Siem Reap, Cambodia is the principle entry to go to Angkor Wat. Backpacking Siem Reap right here is likely one of the major stops for vacationers by means of the area. Even in the event you aren’t a backpacker, likelihood is you’ll journey right here as a result of will probably be your base when you go to Angkor Wat.

The middle of town nonetheless looks like a rural outdated city, with French type homes and many retailers. The world across the outdated market is crowded with locals and foreigners all day lengthy. A couple of steps extra and you might be in the course of the nightlife space the place the enjoyable lasts until the solar shines once more.

Apart from going to see Angkor Wat, there isn’t a lot “to do” within the city itself.

It’s simply one other metropolis.

Whereas town has change into extra fashionable with expats lately (and there’s so much higher meals scene now too), I personally wouldn’t suggest spending a lot time right here.

This Siem Reap journey information gives you all the sensible data it is advisable plan your go to to the vacation spot.

Different Issues to See and Do in Siem Reap

1. Landmine Museum

Landmines have devastated the nation, maiming and killing hundreds. They nonetheless trigger destruction at present as remaining mines from the Vietnam Struggle (which spilled over to this nation) as found yearly. The Landmine Museum has an in-depth exhibit and dormitory residence for as much as 30 amputee kids. That is very worthwhile trigger to take a look at so you may broaden your perspective. Admission for international guests is $5 USD per particular person. I can’t suggest it sufficient.

2. Apsara Dancing

Although this may appear to be a vacationer entice given the variety of individuals providing this to you, the dance may be very a lot part of fashionable Khmer tradition. Dancers are genuine and proficient. There are a number of locations the place you may see this type of dancing, however Apsara Theatre is likely one of the finest. It’s about $25 USD for a present.

3. Blissful Ranch Horse Farm

This ranch affords countryside path rides by horseback. Rides that final anyplace from 1-4 hours. Wander out and in of the assorted villages, rice fields, and Buddhist pagodas throughout dawn or sundown. It’s an superior journey. Costs start at $38 USD for an hour journey.

4. Study in a Cambodian cooking class

There’s by no means a foul time to be taught to cook dinner. The category sizes are usually round 6 individuals, and you’ll be taught to cook dinner 3 complete meals, in addition to get recipe playing cards on the finish. Costs begin round $20 USD per particular person and native guesthouses may also help organize a category.

5. Wat Preah Promenade Rath

A “newer” temple inside the metropolis, Wat Preah Promenade Rath is simply 500 years outdated. There are stunning reliefs depicting the whole lot from man-eating crocodiles to the ever-tranquil Buddha determine. Supposedly, the positioning of this temple was chosen by a person who landed right here whereas his boat was sinking. Entrance is free, however you’ll want to put on respectful clothes.

6. Day Journey to Koh Ker

For a enjoyable day journey from Siem Reap, head to Koh Ker, situated round 2.5 hours from city. Koh Ker was briefly the capital of the Khmer Empire, and most of the temples listed below are over 1,000 years outdated. It’s a large archeological web site situated within the jungle, and it sees far fewer vacationers than Siem Reap. There are not any public buses that go there (the roads have been solely paved a couple of years in the past), so that you’ll have to rearrange transportation through your hostel or lodge.

7. Take a meals tour

Conventional Khmer meals is commonly neglected in comparison with different Asian meals, and a Siem Reap Meals Tour is the easiest way to pattern this tradition’s superb noodle dishes, contemporary seafood, sweets, and avenue meals. There are a number of excursions to select from, together with morning excursions into the market and night excursions perusing meals stalls. Excursions begin from $65 USD.

Siem Reap Journey Prices

Be aware: Cambodia makes use of USD. There’s no actual want to hold the native forex, Cambodian Riels (KHR), except you paying for actually small issues on the road, however for essentially the most half, use USD.

