This calm town in southern Laos sits along the Mekong River, near waterfalls and coffee farms of the Bolaven Plateau. A good starting point for trips to the 4000 islands.
Pakse lies at the meeting point of the Xe Don and Mekong rivers in southern Laos, surrounded by thick forests and coffee farms on high ground. Use the city as a starting point to visit the 5th-century Wat Phou temple ruins, walk through coffee fields on the Bolaven Plateau, and explore the river channels around Si Phan Don’s islands. Each morning, monks walk through Pakse’s streets to collect food offerings at Wat Luang. In the evenings, people gather at open-air stalls along the riverbank to eat grilled meats and noodle soups. Direct flights from Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City make Pakse a practical base for seeing southern Laos’ waterfalls, forest trails, and quiet island communities.
Bolaven Plateau Coffee Farms and Waterfalls
Rent a motorbike or book a tour to explore the Bolaven Plateau east of Pakse. This high area produces much of Laos’ coffee due to rich volcanic soil and regular rain. Stop at working farms like Tata Coffee to try freshly brewed arabica or robusta. Follow marked paths to waterfalls such as Tad Fane, where twin streams drop 120 meters into a tree-lined canyon. Cooler air here makes daytime hikes comfortable between November and March. Villagers sell spices like cinnamon and cardamom at roadside stands along the route.
Wat Phou Temple Ruins and Museum
The 5th-century Wat Phou temple complex sits 40 kilometers southwest of Pakse, recognized by UNESCO for its mix of Hindu and Buddhist carvings. Stone steps lead past weathered sculptures to a hilltop shrine with views across rice fields to the Mekong. Visit before 10 AM to climb the stairs in cooler weather. The on-site museum holds stone carvings and tools excavated from the area. During February’s festival, hundreds of locals light candles and leave flower offerings at the main sanctuary.
Si Phan Don Islands and Mekong River Life
Travel three hours south to Si Phan Don, where the Mekong splits into multiple branches around sandy islands. Wooden guesthouses built over the water provide basic lodging on Don Det and Don Khon. Rent a bicycle to cross narrow bridges linking the islands, passing rice paddies and crumbling brick pillars from an old French railway. Join a boat tour at dusk to spot Irrawaddy dolphins surfacing near the Laos-Cambodia border. Swim in natural pools below Li Phi waterfall or spend an afternoon fishing with villagers.
Pakse Temples and Daily Rituals
Wat Luang, Pakse’s largest temple, holds daily alms ceremonies where residents kneel to offer rice to monks at sunrise. The temple’s gold stupa and faded murals date to the 1930s, blending Lao designs with French colonial arches. At Wat Sopsé near the river, red paper lanterns hang above courtyards filled with smoking incense coils. Student monks here often approach visitors to practice English. Check local event calendars—if your trip aligns with a wedding or festival, you might join music performances or shared meals.
Street Food and Markets in Pakse
Dao Heuang Market opens daily with stalls selling grilled chicken, sticky rice, and bolts of hand-dyed cotton. For breakfast, try khao jee (crusty baguettes stuffed with pork pâté) from vendors on Thanon 46. After sunset, head to family-run kitchens along the Mekong for steamed fish with lemongrass or papaya salad spiked with chili. Meals at these spots typically cost 15,000-30,000 LAK. End the day with strong Lao coffee poured over ice, served alongside sesame-coated banana fritters.
Reaching Pakse and Local Transport
Pakse International Airport handles daily flights from Bangkok and Siem Reap. Tuk-tuks wait outside the terminal for the 10-minute ride to downtown. Buses from Vientiane arrive at Chitpasong Terminal, within walking distance of most guesthouses. Rent a motorbike (80,000-100,000 LAK/day) to visit nearby sites independently, but avoid unpaved roads without experience. Boats leave from Pakse’s river docks for Wat Phou between December and May when water levels permit.
Where to Stay in Pakse
Budget guesthouses near the French Bridge provide fans and shared bathrooms, often filling up by afternoon. Sanga Hostel organizes group motorbike tours and rents reliable bikes for solo trips. Hotels along the Mekong charge higher rates for air-conditioned rooms with balconies facing the river. For a multi-day stay, book a homestay on the Bolaven Plateau to help harvest coffee or cardamom. Reserve accommodations early between November and March, when visitor numbers peak.
Ideal Seasons for Visiting Pakse
November to March brings dry weather with daytime temperatures around 25-30°C, suitable for hiking and motorbike trips. April and May see intense heat, often reaching 40°C by midday. June to October rains make rural roads muddy but keep waterfalls flowing strongly. August’s high water levels can disrupt boat access to Wat Phou. February’s Wat Phou Festival draws crowds for traditional dances and night markets—book lodgings at least two months ahead. Visit popular sites on weekdays to avoid weekend groups from Thailand.
