Cambodia is an amazing country that deserves to be on any travelers must visit list. From the bustling metropolis of Phnom Penh, to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Wat, to the tropical islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem, there is something for all types of travelers. Development has dramatically increased in the past decade and things are changing fast, and not always for the better, for this emerging country. Here are our top picks for your visit to Cambodia.
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Getting Around Cambodia
For the most part we found it quite easy to get around Cambodia. We mainly took buses from place to place and the prices were some of the cheapest we experienced in South East Asia. We did splurge and take the Giant Ibis bus from Phnom Penh to Siem reap. The cost was $15, but it includes wifi, online booking and the ability to choose your seat. Most of our other buses cost around $5-$6. Road conditions vary across the country. As of March 2019, there was heavy construction on the highway leading south out of Phnom Penh toward Kampot and Sihanoukville.
Currency
The Cambodian Riel is the official currency of Cambodia, but U.S. Dollars are used in all tourist areas throughout the country and can be withdrawn from all major ATM’s. The exchange rate for riel to dollars is about 4,000 to 1. It’s quite common to pay for things in dollars and receive your change in riel. One thing to note is that ATM’s tend to give out large denominations when withdrawing large amounts. We withdrew $200 at the airport and received 2 $100 bills. It can be quite difficult to find a place that can break such a large bill. We quickly learned to take out smaller increments of $90 at a time. Luckily for us our bank refunds all ATM fees around the world. Check with your bank before leaving home to see if they charge for international ATM charges, as these fees can quickly add up when each ATM charges $5 or more per transaction.
Siem Reap
This once dusty frontier town has definitely been transformed in the last decade. The roads are now paved and trendy bars and restaurants have popped up across town. Famously known as the home to the Angkor Temple Complex, this up an coming town has a lot more to offer than just temples. You could easily spend a week exploring the town, temples, and surrounding area. Here are our tops things to do in Siem Reap.
Angkor Wat
The Angkor Temple Complex is the primary reason people come to Siem Reap, and to some extent, Cambodia itself. This UNESCO World Heritage Site and one the 7 Man Made Wonders of the World, is hugely popular. The most famous of all of the temples is Angkor Wat, and usually the first stop on every tourist’s itinerary. Other popular temples include Bayon, Preah Khan and Ta Prohm. You will need transportation to get from temple to temple. You can easily hire a tuk-tuk to take you around to each of the temples. We were quoted a price of $15 for the 4 main temples and $20 if we wanted to go early to catch the sunrise over Angkor Wat before exploring the rest of the temples. The cost of the single day ticket was $32. Tip: We opted to arrive early for the sunrise over Angkor Wat. We were among the first to obtain tickets when the ticket office opened, but when we got Angkor Wat there were already many people and prime spots were taken. If you are going for multiple days we would recommend going on the second or third day of your multi day pass so that you can get there before the people having to purchase tickets.
Cambo Beach Club
Cambo Beach Club is a relatively new addition to Siem Reap and should be on everyone’s list. It’s a pool/beach entertainment complex, and the perfect place to cool off after a long day at the temples. The complex has one huge pool with a shallow end on one side and deep end with 2 high dive platforms on the other. There are also cabanas and lounge chairs surrounding the pool with food and drink service offered. We went twice during our stay in Siem Reap and had a blast! The cost, as of March 2019, was $5 for the entrance and no additional charge for the cabanas. I’m sure that will change once the popularity grows.
Pub Street
If you like to party, then Pub Street is your place. The street, in central Siem Reap, is lined with bars, clubs and restaurants. There vibe is fairly tame during the day and into dinner, but that definitely changes after the sun goes down. Many of the restaurants turn into clubs and everyone is blasting club music. The party goes well into the morning. We saw some people still out partying when we were headed to Angkor Wat to catch the sunrise. There are plenty of much chiller bars down the alleyways leading off of Pub Street, if that is more your speed. Check out Long’s Bar and Miss Wong for a more sophisticated cocktail experience.
Drag Show at Barcode
One of our best nights out in Cambodia was the Drag Show at Barcode. The music is loud, the drinks are cheap and the ladies give it their all! Hands down one of the best shows we have seen. You should definitely check it out if you have a night free in Siem Reap.
Visit King’s Road Angkor
This shopping and dining complex sits just across the river from down town. You can grab a drink or some food at the various restaurants and cafes. Our favorite part was the Made in Cambodia Market where you can browse the stalls and check out the locally made crafts. It wasn’t too crowded when we were there and was a nice break from the crowded city center. Definitely worth a visit.
Battambang
Battambang feels like it is off the beaten path even though it is Cambodia’s second largest city. It lies on the western side of the Tonle Sap Lake, which puts it off of the traditional tourist route. Only 4 hours from Siem Reap, but you won’t find the buses filled with tourists crowding the streets here. The pace is much slower, with a lingering colonial feel. Definitely worth a visit if you have the time.
