Cambodia
Siem Reap
Siem Reap is Angkor Wat's town — the world's largest religious monument, and a base for a few magical days.
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Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor — the vast Khmer temple complex that includes Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm, where giant trees grow through stone.
Angkor Wat at sunrise is the famous image, but the complex is enormous: a three-day pass lets you see the great temples and the quieter ones. The town itself is easy and cheap — Pub Street, night markets, and good food. A tuk-tuk driver for the day is the standard move.
It's hot year-round; the cool dry season (November–February) is the sweet spot. Go early, rest midday, and go back out in the afternoon.
2–4 days
November–February
Budget
USD 30–70 per person per day at mid-range. Angkor pass is the main cost.
Getting around
When to go
Cool dry season — the most comfortable time to explore in heat. March–May is brutally hot; summer is wet.
Cool dry (Nov–Feb)
The sweet spot — warm days, low rain, good light. Peak crowds at sunrise.
Hot dry (Mar–May)
40°C+. Cheap and quiet, but hard to explore midday.
Wet (Jun–Oct)
Green and fewer crowds; afternoon rain, some temples quieter.
Neighborhoods
Where you stay shapes the trip. Here's how to think about it.
Old Market / Pub Street area
The tourist center — night markets, Pub Street, and the restaurants. Stay here; walk to everything in town.
Best for:First-timers, everyone
Don't miss:A night at the night market and a meal on Pub Street (once).
French Quarter / Wat Bo
Across the river — quieter, greener, and the better boutique hotels.
Best for:Couples, quiet
Don't miss:A coffee by the river and the Wat Bo temples.
Angkor Archaeological Park
Not a neighborhood but the reason you're here — 400km² of temples. Buy a 1-, 3-, or 7-day pass.
Best for:Day trips, everyone
Don't miss:Angkor Wat at sunrise, Bayon's faces, and Ta Prohm's trees.
Tonle Sap (lake day trip)
The great lake — floating villages and a different side of Cambodian life.
Best for:Day trip
Don't miss:A boat through the floating villages (Kampong Phluk).
Banteay Srei (outlying temple)
The 'citadel of women' — intricate pink sandstone, 25km north, best at golden hour.
Best for:Returning visitors, photographers
Don't miss:The pink carvings at Banteay Srei in late afternoon.
Money & essentials
Currency
Cambodian riel (KHR); USD widely accepted and preferred for big spending. Carry small USD bills.
Language
Khmer. English common in tourist areas.
Safety
Very safe. The main risks are the heat, the sun, and the roads — wear helmets if you rent a bike.
Budget range
USD 30–70 per person per day at mid-range. Angkor pass is the main cost.
Tipping
Not expected; round up or $1–2 for good service.
See what a trip to Cambodia actually costs. Travel Budget Co.
How to plan it
- Buy a 3-day Angkor pass, not a 1-day — the complex is too big for one day.
- Hire a tuk-tuk driver for the day — it's cheap, and they know the temple circuits.
- Go to Angkor Wat for sunrise, then come back into town in the midday heat.
- Carry small USD bills — they're widely accepted and easier than riel.
- Add Banteay Srei in late afternoon for the pink stone in golden light.
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