Cambodia is a rustic that’s each inspiring, stunning, and miserable. Though nestled between Thailand and Vietnam, two southeast Asian nations that obtain tens of millions of tourists a 12 months, Cambodia is usually ignored.
Nevertheless, those that do enterprise right here, will uncover charming seashores, tropical islands, emerald wilderness with historical temples within the clearings, and a novel journey that you just received’t discover wherever else in Southeast Asia.
If you happen to’re pondering of constructing a cease by Cambodia, and also you’re undecided what it’s good to know earlier than visiting, then this information is for you.
We reveal past Angkor Wat and the vacationer sights of Siem Reap, and inform all of the issues to learn about Cambodia earlier than you go to.
1. The spotlight of Cambodia isn’t a temple, it’s the folks
The resilience of Cambodians by no means ceases to amaze me.
They’re nonetheless rebuilding from a tragic previous, one which we should keep in mind was not too way back for the native folks – and but they’ve an optimistic outlook about all the pieces, an unbreakable spirit and heat smiles that’s each infectious and galvanizing.
Wherever you go, whether or not it’s a restaurant, a restaurant, a resort, and even to a grocery retailer, you’ll at all times obtain heat and gracious hospitality.
Resort workers at all times go the additional mile for you, even once you’ve booked a price range lodging.
Prime tip: I extremely advocate you learn up on the brutal Khmer Rouge days and study this tumultuous historical past earlier than you go to. It’s not one thing you need to ask locals about. This was not that way back for them and it may be insensitive.
2. Cambodia is much less developed than different nations in SE Asia
As quickly as you enter Cambodia you discover it’s a lot much less developed than its neighbors.
In 1991, Cambodia was thought of one of many least developed nations (LDC) on the earth, however in 2024 that standing was lifted.
It has made actual strides in socio-economic improvement since then, and it’s persevering with to be on the best way up.
That stated, Cambodia is a really poor nation, and has a excessive poverty fee.
Other than the capital of Phnom Penh, a lot of Cambodia is distant and lacks fundamental infrastructure.
You possibly can count on pot-holed roads, buses that lack air con, and resorts that want a little bit of TLC.
3. There’s A LOT of outdated journey details about Cambodia
When researching our journey to Cambodia, we shortly realized there’s a lack of dependable info and never many up-to-date Cambodia journey guides.
As a result of Cambodia is growing FAST, particularly in vacationer hotspots, lots of the Tripadvisor opinions from only a couple years in the past might not be correct.
We nearly skipped the attractive Koh Rong Samloem island attributable to some dangerous opinions we learn on-line. Fortunately, whereas watching the solar rise over Angkor Wat, we ran into one other couple who satisfied us in any other case.
After seeing how superb it was for ourselves (and spending three months on the island), we felt compelled to write down an up to date Koh Rong Samloem Island information to assist others make better-informed journey plans.
4. Some issues are dearer than you’d count on
Like most of Southeast Asia, Cambodia is a comparatively low-cost nation to journey in. That stated, some issues are surprisingly costly.
Much like most nations, you’ll at all times pay extra in touristic zones and islands.
Costs on Koh Rong Samloem may even triple throughout excessive season (November to March)
We additionally discovered medical care to be fairly expensive. I needed to have a follow-up wrist surgical procedure after a nasty bike accident in Thailand (a pin they put in got here unfastened), and let me inform you…when you have a problem and need to be seen in a hospital that’s as much as Western requirements, it’ll price you.
You positively received’t need to go to Cambodia with no dependable journey insurance coverage plan.
5. Watch out when visiting pharmacies
Talking of healthcare, watch out about which pharmacies you purchase medication from.
Some medication within the open-air pharmacies has been sitting out within the scorching warmth for a very long time and this may harm the meds.
Counterfeiting can also be a problem, so be certain the pharmacy you utilize seems legit, or ask different vacationers if they’ve the treatment you want in change for some beer cash.
A fast Google seek for “finest pharmacies in [CITY] for expats” ought to level you in the proper route, or you possibly can ask the locals the place they go.
It’s finest to keep away from pharmacies typically should you can. Attempt to deliver treatment for each eventuality and attempt to keep away from sickness in any respect prices.
