New to Laos ?
Check out the different advises in the text below.
Visa:
30 to 45 US$, depending on your country, valid 30 days. Make sure you have exact change, in US$.
If you pay in Thai Baht or Euro, you will get the worst exchange rate you have ever seen...!!!
Don't Overstay = expensive ! You can get an extension for 2 US$, a day, or, best option, cross into a neighboring country and make a U-turn.
What to bring with you and what not:
To Bring, any time of the year:
1)        Insurance, preferably with 'Medivac'. If something serious
            happens, everyone, who can afford it, heads straight to
            Thailand. So far, only basic medical in Laos.
2)         Sturdy shoes or boots, for walking and trekking.
3)        A SMALL, extra, back-pack, for day trips.
4)        A GOOD flashlight + extra batteries.
5)        Mosquito Spray.
6)        Pipe tobacco and/or Rolling Paper, if you are so inclined.
During Rainy Season (May to October)
1)        Lightweight Rain Clothes and an Umbrella.
During Dry Season (November to April)
1)        If you go up north: a Sweater (it can get very cold at nights).
What NOT to Bring:
1) Cigarettes (Dirt Cheap, from 5 - 15 US$ per Carton, depending on Brand).
2) Any kind of alcohol, also quite cheap (cheaper than European Duty-Free Shops !!!)
3) Money: EURO (OK, you will get decent exchange rates in Banks; ANYWHERE else, such as Hotels, Guest Houses and Restaurants, up to 15 % LOWER than Banks.
Also, any other currency, leave it at home, or exchange in Banks, as nobody will take it...

Credit Cards will be charged an extra 3%, for the Bank's commission, and most small places will not take them. Lao KIP, US$ and Thai Baht can be used anywhere. Beware though, that some up-scale Hotels, Guest Houses and Restaurants will quote you in US dollars and can give you up to 7-8% lower exchange rate, when they convert their bill into KIP or Baht.
Also, KIP can not be exchanged outside of Laos.
Accommodation.
Hotels and Guest Houses in Laos are significantly more expensive than Thailand.
One of the reasons are taxes, first there is a 'turn-over' tax of 10%, of everything.
(Meaning, if you sell something for 100, the tax is 10).
Then we have a newly introduced VAT of another 10%.
On top of that, there is profit tax, social security taxes and, of course, salary taxes.
This can easily lead to more than 50% in total taxes.
And, in Laos, the taxes are enforced, in Thailand not....
Favourite Hotels & Guest Houses In Vientiane & Udon Thani: Click Here


Food & Beverage.
Lao Food is delicious !
Most people believe that Lao Food is more spicy than Thai. Not so, even though some dishes are fiercely hot.

Now, overall, Lao Food is more expensive than a similar dish in Thailand.
One of the reasons are above mentioned taxes; another is that a LOT of ingredients is imported, mainly from Thailand, but also from Vietnam and some from China.
All Seafood and most chicken meat, for example, even coconuts, cooking oils, etc., etc., mostly come from Thailand...
Cooking gas, ~50 % more than in Thailand (where it is imported from).
OK, some Foods are cheap, such as a small Baguette, filled with Pate
(around 66 US cents, on the street).

'Farang' Food, is, on the other hand, surprisingly, cheaper than Thailand.
One reason is lower import taxes, another is that 'farang' Food is not considered luxury to the extent it is in Thailand.

Beverages  are cheap ! Beer Lao, that has been called the "Dom Perignon" of beers, by Thai newspapers !!!, is normally about 1,90 US$, in a Bar or Restaurant, for a large bottle. Other beers can be had at less than a $. (Of course, depending on the 'sophistication level' of the establishment).

Wines  are also cheaper than Thailand (highest taxes in the world, 437% !!!).
1/2 Litre is 6,25 -up US$.

Cigarettes are dirt cheap ! A carton of good Vietnamese (same as LM), is no more than 6-7 US$.
LM and Marlboro can go up to 16 US$, a carton.
Cigars & Pipe-tobacco are very difficult to find, if at all.

Transport.

More expensive than Thailand. Fuel cost can run 20% more than Thailand, in certain provinces.
(All fuel is imported). Also, the roads are very rough, even the 'highways'. So, maintenance is very costly (all spare-parts imported).

Having said all this - Laos is a very warm & friendly, enchanting country, with stunning views and exotic people.


Copyright 2011 by Apatco Co., Ltd
New to Laos?