Bamboo Train
Probably the most famous tourist attraction in Battambang, the bamboo train is a less a train and more of a bamboo platform on top of train wheels, powered by a lawnmower engine. The trains can get up to 40 km/h, which feels faster than it is being so close to the ground. The ride is what makes this experience special as there is no real destination. Just a spot along the tracks about 20 minutes from the start where you can buy some drinks or souvenirs, and then the train will be turned around for the trip back. There is only one track, so when 2 trains going opposite directions meet, the train with the least amount of people will have to be dismantled and set aside for the other train to pass. Then the train will be reassembled and continue on down the track. We were charged $5 each, which is well worth the experience. Don’t forget to tip your driver.
The Killing Cave of Phnom Sampeau
About 45 minutes by tuk-tuk west of Battambang, sits the mountain of Phnom Sampeau. About half way up the mountain lies a Khmer Rouge killing site known as the Killing Caves. Victims were murdered and then had their bodies thrown into the caves. There is now a memorial in the one the caves with some of the victims bones encased in a glass shrine. It’s a very somber place, but worth visiting to bare witness to the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge.
The Bat Cave of Phnom Sampeau
Also located at Phnom Sampeau is the famous Bat Cave. Every night around 5:30 pm over a million bats begin to fly out of the mouth of the cave located at the foot of Phnom Sampeau mountain. The spectacle lasts for 20-30 minutes as the bats stream out to feed for the night. Most people watch from just below the cave where many vendors sell food and beer. Our tuk-tuk driver allowed us to watch for 5 minutes then said he would take us to the best spot to see the bats. We jumped in the tuk-tuk and headed about 5 minutes outside the complex to a rice paddy with expansive views of the countryside. The river of bats was flying directly above us and we were the only tourists there. You could hear their wings flapping as they flew overheard. What an amazing experience!
Eating and Drinking
We really enjoyed walking around the narrow streets and popping into little cafes for a snack or two. One of our favorite spots was Lonely Tree Cafe. It sits above a little boutique on Pub Street. It’s the perfect spot to grab a coffee or some lunch and sit on the balcony watching life move slowly by. The cafe and boutique below use some of the proceeds to help support education, people with disabilities and healthcare. Well worth a visit. After filling your belly, you can wander over to Miss Wong’s on Road No 2 for a signature cocktail. This stylish cocktail bar is the second location of the original in Siem Reap. We loved sitting outside sipping on our drinks as the sun went down. You can also check out the many cafe’s and bars that line Pub Street.
Phnom Penh
As more and more airlines fly directly to Siem Reap, many people are bypassing Phnom Penh altogether. That is such a shame, as Phnom Penh has so much to offer, and should not be missed. The skyline continues to grow as more and more skyscrapers are being built across town, with many of them decorated with colorful lights that come alive as the sun goes down. We recommend at least 2 or 3 nights in order to experience what this city has to offer.
The Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Both the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum today serve as reminders of the atrocities committed against the Cambodian people by the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979. Under the leadership of Pol Pot, nearly 2 million people were killed either by execution, starvation, disease or overwork. A visit to both of these sites is a must in order to get a sense of how brutally the people were treated under the Khmer Rouge. We recommend visiting the 2 sites back to back. You can easily hire a tuk-tuk for a few hours or for the day to take you around to all of the sites.
Sunset River Cruise
A fun way to end a long, hot day is to take a sunset cruise on the Mekong River. There are many boat companies that offer cruises either with dinner or without. We chose one that didn’t include dinner, but offered unlimited beer! Nothing better than slowly cruising down the river watching the sun go down over the city. It’s also a fun way to meet fellow travelers.
Head to a Rooftop for Sunset
Don’t miss the opportunity to watch the sunset from one of the many rooftops across the city. The city really comes alive as the sun starts to set and the buildings begin to light up. It’s all the more fun with a drink in your hand high above the street traffic below. We recommend the rooftop bar at the Sovanna Hotel for some of the best views, especially of the The Nagaworld Casino, which is extremely colorful at night.
Eat and Drink
We loved sampling as many varieties of food as we could during our stay in Phnom Penh. We especially liked trying some of the more exotic offerings at Sovanna II Restaurant in the Tonle Basac neighborhood. The restaurant is known for it’s barbecue, but we went with the frog’s legs and snails. They were both really good. The barbecue looked really good too.
One of the best places to go to sample a wide variety of delicious Cambodian food is the Phnom Penh Night Market. Located near the river and across from the Giant Ibis Bus Terminal, this is the spot if you are looking for cheap eats and a lively dining environment. Everyone eats sitting down on matts placed along the ground in the center. It’s a lot of fun!
