You get off the slow boat in Luang Prabang, now what?
Arriving in Luang Prabang, Laos, after two days on the slow boat, I had no expectations and nothing planned.
From getting to your accommodation to the city’s best activities, this is what to do when you get off the slow boat in Luang Prabang.
Please note – this site participates in affiliate advertising programs. At no extra cost to you, I earn a small commission on bookings and purchases made through partner links. This allows me to maintain this website and provide readers with up to date guides and stories. This may inform how and where links are displayed but I assure you, all the companies I recommend are ones I personally use and trust because they actually make my travels better. Please reach out if you have any questions.
Finally in luang prabang... almost
By the time your slow boat floats into greater Luang Prabang, you will be so ready to get off the boat that you’ve just called home for the last two days and get settled into Luang Prabang. Unfortunately, the slow boat terminal is about 10KM from the city centre, so you still need to sort out getting to your accommodation.
Take a tuktuk into town
To get to the city centre, you will need to take a 20-minute tuktuk ride. Once you climb the stairs up from the river’s edge, you will see plenty of tuktuks waiting for all the slow boat passengers. It is slightly chaotic, with backpackers and drivers all milling about trying to secure transportation.
Walk up to any tuktuk driver and tell them the accommodation you’re headed to, or find a group of backpackers that has started gathering and see if you can join. The tuktuks are generally not private, so they will keep you waiting until they get as many people as will fit in the back before leaving.
In May 2025, the going rate seemed to be 100,000 Kip per person ($6.50 CAD / $4.50 USD), paid in cash, before departure. Just let the driver know your accommodation and they will let you off there.
Where to stay in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is a charming blend of ancient Lao mixed with French colonial architecture. The historic streets of the Old Town are full of history, Buddhist temples, traditional shophouses, and great cafes and restaurants. It is best to base yourself close to the meeting of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, on the side of the elongated peninsula. Most hostels are located on that side, and it is most convenient for travellers to explore Luang Prabang.
The top hostel that the budget backpackers stay at in Luang Prabang is the Funny Riverside Backpackers, and this is no joke, it is a really great hostel! This is where I, and many of the other backpackers who took the slow boat, ended up. With a delicious free breakfast daily, comfortable, clean, air-conditioned rooms, and a beautiful deck to while away the hours with other travellers, it is a perfect stay.
If you want a mid-range stay, check out the Pha Nya Residence and for those wanting the best accommodation in Luang Prabang, try The Belle Rive Boutique Hotel.
BUDGET: Funny Riverside Backpackers | MID-RANGE: Pha Nya Residence | LUXURY: The Belle Rive Boutique Hotel.
ARRIVING WITH NO EXPECTATIONS
My plans for Laos were limited – I knew I wanted to experience the slow boat journey up the Mekong River, but I didn’t exactly have the time to really see more of the country afterwards. I had a flying visit that left me wanting to return, but in all honesty, I arrived with no expectations. What I learned was that I was actually quite charmed by Laos – the slow boat experience, and my day in Luang Prabang.
I only had a short time in Luang Prabang, but I feel like it has the special feeling that Thailand probably had for tourists and travellers 15-20 years ago. There are enough other travellers so that you can find company, and you don’t feel so exposed as a foreigner, but there are few enough of you that it feels a bit more authentic. Thailand, now, is so (over) saturated with tourists that you lose some of the special shine of the country. I obviously still love Thailand, but wow I definitely want to pay Laos another, deeper, visit.
THINGS TO DO IN LUANG PRABANG
Climb phousi hill
Standing tall above the city is the sacred Phousi Hill. From the top you will get absolutely stunning panoramic views of Luang Prabang and the joining rivers. It is well worth the 20-30 minute climb to the top.
Entry is 30,000 kip per person ($2 CAD / $1.40 USD) and is paid halfway up the hill. It is open 5:30AM to 6:00PM, but if you’re up there already you can stay to watch the sunset.
The view from the top is beautiful all day, but it is quite a gorgeous spot to watch the sun dip behind the lush green mountains surrounding Luang Prabang.
Atop Phousi Hill you will also find the Wat Chom Si temple. This is a sacred place for Buddhist monks, so when you visit Phousi Hill, keep in mind it is important to behave respectfully and dress appropriately.
go temple hopping
Luang Prabang is the cultural heart of Laos, and has the temples to show for it. All over the city, you’ll find beautiful Buddhist temples to visit.
Some of the most popular to visit are Wat Xieng Thong (the temple of the Golden City) and Wat Visounnarath, one of the oldest in Luang Prabang.
Other popular temples to visit in Luang Prabang include Wat Aham, Wat Sop Sickharam, and, of course, Wat Chom Si on top of Phousi Hill.
Visit the Kuang si Waterfalls
One of the iconic must-do things in Luang Prabang is visiting the Kuang Si Waterfalls. It is a gorgeous cascading waterfall with ribbons of turquoise water, collecting in natural pools.
The Kuang Si Waterfalls are located roughly 30 KM south of the city, on roads that are not great (ie. lots of potholes), so it generally takes an hour to drive, each way. There are tuktuks you can take out to the falls, but the often cheapest and most popular way to get there is to rent a scooter and drive yourself.
At the waterfall, you can take a refreshing dip in some of the natural pools. Some, however, are considered sacred, so just be sure that if you are going swimming, you’re doing so in a pool designated for it. Swimming is really only possible/advised in the dry season (Nov. to Apr.), because in the rainy season, the waterfall all but doubles in size and the gentle turquoise waters turn to a sediment-filled, muddy, brown and rage down the rock wall.
Entrance for Kuang Si Falls is 60,000 kip per person, and motorbike parking is 5,000 kip.
wander the night market
You can’t beat a mooch around a night market while in Southeast Asia – and Luang Prabang delivers! Open every day from 5 PM to 10 PM (though it was starting to pack up closer to 9 PM when I was there), you’ll find an array of handmade artisan goods, kitchy little trinkets, and unique souvenirs to take home for friends and family. There is also a busy food section with a delicious array of stands to satisfy your appetite.
Compared to some of the night markets in neighbouring Thailand, the Luang Prabang night market is modest in size and scale, but it does not disappoint. In fact, I was quite charmed by some of the wares that were being sold because they were new and unique compared to all the typical elephant pants you find in Thailand. I bought a darling hand-embroidered coaster and a pouch with a great nonsense saying about milk.
Have a drink along the river
The many cafes, restaurants, and bars along the river are a great place to stop for a drink. Whether a coffee or smoothie by day, or a cheeky bevy by sunset, you can’t go wrong with stopping at some of the places along the Mekong River.
It should be mentioned, given the recommendation to get an evening bevy that beer is generally a safe bet for travellers looking for an alcoholic drink, while also looking to stay away from spirits/cocktails. After the news about the tragic backpacker deaths that occurred in Vang Vieng, please be extra careful with your drinks – don’t leave them unattended, and, advisably, don’t accept free alcohol.
EXPLORE MORE OF LAOS
After a few lovely days in Luang Prabang, it is time to move on and explore more of what Laos has to offer! Some of the popular next destinations for travellers include:
VANG VIENG: The spot to go for adrenaline junkies with hot air balloons, paramotoring, and kayaking.
VENTIANE: Laos’ capital city, rich with history.
NONG KHIAW: Quiet mountain escape with hiking and camping.
More Laos Travel Guides
Happy trip planning!
From one traveller to another, I hope this guide was helpful for you as you make your plans and set out on your next adventure!
If you read through this guide and still have questions about the experience or have other questions… fear not, because I can still help! I have a personalized trip planning and advice service available to all Everywhere Travel Club readers. I’d love to chat for an hour with you and help answer any questions you’re working through, share fun ideas, and help bring your big trip into reality! For more info about the one-on-one call for advice, check out the details of my Personalized Travel Planning Sesh.
Let me know what you think about this guide or if it helped you – I’d love to hear from you! You can find me everywhere on the Everywhere Travel Club Instagram, TikTok or Pinterest!