Although Laos is slightly cooler than its immediate neighbours it is still a tropical country and there is an abundance of sun year round. The dry season is characterised by pleasant cool weather from November to February which is perfect for strolling to ancient temples and trekking. It is important to remember that the mountainous regions can also get very chilly in the evening with extreme weather shifts between night and day. The weather gradually gets a lot warmer and by March, April and May the country experiences its hottest months. The rainy season arrives in June and lasts until October, characterised by afternoon showers in low lying areas to more steady showers in mountainous regions which cool the land and nourish the great Mekong River – the lifeblood and pride of many people in Laos.

Because the country is located in the Southeast Asian tropics it is important to remember to pack accordingly. Bring plenty of undergarments and socks as they are used quickly, walking shoes and most importantly a sweater for cold nights if you plan on visiting in the cold season.

Thankfully Laos’ festival season takes place in the cool season and the end of the rainy season like the traditional Naga festival in October and the Boat racing festival in September. Another great time to visit, if you can handle the heat, is the Laotian version of Theravada Buddhist New Year in April which includes water splashing and the uniquely Laotian Rocket Festival which takes place in May.

– Monks are not allowed to touch women so do not hand anything to him or sit beside him.
– The traditional form of greeting is with hands together, prayer-like, but handshaking is done more frequently today.
– You should never touch anybody’s head intentionally as it is regarded as a particularly holy part of the body.
– Accordingly, the feet are literally the lowest part of the body so do not point your feet at anybody or at a Buddha image.
– Always take your shoes off when entering a temple or when visiting private houses.
– In general, pointing with the index finger is considered rude, so call out their name or beckon with the whole hand.
– Sensitivity to politically related subjects in conversation is advisable.
– It is polite to ask permission before taking photographs. Be wary in areas that have (or could have) military importance such as airports, where all photography is prohibited.

Buddhist Lao Loum of the lowlands contributes towards half of the total population. The Lao Theung who occupy the mountain slopes makes up about a quarter and the Lao Soung who live in the high mountains and practice shifting cultivation makes up less than a fifth of Laos’ total population.
The largest non-Lao groups in Laos are the Chinese and Vietnamese communities in the main cities.

The predominant religion is Theravada Buddhism although Animism is also common, particularly among the mountain tribes. Buddhism and spirit, or ‘phi’, worship coexist easily even though phi worship is officially banned. The clearest example of this is the baci ceremony which all Buddhist lowland Lao practice regularly at every major life event. The ceremony calls all the good spirits together to ward off the evil spirits. At some point during their lives many Lao males spend time in a Buddhist monastery, and almost every village has a Buddhist temple around which village life centres. Buddhist rituals follow the lunar calendar and there are several significant religious holidays and festivals that are widely observed.