June or August?
Flights in June are cheaper but in August i could stay a week longer ( 3 weeks instead of 2). Being both in the Monsoon season, but with June still at the beginning, I was wondering if there’s any important difference between traveling in one month or the other, anything that would make June a better choice?
Hello,
"anything that would make June a better choice?"
Statistically northern Laos is far wetter in August, than June:
https://weatherspark.com/y/114340/Average-Weather-in-Luang-Prabang-Laos-Year-Round
However, as you move south the bell-curve rainy season flattens out and it doesn't make much difference.
https://weatherspark.com/y/149133/Average-Weather-at-Pakse-Laos-Year-Round
But, how much rain you actually expierence is mostly just luck of the draw. This year we cold have an unusually dry rainy season, or it could go the other way and we have a very wet season.
Where exactly are you going and what do you plan on doing?
Take care 🙂
Hi Michael,
I still have no plans, but it will be for sure northern Laos only.
I’ll be starting in Vientiane, then on to Luang Prabang and then maybe further north towards Phongsali or west towards Chiang Rai…I’d like to visit some minority villages either up north or in the golden triangle area
But let’s see! If it rains a lot I may have to stick to the roads in better condition and this, I guess, means I‘ll have to change my plans completely…with only 2 weeks in June or 3 in August i can’t afford to get stuck in a remote area
"But let’s see"
That's the best way.
The rainy season in Laos is very much off-season for tourism.
You don't have to make any big fixed plans now.
Take care 🙂
Possibly less landslides in June, which can be a problem in some areas, roads can be closed until they are cleared.
Less people probably in June. Some places close down in the wet season. I was there in September and some restaurants were closed, others closed early if no customers by about 7pm.
June is steaming hot and often the rains haven't started yet - everyone living in Laos is waiting for them to provide some release from the stifling humidity. August - the rains have inevitably started but the cooling rainstorms are usually in the early hours of the morning, so don't upset your travel day. I've lived in Laos 20 years and would choose August over June - although both are hot and humid.
In my opinion there isn't significant difference to travel in Laos all year except late November - early February, when you have deliciously cool, non-humid weather. Down to 5C in the north, but a chance to walk and do what ever you like without being soaked in sweat. Either June or August will be fine for your choice - August slightly rainier and muddier, June slightly more stifling.
