Your Tourist Dollar Goes A Lot Further In This Under-The-Radar Adventurous Country

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If you want to visit one of Southeast Asia's most underrated countries where the U.S. dollar goes furthest, Laos is not only affordable, but full of low-cost, adventurous attractions for thrill-seekers. For adrenaline-junkies, there's an array of affordable, action-packed activities scattered throughout this somewhat overlooked country, from paramotoring in central Laos to ziplining in the south at a fraction of the cost you would pay elsewhere. The country has definitely earned a spot on the list of best hot air balloon rides around the world, especially when it costs three times less in Laos than in more well-known spots, like Dubai.

According to a study from HelloSafe, a financial website, Laos was ranked the most affordable travel destination in the world in 2025. By examining data like accommodation costs, food prices, domestic transportation expenses, and attraction fees, the average traveler would likely spend about $16 a day in Laos, according to the study. While most travelers head to Thailand, with over 32 million tourists that visited last year, Laos receives a fraction of that with around 4 million. But, if it's adventure you are seeking, Laos does not disappoint. Not only in the range of activities the country offers, but the affordable prices associated with them.

Wattay International Airport in Vientiane is the main airport for international travelers heading to Laos. Getting around the country is affordable too. From Vientiane, you can hop aboard the high-speed trains on the Laos-China Railway that connect major tourism cities in the north to the border of China in Boten. Download the official LCR Ticket app to book a seat, which includes a QR code that acts as your ticket. It's recommended to buy your ticket in advance, within three days of your departure date, in the early morning, as tickets tend to sell out fast. To reach cities in the south, you can book an overnight sleeping bus for about $15, saving you money on accommodation, but not by much, as most hostels start at $4 per night, including breakfast.

It's recommended to spend at least a week in sports-centric Vang Vieng, which can be reached in about two hours from the capital on a $5 mini-bus. The lively backpacker-packed town offers a wide range of activities, from discovering the area's numerous crystal-clear blue lagoons, kayaking or tubing down the Nam Song River for just about $4 per person, or tubing through Tham Nam cave. Full-day to half-day tours of the area start at $50 per person, depending on the number of activities you want to experience. However, the most cost-effective way is a DIY approach, by renting a scooter or a dune buggy to explore it at your own pace. That way, you can pay entrance fees directly at each activity you choose, avoiding the often overpriced entrance fees regularly included in tours.

The standard price for renting a scooter is usually around $7 for eight hours, and a dune buggy that fits two to four people usually starts as low as $32, with pricing based on hourly rates. Most lagoons charge $1 to enter. Escape the heat in the refreshing Blue Lagoon 3, which also provides a free zip line that you can use to your heart's content, with treks to caves and viewpoints, an on-site restaurant, bamboo rafts, and even a pool table.

For the ultimate experience, book a sunrise or sunset hot air balloon ride or a paramotor experience for incredible views of the city and the karst limestone cliffs and mountains that surround it. The paramotoring starts at $45, while the hot-air balloons are around $70, both extremely affordable and unforgettable. Instead of booking in advance, wait until you are in town to visit the local, independent operators that will quote you half the price of what is usually advertised online.

In Southern Laos, the Bolaven Plateau is dotted with numerous striking waterfalls, zipline experiences, and water-based sports. The city of Pakse is the main gateway to these outdoor activities. You can rent a motorbike for cheap, but if you don't drive, the most cost-effective option is to take a tuk-tuk tour. Tour agencies can be on the expensive side, usually charging in the hundreds of dollars per person, depending on the group size. The most affordable way to go is to visit Sanga Hostel, which can arrange a group tour for you. Even if you aren't a guest there, you can join other travelers on a full-day tour to the most impressive waterfalls in the area, along with a visit to a coffee plantation. For groups of six or more, it's around $9 a person, excluding entrance and zipline fees.

The most striking waterfall in the area is Tad Fane (Fane Waterfall), which includes twin cascading, gushing falls that are about 400 feet high. To view the falls, the entrance fee is about $1.50. Inside, you'll find a coffee shop and lots of viewpoint platforms to admire the falls. The zipline is incredible and a budget-friendly must-do. It includes multiple scenic ziplines that go near the falls, and over several valleys for just $40, and for an additional $8, you can get it recorded. For a unique experience, sip a cup of coffee while on a zipline "table" or even chill out in a hammock over the falls for $60.

Head to Don Det for more water-fueled action. Known in Laos as the "4,000 islands," the area boasts Southeast Asia's largest waterfall in terms of water volume: the powerful Khone Phapheng Waterfall. Here, the laidback area is a backpacker favorite, popular for its low-cost riverside bungalows, bikeable islands, and full-day Mekong kayaking tours that cost around $20 including lunch.