more rain than the north at the height of the monsoon, and it is warmer all year.
| J (current month) | F (current month) | M (current month) | A (current month) | M (current month) | J (current month) | J (current month) | A (current month) | S (current month) | O (current month) | N (current month) | D (current month) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huay XaiNorthwest, Thai border | Ideal | Ideal | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Difficult | Difficult | Fair | Good | Ideal | Ideal |
| Luang PrabangNorth | Ideal | Ideal | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Difficult | Difficult | Fair | Good | Ideal | Ideal |
| VientianeCenter | Ideal | Ideal | Fair | Fair | Fair | Difficult | Difficult | Difficult | Difficult | Good | Ideal | Ideal |
| ThakhekCenter, Khammouane | Ideal | Ideal | Fair | Fair | Fair | Difficult | Difficult | Difficult | Difficult | Good | Ideal | Ideal |
| PakseSouth | Ideal | Ideal | Fair | Fair | Fair | Difficult | Difficult | Difficult | Difficult | Good | Ideal | Ideal |
| 4,000 IslandsSouth, Cambodian border | Ideal | Ideal | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Difficult | Difficult | Difficult | Good | Ideal | Ideal |
| Month | HX | LP | Vte | Thk | Pak | 4000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan (current month) | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal |
| Feb (current month) | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal |
| Mar (current month) | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair |
| Apr (current month) | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair |
| May (current month) | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair |
| Jun (current month) | Fair | Fair | Difficult | Difficult | Difficult | Fair |
| Jul (current month) | Difficult | Difficult | Difficult | Difficult | Difficult | Difficult |
| Aug (current month) | Difficult | Difficult | Difficult | Difficult | Difficult | Difficult |
| Sep (current month) | Fair | Fair | Difficult | Difficult | Difficult | Difficult |
| Oct (current month) | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Nov (current month) | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal |
| Dec (current month) | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal | Ideal |
Stops : HX Huay Xai · LP Luang Prabang · Vte Vientiane · Thk Thakhek · Pak Pakse · 4000 4,000 Islands
- Ideal
- Good
- Fair
- Difficult
Laos weather, town by town
Temperature, rain and river level, month by month. Pick a town.
| Month | J (current month) | F (current month) | M (current month) | A (current month) | M (current month) | J (current month) | J (current month) | A (current month) | S (current month) | O (current month) | N (current month) | D (current month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airhigh / low | ||||||||||||
| Rainmm | ||||||||||||
| Daysof rain | 3 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 20 | 25 | 28 | 29 | 25 | 16 | 6 | 3 |
| Mekonglevel | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Rising | High | High | High | High | Falling | Low |
| Month | Low – high | mm | River |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan (current month) | 24 | Low | |
| Feb (current month) | 14 | Low | |
| Mar (current month) | 38 | Low | |
| Apr (current month) | 97 | Low | |
| May (current month) | 221 | Low | |
| Jun (current month) | 261 | Rising | |
| Jul (current month) | 371 | High | |
| Aug (current month) | 383 | High | |
| Sep (current month) | 263 | High | |
| Oct (current month) | 113 | High | |
| Nov (current month) | 44 | Falling | |
| Dec (current month) | 27 | Low |
| Month | J (current month) | F (current month) | M (current month) | A (current month) | M (current month) | J (current month) | J (current month) | A (current month) | S (current month) | O (current month) | N (current month) | D (current month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airhigh / low | ||||||||||||
| Rainmm | ||||||||||||
| Daysof rain | 3 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 20 | 23 | 26 | 28 | 23 | 12 | 5 | 3 |
| Mekonglevel | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Rising | Rising | High | High | Falling | Low | Low |
| Month | Low – high | mm | River |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan (current month) | 20 | Low | |
| Feb (current month) | 10 | Low | |
| Mar (current month) | 35 | Low | |
| Apr (current month) | 82 | Low | |
| May (current month) | 142 | Low | |
| Jun (current month) | 179 | Rising | |
| Jul (current month) | 288 | Rising | |
| Aug (current month) | 313 | High | |
| Sep (current month) | 195 | High | |
| Oct (current month) | 71 | Falling | |
| Nov (current month) | 23 | Low | |
| Dec (current month) | 20 | Low |
