Discover Cambodia

Travel tips, resources, and information to help you plan your trip to 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 Way

Learn about Angkor Wat Archeological Park, including travel tips, what to expect, and how to visit the temples.

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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.

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 destination in Cambodia and one of the world’s top attractions. There’s more to explore in Cambodia.

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. To discover more, read our guide, Discover Siem Reap.

New Khmer Architecture, a mixture of French influences, modern forms, and the Bauhaus movement, gives 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 many investments to further upgrade the city 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.

Along the coast, the peninsula features a few beach towns that dot the landscape. Recent developments in Sihanoukville have focused on attracting tourists’ dollars through casinos, bars, and nightlife. Giving the area a different vibe, we find the area south of Ostres beach still retains 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.

Check out further details on planning your trip and tours for the best experience in Cambodia. 

Plan Your Trip

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, in 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. During the Khmer New Year, the country closes down, and families come together to reunite and spend time together. Farmers 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. As you plan your trip, please check whether you’ll be able to attend any special celebrations.

Cambodia is a really affordable destination. You can have an excellent 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.

• A Run Down on Various Costs
  • FOOD: Eat well for not a lot. Street food is typical and packs great flavor for @$1. Restaurants $3-10 and a for a more formal or gourmet experience up to $15 per person. Drinks/Beer – no more than $2.
  • ACCOMMODATIONS: 3 and 4-star hotels or private options cost @ $25-40. Luxury hotels +$40. If you have been wanting to enjoy a luxury hotel experience but find most destinations too expensive, Cambodia could be the place to splurge.
  • TRANSPORTATION: The most common option is the tuk-tuk. They provide a little more comfort than motorcycle taxis. Tuk-tuks range from $1-5 depending on the distance. Be sure to negotiate the cost before beginning your trip. You can also book a tuk-tuk for the day for $20 plus a tip. We did this in Siem Reap to enjoy the temples, and it was perfect, we go at our own pace and chose our own route. Around airports, there are more traditional taxi options. Buses are convenient and affordable for moving around the country, with fares under $10 from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh.

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!