Cambodia is a wonderful country located in Southeast Asia. In fact, Cambodia is one of the most popular destinations in Asia. It has something for everyone – backpackers, couples, solo travelers, luxury travelers, etc.
Cambodia offers several experiences – from beautiful views to sad history, from tropical island getaways to big shopping malls, from temple hopping to museums, from epic sunrises to delicious food tours – you should find something that suits your needs and interests.
If you’re planning your first trip to Cambodia, this guide should answer any questions you may have. We’ll talk about travel facts, the best time to visit Cambodia, the best destinations, recommended itineraries, travel costs, travel essentials and how to prepare for your trip.
| Information | Cambodia |
|---|---|
| Language | Khmer |
| English-friendly | Yes |
| Currency | KHR (Cambodian riel), US dollars are also accepted almost everywhere. |
| Internet reliability | Good |
Cambodia is a versatile country and depending on when you travel, you may be facing different types of seasons. We decided to split this section into three sections to help you understand the seasons:
| Seasons | Weather Conditions | Months |
|---|---|---|
| Cool season |
Cool and dry, temperatures range from 21 to 32 °C |
December to February |
| Hot season |
Hot and humid, temperatures start to climb to 40 °C |
March to June |
| Rainy season |
Heavy rain showers and wind |
June to November |
Planning your trip to Cambodia? We created Cambodia itineraries to help you. You can pick the length of your stay and follow our recommended itineraries. We created itineraries for up to two weeks including our favorite Cambodian destinations.
In this section, you’ll find general information on costs and how to prepare for your trip. Finally, you will find a table that will provide an overview of cost and options depending on your travel budget.
In Cambodia, you’ll find several options when it comes to accommodation. Whether you’re a budget traveler or not, you won’t have difficulty to find options. You can find dorms starting at $2 per night.
When it comes to food, you can find different types of restaurants. If you eat local food, you can eat for less than KHR 20,000. Obviously, you may find elegant restaurants around the country when you can pay more if you wish to. The cheapest options are usually in small local restaurants and in the night markets.
Some activities such as markets or beach bumming are free. Although, if you’re planning on visiting temples and seeing Angkor Wat, going on a snorkeling or diving trip or visiting the killing fields, you will have to pay for it. You can browse activities in Cambodia here to have an idea of the costs involved.
In general, it’s pretty easy to get around Cambodia. You can either fly, take a bus or a boat to reach your destinations.
To book your transport between destinations, you can book via 12GO or via a travel agency. Most of the time, your hotel and hostel may be able to arrange it for you.
| Travel Cost | Budget travel | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $2-5 per night | $25-70 per night | $70+ |
| Meal | $5 per meal | $5-15 per meal | $15+ |
| Activities | Focus on free activities | Mixing free activities & mid-range | $30+ per day |
| Transport | By bus/boat | By bus, flight, driver | Private driver |
Overall, traveling around Cambodia is pretty safe. Of course, you should always lock your valuables especially if you’re staying in a hostel.
Drive-by thefts and bag snatching happen sometimes. Especially in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. It’s smart to put your bag under the seat when driving a motorbike and keep your other valuables off-sight. Most scams are pretty harmless and can be avoided with common sense and normal caution.
If you’re planning on taking an overnight bus while in Cambodia, make sure to keep your valuablles on you – it’s pretty common that thefts are waiting for you to fall asleep to steal your money. It happened to me and to a friend.
In remote areas, stick to the marked paths. There might still be some landmines buried from the Vietnam war.
Apart from the travel essentials, here are the things you should absolutely bring along with you in Cambodia. Click on the images to shop on Amazon. You can also check out this list of travel essentials in Asia.
Usually, you may able to apply for an online visa or get the visa sorted directly at the immigration office if you arrive by land. Tourists get scammed often at the border so make sure you have a photo with you. You can read more about my experience crossing by land here.
You can verify your visa requirements here.
Browse flights on Skyscanner to find deals.
Book your travel insurance for as little as $42/month.
Find accommodation anywhere in the world.
Check the visa requirements and apply for a visa if needed.
Volunteer abroad in exchange for free accommodation.
Book transfers, tours, and activities in advance.
It’s hard to find a good data plan when you’re traveling. You have to research the best deals, go to a store, and hope they have a prepaid SIM card for travelers and tourists.
And if they don’t? You could be without service for the rest of your trip. Not only is that frustrating, but it can also be time-consuming.
eSIMs are the solution to your travel woes. With an eSIM plan, you can stay connected no matter where you go. Plus, there are no contracts or cancellation fees, so you can change your plan whenever you want.
If you’re looking for an eSIM plan while in Cambodia, then be sure to check out the providers below. They all offer great plans that will keep you connected while you’re there.
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