We love a good Asian lager, but we were craving a little taste of home in the form of delicious craft beer. We found what we were looking for at Cerevisia Craft Brewhouse in the Tonle Basac neighborhood. The reviews on google aren’t great, but we found the place to be a hidden gem. The beers are delicious and the setting is tucked away from the street down a garden path. They also do trivia nights. What’s not to like?
Kampot
Kampot is the relatively sleepy gem of Southern Cambodia. This laid back town sits along the banks of the Praek Tuek Chhu river and offers a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. You could easily spend 3 or 4 days exploring the town and surrounding areas. Our favorite hotel was Gecko Village which is situated along the river, just north of town.
Rent a Scooter
The best way to explore the town and surrounding countryside is by renting a scooter. Rentals are cheap and give you the ability to travel outside the Kampot area. Prices should be between $5-$10 a day. We chose to ride up to the summit of Mt. Bokor, which is about an hour each way from Kampot. The ride is beautiful and the road is well maintained. The top of the mountain is often shrouded in fog and can be quite cold compared to sea level. Make sure to bring a jacket or sweater. There are some ruins from when this area was used as a hill town by the French in the early 20th century, but most have either been renovated or demolished by Chinese companies that now own the mountain. It’s still worth the trip up to take in the views.
Go Kayaking
The river that runs through Kampot is calm and perfect for doing some kayaking. There are plenty of places outside of town that rent kayaks, but we chose to rent from Champa Lodge just north of town. They charge $3 an hour for a single kayak, and they are super close to the popular kayak route known as the “Green Cathedral”, which takes about an hour to complete. We had the entire route to ourselves when we went and we loved the feeling of seclusion.
River Cruise
There are many boats that line the riverside in town that offer 2 hour river cruises at sunset. Some offer food service and some only offer drinks. We paid $5, which included the 2 hour cruise and 2 beers. You could purchase more beers if you liked. I call that a good deal! Some of the boats can barely fit under the bridge as you head up river, so anyone on the top deck has to lie flat so they don’t bonk their heads on the underside of the bridge. That makes for a good photo op! We definitely got our money’s worth.
Rent Bicycles and Bike Around
One of my all time favorite activities when visiting a city, whether it is the states of overseas. It is a great way to give your feet a break while staying active and seeing a city- Kampot was no different. We rented bikes from our hostel for $2/day per bike for the entire day. So taking advantage of the low cost, we biked around Kampot to check out some sites. Check out a few of our favorite places below!
- Lily Pond – go for sunset for an epic photo
- Durian Roundabout
- Along the river front
Chill out in a Local Cafe
One of the best things about Kampot is it’s laid back style. What better way to take advantage than to chill out with a good book in one of the town’s many cafes and coffee shops. It’s also a great way to take a break from the intense heat outside. Our favorite place to chill was Cafe Espresso Roastery on the south side of town along highway 33. They have amazing coffee and an awesome breakfast and lunch menu. We also liked Sunbird Cafe for their dragonfruit smoothies.
Koh Rong Sanloem
When you think of a tropical paradise chances are you are envisioning something strikingly similar to Koh Rong Sanloem. Crystal clear water, lush tropical forest, white sand beaches, coral reefs – Koh Rong Sanloem has them all. Not all that long ago Koh Rong Sanleom was the much less developed neighbor to the more well known Koh Rong. Today, resorts are sprouting up all over the island to cater to the increased influx of tourists. Even with the increased attention the island still feels secluded and laid back.
Note: We caught the ferry from Sihanoukville. Make sure to check where your resort is located as some ferries only go to certain parts of the island. Organizing a transfer by boat once on the island can be quite expensive (we were told $40 or more). We also recommend spending as little time in Sihanoukville as you can. It’s mostly gaudy casinos and loud disco clubs at night. It feels extremely shady.
Relax
We decided to splurge a little and stay at the new Pearl Resort and absolutely loved it. It’s more isolated than some of the other resorts, but that’s what we loved about it.
There isn’t much to do on the islands but relax, eat good food, and have a few beers. What else do you need? The more adventurous types can snorkel, paddle board, hike in the jungle or go fishing. We opted to lay by the pool and swim in the ocean.
Note: We had heard that sand fleas would be a problem on the island, but we were not bothered at all. Might still be a good idea to bring some spray or lotion just in case.
Cambodia has so much to offer. The activities listed above were our favorites, but there is so much more to explore. We would love any feedback you might have and recommendations of your favorite places and activities in Cambodia. We hope you found the information listed helpful!
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wow!! so many great things and amazing pictures.Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks Mahima! We absolutely loved our time in Cambodia! It’s such a beautiful country.