Laos Weather – The Best Time to Ride in Laos

Laos has similar weather all over the country at the same time, whether it is in the north, centre or south of the country. There are 3 seasons, the rainy season, the dry season and the hot season. Choosing the right season to come to Laos can make all the difference when renting a motorbike in Laos. The road conditions in Laos are often very bad, with lots of mud and dirt roads which in the rainy season will become thick mud, while the hot season can be very hot and uncomfortable for those not used to the heat. 

The Dry Season

November – February

This is the dry season for all of Laos, with low monthly rainfall and the lowest average temperatures. This combines to make this some of the best riding weather you can get in Laos. This will mean the roads will be the least wet, so the dirt roads will be drier and much easier to navigate. Unfortunately this does mean that the waterfalls will be at a lower level so will not be as stunning to visit. 

The average high temperatures will be in the high 20s which is generally warm and a good temperature for riding but the average lows will be in the teens, in the mountains this will be lower and you will feel cold at times, especially in the evening. It can even drop below freezing at high elevation. 

The Hot Season

March – May

The hot season is just that. The temperatures peak here with the highest average temperatures with April reaching highs of 35C which can be extreme. This is also when the rain starts in Laos with April still being quite low levels but May starting to get heavier. 

This level of heat can be unbearable for some but it is important if travelling during this season, especially if renting a bike during this time to carry plenty of water with you. 

The Rainy Season

June – October

The rainy season peaks particularly high over the June – August time with over 250mm of rain each month. In the south in Pakse this is even higher with around 400mm of rain for each of these 3 months. 

This time of year it is still hot but not as hot as the peak in the months before. This means with the right rain gear you can stay dry, but the issue is less of staying dry and more how this will affect the road conditions, especially the dirt roads which can become thick mud during this season. 

One of the positives with the rainy season is that the waterfalls look the most impressive during this time of year with the highest level of flow creating the best looking falls. 

Summary

The dry season is considered the best and easiest time to travel by motorbike in Laos and this is also our busiest time of year for renting motorbikes in Laos. 

The rainy season is not the best for road conditions but comes with the reward for the best waterfalls. Riding all day in the rain is not enjoyable for extended periods of time but for shorter routes such as the Pakse loop to take in the waterfalls this can be worth it for the best waterfalls. 

The hot season can be dry so the road conditions can be good but the hot weather can be too much for some people. If you struggle with the heat then it is better to come another time of year but if you are good in the heat then the good road conditions make it the easiest to ride. 

For more information or for booking a motorbike just contact us here.