| Month | J (current month) | F (current month) | M (current month) | A (current month) | M (current month) | J (current month) | J (current month) | A (current month) | S (current month) | O (current month) | N (current month) | D (current month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airhigh / low | ||||||||||||
| Rainmm | ||||||||||||
| Daysof rain | 2 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 12 | 3 | 1 |
| Mekonglevel | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Rising | Rising | High | High | High | Falling | Low |
| Month | Low – high | mm | River |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan (current month) | 11 | Low | |
| Feb (current month) | 14 | Low | |
| Mar (current month) | 38 | Low | |
| Apr (current month) | 76 | Low | |
| May (current month) | 254 | Low | |
| Jun (current month) | 312 | Rising | |
| Jul (current month) | 372 | Rising | |
| Aug (current month) | 409 | High | |
| Sep (current month) | 310 | High | |
| Oct (current month) | 102 | High | |
| Nov (current month) | 22 | Falling | |
| Dec (current month) | 8 | Low |
| Month | J (current month) | F (current month) | M (current month) | A (current month) | M (current month) | J (current month) | J (current month) | A (current month) | S (current month) | O (current month) | N (current month) | D (current month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airhigh / low | ||||||||||||
| Rainmm | ||||||||||||
| Daysof rain | 1 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 24 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 25 | 11 | 3 | 1 |
| Mekonglevel | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Rising | High | High | High | High | Low | Low |
| Month | Low – high | mm | River |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan (current month) | 5 | Low | |
| Feb (current month) | 13 | Low | |
| Mar (current month) | 36 | Low | |
| Apr (current month) | 72 | Low | |
| May (current month) | 257 | Low | |
| Jun (current month) | 382 | Rising | |
| Jul (current month) | 497 | High | |
| Aug (current month) | 499 | High | |
| Sep (current month) | 322 | High | |
| Oct (current month) | 110 | High | |
| Nov (current month) | 18 | Low | |
| Dec (current month) | 6 | Low |
| Month | J (current month) | F (current month) | M (current month) | A (current month) | M (current month) | J (current month) | J (current month) | A (current month) | S (current month) | O (current month) | N (current month) | D (current month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airhigh / low | ||||||||||||
| Rainmm | ||||||||||||
| Daysof rain | 1 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 23 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 17 | 5 | 1 |
| Mekonglevel | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Rising | Rising | High | High | High | Falling | Low |
| Month | Low – high | mm | River |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan (current month) | 2 | Low | |
| Feb (current month) | 4 | Low | |
| Mar (current month) | 25 | Low | |
| Apr (current month) | 54 | Low | |
| May (current month) | 191 | Low | |
| Jun (current month) | 315 | Rising | |
| Jul (current month) | 446 | Rising | |
| Aug (current month) | 451 | High | |
| Sep (current month) | 343 | High | |
| Oct (current month) | 138 | High | |
| Nov (current month) | 36 | Falling | |
| Dec (current month) | 6 | Low |
| Month | J (current month) | F (current month) | M (current month) | A (current month) | M (current month) | J (current month) | J (current month) | A (current month) | S (current month) | O (current month) | N (current month) | D (current month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airhigh / low | ||||||||||||
| Rainmm | ||||||||||||
| Daysof rain | 1 | 2 | 7 | 14 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 20 | 7 | 2 |
| Mekonglevel | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | High | High | High | High | Low | Low |
| Month | Low – high | mm | River |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan (current month) | 5 | Low | |
| Feb (current month) | 7 | Low | |
| Mar (current month) | 41 | Low | |
| Apr (current month) | 89 | Low | |
| May (current month) | 212 | Low | |
| Jun (current month) | 242 | Low | |
| Jul (current month) | 288 | High | |
| Aug (current month) | 301 | High | |
| Sep (current month) | 307 | High | |
| Oct (current month) | 171 | High | |
| Nov (current month) | 56 | Low | |
| Dec (current month) | 14 | Low |
The Mekong's water level in Laos, from low water to flood
The river is at its lowest in February and rises with the monsoon from June. In Vientiane it climbs more than 5 m between February and August. The level changes how long the slow boat takes and how powerful the Khone Falls are.
