Wise Logo
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a trusted money transfer service used by millions of digital nomads worldwide.

Low-fee international transfers.

Affiliate disclosure

Pakse, Laos 🇱🇦
#658 ,

Nomad Score: 58%

💰 Cost & Affordability

💸 Cost of Living
87% Weight: 150
Very affordable living costs compared to many Southeast Asian cities, with low prices for daily expenses.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
85% Weight: 80
Budget guesthouses and apartments are inexpensive; mid-range options remain affordable.
🍎 Food & Groceries
89% Weight: 40
Local markets and street food offer cheap and tasty options; imported goods are pricier but still reasonable.
🚌 Transportation Cost
90% Weight: 20
Local transport is very cheap; tuk-tuks and motorbike rentals are affordable and common.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
78% Weight: 15
Limited nightlife and entertainment options but affordable when available.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
52% Weight: 10
Few gyms with basic facilities; prices are moderate but options are limited.
💱 Currency Stability
63% Weight: 30
Lao Kip can be volatile; reliance on USD is common to mitigate currency risk.

💻 Digital Nomad Essentials

🚀 Internet Speed
57% Weight: 100
Average speeds around 10-20 Mbps; occasional outages and slower connections outside central areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
31% Weight: 40
Very limited coworking spaces; most digital nomads work from cafes or guesthouses.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
64% Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi but quality and speed vary widely.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
48% Weight: 30
Few cafes cater specifically to digital nomads; power outlets and seating can be limited.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
29% Weight: 100
Not a well-known digital nomad hub; very few nomads present compared to larger cities.

🌟 Quality of Life

⚖️ Work-Life Balance
76% Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with low stress and plenty of downtime opportunities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
72% Weight: 15
Generally good environment with lush surroundings; some urban pollution but minimal.
🧼 Cleanliness
55% Weight: 10
Moderate cleanliness; some areas have litter and less developed waste management.
🗨️ Language Barrier
37% Weight: 30
Limited English spoken; Lao language predominates, which can be challenging for newcomers.
💨 Air Quality
70% Weight: 15
Generally good air quality outside of occasional burning seasons.

🏥 Healthcare

🏥 Healthcare Quality
41% Weight: 20
Basic healthcare available; for serious issues, travel to Vientiane or Thailand is recommended.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
80% Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low but quality is limited.
🏥 Healthcare
40% Weight: 20
Limited facilities and specialists; suitable only for minor ailments.

🌿 Climate & Environment

☀️ Weather
79% Weight: 80
Tropical climate with hot, humid summers and a distinct rainy season; generally warm year-round.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
75% Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional flooding during rainy season.
🏞️ Green Spaces
83% Weight: 10
Abundant natural greenery and proximity to rivers and waterfalls.
❄️ Air Conditioning
60% Weight: 15
Air conditioning available in hotels and some cafes but not widespread.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
32% Weight: 10
Tropical climate with little seasonal variation beyond wet and dry seasons.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
78% Weight: 20
Rich Lao culture with traditional festivals and friendly locals.
🌃 Nightlife
35% Weight: 15
Very limited nightlife; mostly small bars and local gatherings.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
89% Weight: 15
Excellent access to nature, waterfalls, and rural landscapes.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
40% Weight: 10
Few formal language schools; informal learning possible through locals.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
71% Weight: 10
Good opportunities for cultural tours and nature excursions.
🎳 Indoors Fun
38% Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options like cinemas or malls.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
75% Weight: 25
Delicious local Lao cuisine with some international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
25% Weight: 10
Very few dedicated yoga studios; mostly informal or occasional classes.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
43% Weight: 15
Basic gyms and outdoor fitness options; limited variety.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
67% Weight: 15
Fresh produce widely available; healthy eating possible but limited variety.

💼 Work Environment

🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
74% Weight: 20
GMT+7 is favorable for working with Asia and parts of Europe.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
28% Weight: 25
Very limited professional networking due to small expat and nomad community.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
30% Weight: 20
Local job market is small; most remote work is online and independent.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
29% Weight: 20
Minimal local freelance ecosystem; mostly reliant on global platforms.
🏢 Coworking Quality
27% Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces with basic amenities; not comparable to larger cities.

📈 Business & Economy

🚀 Startup Scene
15% Weight: 15
Very limited startup activity or support infrastructure.
💳 Local Payment Services
42% Weight: 10
Cash dominant economy; mobile payments growing but still limited.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
30% Weight: 15
Low adoption and limited infrastructure for crypto use.

🚆 Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
45% Weight: 30
Small airport with limited international flights; connections mainly via Vientiane or Thailand.
🚇 Public Transit
23% Weight: 20
No formal public transit system; reliance on tuk-tuks and motorbikes.
🚶 Walkability
56% Weight: 20
Central areas walkable but infrastructure is basic.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
18% Weight: 15
No major ride-sharing apps; transport is mostly informal.
🚲 Cycling
61% Weight: 10
Cycling possible but limited dedicated lanes and safety concerns.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
54% Weight: 15
Bus services available but slow and infrequent; limited train options.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
79% Weight: 10
Scooter rentals are common and affordable.

📡 Connectivity

📱 Mobile Network Coverage
68% Weight: 20
Good coverage in town; rural areas less reliable.
🔒 VPN Reliability
70% Weight: 20
VPNs generally work well; no major restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
62% Weight: 15
Occasional outages but generally stable power supply.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
49% Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi; mostly available in cafes and hotels.

⚖️ Legal & Administrative

🛂 Visa Ease
65% Weight: 40
Tourist visas easy to obtain; longer stays require extensions or special visas.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50% Weight: 30
Simple tax system but limited benefits for foreigners.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
40% Weight: 15
Restricted political expression; cautious environment for dissent.
🏛️ Political Stability
70% Weight: 20
Generally stable government with low risk of unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
35% Weight: 15
Difficult for foreigners; requires local documentation and can be bureaucratic.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
38% Weight: 10
Complex and slow process with many regulations.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0% Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
32% Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
15% Weight: 25
Very few or no regular nomad meetups or events.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
27% Weight: 20
Small online presence; limited forums or groups focused on Pakse.

🛡️ Safety & Tolerance

🛡️ Safety
79% Weight: 100
Generally safe with low crime rates; petty theft possible.
♀️ Female Friendly
60% Weight: 50
Respectful culture but conservative; solo female travelers should exercise caution.
✊ Racial Tolerance
71% Weight: 50
Generally tolerant and welcoming to foreigners.

Feedback Thank You!

Thank you!

Your feedback has been submitted successfully.