Siem Reap Travel Guide
For visitors to Cambodia’s Siem Reap or Temple Town as residents fondly call it, the main attraction is the magnificent, sprawling, compelling Angkor Empire ruins and its star sight, Angkor Wat. These days there’s much more to Siem Reap than history. Try hip hotels, a burgeoning art scene and chic boutiques brimming with fashion, jewellery and decor by local designers. Cafe culture is strong and restaurants serving creative Cambodian cuisine rival the best in Southeast Asia’s capitals. Explore the temples but also allocate time to experience the culture, cuisine and everyday life of this lively little city.
Siem Reap Itineraries
ONE DAY
Itinerary
TWO DAY
Itinerary
Stay in Siem Reap
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Viroths Hotel Siem Reap Named Best Hotel in the World – AGAIN for 2018!
Viroths Hotel Siem Reap has been named best hotel in the world again this week by Trip Advisor users in the travel site’s annual Traveller’s Choice awards for 2018. Curious…
Maison Polanka, a Secret Haven with History in Siem Reap
Maison Polanka was one of the first boutique hotels we stayed at when we moved to Cambodia’s Siem Reap three years ago. This secret haven remains a favourite, which is why we…
Accomodation
Insurance
Eat in Siem Reap
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Cambodian Chef Pola Siv on His Mother’s Cooking and How to Open a Restaurant
Cambodian chef Pola Siv helms the kitchen of Mie Café, one of Siem Reap’s best restaurants, where the 35 year-old chef creates an elegant and inventive contemporary Cambodian cuisine rooted…
Mahob Khmer Chef Sothea Seng on Preserving Cambodia’s Culinary Heritage – and Pickling!
Mahob Khmer chef Sothea Seng is committed to preserving Cambodia’s culinary heritage – and pickling! I chatted to the chef about his childhood growing up on a farm, his love of Cambodian…
Drink in Siem Reap
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Siem Reap’s Best Cafes and Bars
Siem Reap, like Phnom Penh, boasts plenty of cool cafés and bars, whether it’s for a coffee and pastry to kickstart the day, a cold beer to quench the thirst,…
Explore Siem Reap
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Cambodia Wildlife Experiences – Where to Enjoy Ethical Animal Encounters
Cambodia wildlife experiences include everything from spending time with rescued sun bears and moon bears at the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre near Phnom Penh to volunteering at the Elephant…
Sambor Prei Kuk, Cambodia – Guardian Lions, Flying Palaces and UNESCO Status
Sambor Prei Kuk temple complex in bucolic Kompong Thom province was recently added to Cambodia’s list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Set amidst forest and shaded by towering trees, the…
Experience Siem Reap
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Siem Reap for Families – Fun Things to Do With Kids
Siem Reap for families, beyond the temples. That was my brief from a client who wanted an itinerary because her kids weren’t interested in “piles of rocks”. Is Siem Reap…
A Night at the Phare Cambodian Circus in Siem Reap
A night at Phare Cambodian Circus, Siem Reap, might seem like an odd way to spend an evening in the northern Cambodian city that’s famous for Angkor Wat and other…
Book Siem Reap Tours
Absorb Siem Reap
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Cambodian Space Project – A Chat with Kak Channthy and Julien Poulsen
Cambodian Space Project is a freewheeling, psychedelic Cambodian rock group founded by Cambodian singer Srey Channthy and Australian musician Julien Poulson. They formed the band to bridge their respective cultures…
Shop Siem Reap
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Asana Organic Farmers Market in Siem Reap
Make a beeline to the Sunday morning Asana Organic Farmers Market in Siem Reap, when you’re in Cambodia. If you’re planning on renting an apartment and settling into Temple Town for a while, buy…
A Local Guide to Shopping Siem Reap by Nathalie Saphon Ridel
Much to the surprise of most visitors to Cambodia, shopping Siem Reap is a real delight, with everything from stonemasonry and woodcarving that date back to the Khmer Empire and…
Siem Reap Festivals & Events
