Major city · Laos
Pakbengປາກເບັງ
Stay one night in Pakbeng as a boat‑stop on the Mekong; budget ~US$3–5 for a guesthouse, 200,000 kip for each boat leg.
Pakbeng is a tiny riverside village halfway between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang. Most travellers stop here for a single night on the slow‑boat route, using the cheap guesthouses and enjoying sunset over the Mekong. The village offers few sights beyond the river and two modest wats, so one night is sufficient.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LAK
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Apr–Oct (rainy season, slower boats)
- Airports
- Huay Xai (HOE) · Luang Prabang (LPQ) · Oudomxay Airport, Muang Xay (ODY)
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Laos ↗Get the visa only from the official government e-visa portal or at the airport or border desk; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Laos ↗Carry Lao kip in small notes; small shops, tuk-tuks and markets are cash-only, and Thai baht or US dollars are only accepted at some tourist businesses.
- Laos ↗At dawn alms-giving, watch from across the street, keep quiet, never use flash and never touch a monk.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Pakbeng191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Pakbeng, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Lao kip (LAK) in small notes for markets, tuk-tuks and food stalls.Laos-wide
- SIM or eSIMUnitel, Lao Telecom and ETL sell SIMs at airports and shops; passport registration required.Laos-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; bottled and refill water everywhere.Laos-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Round up or leave LAK 10,000–20,000.Laos-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/E/F. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Laos-wide
- SafetyPakbeng is remote but generally safe; main risks are drug‑related scams and night‑time electricity cut‑offs.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop at bus stops and markets.Laos-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 190 fire · 195 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckGovernment offices close on all holidays; many shops shut for Pi Mai; Luang Prabang has a late-night curfew for bars (about 23:30 — check).Government offices close on all holidays; many shops shut for Pi Mai; Luang Prabang has a late-night curfew for bars (about 11:30 PM — check).Laos-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportHOE Huay Xai (Ban Huoeisay) Airport (Nearest airport for the northern end of the slow-boat route…
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable; most guesthouses line the first 50 m of the main street by the river landing.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HOE Huay Xai (Ban Huoeisay) Airport (Nearest airport for the northern end of the slow-boat route; check flights and onward transfer to the Huay Xai boat landing) · LPQ Luang Prabang International Airport (Southern end of the route; the boat landing is about 10 km (6.2 mi) upstream of Luang Prabang, tuk-tuk to the centre about 20,000 kip (check)) · ODY Oudomxay Airport, Muang Xay (Closest airport to Pakbeng; bus or pick-up from Muang Xay takes several hours on mountain roads (check))HOE Huay Xai (Ban Huoeisay) Airport (Nearest airport for the northern end of the slow-boat route; check flights and onward transfer to the Huay Xai boat landing) · LPQ Luang Prabang International Airport (Southern end of the route; the boat landing is about 6.2 mi (10 km) upstream of Luang Prabang, tuk-tuk to the centre about 20,000 kip (check)) · ODY Oudomxay Airport, Muang Xay (Closest airport to Pakbeng; bus or pick-up from Muang Xay takes several hours on mountain roads (check))
Map of Pakbeng
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Pakbeng
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Muang Ngeun · 32 km straight line
- Pak Lay · 66 km straight line
- Chiang Khong · 86 km straight line
- Huay Xai · 87 km straight line
- Sayabouly · 96 km straight line
- Vieng Phoukha · 101 km straight line
- Muang Xay · 114 km straight line
- Chiang Saen · 117 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
May
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Apr–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pakbeng: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
Apr
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
May
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is walkable; most guesthouses line the first 50 m of the main street by the river landing.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Wat Khok Koh
goDoor to door: 5 min walk
Walk north from the boat landing, ~5 min
Small riverside wat, modest architecture.
Wat Sin Jong Jeang
goDoor to door: 7 min walk
Walk east along main road, ~7 min
Another local wat for temple enthusiasts.
Mekong Elephant Camp
cautionDoor to door: 10 min walk
Taxi or walk 300 m from guesthouses
Non‑riding sanctuary; check opening days.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Thip Phavanh Guest House
Twin room with fan, ~50,000 kip; basic amenities, Wi‑Fi.
Janh Ya Phone Guesthouse
Family‑run, 280‑380 k LAK, better views, ~5 min walk to river.
Pak Beng Lodge
French‑run, USD 62‑135, river balcony, restaurant.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- US$5–8 excl. bed
- Mid
- US$9–15 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse bed2 × 3 nights × LAK 5,000 | LAK 27,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × LAK 150,000 | LAK 900,000 |
| Trip total≈ LAK 155,000 per person per day, bed included | LAK 927,000 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Meal at local restaurant | LAK 30,000–50,000 |
| Bottle of beer | LAK 5,000–8,000 |
| ATMs withdrawal fee | LAK 2,000 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Boats run on loose schedules; expect departure around 09:00 downstream and 08:30 upstream (check exact times).Boats run on loose schedules; expect departure around 9:00 AM downstream and 8:30 AM upstream (check exact times).
- Touts sell drugs and may demand bribes; avoid any illegal offers.
- Electricity cuts off after 22:00; plan dinner earlier.Electricity cuts off after 10:00 PM; plan dinner earlier.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Fire
- 190
- Ambulance
- 195
Pocket card
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Pakbengປາກເບັງ
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
Emergency
- Police191
- Fire190
- Ambulance195
Embassy
My embassy: —
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Pakbeng. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid Apr–Oct (rainy season, slower boats) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Boat → Pakbeng (overnight) → Luang Prabang (next day).
- Consider speedboat for faster upstream travel if time‑pressed (check safety).
Sources
Ask about Pakbeng
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