Hotels in Pakse

Pakse: Gateway to the Bolaven Plateau and the Mekong South

Pakse sits at the confluence of the Mekong River and the Xe Don River in southern Laos, roughly 700 km south of Vientiane. Founded as a French colonial administrative post in 1905, the city retains a grid of low-rise colonial-era shophouses alongside Wat Luang, one of the oldest temples in Champasak Province. The Champasak Palace Hotel — a former royal residence built in the 1960s — anchors the city's skyline and serves as a visible landmark for orientation.

Where to Stay and Getting Around

Most hotels concentrate along Route 13 near the Xe Don riverfront and around the Day Market (Talat Dao Heuang), which sells Bolaven coffee, dried mushrooms, and textiles. Travelers use Pakse as a base for day trips to the Bolaven Plateau (40 km east), the Khmer ruins at Wat Phu (45 km south in Champasak), and the 4,000 Islands (Si Phan Don) a further 120 km downriver. Pakse International Airport receives direct flights from Bangkok, Vientiane, and Siem Reap.

Practical Tips

• Currency: Lao Kip; USD and Thai Baht widely accepted in hotels and larger restaurants.
• Best season: November to February — dry season with temperatures around 25–30 °C.
• Transport: Minivan shuttles to Don Det (Si Phan Don) depart the southern bus terminal each morning around 08:00.
• Altitude note: The Bolaven Plateau sits at 1,000–1,350 m — pack a light layer for evenings even in dry season.