Pakbeng Travel Guide

Plan to explore the Mekong River in Laos, don’t miss Pakbeng Village. Wondering why it is considered a must-visit destination, check out the following Pakbeng travel guide.

General information

Pakbeng is a small village in Laos on the Mekong River, about halfway between the Thai border at Huay Xai and Luang Prabang, Laos. A sealed road connects Pakbeng to Oudomxai along the Nam Beng River. It has many famous places, including the Mekong Elephant Park, and is well worth a visit.

How to get to & around Pakbeng

Most visitors will have to spend the night here on their way to or from Luang Prabang by slow boat. It is also possible to arrive by a speedboat while traveling north. Although much more uncomfortable than the slow boat, you will arrive before the slow boat, giving you the option of selecting a guesthouse and showering with no lines. You also get to see the town from a unique perspective as the only Westerner.

Another option is to take the bus, which is a difficult and time-consuming option. The Pakbeng bus station is 2.1 kilometers outside of town on the main road. Travelers can move around the city in a tuk-tuk or a car rented.

Best Time to visit Pakbeng

Pakbeng’s weather is divided into four seasons, with literally high average temperatures and a good chance of precipitation about half of the year. Because of the hottest months, spring, which runs from March to May, is the slowest season for tourism. Winter, on the other hand, is the busiest season from December to February because there is the least chance of precipitation and pleasantly warm weather for tourists. Summer is also the second busiest season for tourism in Pakbeng.

The best time to visit PakBeng is between October to February, when the weather is not hot, and the humidity is manageable. It is an excellent time to be outdoors and enjoy boat rides on the Mekong.

Best Places to Visit in Pakbeng

Wat Kok Koh

If you are looking for sights while in town, you should visit the two famous wats, one of which is Wat Kok Koh. This is the less well-known of the two Wats in Pak Beng, but it is still worth a visit if you are in the area. It’s a particularly nice hike if you’ve arrived in Pak Beng by boat and want to get some exercise before continuing on. The wat itself is unremarkable, but it does offer beautiful views of the town.

Mekong River

Pak Beng is well-known as a stopping point on the slow ferry between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang. If you choose this option, it will take you two days to travel between the two cities, but that is part of the appeal of this mode of transportation. The slow boat transports you back in time to a time when people were less hurried than they are today, and you will be able to take in the breathtaking scenery along the way.

Mekong Elephant Park

The Mekong Elephant Park is an eco-tourism project on the Mekong’s banks, opposite the village of Pakbeng. It was founded in 2008 to provide visitors with the opportunity to learn about the important role elephants play in Lao culture and why it is critical to protect them. All funds raised through visits and donations are used to save elephants, feed them, provide veterinary care, provide land, and build infrastructure.

Local village

Pak Beng does not have much in the way of tourist infrastructure, but a few tours have begun in the area in recent years. These include treks that will take you out into the surrounding area. The countryside surrounding Pak Beng is covered in small villages that are the homes of local communities, and you can now hike out to see how people have lived here for centuries.

Market stalls

If you want to buy some food before taking the boat to Luang Prabang or Huay Xai, you should visit the local market stalls located along the main road. Here you will find crunchy local baguettes filled with a variety of ingredients such as omelets or cheese, which will keep you going on a long boat trip.

Where and What to Eat in Pakbeng

Ounhoan Restaurant

It’s a lively spot with long wood tables, music, and friendly staff that creates a welcoming atmosphere. At 35,000 kip, the Lao/Thai soups and curries are excellent. The large menu signboard here is similar to the other restaurants in town, but it attracts the majority of customers. It serves the usual stir-fry, spring rolls, and steaks. Furthermore, we did not have to wait long for our food.

DP Restaurant

It debuted in February 2015. It’s the most mainstream Western restaurant in town, with sleek signage, a brightly lit interior, and even outlets in the walls for flashpackers to recharge their valuable electronic connections to the outside world. Their menu is small and focused on Western fare.

Sabaidee Sivilay Restaurant

The place is quite quirky, and visitors enjoy the menus that double as guestbooks, allowing them to read previous visitors’ feedback. The food is good, and the restaurant had a family feel to it, with children helping to clear plates and so on. Here you can enjoy many Laos cuisine such as red curry.

BKC River view restaurant

BKC River View Restaurant has a fantastic terrace on the Mekong River. You will not be disappointed if you come here to eat. There are also many choices for vegans.

Kopchai Deu

A short walk up the left road from the pier, across from Mekong Riverside Lodge, is the better option for those who love Indian cuisine. Among restaurants that serve Indian food, Kopchai Deu is more authentic, and the chef clearly puts in many efforts.

Travel Tips

Pakbeng is located in the Golden Triangle, in the heart of one of the world’s drug production zones. From the moment you arrive in Pakbeng, you will be offered weed and opium, as well as cocaine and amphetamines, the latter of which is typically Burmese in origin. If you buy anything, you will almost certainly be approached soon by a different guy who apparently will hand you over to the cops if you don’t pay, usually USD 20-50.

Power outages can occur even in touristy areas, so it’s understandable to call Pakbeng sleepy. Most of the town closes at 10 p.m., so if you go out at night, bring a torch or a mobile phone.

We hope the information in the article above is helpful to you. Do not hesitate to contact us if you want to know more about Pakbeng.