Visiting Laos First Time

[whoppe78]

Any body have any recommendations on reasonably priced hotels or guest houses in town center.One with pool and or fitness would be ideal. Under 60usd a night. Also want to do a couple excursions,river trip, caves, temples, etc..Any tour companies that you have used before and can recommend.Would it be better for me to wait till I get there to make sure I get good price and they have reliable transportation.Plus has any body been over to Vang Vieng and what did you think of the place. Is it mostly for back packers with muddy streets and cheap guest houses. I'm not a drinker so not looking for a place to party.Any advice for first time visitor to Laos, Luang Prabang, would be appreciated.

[ambwi81]

If you are tourist who love historical and cultural stuff then Luang Prabang and another cities might be your thing. Vang Vien is really nice place with out drinking and partying too, but maybe not tourist who love cultural and heritage stuff.

edit: 1000 islands is perfect place just for relaxing.

[challenger99]

Your question is simple and a clear answer not easy. First it depend how long you can stay and travel in Laos. If you travel by private car (as I do always) the speed will be much slower then in Thailand, many serious hole you have to avoid. So Vientiane Vang Vieng take good 5 hrs. to Luang Prabang count 10 or more if you don't want risk any thing.

In VT I stay usual in www.aroonresidencehotel.com but no pool, very clean free WLAN etc. and modest price.

On the way you have a small artificial lake "Nam Ngam Reservoir" with a hydro-power-plant and behind a small village very romantic Hotel

http://www.agoda.de/asia/laos/thalat/long_ngum_view_resort.html

and 2 good reataurants over the lake. At right hand you can also see a nice resort where you can rent bungalow.

VANG VIENG isn't only for back packers or 1 $ tourists. It have many small and good restaurants and on the evening close riverside some nice restaurants for good night drinks but I haven't seen never drunk people. There are young and old. Many nice things are little bit hidden and it would be fine if you had a friend or guide.

In Vang Vieng I stay in Le Jardin Organique Guest House +856 23511420 close to the river, nice bungalow style room at 100'000 Kip/room, behind this you have one more expensive and driect at the river.

http://www.mingala.de/LaosHome/Vang_Vieng/vang_vieng.html

I know Laos near as my pocket but I can't write you here a book, sorry. Everything is more simple and modest then in Thailand but the people welcome you and are friendly too.

here you get good infos too http://www.tourismlaos.org/web/show_content.php?contID=4

about distances http://www.discoveryindochina.com/laos/laos_travel_distance.html

I think with this you have basic informations, for Hotel in Luang Prbang take info in the tourist centre along the boulevard at the Mekong river.

Have a nice trip :jap:

[Kees5]

In the dry season, and open roads, you can drive VT-LP in seven hours. Right now, the road is closed, and unsure when it will open again. Urgent road traffic is routed via a different part of the country taking two days. Reason: Landslide on the VT-LP road due to lots of rain.

Hotels with pool and fitness? Sorry I stay at US$ 20-30/ night, no pool and FTNS. For fitness, get up early, walk up Mount Phousy to the top and back the other side. Will keep you fit if done a few times a week.

In town must: Traditional Arts and Ethnology centre, entrance next to Dara market, on the side of Phousy mountain in the centre of town. If you're there in the next 3 weeks, there's an interesting exhibition at the Project Space gallery, just opposite the entrance to TAEC.

Eat at Tamarind, visit Big Tree cafe and its photographs, and eat lots of great lao food.

PS, I just got back tonight from ten days in LP, loved it!

[whoppe78]

In the dry season, and open roads, you can drive VT-LP in seven hours. Right now, the road is closed, and unsure when it will open again. Urgent road traffic is routed via a different part of the country taking two days. Reason: Landslide on the VT-LP road due to lots of rain.

Hotels with pool and fitness? Sorry I stay at US$ 20-30/ night, no pool and FTNS. For fitness, get up early, walk up Mount Phousy to the top and back the other side. Will keep you fit if done a few times a week.

In town must: Traditional Arts and Ethnology centre, entrance next to Dara market, on the side of Phousy mountain in the centre of town. If you're there in the next 3 weeks, there's an interesting exhibition at the Project Space gallery, just opposite the entrance to TAEC.

Eat at Tamarind, visit Big Tree cafe and its photographs, and eat lots of great lao food.

PS, I just got back tonight from ten days in LP, loved it!

nice advice on things to do.Wish I could walk up and down mountain but have walking problems but can ride a bike.