Updated March 29, 2026
Our Siem Reap Guide
With the rise of Angkor Wat Archaeological Parks as a major tourist destination. Siem Reap has benefited greatly and is worth exploring on its own. Tourism is hugely important to Siem Reap, with 50% of all jobs in the province supporting it. Everyone we met and interacted with was incredibly nice and helpful. The city caters to tourists, and it’s easy to feel at home, which makes visiting Siem Reap a great idea.
Things to do in Siem Reap
The largest attraction in Cambodia is Angkor Wat. A UNESCO Heritage site, the ancient temples, and overgrown jungle are an awe-inspiring, step-back-in-time experience you cannot miss. If your main goal is to discover Angkor Wat, we suggest planning downtime and ways to break up the experience, as the temples can be overwhelming, with so much to explore and take in. Also, depending on the season, the mid-day heat makes it uncomfortable to explore. We visited the temples in the mornings and, by early afternoon, enjoyed exploring Siem Reap and various adventures.
Pub Street & Night Market
The Pub Street area is a fun, entertaining, walkable section of Siem Reap. The area is definitely geared toward tourists, with bars, souvenirs, restaurants, street food, and photo-worthy finds. In the same area are two markets, the Night Market and the Arts Center Night Market. You can also spend time during the day, but at night the area takes on a Bourbon Street, New Orleans feel.
Museums, Local History & Culture
Cambodia has been marked with war and destruction, some of it is fairly recent. While the history is sad, the people of Cambodia are positive and friendly, putting the past behind them but visiting some of the local museums will help you understand the history and experiences that have shaped the Cambodian people
- Cambodian Landmine Museum – dedicated to educating it’s visitors on land mines, clearing them and there long term impact on Cambodia
- War Museum – dedicated to the most recent wars, featuring military hardware and vehicles.
- Angkor National Museum – features cultural artifacts and art throughout Cambodia’s history
- Why not check out a cooking experience? Enjoy meeting a local family, visiting their home, learning about the culture, and learning to make traditional meals. Both the Khmer Cooking in a Local’s Home and the Cooking Class at Lily’s Secret Garden offer great hosts and delicious meals you can recreate when you get home.
Explore more
After you have explored Pub Street and the Night Markets, there are loads of other things to do and experience in Siem Reap. Spend the evening at the Phare, the Cambodia Circus, or explore the cultural influences in cooking on a Street Food Tour, or enjoy an evening of Boutique Cocktails around Siem Reap. Check out more ideas mixing culture and adventure.
We found the Srquad Bike Adventure. We each had our own bike and private guide. They provided pickup and drop-off at our hotel and were friendly and responsive. It was a really fun experience
Angkor Zipline Eco-Adventure Canopy Tour
Experience the beauty of one of Cambodia’s most prized sites during a 5-hour zipline tour through the ancient Angkor Archaeological Park. Soar through jungle treetops over the ocean of trees and enjoy beautiful bird’s eye views. We love zip lines and spent 3 days doing ziplines in Laos – check out our Gibbon Experience for more fun
Easy Day Trips from Siem Reap
- Full-Day Kulen Waterfall – take a dip in the waterfall while exploring the 1000 Lingas and then trekking to the top of the mountain to see a Reclining Buddha.
- Day in the life of a Cambodian Villager – you spend the day in a small village outside of Siem Reap, getting to know the families and how they make a living. We enjoyed the rice planting and learning about the process.
- Countryside Bike Tour – enjoy a day biking around the outer villages of Siem Reap with a local lunch. It’s a relaxed and informative ride.
- Kompong Phluk Full Day Adventure Tour – A full day exploring Tonle Sap Lake, visiting two different villages, and traveling on various boats. Educational and fun.
Where to stay in Siem Reap
There is something for everyone in Siem Reap. It is also possible to get great value. Personally, we like smaller mid-sized or boutique hotels, and since we do not spend much time at the hotel, we go for mid-range prices. We stayed across the river and within walking distance of Pub Street. Even at night, we felt safe walking to and from Pub Street, the Old Market, and Night Market. There were several restaurants near our hotel, and getting a tuk-tuk for our further adventures was easy. Check out the Best Hotels in Siem Reap for boutique and resort-style hotels.
Plan Your Budget
Eating Out
Eat well for not a lot. Street Food is common and packs a delicious flavor for @$1 US. Restaurants $3-10 except for gourmet dining, which runs up to $15 per person. Drinks/beer will set you back no more than $2 per drink
Places to Stay
3- and 4-star hotels, or private options, average $25-40 per night. Luxury Hotels +$40. Prices vary by season. 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. Make sure you 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 to go at our own pace and choose our own route. Around airports, there are more traditional taxi options. Buses are convenient and affordable for moving around the country, with fares from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh under $10.
Know Before You Go
Entry Visa
All tourists are required to have a 30-day visa. Upon arrival at any of the airports or borders, you can complete the paperwork. The cost is $30 US in cash. To save time, have two passport-sized photos of yourself for the visa. There is also an online option available if you want to get your visa before you go. It does cost a little more, but it will save you time getting through customs. Get your e.visa before you go
Weather
Like most Southeast Asian countries, there are rainy, hot, and dry seasons. Most of the time, Cambodia is warm and sunny. The rainy season, June-November, features heavy rains, downpours, and occasional flooding. Temperatures range from 25 to 35 C. The Hot season is humid and sticky, with quick, afternoon showers, and temperatures can be over 40 °C. The tourist season is during the dry season, December – February. The weather is dry and beautiful, with temperatures staying around 20-30 °C. While the dry season has the best climate, it’s also THE season. So, more crowds, more tour groups, and a little higher accommodation prices.
Language
Most of the population speaks central Khmer, the official language of Cambodia. There are regional or local dialects within the countryside. In the major cities and tourist destinations, English is becoming more common, and we found it easy to communicate. We did learn a few basic phrases to help bridge the language, and it was much appreciated.
Safety
Cambodia is quite safe. We felt comfortable at night walking to our hotel and around the areas we stayed. The night markets and restaurants were lively and the people of Cambodia are very welcoming. You should always be aware of your surroundings, especially in Phnom Penh, where bag snatching is more common, like most large cities. If you are planning to be in more rural areas, we wouldn’t wander into the jungle or fields. There are still unexploded landmines throughout Cambodia.
Local Currency
While the official currency is Riel, the U.S. dollar is the most common currency. We tried to pay with Cambodian money but were always asked for US dollars. But you will get change back in Riel.
Bring the right adapter
The country uses 230V AC electricity and has a two-prong socket system. Often, there aren’t many sockets in your hotel, and if you have multiple devices, it can be challenging to get them all charged. We recommend a multi-plug hub and universal travel adapter.
Cultural Customs
Before we travel, we like to learn about local customs or cultural differences. Learning about the place and people allows us to expand our own perspectives. Being culturally sensitive goes a long way with the locals. In Cambodia, it’s rude to point with your finger; use your whole hand to indicate a direction or items. Monks should be approached with deference, and women should be particularly careful not to approach or touch them. Eating with your left hand is considered rude. As a left-hander, this proved a bit challenging, but I managed ok and only spilled a little
Ready to Visit Siem Reap?
Visiting Siem Reap is a fun and interesting experience. There is a lot to see and do outside of the main attraction of Angkor Wat. Get out and explore the area, the history, and the culture of Cambodia. Continue to explore the temples of Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, Bayon, Angkor Thom, Banteay Srei, and Cambodia through our guides and experiences. Share your favorite Siem Reap activities in the comments below!
5 comments
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