Laos Travel Cost for Golf: A Breakdown of Details

Laos is frequently underestimated as a travel destination within Southeast Asia. Despite lacking the renown of its neighboring countries, there’s an abundance of attractions awaiting exploration! Even with the growing influx of tourists in the past twenty years, Laos has managed to preserve its genuine Southeast Asian allure, a quality that other nations in the region are, arguably, starting to lose. So, how much does it really cost for a golf holiday in Laos? Let’s break down the detailed Laos travel cost in the following article.

Currency in Laos

Laos currency

The present currency in use in Laos is the Lao Kip (LAK), and similar to many Southeast Asian nations, it has undergone several transformations. Each time a new governing group took charge of the country, they issued their own version of the Kip. However, during the 1940s, the French introduced an entirely distinct currency called the French Indochinese Piastre.

In Laos, coins are not used due to the significant levels of inflation that have afflicted the country since the Soviet Union’s collapse. Laos had strong ties with the Soviet Union, which provided substantial international aid. Consequently, it is common to handle banknotes valued as high as 100,000 LAK!

Laos Currency Exchange Rates

It’s important to note that currency exchange rates can fluctuate frequently, so we always recommend checking the current market rates before embarking on your trip!

• $1 USD = 19,966 LAK
• £1 GBP = 24,739 LAK
• €1 EUR = 21,297 LAK

A Breakdown of Laos Travel Cost

Green Fees in Laos

Lao Country Club

Green fees at Laos golf courses can vary depending on the golf course you choose to play at. Prices can range from approximately $30 to $50 or more for a round of golf, and it often includes the use of a golf cart and a caddie fee. Keep in mind that prices may change over time, so it’s advisable to check with the specific golf course you plan to visit for the most up-to-date information on green fees and any additional charges. Additionally, some golf courses may offer special rates or packages for visitors, so it’s a good idea to inquire about any promotions or discounts that may be available.

Accommodation in Laos

Accommodation is one of the biggest variables in your total trip cost, depending on comfort level and length of stay.

• Budget (backpacker / short stay 1–3 days): Hostels or guesthouses from $5 – $15 per night
• Mid-range (most golfers / 3–7 days): Hotels with AC and breakfast from $25 – $50 per night
• Higher-end (resorts / longer stays 5–7 days+): Boutique hotels or resorts from $60 – $120+ per night

For golf travelers, mid-range hotels are the most common choice, offering comfort without significantly increasing total trip cost. Longer stays often come with better nightly rates or packages.

Transportation in Laos

Private car rental service in Laos

The most common means of transportation in Laos for golfers are taxis, which cost around 2 – 4 USD for a short trip. This price also varies by location and time of the day. However, a common problem in Laos is that most taxis don’t have a meter and drivers may quote you two or three times the actual price.

To avoid these terrible cases, you can opt for a private car service. This way, you will hire a car with a driver with a daily cost. You can go everywhere you want, at any time of the day with a fixed price at the beginning. You can also choose what type of vehicle you want to travel; for example, Fortuner, Range Rover, Toyota Prado, or even Lexus.

If you travel from province to province, the Laos travel cost for domestic planes is quite cheap, in comparison to neighboring countries. It costs an average of 40 USD per flight.

Food and Drink

Papaya salad – a famous food in Laos

Mid-range restaurants in Laos often charge around 6 USD per meal. This is the cheapest price in Southeast Asia. Western eateries in this country cost more, for more than 10 USD per serving. This amount of money is also applied if you want to eat right in the course layout.

Street food in Laos is worth trying as well. It is not only delicious but also very cheap, about 1 – 3 USD per dish. You can join a night food tour in Laos after spending a day on the course.

Tap water in this country is far from safe. Even local people tend not to drink or eat. So, you need to pay a little bit more for bottled water, which is often about 0.25 USD for a 1.5-liter bottle.

In Laos, don’t forget to sample the local beer. With 1 USD, you can buy a large bottle of Beerlao. It will be a wonderful experience to sit in an outside bar and sip a cup of beer while soaking up the bustling ambiance of Laos’ busy streets. In higher-end bars, you will not find local Laos beer but the imported ones, which is around 2 USD for a small bottle.

