Laos Falls, Caves and Visitor Centres
Advisory, October 2026: Several of the places below deal with the bombing of Laos, and the danger it left is current. Unexploded ordnance from 1964 to 1973 remains in the countryside, so stay on cleared paths and never pick up metal objects. The UK government advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun province. Methanol has poisoned visitors in bars, and falls and rivers have drowned swimmers, so drink sealed bottles and swim only where signs allow. Check the FCDO safety page and the US advisory .
The best attractions in Laos are a waterfall, a river cave, a cave of Buddha images and a few visitor centres that explain the war legacy. All are easy half-day outings from a main town, and tours or shared vans reach most of them. Fees are in Lao kip (LAK), at about 22,000 to 22,500 to the US dollar.
Luang Prabang entry fees at a glance
Kuang Si and Pak Ou both raise their foreigner prices on 15 November 2026, according to the provincial tourism office. Lao residents pay far less.
| Attraction | Open | Foreigner fee to 14 Nov 2026 | From 15 Nov 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuang Si Falls | 08:00 to 17:30 | 60,000 LAK | 100,000 LAK |
| Pak Ou Caves | 08:00 to 17:00 | 30,000 LAK | 60,000 LAK |
The tourism office announced the later prices, so confirm them at the gate.
Kuang Si Falls and the bear centre
Kuang Si lies about 30 km from town. Children under 12 enter free, and Lao nationals pay 20,000 LAK. A tuk-tuk or shared van costs about 60,000 LAK a head, or about 250,000 LAK for a private vehicle. The water is clearest from November to April and can turn brown in August and September. Swim only in the pools marked by signs, use the changing rooms, and dress modestly when you are out of the water, because bikinis and bare chests away from the pools draw disapproval. The tourism office has the latest details.
The Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre, run with Free the Bears, is inside the same grounds and needs no extra ticket. It shelters rescued Asiatic black bears, often called moon bears.
Pak Ou Caves
A river trip of about 1.5 hours upstream leads to Tham Ting. Its lower cave holds thousands of Buddha images, and steps climb to an upper cave. Lao nationals pay 15,000 LAK. You pay the boat separately. Boats often pause at Ban Xang Hai, a lao-lao rice spirit village, and at Don Khoun island. The Pak Ou page gives the schedule.
Centres that explain the bombing
- COPE Visitor Centre, Vientiane. Entry is free and it is open daily from 08:30 to 17:00, though the website also mentions a 16:00 close, so aim for the morning. It stands on Khouvieng Road in the grounds of the Centre for Medical Rehabilitation, across from the Green Park Hotel. The Cave Cinema screens documentaries, and Karma Cafe serves from outside the building. The shop and donations help pay for prosthetics. See the COPE visit page .
- UXO Lao Visitor Centre, Luang Prabang. Entry is free and donations are welcome. It is in Wat Naviengkham village behind the Souphanouvong monument, about a 12-minute walk from the centre. The tourism office lists daily hours of 08:00 to 16:00, so confirm before a special trip.
- MAG Visitor Information Centre, Vientiane. It reopened on 25 July 2025 and opens Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 18:00. Ask locally about the Phonsavan centre’s hours.
Kong Lor Cave
This river cave in Khammouane province runs for 7.5 km. It is about 185 km from Thakhek and 45 km off Road 8, so most visitors sleep in Kong Lor village first. Boats cost about 250,000 LAK per person, or 350,000 LAK for a solo traveller, and the price reportedly includes park and cave fees. The cave opens from 08:00 to 17:00 and the last boat leaves at 16:00. Allow 75 to 90 minutes inside. Confirm the fare on arrival.
Read more: day trips in Laos lists how to reach each place, and sightseeing in Laos covers temples and ruins. A longer route is in the Laos four day itinerary . Organised outings are searchable on GetYourGuide .