It's a laid back paradise waiting for you to kick back in. There's mountains in the north, flat fertile land in the south, up and coming city dwellers with the latest technology contrasting with subsistence villagers stuck in the ways of old. It has more than is fair share of oppresive and occupational history but it's working hard to catch up. Watch out for the land mines.
Sponsored Links:
Budget Accommodation in Laos
In the capital and other larger towns, there are few backpacker options, with only the cheaper guesthouses offering real value for money. Out of town there are rural homestay options or cheap bungalows for rent.
A Traveller's Budget for Laos
Around US$20 a day should see you through. For tavelling around the country, your choice is to take a bus (or a truck with two benches in the back), rent a scooter (no licence required!), or take some river transport, although this is used less by the locals now and as such the prices are going up as it becomes something of a tourist attraction. It's cheap to eat pretty much anywhere in Laos,
Activities
Visit the Pha That Luang monument in Vientiane
Get a massage or take part in meditation at Wat Sok Pa Luang, a 3km tuk-tuk ride from Vientiane.
Tubing - pop yourself inside an inflated tractor inner tube and float down a river
Rafting and kayaking in he Si Phan Don (four thousand islands, but not really)
Hire a bike and explore Don Det and Don Khon where there is also some dolphin spotting if you're lucky
Check out the French Colonial architecture in Luang Prabang
