Backpacking Laos

Laos is a beautiful country with friendly people who still lead very simple lives. Even in provincial capitals, electricity works only a few hours a day and the infrastructure is, especially in the north, very underdeveloped.

With the exception of the old royal town of Luang Prabang, there are not too many cultural sites in the country (compared to its neighbors), but it's a fantastic place to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and the relatively unspoilt nature.

In spite of the weak infrastructure, it's very easy to travel around Laos, if you don't expect a great deal of comfort. The country is very safe and theft and scams are still rare; this might change, however, with the increasing tourism.

Some places in Laos are already quite touristy, which has less to do with the actual number of tourists, but rather with the problem that they are very concentrated in the small Laotian villages.

Laos is a very cheap country to travel in. Depending on the region, a basic, but usually tidy, room costs between and , and for public transport, travelers don't have to pay more than locals who earn a month.

Quick Tips:

Lao cuisine is, with the exception of Vientiane and Luang Prabang, nothing to write home about. High-quality Lao food, which can only be had in those two places, resembles Northern Thai food and is therefore excellent. In the country, however, there are not a lot of choices. Usually you just get simple rice and noodle dishes.

Best Way To Get Around:

There are many atmospheric places on the shore of the Mekong in Laos. Many of them have bamboo terraces overlooking the river and you sit on mats on the floor.

The food is cheap and Ok, but you don't come here for the food, but to enjoy the atmosphere and have a beer.

They offer an interesting mixture of Asian and Western food, and their milkshakes are to die for (mango, coffee-banana). I really enjoyed the spaghetti with coriander pesto and onion baguette.

Delicious spring rolls.

Very moderate prices!

Michelle, an English girl I met in Muang Sing, told me about this place and insisted that I go there and try the chocolate soufflé.

So I went. OK, I have to admit that it was not as divine as she promised, but still, for people who have spent many weeks in Asia, this might be heaven. They also have crèpes and ice cream.

The best Lao food in Laos! The simple Nang Khambang was my favorite Lao restaurant in the country, and dirt cheap, too.

The grilled quail with sticky rice and chili sauce was delicious... but the salad with raw marinated beef was truly to die for.

Mains are around 15.000kip (1,60€).