Level in Vientianerelative level over the year
- Good time
- Possible, with limits
- Not recommended
Curve: Mekong River Commission, Vientiane KM4 station, median of 2020-2025. Slow boat and Khone Falls: operators and guides listed in the sources. Kuang Si: Luang Prabang tourism office and 2025-2026 traveler reports. Air: Lao Ministry of Environment readings, March 2025 and April 2026.
Festivals in Laos in 2026 and 2027
They follow the lunar calendar, so the dates change every year; the official 2027 dates come out in late December 2026. Hotels fill up in the host town.
- Boun Ok Phansa, boats of lightLuang Prabang, Vientiane October Oct. 26-27, 2026
- Boun That LuangVientiane November Nov. 21-24, 2026
- Boun Vat PhouChampasak February around Feb. 21, 2027
- Pi Mai, Lao New YearNationwide April April 14-16
- Boun Bang Fai, bamboo rocketsCountryside May May, by village
- Boun Khao PhansaTemples nationwide July around July 18, 2027
2026 dates: Lao tourism office and KPL (Khao Phansa on July 29, 2026, Ok Phansa three months later). 2027 dates: full moons of the Thai calendar (Bank of Thailand), since Laos had not published its own as of October 2026.
Laos month by month
Laos in February
IdealThis month
Still dry, hotter in the south: 32°C in Pakse. Vat Phou festival in Champasak.
River: Lowest of the year in Vientiane.
Laos in March
FairThis month
33°C in Luang Prabang and crop-burning smoke in the north.
River: Low water, rocks exposed.
Laos in April
FairThis month
The hottest month, 33 to 34°C in the afternoon; Pi Mai on April 14 to 16.
River: Still low, before it rises in May.
Laos in May
FairThis month
First rains: 142 mm in Luang Prabang, 254 mm in Vientiane. Boun Bang Fai rockets.
River: Starting to rise.
Laos in June
FairThis month
The monsoon sets in; the quietest month for visitors.
River: Rising fast.
Laos in July
DifficultThis month
Full monsoon: 288 mm in Luang Prabang, 446 mm in Pakse. Khao Phansa.
River: Rising quickly, the slow boat is fast.
Laos in August
DifficultThis month
The wettest month, rain almost every day: the green season.
River: Flood peak in Vientiane, Khone Falls at their most dramatic.
Laos in September
FairThis month
Rain eases in the north, 195 mm in Luang Prabang, but stays heavy in the south.
River: Still very high, peaking at Pakse.
Laos in October
GoodThis month
The rains end in the north; Ok Phansa and boats of light.
River: High and falling.
Laos in November
IdealThis month
Clear skies, cool mornings; That Luang in Vientiane.
River: Falling, the slow boat still moves well.
Laos in December
IdealThis month
The coolest and busiest month: 16°C at dawn in Luang Prabang.
River: Falling, sandy beaches return.
Questions about the best time to visit Laos
Does it get cold in Laos in winter?
Not in the valleys: in Luang Prabang, December and January mornings are around 16°C. On the northern plateaus, around Phonsavan, the Lao weather service forecast lows of 1 to 5°C in January 2025 and January 2026: pack a fleece.
Should you book the Laos-China train in advance?
In high season, yes. Sales open 7 days before departure and trains fill up fast, especially during Chinese holidays: Golden Week from October 1 to 7 and Chinese New Year on February 6, 2027.
Is the rainy season a good time to go?
For flexible travelers, yes: in 2024, Laos had five times fewer long-haul visitors in June than in December, and the landscapes are at their greenest. Build in slack: floods regularly cut roads, as in Khammouane in July and August 2026, when some 151,000 residents were affected.
Sources: climate, Open-Meteo (ERA5 archive, 1991-2020 averages); river level, Mekong River Commission data portal (median of 2020-2025, each town's station); festivals, Tourism Laos, KPL and the Bank of Thailand's 2027 calendar; air quality and floods, KPL (2025 and 2026); cold, Lao meteorology department (January 2025 and 2026); visitor numbers, 2024 statistics of the Lao tourism ministry; Kuang Si, Luang Prabang tourism office; train, LCR Ticket app. Updated October 12, 2026 by Pierre-Marie Coupry.