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A Visitor’s Guide
Travel tips, resources, and information to help you plan your trip to Cambodia.
Why visit Cambodia?
Backpackers have known about Cambodia for a while; off the beaten path, but with warm and inviting people, beautiful weather, and low costs for visiting, it’s worth checking out. There is a laid-back vibe present throughout the country, making it an ideal vacation destination. A mix of jungle, city, and rural communities, rich cultural heritage, temples, and incredible people; there is a lot to explore throughout Cambodia.
Discover
Angkor Wat
Learn about Angkor Wat Archeological park, including travel tips, what to expect, and how to visit the temples.
Where is Cambodia?
Centrally located in Southeast Asia, Cambodia shares borders with Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos. To get there, you will most likely connect through Bangkok with several direct flights daily. If you are making the trek to Southeast Asia, consider extending your trip to include Vietnam or Thailand, or both.
Where to visit
Figuring out what you want to experience in Cambodia will help create the ideal plan and length of stay. If you go to Cambodia and do not visit Angkor Wat, you will regret it! Angkor Wat is the most significant tourist experience in Cambodia and a top destination in the world. That’s not all to explore in Cambodia.
Siem Reap
The largest tourist destination, Angkor Wat is in Siem Reap. Making Siem Reap your base of operations for Angkor Wat, and while the temples are exhilarating they are also overwhelming, The best visiting times are in the morning until mid-day, giving you the afternoon and evenings to explore the local area. There is a lot to see and do while visiting Siem Reap, read our guide Discover Siem Reap.
Looking for places to stay in Siem Reap?
We recommend staying close to downtown (Pub Street area) Walking distance to the Night Markets and Pub Street gives you flexibility in the afternoons and easy options for dinner.
Check out the best options for hotels in Siem Reap.
Phnom Penh
New Khmer Architecture, a mixture of French influences, modern forms, and the Bauhaus movement, give Phnom Penh a quaint European vibe. Recent economic growth has created new shopping areas, restaurants, and bars, increasing tourism to the capital city. There have been lots of investments to upgrade the city further and make it the pride of Cambodia. The Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Phsar Thmei market, National Museum, and the riverfront area are all top tourist sights.
Sihanoukville
Along the coast, the peninsula features a few beach towns dot the landscape. Recent developments within Sihanoukville have focused on gaining tourists’ dollars with casinos, bars, and nightlife. Giving the area a different vibe, we find the area south at Ostres beach to still retain the beachy laidback vibe, and after the intensity of the Temples at Angkor Wat, this area provides a much-needed break. It’s a short flight from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, and if you have a few extra days, it’s worth spending a couple of days getting to know the locals and lounging.
Best time to go
The weather is the best between December and February making this the tourist season. The shoulder season is November and March, the weather is still pretty good, and fewer tourists. If rain and humidity don’t bother you then the summer is a good time to go. There are some unique festivals and celebrations to plan around. In September, Pchum Ben or Ancestor’s Day is a celebration of the seven generations of ancestors. The coronation of the King, Mid-May, is a celebration marking the end of the Khmer regime. Incredibly important to Cambodians and you could find many places with limited hours or closed during this three-day festival. Khmer New Year, the country closes down, families come together reuniting and spending time together. For farmers, they take much-deserved time off and celebrate their good fortune and harvests. In mid-April – most businesses and tourist locations are closed. At the end of January, the Angkor Festival features historic storytelling and performances by local artists telling the history of Cambodia and its people. This celebration is a unique and beautiful experience. Once you plan your trip, make sure you check to see if you will be able to experience any special celebrations.
Plan your budget
Cambodia is a really affordable destination. You can have a great trip for @$25-30 a day. Of course, if you opt for private cars and tours you will spend a little more but even then, it’s a great value offering amazing experiences at reasonable prices.
Things to do
There is a lot to do in Cambodia, cultural experiences, temples, history, cooking classes, motorbike tours, and more. Depending on your adventure level and intention. Check out tours and experiences to enhance your trip and create memorable experiences.
Take a Tour
We love using Get Your Guide for tours and day trips while traveling. They offer personal and memorable experiences, the tours are run by locals who know their community and their online voucher system makes it easy to stay organized. Check out the options and a tour or two to your trip.
Know before you go
Practical information on Cambodia. Tips and notes on key details to ensure you have a great travel experience.
Check out the need-to-know details!
Booking Resources
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[…] Learn about the key travel details before you plan your trip to Cambodia. These quick tips will help you get the most out of early planning and enjoy your trip. Ready to begin planning your trip to Cambodia? Read our Cambodia Guide. […]