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Best time to visit Luang Prabang: month by month
Short answer
November to February is the best time: dry, with highs of about 28–30°C and cool mornings (about 15–17°C in January and February). March to May is the hottest period (about 33°C) and smoky, and June to October is the rainy season, with rain on about 25 days a month from June to September.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28°C | 15°C | 4 | high |
| Feb | 30°C | 17°C | 4 | high |
| Mar | 33°C | 20°C | 7 | medium |
| Apr | 33°C | 22°C | 10 | medium |
| May | 33°C | 24°C | 18 | low |
| Jun | 32°C | 24°C | 26 | low |
| Jul | 32°C | 24°C | 25 | medium |
| Aug | 30°C | 24°C | 26 | medium |
| Sep | 30°C | 23°C | 25 | low |
| Oct | 30°C | 22°C | 13 | medium |
| Nov | 30°C | 20°C | 7 | high |
| Dec | 28°C | 16°C | 3 | very high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Hot, about 33°C, with smoke haze from field burning in March and April; rain increases in May. Lao New Year falls in mid-April.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
The rainy season, about 30–32°C with rain on about 25–26 days a month, often in showers; green landscapes and full waterfalls.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Rain eases from October (about 13 rainy days) to November (about 7), about 30°C by day.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Dry and pleasant, about 28–30°C by day and 15–17°C at night, with 3–4 rainy days a month; the busiest season.
Events worth planning around
- Pi Mai, Lao New Year, with water throwing and processions (mid-April)
- Lai Heua Fai, the festival of illuminated boats at the end of Buddhist Lent (usually October; dates follow the lunar calendar)
When to avoid
Avoid March and April if smoke and heat bother you; in the peak of the rains (June to September) expect some muddy trips and brown water at Kuang Si after heavy rain.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit Luang Prabang?
November to February, the cool, dry season.
Is the rainy season a bad time to visit?
Not necessarily: rain often comes in showers, the countryside is green and prices are lower.
When is Lao New Year?
Mid-April (Pi Mai), with water throwing and processions.