Pakse Travel Guide

Pakse is a popular destination in Laos but is often used as a transit stopover rather than a holiday hotspot. Pakse has an attractive landscape, with flowing rivers and rice fields all hosting spectacular mountainous backdrops.

Is it worth it? Pakse is increasing its reasons to visit all the time and due to its easy access to Champasak Province it is worth a quick stop.

What to Do
visit temples from the Khmer era, hike in the countryside, take a boat trip on the Mekong or Se Don rivers, visit Tad Fane Waterfall and the lesser known Tad Nguing.
Best Time to Go
April is by far the hottest month and the monsoon brings rain from May through to November.
How Long?
Many visitors end up staying longer than anticipated in Pakse and four to five days is enough time to see everything in the area.

It is a great spot to use as a base to explore Champasak Province, even though the infrastructure and amenities are not as well developed as in the more popular destination of Luang Prabang. There are a scattering of interesting temples to visit and the two rivers provide visitors with nice sunset views and fun places to enjoy local dishes.

The Laotian hospitality is always friendly and the hospitality in Pakse is no different. The guest houses and restaurants are improving all the time as a successful way of luring tourists and giving Pakse visitors more than just a curious glance on their way through.

The town is very Thai in its style and most people speak a limited amount of English. The eastern bank of the Se Don River is where the best choice of guest houses and accommodation can be found. There are also some tasty eateries to choose from including Indian, Malay, Vietnamese, Italian and Korean as well as traditional Laotian restaurants.

Travel to Pakse - Getting There

There is an airport only one kilometer from the town and welcomes many flights from most Laos hotspots as well as from Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Buses are popular with travelers and there are regular services to many places including to Vientiane (10 hours). Boats are another good form of transport with the main drawback being their tortoise-like pace, but they offer the best views and are a great way to take in the sights of the country.

Pakse Things to Do

Pakse Attractions

Wat Phou
this temple dates back the Khmer era and is among the interesting wat to visit in the area.
Boloven Plateau
this lovely area is not far from Pakse and is a fertile plain famous for its coffee growth.
Tad Fane
a double waterfall set with an equally stunning backdrop of mountains and greenery.
Tad Nguing
this waterfall is not as famous as its neighbor but it is a pretty place to visit and take photographs.
The local hill tribes
these are interesting to visit on a guided tour.
The local market
this is a bustling example of Laotian life and a good place to find a bargain holiday souvenir.
The bowling alley
the alley is a short walk from the main part of town and is popular among locals and tourists.
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