Luang Prabang · Month comparison
November vs October
October ranks #1 overall vs November at #2. Boun Ok Phansa (end of Buddhist Lent) launches boat races on the Mekong — the illuminated boat parade at dusk is one of Laos's great spectacles.
November
#2 of 12 months
Strong option
Dry season resumes and international visitors return — Kuang Si restores its turquoise pools, Phousi Hill sunsets are smoke-free.
- ↑Kuang Si waterfall turquoise pools at their clearest — swimming allowed again
- ↑Cool 16C nights make evenings on Mekong sunset restaurant terraces pleasant
October
#1 of 12 months
Best match
Boun Ok Phansa (end of Buddhist Lent) launches boat races on the Mekong — the illuminated boat parade at dusk is one of Laos's great spectacles.
- ↑Boun Ok Phansa: illuminated longboat races and candlelit boat procession on the Mekong at dusk
- ↑Rains reducing sharply — cleaner skies return and Kuang Si turquoise restoring
| Factor | November | October |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 9 | 8 |
| Value score | 4 | 6 |
| Crowd score | 4 | 6 |
| Events score | 5 | 9 |
| Atmosphere | 9 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 29°C | 30°C |
| Monthly rain | 28mm | 90mm |
| Daily sunshine | 7hrs | 6.5hrs |
November trade-offs
- ↓Tourist prices return — guesthouses up 40% from October lows
- ↓Night market gets congested again on weekends as packages tours restart
October trade-offs
- ↓Boat race festival week fills guesthouses — book 6 weeks ahead
- ↓Humidity still 76% through first half of month
Scores compare months within Luang Prabang. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →