Cambodia Travel Guide

Highlights

Siem Reap: home to Cambodia’s most visited tourist site, Angkor (Wat) is part of a massive temple complex that was once an ancient Khmer religious centre. Don’t miss the impressive Bayon and Ta Prohm temples.

Phnom Penh: the chaos of Cambodia’s unpredictable capital is interesting to watch, with colonial architecture, temples, pagodas and busy restaurants and cafés keeping things lively.

Mekong Island: ideal for those wanting to see a bit of wildlife, explore the island on elephant and visit the small zoo for a close-hand experience of local species.

Sihanoukville: popular with beach lovers, this relaxed hang-out offers natural beauty in the shape of waterfalls and hills, with some comfortable resorts situated along the coast.

Battambang: slightly less chaotic than Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s second-largest city showcases temples, a historical museum and a large lake, while nearby villages are also of interest.

Kratie: a northeastern town that is popular with backpackers, this rural provincial capital offers some interesting temples, a small museum and the opportunity to go Irrawaddy dolphin watching.

Recommended Itinerary

Three days in Siem Reap discovering Angkor Wat
Two days lapping up the frenzied capital, Phnom Penh
Two days at the seaside resort of Sihanoukville

Additional time
Two days in Battambang
Two days in Kratie

Health and Safety

The vast majority of Cambodians follow a Buddhist lifestyle, and as a consequence, there is little petty crime in the rural countryside. This cannot be said however about the cities, where pickpockets are aplenty. While most travellers are not at risk from violence here, lawlessness and accessibility of firearms makes it wise to stay home after dark unless you want to risk getting your head blown off. Health risks are numerous, with malaria, dengue fever, hepatitis B and typhoid all prevalent, and if you do get sick, don’t expect to be booking into a first-class hospital.

Cambodia Travel

If you are just making a short trip, flying into either Phnom Penh or Siep Riep is the most convenient way of getting here, with regular links with Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City and Guangzhou. It is also possible to travel by land from neighbouring countries, although journeys can be very uncomfortable and roads bumpy. Local transport consists of buses, taxis and trishaws, many of which are in poor condition. Bargaining for a good price is necessary before embarking on all local journeys.

When To Go?

The best time to visit is from November to February, when the country experiences the dry northeastern monsoon, which brings in the coolest weather of the year, with temperatures often reaching 77ºF.

April to October is humid and hot, with temperatures reaching up to 104ºF in April. The southwestern monsoon hits in May, with heavy rain falling most afternoons, making this the least recommended time to visit.

Activities

Temple-touring: Angkor Wat is on most visitors’ agenda, and can take you up to a few days to fully explore, while there are fascinating temples in virtually every significant town as well as tons of ancient ruins.

Cruising: along the Mekong is a popular pursuit which allows you to see the countryside from a different perspective. Tonle Sap Lake is also ideal for boating, with plenty of floating villages to be seen.

Diving: Sihanoukville is surrounded by waters that are teeming with marine life, with the islands of Tang, Prins and Poulo Wai being favourite dive spots.

Dirt-biking: attracting enthusiasts from around the region, Cambodia offers some excellent motor cross tracks as well as featuring remote location for those who are looking for adventure, with regular competitions held each month.

Whitewater rafting: bearing in mind that safety standards are sometimes lacking, those who decide to have a go at this sport are in for some heart-stopping experiences. Try your hand at the rapids on the Mekong or Tonle Sap rivers.

Dancing: the nightclubs in Phnom Penh cater for the hordes of tourists who pass through this city, while there is a good mix of locals too, not forgetting plenty of friendly ladies.

Hospitality

While luxury hotels are certainly in the minority, it is easy to find comfortable guesthouses in most tourist centres and staff are generally courteous and friendly, if not a little laid-back. Poverty is widespread, so expect to see very basic living standards in the more rural areas. Public transportation exists, but whether it runs on time or runs at all is another story. Prices are cheap, so you can afford to spend more on souvenirs and the delicious cuisine.