Quick Summary
Not a huge Digital Nomad location mainly due to weak internet links. Still it is getting some interest by digital nomads as it is so close to Chiang Mai (1 hour direct plane flight). 30 day visa on arrival for many countries about $35 (depends on the country) and you need a photo.
The old town centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Malaria and dengue area, so it is wise to take precautions.
100,000 kip ~ US $12 (Jan 2015)
Web sites
- Official tourist department site
- Falang Prabang by an expat living, learning and entrepreneuring in Luang Prabang
- Travel fish
- www.visit-mekong.com
- soutchaitravel
Lodging (shown on map, above)
- Apple Guesthouse
- Khoun Khone Bungalow
- Manichan-Guesthouse
- Oui’s guesthouse
- Phone Praseuth Guesthouse
- Phounsab Guesthouse
- Singharat Guesthouse
- Khemkhong Guesthouse
Attractions (shown on map, above)
- Kuang Si Falls
- Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park
- Old Quarter
- Golden City Temple Wat Xieng Thong
- Mount Phousi
- Tad Thong Waterfall
- Royal Palace
- Big Brother Mouse (help people learn English, even just for 1 day).
Restaurants (shown on map, above)
- Pizza Phan Luang
- Dyen Sabai Restaurant
- Ock Pop Tok Silk Road Cafe
- Rosella Fusion
- Tamarind
- Travel fish Restaurants reviews
- Budget Travel Restaurants reviews
Festivities and holidays
February: Chinese and Vietnamese New Year’s (Kud Chin and Kud Viet):
Fireworks and celebrations take place at Chinese and Vietnamese temples.
Boun Makha Bousa: Takes place on the full moon to commemorate the speech given by the Lord Buddha to 1,250 enlightened monks who had gathered with no organization or prior warning. In the evening, people visit the temple and circle the wat three times with candles in a ceremony known as vien tian.
Late February: Boun Khao Chi:
Special offerings of sticky rice coated with eggs are made to monks. It is associated with Mahka Bousa.
Public Holidays
www.tourismlaos.org
Transport:
Walking:
The inner city of Luang Prabang is easy enough to walk on foot and that is almost preferred due to the fact that there is one way traffic on both the roads by the river and many other sideroads. To walk from the beginning of the night market to the tip of the peninsula takes about 15 minutes if you go by the mainroad of Luang Prabang. Walking on the main road when the night market has opened (from around six pm) is difficult (unless you want to browse for commodities at the market) and takes significantly longer than normal.
Tuk Tuk:
Is a popular transport in short distances, same as in Thailand. Is recommended to check prices and driver license first. If you hire a tuk tuk to go somewhere far, you negotiate a price for both ways. The tuk tuk will wait for you while you explore your spot and you usually pay the whole fare upon your arrival back in Luang Prabang. We have had few reports on tuk tuks tricking tourist on more than excessive pricing.
Bicycle:
Most guesthouses and many shops in Luang Prabang offer bicycles for rent. Consider wearing a helmet and make sure to lock your bicycle to something when you park it. Rentals start at 10,000 kip per day for a cheap touring bicycle, 50,000 kip per day for a quality mountain bike, usually requiring some identification as a deposit.
For traffic to and from the north, use Kiew Lot Sai Nuan station: Northern Bus Terminal T: (071) 252 729
For traffic to and from the South, use Naluang station: Southern Bus Terminal T: (071) 232 066
Boat:
The popular border crossing between Laos and northeast Thailand is also the most popular river trip in Southeast Asia: Luang Prabang to Pakbeng to Huay Xai. There are three options for this trip: speedboat, slowboat, and luxury cruise.
Airport transfers:
Luang Prabang International Airport is about 4km north of the old city. To get to town, you have three options (in case your hotel doesn’t offer free transfer service). Taxi and hotel shuttle service are both convenient but relatively expensive.
The hotel shuttle service may cost up to US$7 per person per trip, while the taxi is usually about US$7 per trip. You can locate a taxi stand right outside the arrival hall, while hotel shuttle is available on a pre-arranged basis. The cheapest option is a Jumbo tuk-tuk, which waits for passengers outside the airport gate. There’s no bus service to the old city.
Resources about transport and more information: Luang Prabang Transportation
Weather
Luang Prabang has a tropical climate typical of Southeast Asia with a dry season and a wet season. Found along the Mekong River, Luang Prabang enjoys warm weather year-round with temperatures ranging between 15°C and 38°C.
Health tips
Make sure to have a good health insurance when travelling in Laos. The poor health care in Luang Prabang is no joke. A essential Luang Prabang tips is to have an appropriate coverage or cash to be transported to Bangkok or some better health care location (this is what most travel insurance will cover – expenses for transportation for heath care but the details are complex and need to be exported by the traveler).
Malaria is prevent and preventative care is needed. Dengue (also transmitted by mosquitoes is also present) but there is no preventative pill. Be wise and use mosquito repellent and clothing and screens to restrict mosquitos access to biting you.