Hostel costs – A mattress in a dorm room begins round $3 USD per evening for a 12-bed dorm, whereas a smaller 4-6 mattress dorm will value between $5-6 USD. Some dorms within the extra luxurious, European type hostesl can attain as excessive as $9 USD. An ordinary single non-public room begins round $5 USD (naked, naked bones), however the common fee is extra like $10 USD. Free WiFi is customary and plenty of hostels additionally embody free breakfast.

Funds lodge costs – You will discover fundamental 2-star rooms for as little as $6 USD, nevertheless it possible received’t be overly near town middle and also you’ll possible have a fan in your room as an alternative of air-con. Inns with air-con, scorching water, and TV will value round $13 USD per evening for a twin and $16 USD for a double. Many locations even have swimming pools however, for these locations, anticipate to spend near $20 per evening. Airbnb is out there within the metropolis and costs are corresponding to inns.

Common value of meals – Meals right here received’t break the financial institution. You possibly can eat rice and noodle dishes for $1.50 USD, and lunch meals at eating places for round $2 USD. Even mid-range eating places for dinner will solely value $6-9 USD. Throughout meal time, out of doors markets and avenue eating places have dishes for as little as $2 USD. I’d persist with the road meals, although, it’s cheaper and tastes higher than the eating places. There are many good choices within the Previous Market. Meals round Angkor Wat can be costlier, with a easy meal of conventional amok (like inexperienced curry in a coconut) costing round $6 USD. In the event you plan on shopping for groceries and cooking your personal meals, anticipate to spend round $15 USD per week. The meals is so scrumptious and low-cost, nevertheless, that you simply would possibly as nicely eat out as typically as you may!

Backpacking Siem Reap Urged Budgets

In the event you’re backpacking round Siem Reap, you’ll spend about $55 USD per day. The overwhelming majority of this funds is the day ticket to Angkor Wat — which, let’s face it, is probably going the rationale you’re within the metropolis. Moreover the ticket, this funds will get you a mattress in a dorm at a high quality hostel, meals from the road stalls, a couple of beers, and a shared tuk-tuk (with two different individuals) round Angkor Wat.

A mid-range funds of $80 USD will get you a personal hostel room with air con, or a fundamental room at a 2-star lodge. You possibly can eat at extra mid-range native eating places for all of your meals, take pleasure in extra drinks, and pay in your personal taxi to and from Angkor Wat! (This funds additionally covers the every day entry payment for Angkor Wat.)

On a “luxurious” funds of $147 USD or extra a day, you’ll dwell the excessive life! In reality, it’ll be exhausting to spend that quantity except you’re treating your self tremendously. You possibly can keep at a pleasant 4-star lodge with all of the facilities (together with a pool), eat out for each meal, drink all of the beer you need, get a message, rent a personal taxi to take you round Angkor Wat, and even take extra excursions (like a guided tour round Angkor Wat or a avenue meals tour).

Be aware: Cambodia makes use of USD. You need to use the chart under to get some thought of how a lot it is advisable funds every day, relying in your journey type. Take note these are every day averages – some days you’ll spend extra, some days you’ll spend much less (you would possibly spend much less each day).

Siem Reap Journey Information: Cash Saving Suggestions

There actually aren’t any large cash saving suggestions right here. Meals, lodging, and transportation are all dust low-cost however, in the event you actually need to pinch some pennies, listed below are a couple of tips about easy methods to save more money in Siem Reap:

Negotiate with tuk-tuk drivers – Ensure you negotiate the worth forward of time. Furthermore, don’t take the primary quantity they offer you — it’s inflated. In the event you’re unsure what worth try to be aiming for, ask your hostel/lodge employees upfront. They’ll normally assist you ebook a trusted driver, as nicely. The identical applies to bike taxis.

Decrease your drinks – Each drink is a greenback and earlier than it, you’ve spent extra money on beer than on meals and lodging.

