Season guide · Luang Prabang · Laos
Luang Prabang in the cool season
November–February: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Dry, sunny days around 27–31°C with chilly mornings, clear views and the year's highest hotel prices. Expect highs up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 14°C (57°F), with about 10 rainy days across November–February. November–February are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- November–February
- Temperatures
- 14°C (57°F) to 31°C (88°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 10
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in the cool season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°C (82°F) | 14°C (57°F) | 2 | 11 h | 5/5 |
| February | 31°C (88°F) | 15°C (59°F) | 2 | 11.5 h | 4/5 |
| November | 29°C (84°F) | 17°C (63°F) | 4 | 11.2 h | 4/5 |
| December | 27°C (81°F) | 14°C (57°F) | 2 | 10.9 h | 5/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 29°C (84°F) against a yearly 32°C (90°F), and 10 of the year's roughly 118 rainy days fall in these 4 months. Crowds rate 5/5 and hotel prices 5/5 on average.
What's on in the cool season
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- February: Chinese New Year — busy with regional visitors (late January or February)
- December: Hmong New Year celebrations in surrounding villages (often around December)
Make the most of the weather
Viewpoint · Old Town centre
Mount Phousi
A hill rising about 100 m above the town centre, climbed by more than 300 steps from Sisavangvong Road opposite the palace.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Iconic
- Photo spot
- Active
- Kids
Experience · Nam Khan riverside
Nam Khan bamboo bridge
Cross in the late afternoon and return at sunset; the bridge only exists from roughly November to the start of the rains.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Experience · Mekong riverfront
Mekong sunset cruise
Long wooden boats leave the riverside landings for a one- to two-hour trip on the Mekong as the sun sets behind the hills, passing fishermen, temples on the far bank and the confluence with the Nam Khan.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Couples
- Views
- Kids
- Photo spot
Neighbourhood · Chomphet
Chomphet across the Mekong
Take the local passenger ferry, wear good shoes for the dusty lanes and carry water; there are few shops.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Off the beaten path
- History
- Outdoors
- Views
Day trips in the cool season
- Kuang Si Falls (About 45 minutes by road) — A series of limestone cascades tumbling into turquoise pools, some open for swimming, beneath a high main fall.
- Pak Ou Caves (About 2 hours upstream by boat) — Two caves in a limestone cliff where the Nam Ou meets the Mekong, filled with thousands of wooden and gilded Buddha images left by pilgrims over centuries.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the cool season a good time to visit Luang Prabang?
Yes: November–February are among the best months. Dry, sunny days around 27–31°C with chilly mornings, clear views and the year's highest hotel prices.
+What is the weather like in Luang Prabang in the cool season?
Highs of up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 14°C (57°F), with about 10 rainy days over the season.