6. Keep away from sicknesses by…
Talking of sicknesses, you possibly can keep away from getting sick by sporting bug spray. Cambodia has many mosquito-borne sicknesses equivalent to malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, and Zika virus.
Get vaccinations earlier than you go for hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus. You might also need to take into account rabies, hepatitis B, cholera, and Japanese encephalitis should you’re visiting for some time.
When consuming road meals, guarantee it’s correctly cooked and piping scorching. Even vegetarian meals, as generally it may be cooked in unpure water.
Don’t drink the faucet water. Solely drink bottled water and ensure the seal hasn’t been damaged earlier than you drink it.
7. Don’t count on blazing web
Whereas it has come a great distance in its infrastructure, you received’t discover blazing quick web speeds in most of Cambodia.
If you happen to’re a digital nomad, you’ll have to decide on your locations fastidiously.
We roamed across the nation for nearly 4 months and managed to get our work finished, however our journey jobs don’t normally require high-speed web.
If you happen to do a variety of downloading/importing or video calls, be ready to train your persistence muscle tissues.
That stated, it’s truly improved a ton over the previous couple years.
Better of all, knowledge plans are SUPER low-cost. Effectively, at the very least they’re supposed to be—which brings us to our subsequent level.
8. Be careful for scams
We discovered 99% of Cambodians to be very sincere, and the commonest crime is petty theft like pickpocketing.
I can’t inform you what number of occasions I by accident paid with the mistaken invoice, solely to have my overpayment graciously returned (hey, a few of these payments look nearly similar!).
That stated, you continue to must preserve your wits about you. The primary day we arrived in Cambodia, we had just a little incident.
Our resort in Siem Reap provided free pickup from the airport, and our tuk-tuk driver requested if I wanted a SIM card. I did, so he conveniently introduced us to a random third-party cellphone store the place I used to be bought a 30-day limitless knowledge plan for $20.
I had no thought what the going fee was for knowledge, however it didn’t appear outrageous.
Three days later when my plan unexpectedly stopped working, I spotted I’d been hustled.
I assumed the tuk-tuk driver labored for the resort, so I had trusted him. Seems, it was only a random driver the resort flagged off the road to select us up.
I later came upon that legit knowledge plans solely price a pair bucks every week.
Ethical of the story: Most individuals are reliable, however preserve a watch out for something that appears fishy.
The woman I purchased the plan from had the costs scribbled on the again of a chunk of scratch paper. On reflection, that was fishy.
9. Plan your Angkor Wat itinerary strategically
Angkor Wat is unbelievable and the primary motive folks go to Cambodia.
To go to, you’ll want to be on a tour. There are two essential tour circuits—the Small Circuit and the Grand Circuit.
The Small Circuit hits all the most well-liked temples like Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Ta Prohm (AKA the “Tomb Raider” temple). These temples are probably the most crowded.
The Grand Circuit goes to a bunch of smaller (however nonetheless stunning) temples. These are a bit farther away and have barely fewer vacationers.
If in case you have time to do each excursions, you’re in for a deal with, however when you have time or price range constraints and may solely do one (I’d advocate the small), don’t really feel such as you’re lacking out.
Whereas all of the temples are cool and distinctive, by the tip of our second tour, we have been utterly “templed out”. We have been so scorching and drained that we simply chilled on the entrance of the final one we visited and didn’t even go inside to discover.
That stated, when you have your coronary heart set on doing each excursions, right here’s considered one of my finest Cambodia suggestions – save the Small Circuit (of the primary temples) for final. If you happen to do it the opposite means round and see all probably the most spectacular temples first, the remainder of them may really feel underwhelming.
If you happen to can, add a relaxation day in between the 2 excursions to keep away from temple overload.
10. Select your Angkor Wat transportation fastidiously
There are a lot of choices relating to discovering Angkor Wat transportation. You possibly can take a tour van, rent a tuk-tuk, taxis, or when you have your personal wheels (normally a bike) and do it your self.
We did a tour van for the Grand Circuit and a tuk-tuk for the Small Circuit. They ended up costing about the identical.
Hiring a tuk-tuk to take you round is a enjoyable and versatile choice. It’s simpler to get photographs with out crowds of individuals as a result of you are able to do the temples in whichever order you need.
