|
Laos Travel Tips
LaosInternet cafés can be found in larger towns, however access speeds are usually painfully slow. The most reliable connections are in Vientiane. In many normal cafés they offer free WiFi-access for customers. GPRS via mobile phone is also an option, especially if you have a local or Thai SIM.
The Lao currency is the kip, which is non-convertible (outside Laos), unstable and generally inflationary. As of Feb 2011, there are around 10,000 kip to the euro and 8000 kip to the US dollar. Make sure that you get rid of all your kip before you leave the country (unless keeping a handful as a souvenir), since there will be no possibility to exchange it in other countries. The Vientiane airport for example will exchange your kip into dollars.
.
The largest note is only 50000 kip, the other notes in common circulation are 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000 and 20000 kip; withdrawing the maximum of 700,000 kip from an ATM (about US$70) could result in 70 notes of 10000 kip each.
.
There are now quite a few ATMs in Vientiane, and they have also appeared in other major cities including Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Savannekhet, Tha Khaek, Pakse and Luang Namtha.
.
.
|