Work in your room – It’s fairly frequent to get a job in a hostel with a view to keep longer in Siem Reap so in the event you keep at a hostel and just like the vibe, ask in the event that they’ll allow you to work there.
E-book excursions and day excursions as a bunch – You may have extra negotiation energy while you’re with a bunch of individuals shopping for a number of issues. Touring alone? Meet a good friend at a hostel and see in the event that they need to be a part of the identical tour as you.

Get pleasure from 50 cent beers at Blissful Hour – In order for you an evening out, begin off at The Final Name bar earlier than heading to Pub Road. They’ve 50 cent beers early within the night!

Use a water bottle with a air purifier – It isn’t secure to drink the faucet water in Siem Reap, and though shopping for bottled water is reasonable, it does add up — decide up a LifeStraw (it’s good for the setting too!)

The right way to Get Round Siem Reap

All the principle points of interest in Siem Reap (aside from Angkor Wat) are simply reached on foot, particularly within the historic a part of town. There are some transportation choices, although.

Tuk-tuk – For journeys round Siem Reap, tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis ought to value round $2 USD for brief journeys and underneath $6 USD from the airport into city. Negotiate your fare up entrance to make sure you don’t get ripped off. A day’s rent of a tuk-tuk from the city across the main temples at Angkor Wat and again ought to value round $15-25 USD. For a guided day, anticipate to pay nearer to $25 USD. You’ll want to discover some buddies to share the journey so your prices are lowered. Naturally, visiting temples additional out will value extra.

Taxis – A lot of the taxis in Siem Reap don’t have meters, so the price of your journey will differ. On the whole although taxis are costlier than tuk-tuks. A taxi to the airport will value about $7 USD. You can even rent taxis for the day to take you round Angkor Wat, which prices from $25 USD. If you wish to get to different temples like Banteay Srei the price could be as excessive as $50 USD per day.

Bicycle – You possibly can hire a bicycle right here for lower than $5 USD a day. You will discover rental retailers within the Previous Market. Some inns even have free bicycle leases.

When to Go to Siem Reap

The dry season in Siem Reap is from November to early April, which is mostly the most effective time to go to Angkor Wat. It’s busiest right here throughout December and January, when the climate is most nice. January is the “coldest” month, with temperatures typically dropping to 70°F (21°C).

April could be unbearably scorching, nevertheless; the typical every day temperature in April is 88°F (31°C) however the humidity could be excessive. Angkor Wat received’t be as crowded, however spending a full day exploring the temples could be overwhelming within the warmth.

The monsoon season lasts from June by means of October however this typically simply means an hour or two of rain per day. It does make Angkor Wat very muddy, however there will even be only a few different vacationers round.

The right way to Keep Secure in Siem Reap

Siem Reap is a secure place to backpack and journey. Violent assaults are tremendous uncommon. Petty theft is the commonest sort of crime right here, particularly within the Previous Market (and even at Angkor Wat). Watch out for pickpockets!

One frequent rip-off: you may be approached by shady law enforcement officials, or faux law enforcement officials who will demand to see your passport. Chances are high, you’ll be requested to pay a superb to get it again. Deny the request and inform them the passport is again at your lodge in a security deposit field.

Examine these 14 main journey scams to keep away from in Siem Reap and be within the know!

At all times belief your intestine intuition. If a taxi driver appears shady, cease the cab and get out. In case your lodge is seedier than you thought, get out of there. Make copies of your private paperwork, together with your passport and ID. Ahead your itinerary alongside to family members so that they’ll know the place you might be.

Total, locals are very nice and useful and also you’re unlikely to get into hassle. The individuals who do are inclined to get into hassle are normally as a result of they’re inolved with medication or intercourse tourism. Avoid that stuff and also you’ll be superb.

In the event you don’t do it at house, don’t do it while you’re in Siem Reap. Comply with that rule and also you’ll be superb.

A very powerful piece of recommendation I can supply is to buy good journey insurance coverage. Journey insurance coverage will shield you towards sickness, damage, theft, and cancellations. It’s complete safety in case something goes incorrect. I by no means go on a visit with out it as I’ve had to make use of it many occasions prior to now.