Borikham Travel Guide

City City in Bolikhamsai Province, Laos

Bolikhamsai’s Borikham sits near the Nam Kading basin: river crossings, karst outcrops, small Lao villages and markets where grilled river fish and sticky rice set the day’s rhythm.

Costs

Typical tourist budget: $20-45 per day

Very affordable local costs; tourism services limited.

Safety

Generally safe rural town

Generally peaceful province; standard Lao rural precautions apply.

Best Time

Best months: November-February

Cool, dry season is best for river and jungle walks.

In This Guide

Why Visit
Best Things to Do
Bucket List
Best Time to Visit
How to Get There
How to Get Around
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Local Time

8:54 PM

GMT+7

Weather

79°F

Mostly Clear

Population

18,354

Infrastructure & Convenience

Limited buses, few English signs, basic guesthouses and market services.

Popularity

Very low tourist numbers; appeals to overland and adventure travelers.

Known For

Mekong-side life, river transport, rural markets, Lao temples, subsistence agriculture, teak and forest areas, local festivals, nearby waterfalls and jungle

Bolikhamsai province borders Thailand across the Mekong; Borikham sits within this cross-border cultural region.

Why Visit Borikham? #

Best Things to Do in Borikham

Borikham Bucket List

Don't Miss

Borikham town market - Central market selling fresh produce, regional snacks, and everyday household items each morning.
Local riverside promenade - Calm riverfront path popular for evening strolls and watching fishing boats return.
Provincial temple - Community temple hosting local festivals and devotional ceremonies important to area residents.

Hidden Gems

Village weaving stalls - Small workshops producing traditional Lao textiles and offering demonstrations to visitors.
Rural coffee stands - Roadside stops serving strong Lao coffee and snacks, frequented by local farmers and travelers.
Mangrove-fed fishing coves - Sheltered coves where fishermen land catches and occasional informal seafood shacks serve meals.

Day Trips

Paksan - Provincial town offering riverside markets and provincial administrative services within reachable distance.
Nam Ét-Phou Louey area - Protected landscapes offering river valleys, wildlife viewing, and remote village visits in the region.

Best Time to Visit Borikham #

Borikham in Bolikhamsai is nicest from November to February when conditions are drier and more comfortable for outdoor trips. The May-October monsoon brings heavy rain and jungle access issues, while March-April gets very hot.

Rainy Season

May - October · 24 - 30°C (75 - 86°F)

Daily heavy showers and high humidity; jungle roads get muddy, but waterfalls and rivers are spectacular.

Cool Season

November - February · 18 - 28°C (64 - 82°F)

Drier, more comfortable weather for trekking and river trips - the best time to explore without relentless humidity.

Hot Season

March - April · 28 - 38°C (82 - 100°F)

Oppressively hot and sticky days before the rains - mornings useful for activities, afternoons best spent in shade.

Best Time to Visit Borikham #

Climate

Borikham's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with hot summers (peaking in June) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 14°C to 32°C. Heavy rainfall (3165 mm/year), wettest in July with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit

JanuaryNovemberDecember

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

43°

Warmest Month

3°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. The driest month with just 4 mm and mostly sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

19°

Feels Like Mild

19°C

Temperature

14° – 25°

71%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

4 mm

Rainfall

1.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.5

UV Index

High

11.0h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Light rainfall.

89 Excellent

Comfort

20°

Feels Like Mild

20°C

Temperature

15° – 26°

65%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

22 mm

Rainfall

1.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.6

UV Index

Very High

11.4h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm).

85 Excellent

Comfort

23°

Feels Like Mild

23°C

Temperature

18° – 29°

62%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

69 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

11.9h daylight

April

April is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

21° – 31°

63%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

111 mm

Rainfall

1.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.0

UV Index

Very High

12.4h daylight

May

May is hot, feeling like 30°C due to high humidity. Heavy rain (454 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

30°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

23° – 32°

75%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

454 mm

Rainfall

1.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.0

UV Index

Extreme

12.9h daylight

June

June is the hottest month, feeling like 34°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (600 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

34°

Feels Like Hot

29°C

Temperature

25° – 32°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

600 mm

Rainfall

1.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

13.1h daylight

July

July is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (724 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

33°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

25° – 32°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

724 mm

Rainfall

1.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

13.0h daylight

August

August is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (655 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

33°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

24° – 31°

89%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

655 mm

Rainfall

1.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

12.6h daylight

September

September is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (390 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

27°

Feels Like Warm

27°C

Temperature

23° – 31°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

390 mm

Rainfall

1.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

12.1h daylight

October

October is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

25°

Feels Like Warm

25°C

Temperature

21° – 30°

81%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

102 mm

Rainfall

1.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

11.6h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 17°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

22°

Feels Like Mild

22°C

Temperature

17° – 27°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

27 mm

Rainfall

1.0 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.6

UV Index

Very High

11.2h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

20°

Feels Like Mild

20°C

Temperature

14° – 25°

72%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

7 mm

Rainfall

1.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.4

UV Index

High

10.9h daylight

How to Get to Borikham

By Air

By Train & Bus

How to Get Around Borikham #

Borikham is a small Laotian town where walking and tuk-tuks (or motorbike taxis) cover most local trips. Regional buses connect the town to provincial centres; services are inexpensive but can be infrequent, so allow extra travel time.

Where to Stay in Borikham #

Budget

Borikham (stay in Paksan / Vientiane) - $8-60/night

Borikham (Bolikhamsai) is rural with few formal guesthouses; budget travellers often stay in Paksan or travel on to Vientiane for more options.

Budget stays in Paksan (nearby) - Basic guesthouses in provincial centre.
Hostels in Vientiane (for more choice) - More budget options in the capital.

Mid-Range

Paksan / Vientiane (nearby) - $40-120/night

Mid-range accommodation is limited locally; for reliable mid-price hotels, base in Paksan or Vientiane and day-trip into Bolikhamsai.

Paksan mid-range hotels (Booking listings) - Comfortable provincial hotels, limited facilities.
Boutique hotels in Vientiane - Better amenities and dining options.

Luxury

Vientiane / regional luxury - $150+/night

There are no luxury resorts in Borikham; travellers seeking upscale amenities should look to Vientiane or well-appointed regional lodges farther away.

Anantara Vientiane Resort (regional luxury) - Riverside luxury in the capital.
Selected riverfront luxury lodges (regional) - Premium stays further afield.

Where to Eat in Borikham #

Nightlife in Borikham #

Nightlife is very limited - expect a few local bars or night-time eateries. There is no formal club or live-music scene; evenings are generally relaxed and local.

Shopping in Borikham #

Shopping consists of small markets and roadside stalls selling fresh food, basic household items and local crafts. For a broader selection shoppers travel to provincial towns.