Things to Do in Laos in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Laos
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak dry season conditions with minimal rainfall - you'll typically see only 2-3 rainy days the entire month, meaning outdoor plans rarely get disrupted. The Mekong sits at ideal levels for slow boat journeys and riverside activities.
- Comfortable temperature range with cool mornings around 15°C (59°F) perfect for sunrise temple visits and trekking, warming to pleasant 27°C (81°F) afternoons. You can actually hike midday without melting, unlike the March-May furnace.
- Excellent visibility for photography and mountain activities - the post-harvest burning hasn't started yet, so you get crystal-clear views of limestone karsts and mountain ranges. February is the last month before the haze season kicks in around mid-March.
- Fewer crowds than December-January holiday rush but still full dry season reliability. Accommodation prices drop 15-20% after Lunar New Year, and you'll have temples and waterfalls largely to yourself on weekdays.
Considerations
- Cooler northern temperatures mean you'll need actual layers for Luang Prabang and mountainous areas - mornings can hit 12°C (54°F) in higher elevations. That lightweight tropical wardrobe won't cut it if you're heading north of Vang Vieng.
- Lunar New Year timing varies (2026 it falls January 29, so early February catches the tail end) which means some family-run restaurants and shops close for 3-5 days, particularly in smaller towns. Banking services can be limited during this period.
- Rivers and waterfalls run lower than rainy season - Kuang Si and Tad Sae waterfalls still flow beautifully but lack the dramatic volume of August-October. Some remote waterfalls in the south might be reduced to trickles.
Best Activities in February
Luang Prabang temple cycling and alms giving ceremonies
February mornings in Luang Prabang are actually cool enough for comfortable cycling - you'll start around 5:30am when it's 15°C (59°F) to catch the alms giving ceremony, then explore 30-plus temples before the midday heat. The dry roads mean mountain bikes handle well on both paved streets and dirt paths to outlying temples. Clear skies give you that golden morning light photographers dream about. The post-New Year period means fewer tour groups clogging Sakkaline Road during the alms ceremony.
Multi-day slow boat journeys on the Mekong
February water levels sit in the sweet spot - high enough for reliable navigation but low enough that sandbanks create interesting stops and riverside camping opportunities. The two-day Huay Xai to Luang Prabang route runs smoothly with comfortable temperatures for the long sitting hours. You'll avoid both the November-December tourist peak and the March heat. Visibility is excellent for spotting riverside villages and limestone cliffs.
Vang Vieng limestone karst exploration and cave tubing
The dry season means cave systems are safely accessible without flood risk, and the Nam Song River runs clear and calm - perfect for tubing without the dangerous currents of rainy season. February temperatures make the 30-45 minute hikes to cave entrances like Tham Phu Kham actually enjoyable rather than sweat-soaked ordeals. The Blue Lagoon sits at ideal levels. You get the adventure without the sketchy conditions that give Vang Vieng its reputation.
Bolaven Plateau waterfall circuits and coffee farm visits
Southern Laos stays warmer in February with daytime temps around 28°C (82°F), making the Bolaven Plateau's elevation around 1,000-1,300m (3,280-4,265 ft) perfectly comfortable for motorbike loops. Waterfalls like Tad Fane and Tad Yuang still have decent flow from residual rainy season water. February is coffee harvest season on the plateau - you can visit working farms, see processing, and taste genuinely fresh roasted beans. The red dirt roads are dry and navigable for confident riders.
Four Thousand Islands kayaking and dolphin spotting
February brings lower Mekong levels which actually improves dolphin spotting around Don Khon - the Irrawaddy dolphins congregate in deeper pools that become more defined. Kayaking between Don Det and Don Khon is straightforward without strong currents. The weather is perfect for full-day island exploration by bicycle, combining waterfalls, French colonial remnants, and riverside villages. Sunset timing around 6:00pm means you finish activities in pleasant temperatures.
Vientiane temple circuits and Mekong riverside evening activities
The capital gets overlooked but February weather makes it genuinely pleasant for walking the compact temple circuit - Pha That Luang, Wat Si Saket, and Patuxai are all within 3 km (1.9 miles). Mornings stay cool enough for the 4 km (2.5 mile) riverside promenade walk or bicycle ride. Evening temperatures around 22°C (72°F) mean the night markets and riverside beer gardens along the Mekong are comfortable rather than sweltering. Clear skies give you proper sunset views across to Thailand.
February Events & Festivals
Makha Bucha Day (Magha Puja)
Falls on the full moon of the third lunar month, which in 2026 lands around February 11. This Buddhist holy day commemorates Buddha's spontaneous gathering of 1,250 disciples. Temples throughout Laos hold evening candlelit processions called wien tien where monks and laypeople circle the main temple building three times holding flowers, incense, and candles. Luang Prabang and Vientiane temples like Wat Si Saket put on particularly moving ceremonies. Alcohol sales are officially banned nationwide, though enforcement varies.
Post-Lunar New Year temple merit-making
While Lunar New Year itself falls late January 2026, the first two weeks of February see extended family gatherings and temple visits as people return to their home villages. You'll notice increased temple activity, particularly in northern Laos, with locals making merit, offering food to monks, and performing house blessings. Markets sell special offerings and you might catch traditional lam vong circle dancing at village celebrations.