The draw back is most tuk-tuk drivers aren’t official tour guides, so whereas they will clarify some issues to you whereas driving (assuming you selected one with good English), they received’t be capable to enter the temples with you and present you round.
The tour van isn’t a nasty choice both. We usually don’t like all these group excursions and like exploring solo. However a educated information can actually make or break the expertise on this case. With out the fascinating tales and details, you’ll depart with a variety of unanswered questions.
If you happen to’re useless set on exploring by your self, be sure to observe a documentary on Angkor Wat earlier than heading to the temples. This offers you an excellent information base and make it extra gratifying.
One thing to bear in mind: Our resort semi-tricked us into reserving a tour with their van by telling us that they had a particular take care of the park the place we may get a two-day cross for the worth of 1. Seems, that was a promotion the park provided to anybody shopping for a ticket (in the course of the dates we have been visiting)—whether or not you have been with a tour or not. Chances are high your resort will actually need you to e-book your tour by way of them. Preserve that in thoughts when listening to their gross sales pitch!
11. Cambodian meals is the bomb
Cambodian meals is superb, and is among the issues folks don’t inform you about Cambodia.
Thai meals usually will get all the excitement, adopted by Vietnamese, however my spouse (who can’t deal with most spicy Thai dishes) truly loved Cambodian meals much more. It’s normally made with a mix of herbs and spices, coconut milk and lime juice. It’s not spicy such as you would count on, both.
Some conventional dishes you must strive are the fish amok, mango rooster, nom banh chok (a breakfast dish product of frivolously fermented Cambodian rice noodles) and Bai sach chrouk (a preferred breakfast of rice and pork), and any of the curries…even the fried frog is scrumptious!
Cambodian curry is usually made in a coconut, the place they pierce a gap within the backside, minimize a gap within the prime and fill it with spices, greens and meat, after which wrap it in foil and put it on a BBQ – it’s divine!
And should you head to the islands (which you completely ought to), be ready for some mouth-watering barbecues on the seaside!
There’s one catch.
In Cambodia, Cambodian meals is nice. If you happen to’re searching for pizza, Mexican meals, or different worldwide dishes…you’ll nearly definitely be dissatisfied.
We have been craving burritos sooner or later and have been pleasantly stunned to search out them on the menu. This “burrito” ended up being a tortilla with rice and a squirt of ketchup (I child you not).
12. Skip Sihanoukville
Sihanoukville was a sleepy seaside city fashionable amongst backpackers. Now, it’s a catastrophe zone.
The Chinese language have taken over, investing billions of {dollars} and erecting (or at the very least partially erecting) over 100 casinos in a span of some quick years.
Issues have gotten uncontrolled, to say the least. There are extra cranes and unfinished constructing tasks in Sihanoukville than I’ve seen in my complete life (mixed).
Now, you will must cross by way of Sihanoukville to take the boat to Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem. If in case you have the proper expectations, you may truly discover it fascinating (in a tragic sort of means).
Your complete metropolis seems like it’s one huge, torn up development zone—and that’s not one thing you get to see day-after-day.
Simply be sure to not stick round for too lengthy. These days, it’s not the most secure place to be.
13. Cambodia makes use of a dual-currency system
Get able to brush up in your math abilities.
In Cambodia, you should utilize both US {Dollars}, Cambodian Riel, or a mix of each. The official forex is the Riel, however they like you to pay in USD.
As of March 2025, $1 USD is roughly equal to 4006 Cambodian Riel. So should you pay to your $2.25 USD lunch with a $5 USD invoice, your change may be cut up up into one thing like $2 USD plus 3000 Riel.
Usually, it’s fairly easy. Simply consider a 1000 Riel word like a U.S. quarter.
The place issues begin to get complicated is when your complete involves one thing like $7.62 and also you get a stack of fifty and 100 Riel notes to your actual change.
At that time, we’re speaking lower than $0.25 USD. I’d simply settle for no matter change they offer you so long as it’s within the ballpark.
You possibly can keep away from a few of this math by utilizing a credit score or debit card wherever it’s accepted. However many retailers, eating places, road distributors, tuk-tuk drivers, and so on. solely settle for money.
