I've read that a lot of travellers use US Dollars to pay for accommodation, etc., when in Laos. We will be staying at Guesthouses ($US5.00-US15.00) per night. We're budget travellers. Do you bring mostly small denominations of US$ to pay for accomm, food, transport, etc?
Would like to also hear from those who never use US$ and only Kip and why?
Thanks in Advance, look forward to your replies. Jacquie

The only time I used $US in Laos was for purchasing cotton goods at the LP market. All up that was $us40. Meals drinks etc were all paid for in kip. I used baht near the border as well. ATMs are very very scarce in Laos (like Cambodia and much of Vietnam)so you will be bringing in cash/travellers checks as wellso they may as well be in US.
cheers

I was in Laos earlier this year. I brought USD as well as KIP. In the end, I used KIP most of the time. Reason being, KIP is cheaper (some shops will quote you both in USD and KIP) and easy to use too. For small purchases, KIP is better too. They will give you your change in KIP anyway. Maybe use USD for your accommodation and transport to major cities, and the rest use KIP.

I agree with bkoon. You can't have only US dollars. But they come in handy as well. What you should not count on is credit cards. What I did is bring dollars (nothing bigger than 20, some nice crisp ones) and change the twenties at the bank. $100 goes a long way in Laos. I bought stuff in markets with kips, and I tipped guides in dollars...

Thanks for your replies. We were going to bring 30 - $1.00, 30 - $5.00, some $10.00, some $20.00 and 14 - $100.00. We have estimated $US2,300 for 2 people for a one month stay in Laos. I think we're bringing too much money.
We do have a tour which will cost $US500.00 for the 2 of us. Plus the plane fare from Luang Prabang to Bangkok. The rest is basic accomm, ($5.00-15.00)
Splurging a couple of nights at $28.00). What would you recommend our daily amount come to approx.?
Thanks JT

Well, Jacquie, you don't have to spend it all. But if you do little shopping, you will probably spend less. Also, I would bring more twenties, and less hundreds. I would not want to be in a small town with a hundred and no place to go. Be sure that all your bills are fresh, crisp, and not doodled on. You will have a wonderful time no matter what.

Thanks Calcaf - you came through again! Good Point! Yes, perhaps we are bringing too many $100's. Bring more 20's. Just trying not to cart so much money around, as it will get wad will get thicker when bringing small denominations. Cheers. JT

I spent USD$150 for 2 weeks in Laos.
I have many USD$1 left unused.
Changing into KIPs using your bigger notes ($20 and $100) is better as it is "cheaper" using KIPs.