Many people have a prejudice that Cambodia is a backward country and there is no point in going there. But I think that on the contrary, it is a wonderful country full of kind and beautiful people and it makes a lot of sense. I would easily call Cambodia the jewel of Southeast Asia. And if I may advise you, go on a trip as soon as possible, before so many tourists have discovered it!
HOW TO GET TO SIEM REAP?
TAKE A TAXI FROM BANGKOK!
Every time I was in Thailand, I told myself that I had to visit Cambodia. It’s so close and almost within reach from Bangkok. And how to do it? There’s no need to buy an expensive flight from Prague to Siem Reap. If you’re in Bangkok, take a taxi and it will take you directly to the Thai-Cambodian border. Then you just take your bags and go through both customs controls on your own. Don’t forget to take your visa photos with you! And then, when you’re on the Cambodian side, you’ll catch another taxi, this time a Cambodian one. What can I advise you to do, negotiate the price properly, because taxi drivers are the same everywhere in the world. I haven’t met a good taxi driver yet. And then from the Cambodian border you’ll drive straight to Siem Reap.
You can avoid all of this if you decide to take the bus. The only thing you will need, however, is strong nerves. You have to expect a long wait at the border, because all buses from Bangkok arrive at the border at the same time.
We chose to take a taxi. In Cambodia, we had our first surprise. I was a bit shocked when our nice taxi driver stopped just outside the city and told us that he couldn’t go into the city anymore. Another friend with a carriage was waiting for us there. And I mean that literally. It’s not that I wouldn’t want to ride in a carriage like a princess, but after a long plane flight and a long taxi ride, you’re not in the mood to haggle over the price of a carriage. In the end, we explained to him that we wouldn’t pay anything extra and didn’t get in the carriage. We had to get his number and promise that we would definitely call him back.
Don’t be put off by taxi drivers. Unfortunately, they are often the first people a traveler comes into contact with in a foreign country. It can be quite annoying for some. Siem Reap is a very pleasant town and you will find very nice modest hotels here. People are always smiling here and it is a great balm for the soul.
PLAN!
If you have 3 days to visit, it pays to put in some brain cells, a little thought and planning. Siem Reap is much more than just a gateway to temples. In three days, you can combine ancient history, authentic rural life and modern culture.
When planning a trip to Siem Reap, it’s not just about what to see, but how to survive it comfortably and without crowds. Here’s a quick checklist to make it go smoothly:
TICKETS AND LOGISTICS
ANGKOR PASS
Tickets can be purchased at the central ticket office (Angkor Ticket Center) or online at Angkor Enterprise. For 3 days in Siem Reap, the most cost-effective is the 3-day pass ($62), which you can use within a week.
TRANSPORT
Don’t think you can do it all on foot. The most authentic and convenient way is to rent a tuk-tuk with a driver for the whole day (about $15–$25). For more freedom, you can rent an electric bike (E-bike), but expect heat and dust.
WHEN TO GO?
SEASON
The ideal time is November to February, when it is dry and the temperatures are bearable. From March to May it is extremely hot, and from June to October it is the rainy season (everything is green but humid).
CROWD-BACK STRATEGY
Most people head to Angkor Wat for sunrise and then continue to Bayon. Try the opposite – start at Ta Prohm right after it opens (7:30am) when you’ll be almost alone.
PRACTICAL TIPS
DRESS CODE
You must cover your knees and shoulders in the temples. Light linen trousers and a T-shirt are better than short shorts and a tank top with a scarf (which may not be accepted at the entrance).
MONEY
The main currency is still the US dollar (USD), although the local currency, Riel, is used for small changes. ATMs dispense dollars, but be careful of their condition – the banknotes must not be torn.
VISA
The fastest way is the Cambodian e-Visa, which you can apply for online in advance and avoid the queues at the airport.
DAY 1: ICONS AND JUNGLE (SMALL TOUR)
Spend your first day exploring the most famous monuments in the Angkor Archaeological Park. No trip to Siem Reap would be complete without visiting the temple complex. That’s why you came here, right? I recommend buying a three-day temple pass for $40 or a day pass for $20. It depends on how many temples you want to see. The entire area covers an area of 400 square kilometers and has more than a thousand temples. Today, the temples are a place of pilgrimage for all Cambodians. But not only for them. So be prepared for crowds of travelers from all over the world.
SUNRISE AT ANGKOR WAT
There is no doubt that Angkor Wat is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Take a look at the Cambodian flag. That says it all. It was once the center of the Khmer Empire, and today it is the spiritual heart of Cambodia. It was originally built as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu, and only then converted into a Buddhist temple in the 14th century. The most beautiful experience is to start the day with a tour of the temple in the early morning hours. Sunrise over Angkor is one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever had. It is priceless. And I didn’t want to get up at all.
Start early in the morning (around 4:50 AM) to catch the iconic view of the sun rising over the spires of the world’s largest religious complex.
Our tuk-tuk driver was waiting for us at the hotel entrance at 4:45. It’s quite a hassle to get up so early in the morning, but believe me, it’s worth it. Be prepared for a lot of people to be there. I was surprised how many people had the same idea. It’s almost impossible to take a photo without people. I was skeptical for a moment that we wouldn’t have a chance to get a good shot. But even this crowd creates an amazing atmosphere when you’re waiting for the sun to come up with people from all over the world, flashlights in hand.
All you need to know is how to beat the crowds and where to place your camera.
