Siem Reap
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Siem Reap is the capital city of Siem Reap Province. The city is located in northwestern Cambodia near the northern point of Tonle Sap Lake. Siem Reap and the surrounding area are one of Cambodia’s top tourist destinations due to the wondrous Temples of Angkor in addition to the cosmopolitan nightlife, dining, and drinking scene.
Please note that Siem Reap and Cambodia in general has seen a huge increase in development since my visit in 2014 and information on this guide may be a tad outdated.
Travel tip #1: In Cambodia, hiring a personal tuk-tuk driver for multiple days is the way to go. Many of the drivers are eager to work for the same person or group to avoid having to find new riders each day. This is a special quirk in Cambodia, and it gives you the opportunity to get to know a local and learn about his or her life. Tuk-tuk drivers usually know volumes about the city and can give inside tips on the best times to frequent places.
Places of Interest
The Temples of Angkor: The Temples or Angkor are a collection of over 1,000 temples. Angkor was the capital of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to 15th centuries, making it a historically rich and culturally significant religious site. Since my visit in 2014, Angkor has boomed in popularity, making the crowds more dense and the prices higher (a one-day pass was $20 USD, but the price was increased to $37 USD in early 2017). It is impossible to experience Angkor’s entirety in a single day and temple hopping can be exhausting, so it may be best to purchase a multi-day pass to experience more of Angkor while saving a bit of money.
Sunrise at Angkor Wat: Get up early and trek to Angkor Wat to watch the sunrise—it’s absolutely gorgeous and completely worthwhile. However, it is very crowded. For those who want to avoid the crowds, try going to other lesser known temple sites for equally impressive views. Ask your tuk-tuk driver if he knows of any awesome spots!
Pub Street: Officially called Street 8, Pub Street is the place to go after a long day of temple hopping. This is the food, drink, and nightlife hub of Siem Reap, making it the best place to enjoy an evening meal, as well as watch street performances and get your fill of cheap drinks. After 5 or 6 pm, the streets are blocked off to cars and motorbikes so it’s easy to navigate on foot.
Angkor Night Market: There are over 200 shops in this lively night market near Pub Street, where you can find a variety of souvenirs and goods. Food stalls, bars, and cafes are also sprinkled throughout the rows of vendors. Bargaining is the name of the game in Cambodian markets, so prepare yourself before entering.
Travel tip #2: Bicycles are available for rent or you can hire a tuk-tuk driver for the day while temple hopping. Riding bicycles between temples can get very tiring in the sweltering Cambodian heat and the roads are not well-paved, making it difficult to effectively ride. If you’re up for the adventure, cycling is a fun option. However, I recommend hiring a tuk-tuk driver to make your life easier and the experience more enjoyable. My friends and I were charged $10 USD each by our wonderful tuk-tuk driver, Kim, who picked us up at 4:30 am from our guesthouse for Angkor Wat’s sunrise and stayed with us until we called it a day at 6:00 pm. We also bought him food and beverages throughout the day to show our gratitude. Prices may vary depending on your tuk-tuk driver.
Food
Fish Amok: Widely regarded as the national dish of the country, fish amok is available just about everywhere. It tends to be served in a beautiful banana leaf, but a bowl also does the trick. It’s unique flavor comes from “kroeung,” a Cambodian curry paste made by combining lemongrass, shallots, galangal, garlic, turmeric, and chilies. The curry’s base is creamy coconut milk while flakey white fish and lime leaves are added to give this dish its signature taste.
Spring rolls: Cambodian-style spring rolls differ a bit from their Vietnamese counterparts, as they skip the rice vermicelli and are packed with tons of crunchy herbs and veggies. They are super light and refreshing, but be careful about eating raw veggies in parts of Southeast Asia, as the water used to wash the veggies may not be the cleanest.
Coconuts: Coconuts are everywhere in Cambodia, which is a saving grace in the heat. Not only is coconut water full of nutrients and electrolytes, it’s also incredibly refreshing. Compared to mature coconuts, young coconuts don’t have the tasty “meat” that can be scraped out with a spoon and are more commonly sold due to their ability to solicit a quick profit. Young or mature, coconuts are awesome in Cambodia.
Psar Chas: The “Old Market” is the most popular and centrally located market in Siem Reap. It’s near Pub Street, making it easily accessible by locals and tourists alike. This is the best place to purchase fruits and veggies if you’re cooking some meals at a hostel or guesthouse. It’s also a great place to soak in a Cambodian culture with Khmer being spoken left and right.
Travel tip #3: Cambodia was the only place in Southeast Asia that I had stomach issues after traveling. This was completely my fault because I left some food out for a few hours and then ate it. That was obviously not smart, but I would therefore avoid any food that isn’t freshly cooked and is not hot. Other than that, everything was delicious!
Transportation & Accommodation
Siem Reap and Phnom Penh are approximately a six hours drive from one another. In addition to standard hour-long flights to get from one city to the next, there are small buses that provide transportation between the two cities on a daily basis, departing as early at 6:30 am. These buses are reliable, inexpensive, and a great way to see Cambodia. Tickets can be purchased at either airport, from ticket shops in the cities, or online. Ask the front desk where you’re staying and they should be able to direct you with ease.
Guesthouses, hostels, and hotels are great options when in Siem Reap (check booking.com for a list). Due to the influx of tourists to see the astounding temples, prices stay relatively low most of the year, but vary based on location and quality. For general safety reasons, opt to stay closer to the city center or Pub Street rather than along Siem Reap’s outskirts, especially if you’re a solo traveler.
Climate
Cambodia has a warm, tropical climate year around with two distinct seasons: wet and dry. Rainy, wet weather occurs May to November while dry season runs from December through April. The best weather is during December and January, which is peak season to visit Cambodia. After January, temperatures steadily rise and can easily reach 40+ degrees Celsius in May and June—these are by far the hottest months with the most humidity. Rain begins in June with heavier levels of precipitation experienced between September and October.
Travel tip #4: Near the end of dry season, petty theft and crime typically increase throughout the country as many people rely on crop production for income. Be aware of the time of year you visit any country, and how this can impact social and economic issues.