An absolute ‘must do’ whilst in Laos is to visit the gorgeous Kuang Si Waterfall. Of course, this place is very touristy as expected, however it is stunning and was definitely one of the highlights of my trip to Laos.

As you enter the area you are surrounded by a range of bright turquoise natural pools, numerous falls and finally the stunning main waterfall- a 50m high cascade nestled between the forest. You can swim in some of the gorgeous pools and climb the steps to enjoy the view from the top.

Where is it?

The falls are a short ride from Luang Prabang, around 29km south.

How to get there?

There are a range of ways you can get to the falls from Luang Prabang. The journey will take you approximately 45 minutes by car, tuk tuk or scooter/motorbike. Here are some more details on different transport options:

• Shared tuk tuk- I was quoted around 50,000 kip (£4.80) (6USD) per person based on 4-5 people sharing the journey.
• Private tuk tuk- A private tuk tuk will cost you a little more probably around 200,000 kip (£15-20) (20-25 USD) for the day and they will drop you off and wait for you until you are finished.
• You can also take a shared car or van. Hostels offer tours for these and they are very reasonable approximately 60,000 kip per person (£5.50) (7USD) for a shared van where you can enjoy a full day at the falls.
• Bicycle- If you’re the fit and adventurous type, why not bike to the falls?  It is mostly uphill and the roads are fairly long and bumpy, however if you’re up for a challenge, why not give it a go! I had considered setting off early morning and biking to the falls to be there in time for opening, however after having a late night I changed my mind (I am really not a morning person!). Bikes can be rented for a couple of pounds/dollars for the day so are a cheap option if you’re on a tight budget.
• Motorbike/Scooter- Myself and a friend decided to rent a scooter and split the cost between us for the journey and fuel. We hired the scooter from our hostel for the full day and this meant we could choose what time we wanted to go and leave and didn’t have to rely upon anyone else. It took us around 40minutes to get there and was a fairly easy journey. The scooter cost us (£8.00) $10USD to rent for the day so not a bad price.

How much is it?

The entrance fee is 20,000kip (£2.00) or ($2.50 USD) per person and also includes the Bear Sanctuary.

Opening times

It is open every day from 8.00-5.30pm.

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Best time to go?

The best time of year to visit is between December and April/May as the monsoon season has finished. During monsoon season (July-October) the heavy rain transforms the colour of the pools to a murkier grey colour rather than the gorgeous turquoise clear water. I would recommend trying to visit on a weekday as it gets super crowded on a weekend with locals. The earlier you can visit on the morning, the better. We arrived around 10am and it was still fairly busy however after lunch it became much more crowded with large groups arriving.

How long should you spend there?

It is entirely up to you and how much time you have/want to spend here. We spent the whole day here, relaxing in the different pools, enjoying lunch and climbing to the top to observe the view. There are places you can enjoy a picnic if you wish you bring your own food or if not, there are several local restaurants and venders outside. There are also changing rooms so you can take a change of clothes.

Things to do at the falls

• Relax and swim in the turquoise pools- There are a number of pools you can swim and relax in. The first initial plunge can take your breath away as the water is pretty cold, however you soon warm up with the heat of the sun. Make sure you take note of the signage as some of the pools state ‘no swimming’ and are considered sacred by the locals. There are changing rooms next to the first couple of falls which you can use. I did not see any lockers and therefore we had to leave our valuables close to where we were swimming. I would recommend purchasing a dry bag if you do not have someone to watch your belongings whilst in the water.

• Climb to the top of the main waterfall and observe the view through the trees- As you walk past the pools you will reach the footbridge and the amazing main waterfall. To the left is a stairway that will lead you to the top of the fall. The hike to the top should take you around 15 minutes depending on your level of fitness. We did it in flip flops and found it a little difficult with no railings, many rocks and water covering some parts of it, however it was doable. At the top there are a couple of pools and a view in between the trees of the fall. The walk down is much easier and will bring you out at the footbridge.

• Visit the Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre.

The Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre

After you pay your entrance fee and enter the area, you will walk through the bear rescue centre. Although it may look like a zoo, it is a sanctuary that has rescued bears. The sanctuary has rescued a large number of Asiatic black bears from horrific circumstances and rehomed them here. You can spend time reading about each bear and their experiences before they came to the centre.  

The centre does not receive any percentage towards the entrance fee so they sell t-shirts and other items to fund themselves. If you wish to support the bears and the sanctuary, please purchase a t-shirt.

Kuang Si Waterfalls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls I have seen and the fact you can swim in them is even better! So if you are ever in Laos, make sure you pay a visit to the waterfalls.