# Discover Laos' Coffee Paradise on the Bolaven Plateau

> Explore the Bolaven Plateau, Laos' coffee paradise and one of the most idyllic coffee-growing regions in the world. Find out what makes it so captivating.

- URL: https://langandtrip.com.ua/en/article/laoskym-kavovym-rayem/
- Language: en
- Published: 2023-06-04
- Categories: Culture, Restaurants, Tours, Laos, Food & Drinks, Relaxation

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From Colombia to Kenya, many of the world's coffee-growing regions are among the most idyllic places on Earth.

The Bolaven Plateau, tucked away in southern Laos, is no exception.

It sits in the crater of a giant extinct volcano in the northeast of Champasak Province, in southwestern Laos.

Close to the borders with Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, and rising between 1,000 and 1,300 meters above sea level, it enjoys a relatively cool climate and plenty of rainfall.

The plateau is also the source of several major rivers and home to some breathtakingly scenic waterfalls.

It has earned a growing reputation not only for the quality of the coffee beans grown here, but also for its stunning landscapes and vibrant ethnic cultures, making it one of the best road-trip destinations in Southeast Asia.

With its mild climate, steady rainfall, and rich, fertile soil, the Bolaven Plateau is a paradise for coffee lovers.

The French, looking for a way to make this corner of their empire profitable, first brought coffee here from Vietnam in the early twentieth century.

Today, despite the devastating legacy of war and the economic hardships felt across Laos, the Bolaven landscape remains blanketed with plantations.

Even those who have no particular interest in coffee will find plenty to enjoy in the lush jungle, the tumbling waterfalls, and the pristine mountain scenery.

## When to Go

There is no right or wrong time to visit the Bolaven Plateau.

The local waterfalls are at their most impressive from July through October, during the rainy season, while those who come between October and February can watch, and even take part in, the local coffee harvest.

One of the best ways to get around is to rent a bicycle, scooter, or motorbike in Pakse, follow a two or three-day loop route, and stay overnight in local guesthouses or hotels.