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The Giant Puppet Project Parade Snakes Through Siem Reap
Giant Puppet Project Parade snakes through Siem Reap on a Saturday night each February. If you’re heading to Cambodia in 2017 try to time your trip to coincide with this wonderful event. It’s a fun-filled night…
Scenes from the Siem Reap Water Festival – Bon Om Tuk in Images
Browse these colourful scenes from the Siem Reap Water Festival or Bon Om Tuk in Khmer, which marks the end of monsoon and reversal of the Tonle Sap (Great Lake)…
Siem Reap Local Knowledge
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Rainy Season in Cambodia – Why You Need to Visit During Monsoon or the Green Season
Rainy season in Cambodia – also known as monsoon season – is called the green season for good reason. The countryside is absolutely gorgeous. It’s a bonus that it’s also…
Local Guide to Eating and Drinking in Siem Reap by Chef Saren of Marum
This local guide to eating and drinking in Siem Reap, Cambodia, comes from local Cambodian chef, Toun Saren, Head Chef of Marum, one of Friends International’s Tree Alliance hospitality training…
Siem Reap Resources
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Sponsored Spots for Cambodians on our Retreats and Tours
We’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be offering sponsored spots for Cambodians on our future retreats and tours following the success of our first sponsored placement on our recent May retreat.…
How to Get to Siem Reap, Gateway to Angkor Wat
One of the questions we most get asked by readers is how to get to Siem Reap, Cambodia, the gateway to Angkor Wat and departure point for excursions into nearby Angkor Archaeological…
Siem Reap Essentials
WHEN TO GO
Nov–Feb Peak season finds Siem Reap at its most crowded, but the weather is at its best.
Mar–May Weather heats up. Restrict temple exploring to early mornings and late afternoon.
Jun–Oct Wet season commences, but it’s not like clockwork with daily afternoon showers.
HEALTH
Siem Reap has basic healthcare facilities. If you fall critically ill or have a serious accident, you may have to be evacuated to Bangkok. As this can cost up to US$25,000 it is of great importance that you get full medical insurance. Recommended Vaccinations
VISAS
Tourist visas cost US$30 on arrival and are valid for one month. A business visa cost US$35 and can be extended through a travel agent. You will need one passport-sized photo and USD in cash. An eVisa can be easily issued online and will save you time on arrival.
CURRENCY
CURRENT EXCHANGE RATES
$1.00 USD = 4,075.84 KHR
$1.00 AUD = 2,766.06 KHR
€1.00 EUR = 4,152.01 KHR
£1.00 GBP = 4,860.62 KHR
The Cambodian currency (KHR) is called the ‘riel’, however USD is the most common currency used in the country and the riel is used to give change for amounts that are less than one USD when shopping.
LANGUAGE
KHMER IS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF CAMBODIA.
ELECTRICITY
ELECTRICITY IN CAMBODIA IS 220 VOLTS. 50 CYCLES/SEC.
LOCAL TIME ZONE
Time in Siem Reap:CAMBODIAN TIME ZONE
Cambodian Time Zone is (GMT+7)
Cambodia does not have daylight saving.
INSIDER TIP:
For the iconic dawn sunrise at Angkor Wat, you need to be there ready at least one half hour before sunrise.
WEATHER
CURRENT SIEM REAP WEATHER
TRANSPORTATION
AIR/LAND/SEA
There are direct international flights to Siem Reap International Airport (REP) from most major Asian cities. Domestic routes are to Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. Buses and minivans run between most tourist destinations. Boat services run from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh and Battambang. Bike and motorcycle hire is available. Tuk Tuks are used for local travel, but increasingly locals and travellers are using the Grab App on phones for short trips.
Siem Reap Daily Costs
BUDGET
Daily Budget Up To:
US$30
- Guesthouse dorm room: US$3–10
- Cheap restaurants, street food: US$1–3
- Pushbike hire: US$5–10 per day
MID RANGE
Daily Budget From:
US$31–200
- Air-con hotel room: US$15–50
- Good local restaurant meal: US$3–10
- Official tour guide per day: US$25
LUXURY
Daily Budget From:
US$201+
- Boutique hotel or resort: US$50–500
- Degustation meal with drinks: US$25–50
- Private car with driver per day: US$60–120
