Major city · Laos
Bolaven Plateau
Spend 2 days on the Bolaven Plateau to see the main waterfalls and a coffee farm; add a third night only if you want slower village visits.
The Bolaven Plateau is a high‑land area in Champasak Province famous for cool climate, coffee plantations and a dense cluster of waterfalls. Most travellers can see the key sights in two days using a motorbike or organized tour; a third day allows deeper village immersion.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LAK
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- Airport
- PKS
- Nights
- 2
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 Bolaven Plateau191 ▾
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 Bolaven Plateau, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; main risks are poor road surfaces and occasional theft in remote villages – keep valuables secure and travel in daylight.
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.
- AirportPKS Pakse Airport (Main gateway to the Bolaven Plateau; buses and taxis connect to the plateau.).
- Getting aroundBus from Pakse to the plateau (several daily departures, ~2–3 h, ~175,000 kip) and motorbike rental in Pakse (≈30,000 kip per day).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeBottle of locally grown coffee5,000–10,000 kip
- Museum or sight ticketWaterfall entry fee30,000–40,000 kip
- Budget bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per roomLAK 120,000
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per roomLAK 200,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per roomLAK 350,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget LAK 15,000 · Mid LAK 25,000 · High LAK 40,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
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
- PKS Pakse Airport (Main gateway to the Bolaven Plateau; buses and taxis connect to the plateau.)
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
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jul
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
not flagged
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–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest May (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Jul (11 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bolaven Plateau: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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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)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°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)
7 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 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
Bus from Pakse to the plateau (several daily departures, ~2–3 h, ~175,000 kip) and motorbike rental in Pakse (≈30,000 kip per day). Roads vary from paved to rough; check bike condition before leaving.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tad Yuang waterfall
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Motorbike from Paksong, about 40 km (25 mi), 1 h driveMotorbike from Paksong, about 25 mi (40 km), 1 h drive
Entry 40,000 kip, parking 10,000 kip.
Tad Fan (Tad Fane) waterfall
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Motorbike from Paksong, 38 km (24 mi), ~45 minMotorbike from Paksong, 24 mi (38 km), ~45 min
Entry 30,000 kip, parking 10,000 kip; zipline optional ($40).
Tad Lo village & waterfalls
goDoor to door: ≈3 h total
Bus from Pakse to Tad Lo junction (2–3 h, 175,000 kip) then 1.5 km (0.9 mi) walkBus from Pakse to Tad Lo junction (2–3 h, 175,000 kip) then 0.9 mi (1.5 km) walk
One night enough for waterfalls; 2–3 nights for village activities.
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.
Paksong
Small town on the plateau edge; guesthouses within walking distance of the main road and waterfalls.
Tad Lo village
Basic homestays; good base for Tad Lo waterfalls and surrounding treks.
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
- 15,000–20,000 LAK excl. bed
- Mid
- 20,000–30,000 LAK excl. bed
- High
- 30,000+ LAK excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room (double)1 × 2 nights × LAK 200,000 | LAK 400,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × LAK 25,000 | LAK 100,000 |
| Motorbike rental (per day)2 × LAK 30,000 · check | LAK 60,000 |
| Bus Pakse → plateau (round‑trip)2 × LAK 175,000 · check | LAK 350,000 |
| Coffee farm visit guide2 × LAK 50,000 · check | LAK 100,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | LAK 101,000 |
| Trip total≈ LAK 277,800 per person per day, bed included | LAK 1,111,000 |
Typical rates in Paksong.
2026 estimate in LAK; flights and international transfers excluded.
Prices of common things
| Waterfall entry fee | 30,000–40,000 kip |
| Motorbike rental (per day)check | ≈30,000 kip |
| Meal at local restaurant | 15,000–30,000 kip |
| Bottle of locally grown coffee | 5,000–10,000 kip |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Road quality ranges from good tarmac to very rough sections; inexperienced riders should consider a guided tour.
- Waterfall entry and motorbike parking fees are listed in kip and may rise with inflation; verify prices locally.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Fire
- 190
- Ambulance
- 195
Pocket card
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Bolaven PlateauBolaven Plateau
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ກະລຸນາເພາະທີ່ຢູ່ນີ້To this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Fire190
- Ambulance195
Embassy
US consulate in Vientiane; nearest Lao embassy for other nationals is in Vientiane.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Pakse → Tad Lo (bus): about 175,000 kip, 2–3 h (check)
- Motorbike rental (per day): ≈30,000 kip, includes helmet
Say or show
- ເງິນບໍ່ແມ່ນກຽດ? — How much does it cost? (ngern bo maen giat?)
- ມີ ATM ໃກ້ທີ່ໃດ? — Where is the nearest ATM? (mi ATM ki thi?)
- ຂ້ອຍຕ້ອງການພັກສອງຄືນ — I would like a room for two nights (khoi tong kan phak song khuen)
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 Bolaven Plateau. 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–Mar · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Motorbike rental contracts in Pakse (check bike condition, helmet, insurance).
- Guided Bolaven Loop tours for non‑riders.
- Coffee‑farm visits arranged through local homestays.
Sources
Ask about Bolaven Plateau
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