BOOST YOUR BODY WITH A FRENCH BAGUETTE
The sun rises quite slowly here, at least it seemed like an eternity to me. You can strengthen yourself with a French baguette that was left here after the French colonizers. If you come early in the morning, you still have a chance to find a nice place where you will feel good. You will see crowds of people not only in the morning, but also throughout the day in the complex. At 5:30 the complex starts to fill with tourists. It is not for nothing that they say that Angkor is one of the wonders of the world. Although I personally liked other temples too. But I left those for another day.
TEMPLES WHEREVER YOU LOOK
The temples are in different states of repair and some are even in a state of disrepair. For example, in Angkor, restoration is a high priority and the monuments are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Each temple is being repaired by a different country. The Czech Republic is also represented here. Although, compared to the Japanese team, we are in charge of a much smaller temple. If you like temples, you will be in temple paradise. There are a lot of them here and it pays to plan, because you won’t be able to see them all. There are quite large distances between them.
ANGKOR THOM AND BAYON
Explore the ancient city with the Bayon temple, which is famous for its hundreds of smiling stone faces.
TA PROHM
Visit the “temple from Tomb Raider”, where gigantic tree roots grow through the stone walls.
EVENING: WALK ALONG THE LIVELY PUB STREET
The street that looks so innocent during the day comes alive in the evening. Something like Khoasan Road in Thailand. You can find restaurants, bars, shops and cooking schools here. Go for a drink at the local “Ankor What?”. This bar plays great tunes and has a cool atmosphere, in a good way. So if you’ve been out in the hot sun all day, there’s nothing better than cooling off and recharging your batteries right here. And most importantly, you’ll find reasonable prices here. Or simply find your own establishment that you’ll like. There are a lot of them here.
GET A MASSAGE
You will be tired and exhausted after the whole day. You deserve a Cambodian massage. I would say that it is not as painful as a Thai one. You can find massage studios here at every step. We found a studio that employed blind masseurs. We thought they would definitely have feeling in their hands. And they did! My masseur found a place on my shoulder that was stiff and massaged it constantly. At times I thought I was going to die. But otherwise, a Cambodian massage is very pleasant.
DON’T MISS THE DANCE PERFORMANCE
But what you definitely shouldn’t miss is the traditional Apsara dance. Some restaurants offer this spectacle for free. You just have to order food and the show is included in the price. The people in Cambodia are kind and hardworking, generous, hospitable and receptive. And so is the music and dance.
DAY 2: STONE ART AND MORE DISTANT TEMPLES (LARGE CIRCLE)
The next day, head for finer details and a more peaceful atmosphere.
BANTEAY SREI
This pink sandstone “temple of women” is about 30 km from the city and boasts some of the most beautiful and detailed carvings in all of Cambodia.
PREAH KHAN AND NEAK PEAN
Visit a vast monastery complex and an island temple in the middle of an artificial reservoir.
SUNSET AT PRE RUP
End the day by climbing this brick temple, which offers beautiful views of the surrounding countryside at sunset.
There’s no point in naming all the temples. I think everyone will find their own temple here that they will like. And if you’re still confused, I’ve written an article for you with a big list. It’s up to you which one to choose.
EVENING: VISIT TO A BIZARR NIGHT MARKET
The old market “PSAH Chas” is located right in the center of the city. It’s a fun place to visit, but probably not for the faint of heart. It’s a food market where you’ll wade through a maze of tables of raw meat, foul-smelling fruit and fish, local sausages, and hideous pig heads. In the middle of it all, you’ll find plenty of local women selling, buying, laughing, and bargaining.
The Old Market is of course a paradise for shopping lovers. And know that you can find almost everything here! From stunning artwork to ridiculous fakes. I would say that Cambodians are hardcore sellers and you can save a lot of money by bargaining and bargaining. You can buy clothes (I recommend elephant pants), food and souvenirs here.
Have you ever eaten fried snakes, scorpions, cockroaches or tarantulas? Well, I have to admit that the adventurous side of my personality has a certain limit. Well, honestly, I’m not afraid to eat strange foods, but there are some things I really don’t need and won’t put in my mouth. Even though the price is more than favorable 1 USD. But, against the taste…
DAY 3: LIFE ON THE WATER AND CRAFTS
Spend your last day exploring nature and experiencing the daily lives of the locals.
TONLÉ SAP LAKE
Take a boat trip to a floating village like Kampong Phluk. See houses on high stilts and a way of life that depends entirely on the water.
ARTISANS D´ANGKOR
Visit workshops where young people learn traditional crafts such as woodcarving, lacquering or silk weaving.
COOKING LESSONS
In the afternoon, you can take a Khmer cooking class and learn how to make traditional fish Amok.
There are many schools in Siem Reap with cooking classes. It’s like a bag full of them. I took an affordable and well-rated one at Le Tigre du Papier. Cambodian food is very delicious and I would say it’s a mix of Thai and Indian cuisine. The brand is ideal! Its taste is milder and it’s definitely less spicy.
And what is traditional Cambodian food? The most popular traditional dish is “amok”. Amok is a steamed fish covered with crushed peanuts, coconut milk and eggs, which is wrapped in a banana leaf. You can also try a very tasty green mango salad or fresh spring rolls.
And if you want to know more, read my article:
Even though the poverty rate has halved, Cambodia is still a very poor country. But the Cambodians don’t show it. They are always smiling. I read somewhere that anyone who visits Cambodia will come back. I guess there’s something to that, because this country has enchanted me and I definitely plan to return someday!
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