Uploaded January 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Throughout my time in Laos, I felt like this place was a long-lost cousin of Costa Rica. Not densely populated, celebrated for its nature, and a generally laid-back culture.
Here, I’m breaking down our brief time in Laos. SAVE this for your future planning!
DAY 1
Arrive in Luang Prabang after an hour-long flight from Hanoi. Check into your hotel and walk over the the Night Market for dinner. You’ll have more options to choose from than you’ll know what to do with!
DAY 2
After breakfast at the hotel, head out to The Living Land Company to experience life on a Laotian rice paddy, finishing with a delicious Laotian lunch. We signed up with @khiritravel.
Then, walk around town. There are plenty of temples to check out, like Wat Wisunarat and the most recognizable one, Wat Sensoukharam. Consider getting up early enough to walk up to Phousi Hill for a sunrise view. (Most say to go for the sunset view, but it’s the only time Luang Prabang feels cramped and touristy.)
DAY 3
Get up early for the morning alms ceremony where the local Buddhist monks take offerings from locals. But for Christ’s sake, be respectful! Don’t jam your camera in their faces as so many did on our visit.
Then, rent a motorbike and ride out to Kuang Si Falls for the rest of the morning / early afternoon. The park usually opens at 8 am. The earlier you get there, the less crowded it’ll be. In the evening, grab a train to Vang Vieng. Have a chill dinner in town before bed.
DAY 4
Head out into the surrounding wilderness! We signed up again with @khiritravel for an easy kayak down the river before grabbing lunch in a small community and hiking around the rice paddies. Watch the sunset at PullMind Cafe.
DAY 5
You can take a tuk-tuk to Nam Xay Viewpoint. But you’re different. So you make like us and RUN to it, finishing with a sweaty hike up to the viewpoint. Then, you’re just around the corner from Blue Lagoon 1 where you can cool off in the water and grab lunch.
📍Kuang Si Waterfalls in Luang Prabang, Laos
And follow @baurjoe for more travel and adventure storytelling!
#laos #laosfood #laostravel #laos🇱🇦 #southeastasia #costarica #vietnam #kuangsiwaterfall #waterfalls #hikersofinstagram
Throughout my time in Laos, I felt like this place was a long-lost cousin of Costa Rica. Not densely populated, celebrated for its nature, and a generally laid-back culture.
Here, I’m breaking down our brief time in Laos. SAVE this for your future planning!
DAY 1
Arrive in Luang Prabang after an hour-long flight from Hanoi. Check into your hotel and walk over the the Night Market for dinner. You’ll have more options to choose from than you’ll know what to do with!
DAY 2
After breakfast at the hotel, head out to The Living Land Company to experience life on a Laotian rice paddy, finishing with a delicious Laotian lunch. We signed up with @khiritravel.
Then, walk around town. There are plenty of temples to check out, like Wat Wisunarat and the most recognizable one, Wat Sensoukharam. Consider getting up early enough to walk up to Phousi Hill for a sunrise view. (Most say to go for the sunset view, but it’s the only time Luang Prabang feels cramped and touristy.)
DAY 3
Get up early for the morning alms ceremony where the local Buddhist monks take offerings from locals. But for Christ’s sake, be respectful! Don’t jam your camera in their faces as so many did on our visit.
Then, rent a motorbike and ride out to Kuang Si Falls for the rest of the morning / early afternoon. The park usually opens at 8 am. The earlier you get there, the less crowded it’ll be. In the evening, grab a train to Vang Vieng. Have a chill dinner in town before bed.
DAY 4
Head out into the surrounding wilderness! We signed up again with @khiritravel for an easy kayak down the river before grabbing lunch in a small community and hiking around the rice paddies. Watch the sunset at PullMind Cafe.
DAY 5
You can take a tuk-tuk to Nam Xay Viewpoint. But you’re different. So you make like us and RUN to it, finishing with a sweaty hike up to the viewpoint. Then, you’re just around the corner from Blue Lagoon 1 where you can cool off in the water and grab lunch.
📍Kuang Si Waterfalls in Luang Prabang, Laos
And follow @baurjoe for more travel and adventure storytelling!
#laos #laosfood #laostravel #laos🇱🇦 #southeastasia #costarica #vietnam #kuangsiwaterfall #waterfalls #hikersofinstagram
