Pakse, Laos: travel guide
Southern Laos Hub — a bustling town on the Mekong, famous for the Four Thousand Islands and as a gateway to Cambodia border crossings.
- Country
- Laos
- Currency
- LAK
- Time zone
- Asia/Bangkok
- Nearest airport
- PKZ
Top places to visit in Pakse
Wat Phu Champasak UNESCO Temple
Temple · 4.8 rating · about 4 h · entry LAK 50,000
A magnificent pre-Angkor Khmer temple complex on the slopes of Phu Pasak mountain, predating Angkor Wat by centuries. The mountain-hugging terraces, stone lingas, and sacred spring create an extraordinary spiritual landscape. UNESCO World…
Si Phan Don Four Thousand Islands
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 8 h
The Four Thousand Islands region where the Mekong fans out into dozens of channels through a labyrinth of sandbars and islands at the Cambodian border. The combination of giant waterfalls, rare dolphins, and island life makes this one of…
Dao Heuang Market Pakse
Market · 4.2 rating · about 1.5 h
Pakse largest market covering everything from fresh produce to textiles, hardware, and electronics. The food section is excellent for local Lao breakfasts — baguettes, Lao coffee, and noodle soups.
Irrawaddy River Dolphin Viewing
Wildlife · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · entry LAK 50,000
The critically endangered Irrawaddy river dolphin survives in a small pool of the Mekong near Don Khon and Don Det. Boat trips to the dolphin pool offer sightings of these rare freshwater dolphins between December and May.
Tad Lo Bolaven Plateau Falls
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 4 h · entry LAK 20,000
A beautiful multi-tiered waterfall on the Xe Set River in the Bolaven Plateau foothills surrounded by an Alak ethnic minority village. Swimming, elephant rides, and an elephant sanctuary nearby.
Pakse Evening Mekong Market
Market · 4.3 rating · about 2 h
Pakse evening market along the Mekong with food stalls selling grilled Mekong fish, papaya salad, sticky rice, and cold BeerLao with river views.
Tad Yuang Waterfall Bolaven
Nature · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · entry LAK 20,000
A beautiful waterfall on the Bolaven Plateau easily accessible from the main Bolaven loop road — two tiers of falls with a good swimming hole at the base. Popular picnic spot for Pakse locals at weekends.
Wat Luang Pakse Main Temple
Temple · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h
The most important and centrally located temple in Pakse, housing a school for Buddhist monks and a large complex with multiple shrines. The temple compound fronts directly onto the main road through central Pakse.
Se Pian National Protected Area
Wildlife · 4.6 rating · about 5 h · entry LAK 50,000
A large national protected area east of Pakse covering wetlands, forests, and the Se Pian River, home to rare wildlife including giant ibis, white-shouldered ibis, and banteng. A birdwatcher and wildlife destination of international…
Se Done River and Wetlands Pakse
Nature · 4.3 rating · about 3 h · entry LAK 50,000
The confluence of the Se Done River and the Mekong near Pakse creates extensive wetlands and sandbars that attract migratory birds from November to March. Boat trips explore the wetlands and pass traditional fishing communities.
Tomo Temple Ruins
Temple · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h
A small but evocative pre-Angkor Khmer temple ruin on an island in the Mekong near Champasak, accessible only at low water season by boat. The laterite stone blocks, carved lintels, and isolated setting make it a fascinating and rarely…
Phu Asa Hilltop Ancient Ruins
Heritage · 4.2 rating · about 2 h · entry LAK 20,000
Ancient stone ruins on a hilltop plateau near Champasak predating the Khmer period. Stone lintels, walls, and structural foundations in a forested hilltop setting with views over the Mekong floodplain.