Prime tip: attempt to take as a lot money as you want. There are ATMs in main cities, however they normally cost a withdrawal price for many bank cards, or are out of money. You might must go to some earlier than you’ve gotten any success. You possibly can change USD to native forex at forex change shops, however the mark up is excessive and since most locations take USD, I like to recommend you don’t trouble with this. No matter you do, DON’T EXCHANGE CURRENCY AT THE AIRPORT. It has the worst change fee.
14. Study the fundamentals of the language
Locals will probably be grateful (and impressed!) should you take the time to be taught the fundamentals of their nationwide language, Khmer.
It’s actually not that onerous. Simply preserve notes in your cellphone (or should you’re old-school like me, a pair flashcards in your pockets). Pull them out to follow everytime you’re in transport or ready for a meal.
Right here’s a number of the fundamentals to get you began:
- Hiya – Soos-die
- Goodbye – Lee-hi
- Thanks – Arkoon
- Restroom? – Bangkon?
- How a lot? – Bow-man
- Too costly – T-lay
If you happen to’re on the market, you’ll have a greater probability at bartering if you understand your numbers:
1 – Moi
2 – Pi
3 – Bai
4 – Boun
5 – Bram
6 – Bram moi (5 + 1)
7 – Bram pi (5 + 2)
8 – Bram bai (5 + 3)
9 – Bram boun (5 + 4)
10 – Dop
15. Know the time to go
One of the best time to go to Cambodia is the winter, from November to March. That is the dry season, and is when most individuals go to the nation so there are bigger crowds.
The inexperienced season is after the moist season, which is one other good time to go. That is from June to September, and is when the nation is awash in lush and inexperienced vegetation. It has a number of transient rain showers, however because it’s off-peak season, it has fewer crowds.
The wet season is from Early Might to October, with extra rain falling within the earlier months.
Cambodia has excessive humidity 12 months spherical, however it’s worse in March and April because it leads into the wet season.
16. Adhere to the gown code
Cambodians gown fairly modestly, not simply in spiritual websites however typically.
There isn’t a gown code for the entire nation as such, however it’s possible you’ll entice some consideration should you stroll round in scorching pants and crop tops.
It’s best to attempt to preserve your knees and shoulders lined, and though these booty shorts might really feel comfy on the seaside, when visiting rural areas, you must cowl up.
Not solely to respect the locals however to guard your pores and skin from mosquito bites.
17. Pay attention to landmines
Whereas a lot work has been finished to get better landmines, you ought to be involved about landmines in rural areas.
When the Khmer Rouge have been in energy, many landmines have been positioned however there have been no maps drawn up, so the quantity of landmines nonetheless buried are unknown.
The nation continues to be closely contaminated by landmines, and accidents do nonetheless happen, so watch out when visiting distant areas and comply with the place the locals inform you to go.
If you wish to be taught extra about how the nation are coping with the landmine scenario, I extremely advocate visiting the non-governmental group APOPO (Anti-Personnel Landmines Removing Product Improvement) in Siem Reap, who’ve educated rats to smell out TNT.
They name them Hero Rats – it’s fairly heartwarming how they care about them too.
18. You want a visa
Most nations require a visa to enter Cambodia. You possibly can apply for an e-Visa upfront on-line, or you will get a visa on arrival for some nations.
Click on right here to see what guidelines apply to your nation.
19. You’ll admire Cambodia extra should you perceive its previous
In case you didn’t know concerning the Khmer Rouge historical past of Cambodia, you ought to be acquainted with it.
It’s additionally known as the Pol Pot genocide, or Cambodian genocite, and occurred from from 1975 to 1979. Throughout this time, over 3 million Cambodians disappeared, died of hunger, or have been brutally murdered. This accounted to 25% of the nations complete inhabitants.
The story is heartbreaking, however understanding it should improve your complete journey.
There are a number of books and flicks about Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. I learn Survival within the Killing Fields throughout our journey, and it was fascinating to cross by way of all of the locations described within the e-book.
If you happen to get an opportunity, you can even go to a number of the prisons and mass grave websites. In Phnom Penh, we visited the S-21 jail and had the prospect to fulfill Chum Mey, one of many jail’s handful of survivors.
It’s miserable historical past, however it’s vital to learn about should you plan on visiting Cambodia.
Notice: This put up was initially revealed in January 2021, however has been up to date to supply extra suggestions and up-to-date info.
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