A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cesis vs. Vang Vieng for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cesis or Vang Vieng?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cesis and Vang Vieng can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Cesis or Vang Vieng?

Cesis

Cesis is the quintessential old world town in Latvia. It is nestled among rolling hills, giving it a beautiful, fantasy world like setting. The small town is sprinkled with old castles, fortresses, and parks that you can leisurely wander through to pass the time. There's a lovely town square that is the perfect place to grab a seat on a bench and people watch. Because of the square's central location, many residents pass through it on their way to and from the market. The town is intertwined with lovely cobblestone streets that are lined with old homes, in various stages of disrepair. Cesis manages to perfectly balance a level of authentic wear and tear with a fairytale ambiance. Outside of town you'll find great hiking trails that you can use to explore the rolling hills and picturesque countryside. The small town is also conveniently located less than 100 kilometers from Riga, making it an easy trip on a bus.

Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, and The Best Budget Tours to Laos.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cesis and Vang Vieng, we can see that Cesis is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cesis is in Europe and Vang Vieng is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Cesis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cesis than you might in Vang Vieng.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cesis Expensive? and Is Vang Vieng Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cesis or Vang Vieng?

Vang Vieng has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Vang Vieng, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Cesis or Vang Vieng?

Cesis has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Vang Vieng experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Vang Vieng in the Summer?

Both Vang Vieng and Cesis during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Cesis for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round.

In the summer, Cesis is cooler than Vang Vieng. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cesis in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Vang Vieng averages at about 22°C (72°F).

Cesis usually gets more rain in July than Vang Vieng. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Vang Vieng in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Vang Vieng. Many visitors come to Cesis in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Cesis is generally much colder than Vang Vieng. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 7°C (45°F), and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In October, Cesis usually receives around the same amount of rain as Vang Vieng. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cesis or Vang Vieng in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Vang Vieng. Most visitors come to Cesis for the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year.

Cesis can be very cold during winter. Cesis is much colder than Vang Vieng in the winter. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Cesis usually gets less rain in January than Vang Vieng. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Vang Vieng in the Spring?

Both Vang Vieng and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Cesis because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Cesis is much colder than Vang Vieng. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cesis in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Vang Vieng averages at about 23°C (73°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. In April, Cesis usually receives less rain than Vang Vieng. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vang Vieng and Cesis