Things to do
- Pakse Si Phan Don 4000 Islands Hammock Life Boat · 10 h · from LAK 691,000 per person
- Pakse Wat Phu Khmer Temple Full Day Heritage Tour Heritage · 8 h · from LAK 807,000 per person
- Pakse Mekong Sunset Heritage Cruise Champasak Boat · 3 h · from LAK 576,000 per person
- Pakse Paksong Bolaven Coffee Estate Day Trip Nature · 8 h · from LAK 691,000 per person
- Pakse Irrawaddy Dolphin Boat Si Phan Don Critical Wildlife · 6 h · from LAK 691,000 per person
- Pakse Bolaven Plateau Tat Fan Tat Yuang Waterfalls Adventure · 8 h · from LAK 576,000 per person
- Pakse Traditional Lao Cooking Class Champasak Heritage · 5 h · from LAK 461,000 per person
- Pakse Mekong Plains Cycling Lao Village Life Sightseeing · 6 h · from LAK 346,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Wat Phu & Bolaven Plateau Grand Loop 10 h · from LAK 1,339,000
Where to stay in Pakse
- Route 13 South — Mekong–Se Don Confluence about LAK 4,200 per night
The main hotel and restaurant strip in Pakse running along Route 13 near the confluence of the Mekong and Se Don rivers. Champasak Palace Hotel landmark, Delta Coffee row, and easy minivan access to Wat Phu and the…
Hotels
- La Folie Lodge Pakse 5-star · LAK 2,000,000 to LAK 6,000,000 per night
- Residence Sisouk Pakse Hotel 4-star · LAK 600,000 to LAK 1,600,000 per night
- Daosavanh Resort & Spa Pakse 5-star · LAK 1,500,000 to LAK 4,500,000 per night
- River Resort Champasak 4-star · USD 90 to USD 220 per night
- Tad Fane Resort Paksong 4-star · LAK 800,000 to LAK 2,200,000 per night
- Wat Phu Lodge Pakse 4-star · LAK 600,000 to LAK 1,600,000 per night
Where to eat
- Morning Market Pakse Food Stalls Lao, Street Food, Market · about LAK 25,000 per person
- Xe Don Riverside Lao BBQ Night Lao, Barbecue, Seafood · about LAK 70,000 per person
- Mekong River Sunset Bar Pakse Bar, Lao, Street Food · about LAK 60,000 per person
- Lao Sausage Night Market Stall Lao, Street Food, Barbecue · about LAK 30,000 per person
- Tam Mak Hoong Champion Pakse Lao, Street Food, Regional · about LAK 25,000 per person
- Pakse Juice and Smoothie Bar Drinks, Healthy, Lao · about LAK 20,000 per person
- Champasak Coconut Ice Cream Stall Lao, Desserts, Street Food · about LAK 15,000 per person
- Pakse Night Food Market Extension Lao, Street Food, Market · about LAK 25,000 per person
Getting around
- Scooter Rental main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Tuktuk main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Tuk-tuk "free tour"
Major tourist zones
Cheap city tour ends at gem shops where the driver collects commission.
How to avoid it: Use LOCA app. Confirm destination + price first.
Fake Bus/Tour Booking
Pakse bus station, guest house touts
Unlicensed touts near the Pakse bus terminal sell "express" bus tickets to tourist destinations at inflated prices, sometimes for routes that don't exist on the claimed schedule. Tickets may be for lower-quality services.
How to avoid it: Buy bus tickets only from the official ticket office at Pakse Northern Bus Terminal or from well-reviewed travel agents. Compare prices and schedules. Confirm your departure point — some services depart from different terminals.
Motorbike Rental Damage Scam
Rental shops along Route 13, Pakse
Same scam as Vang Vieng — rental shops claim damage on return that was pre-existing, demanding large deposits or extra payment.
How to avoid it: Thoroughly photograph all existing damage before accepting any rental vehicle. Use shops recommended by your guesthouse and check recent reviews. Avoid paying large cash deposits.
Best time to visit Pakse
- May 36°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for May: 203.4 mm, 16 days with >=1 mm (station 48955 Pakse).
- Jun 34°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for June: 290.7 mm, 20 days with >=1 mm (station 48955 Pakse).
- Jul 32°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for July: 422.4 mm, 23 days with >=1 mm (station 48955 Pakse).
- Aug 31°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for August: 444.2 mm, 24 days with >=1 mm (station 48955 Pakse).
- Sep 31°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for September: 367.2 mm, 20 days with >=1 mm (station 48955 Pakse).