Costs for Other Activities in Laos

Visiting Kuang Si Waterfalls in Luang Prabang

Kuang Si Waterfalls

It would be a big mistake to visit and golf in Luang Prabang, Laos without setting foot on the Kuang Si Waterfalls, especially for adventurous lovers. This activity will not take a large part in your Laos travel cost, only 1.5 USD for the entrance fee.

Kuang Si Waterfalls is a complex of seven individual falls, each with a unique beauty combining to create a beautiful sky-blue lagoon. This is also one of the most magnificent waterfalls in Laos, where you can swim in the turquoise water, hike up to the top, enjoy a picnic lunch in the forest, or visit the Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Center.

Visit the COPE Visitor Center in Vientiane

COPE Visitor Center in Vientiane

Laos holds a grim record: it is the most heavily bombed country on earth. Even though the war ended over fifty years ago, about 80 million unexploded “bombies” are still buried in the soil. They are a constant, hidden threat. A farmer can strike one while tilling a field, or a kid might pick one up thinking it’s a ball. These accidents still kill or injure hundreds of people every year.

That is where COPE comes in. Their visitor center in Vientiane isn’t just a museum; it’s the public face of a program that provides prosthetic limbs and rehab to survivors. Because Laos is a poor country with very little medical infrastructure, COPE offers these services for free. Without them, a lot of people would simply never walk again.

The center itself is moving because it’s so practical. You see the handmade legs, the wheelchairs designed for rugged terrain, and the stories of people trying to get their lives back. It explains the history of the “Secret War,” but it focuses more on the people living with its legacy today.

It doesn’t cost anything to get in, but you should probably bring some kip for the donation box. You can also support them by hitting the gift shop. It’s a small team doing very heavy lifting, and they rely almost entirely on people stopping by to keep the lights on.

Plain of Jars

Plain of Jars

Don’t overlook these fascinating stone jar formations, which have a history dating back over 2500 years. These jars vary in size from one to three meters, and the true purpose behind their existence remains a mystery. While ancient tales weave stories of giants using them for brewing beverages, the prevailing belief is that they were originally employed in ancient funeral rites. Nearby discoveries of human remains and excavations in the region suggest their use as crematoriums.

The cost of exploring the Plain of Jars can vary significantly depending on whether you opt for an independent visit or join an organized tour. Independent visits typically entail an entry fee of around 30,000 LAK (USD 1.70) per site. And, it does not significantly affect your Laos travel cost.

Once you arrive at the primary site, well-marked trails lead to others. It’s crucial to adhere to these paths and not stray, as this region of Laos endured heavy bombings during the Vietnam War, leaving numerous unexploded ordnances (UXOs) in the area.

Total Cost of a Golf Holiday in Laos

If you’re planning a trip, $125 to $175 per day is a safe middle-ground estimate. This covers a round of golf, a decent hotel, and your meals. Laos is one of the more affordable spots in Southeast Asia, but “cheap” is relative when you start adding up green fees and private transport.

The daily breakdown (per person):

• Golf: $40 – $80. This usually includes the green fee, a caddie, and a cart at 18-hole championship courses like Lakeview or Luang Prabang Golf Club.
• Stay: $40 – $70. You can find guesthouses for $20, but most golfers want a mid-range hotel with a pool and AC. 4-star spots in Vientiane or Luang Prabang hover around this range.
• Food & Drinks: $20 – $40. Street food is about $2, but a sit-down dinner with some Western comfort food will run you closer to $40
• Transport: $15 – $30. Getting to the courses often requires a private van or a long tuk-tuk ride, as they aren’t usually in the city centers.

Conclusion

From the above information, you can see that the average daily cost for a golf holiday in Laos is about 100 – 150 USD, including green fee, accommodation, transportation, food, and other sightseeing activities. The expense can vary depending on the level of service to enjoy. To whatever aspect you consider, golfing in Laos is quite cheap. Refer to our following Laos golf tours or contact us for a tailor-made holiday if you are ready to explore Laos – The Land of a Million Elephants.

Read more: 

• 6 Days Golf in Vientiane
• Luang Prabang Golf Package 5 Days
• Laos Golf Holiday 7 Days

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