The Rough Guide to Laos: Travel Guide

This Laos guidebook is perfect for independent travellers planning a longer trip. It features all of the must-see sights and a wide range of off-the-beaten-track places. It also provides detailed practical information on preparing for a trip and what to do on the ground.

This Laos guidebook covers: Vientiane and the northwest, Luang Prabang, The northeast, The far north, South Central Laos, The far south.

Inside this Laos travel book, you'll find:


• A wide range of sights – Rough Guides experts have hand-picked places for travellers with different needs and desires: off-the-beaten-track adventures, family activities or chilled-out breaks

• Itinerary examples – created for different time frames or types of trip

• Practical information – how to get to Laos, all about public transport, food and drink, shopping, travelling with children, sports and outdoor activities, tips for travellers with disabilities and more

• Author picks and things not to miss in Laos – Gibbon Experience; Plain of Jars; waterfalls of the Bolaven Plateau; Vieng Xai; Luang Prabang; colonial architecture; The Nam Ou; Vang Vieng; massages; trekking

• Insider recommendations – tips on how to beat the crowds, save time and money, and find the best local spots

• When to go to Laos – high season, low season, climate information and festivals

• Where to go – a clear introduction to Laos with key places and a handy overview

• Extensive coverage of regions, places and experiences – regional highlights, sights and places for different types of travellers, with experiences matching different needs

• Places to eat, drink and stay – hand-picked restaurants, cafes, bars and hotels

• Practical info at each site – hours of operation, websites, transit tips, charges

• Colour-coded mapping – with keys and legends listing sites categorised as highlights, eating, accommodation, shopping, drinking and nightlife

• Background information for connoisseurs – history, culture, art, architecture, film, books, religion, diversity

• Essential Khmer dictionary and glossary of local terms

• Fully updated post-COVID-19


The guide provides a comprehensive and rich selection of places to see and things to do in Laos, as well as great planning tools. It's the perfect companion, both ahead of your trip and on the ground.