Cambodia Travel Tips
Cambodia’s an all time favorite destination of mine. It’s very rural but the people are friendly, the atmosphere lively, and a place rich in history. I spent double the amount of time there I had planned on. Cambodia is a country with a long and sometimes violent past. It is shaking off the shackles of the Khmer Rouge and trying to find its own way. Development hasn’t been that great as corruption has hindered growth as much of the country has been sold off. Despite that, it’s still a great place to visit with friendly people.
Typical Costs in Cambodia
- Accommodation: Most guesthouses have room for between $2-4 dollars. You can get higher end hotels for $10 dollars with air con, tv, and other amenities. After that, the sky is the limit.
- Food: Food is very cheap in Cambodia. Street food will cost you about $1-2 USD per meal and restaurant food will cost between $4-5 USD per meal. Western meals at nice restaurants might cost as much as $10 USD.
- Transportation: Local transportation is cheap, costing only a few dollars. Renting a driver for the day will cost you around $20 USD.
- Activities: Tours activities cost between $10-20 USD depending on the length and popularity of the activity.
Money Saving Tips for Cambodia
Cambodia is a cheap country to visit. There really isn’t any big money saving tips here because just by being here, you are saving money. The big tip, though, would be to pay in the local currency. Usually, everything is priced in dollars but a dollar here and a dollar there really adds up. Paying in the local currency can save you more money since everything is not just “one dollar.”
Top Things to See in Cambodia
- Angkor Wat. This huge temple complex is the reason most people come to Cambodia. There’s a lot more to the country than this UNESCO site but no trip is complete without satisfying your inner Tomb raider exploring these ruins.
- Tongle Sap. Sailing down this river allows you to get a look at how closely Cambodian life is tied to this major waterway. You can take a boat all the way down to the capital or just cruise around for the day.
- Sihanoukville. Empty white sand beaches, great diving, amazing seafood, and a heavy nightlife make this spot a favorite among travelers. This was once a very seedy spot and while its past is still around, the arrival of lots of backpackers has cleaned it up a bit.
- Phnom Phen. The capital of Cambodia, this place has a wild west atmosphere with dusty streets and a devil may care atmosphere. There are few good sites to see and the lake is a wonderful place to relax. What keeps people here is usually a relaxed way of life and a crazy night life (take a visit to “The Heart of Darkness”).
- Kep. This beautiful beach town is the quiet version of Sihanoukville.
- Bokor National Park. Wander among the atmospheric French ruins while hiking a great rainforest. Bokor was a big destination for the French aristocracy in Cambodia and you can see the ruins of their homes. It is a day trip from Sihanoukville.
- Battambang. There are great temples, a bamboo train, and stunning architecture from long past here. This destination sees few tourists except for those who like to get off the beaten path and off the Siem Reap-Phnom Phen trail. It’s Cambodia without the tourism.
- Prasat Preah Vihear. This breathtaking mountain temple is source of conflict with its neighbor Thailand who also claims this place as its own. The trip here is not pleasant but the nothing worth going to is ever easy.
Destination Guides for Cambodia
Phnom Phen
Siem Reap (Angkor Wat)
