The Best of Cambodia & Laos

able to organize a car and driver for about
$50 a day. If you want to drive yourself,
the most established options are Lao-
Wheels (& 021/223-663 or 020/550-
4604), which provides a very friendly
personal service (there’s no address; you
just call them up), or Asia Vehicle Rental
(354–356 Samsenthai Rd.; & 021/217-
493; www.avr.laopdr.com), which rents a
range of cars, pickups, and bikes.
By Tuk-Tuk & Jumbo
These three-wheeled vehicles are ideal for
short journeys around town. Jumbos
(found only in Vientiane) are a bit larger
than tuk-tuks, and their engine and cabin
size mean they can carry more people.
Both are generally motorbikes with a
trailer welded to the back and cost about
25¢ per kilometer. In both Luang Prabang
and Vientiane, you will need to haggle
hard.
Frommer’s lists prices in U.S. dollars or
local currency, both of which are widely
accepted. The currency conversions
quoted above were correct at press time.
However, rates fluctuate, so before departing,
consult a currency exchange website
such as www.oanda.com/convert/classic to
check up-to-the-minute rates.
Laos in general is still a cheap place to
travel, though you can easily spend a great
deal on accommodations and food in
Luang Prabang, where many hotel rooms
will set you back $200 a night and $30 or
$40 a meal is average. Yet this all changes
once you are in the countryside and
4 MONEY & COSTS
The Value of Lao Kip vs. Other Popular Currencies
By Bicycle
For serious cyclists, as with serious motorcyclists,
Laos is love at first sight. The good
roads, sparse traffic, and fantastic scenery
make it one of the best countries for
cycling in all of Asia. Most cyclists bring
their own bike, but you can rent one in
most towns, and companies run organized
tours, particularly Green Discovery (www.
greendiscoverylaos.com). You should be
aware that some of the maps of Laos are a
bit far-fetched and they shouldn’t be relied
on. Gradients can be misleading and in
northern Laos that can be a real problem.
You will need some preparation for the
hills and the heat. You should let others
know where and when you are going. In
southern Laos it is not too much of an
issue, but parts of the north are a little
wilder. Getting lifts on the backs of trucks
and getting on buses with a bike is no
problem, and there’s no extra cost.
Kip US$ Can$ UK£ Euro (€) Aus$ NZ$
10,000 $1.18 C$1.20 £0.75 0.80€ A$1.30 NZ$1.60
smaller towns, where you can get a room
for as little as $3. If you pay $15 then you
will enjoy relative luxury for that town.
The same is true of dining, and Vientiane
is one of the best places in Asia to dine
well for little money. For $10, you are in
gourmet territory.
The main bank in Laos is the Bank
Pour Le Commerce Extérieur Lao. They
exchange cash and traveler’s checks and
issue U.S. dollars in all the major towns.
They also advance money on MasterCard
and Visa and charge 3% commission. The
Joint Development Bank also changes
cash and traveler’s checks. Both banks
201
PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO LAOS 10
MONEY & COSTS