What is Cambodia known for?

Cambodia is a beautiful country filled with magnificent historical sites including the mighty Temple of Angkor Wat, the national symbol of the country. There are many other awe-inspiring sights to see including the Bayon Temple and the awe-inspiring Angkor Thom some of the most iconic in the country. The magic of Cambodia can be seen and found in the thrilling archeological sites, the lush jungles filled with flora and fauna, beautiful bustling beaches, charming cities, and friendly smiling locals. The country is simply fascinating and a rewarding place to visit with memorials and museums of the country's treacherous past to the secluded beaches of Bamboo Island and Koh Rong. Kep is filled with luxurious boutique resorts, its Cambodia`s original resort town, and the perfect location to stay featuring fantastic seafood restaurants.

Travel along the mighty Mekong Discovery Trail where freshwater dolphins can be spotted and the Mekong islands can be accessed. Tonle Sap Lake is filled with unique floating villages, forests, and birdlife known as Cambodia`s Great Lake. There are many fun markets to visit including the iconic Psar Thmei a Russian market in Phnom Penh and Psar Chaa and Psar Leu Siem Reap a major shopping location. Nightlife is booming in Phnom Penh on the vibrant riverfront and Siem Reap boasts an abundance of bars in the Old Market area.

What are the best places to visit in Cambodia?

Siem Reap is an ancient city with the largest religious monument in the world, home to Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom along with hundreds of other ancient temples and ruins. The city is vibrant and full of culture, world class dining, energetic markets and floating fishing villages. Bar hop on the famous Pub Street, walk along the Siem Reap River and visit extraordinary museums. Phnom Penh is a stunning sparkling city, the capital of Cambodia known as `The Pearl of Asia` situated along the Siem Reap River. The city is brimming with magnificent palaces, pagodas, markets and museums and the popular Sisowath Quay riverfront promenade is the place to eat, drink and shop.Sihanoukville is a sunny seaside destination stretching along the southwest coast of Cambodia. The coastline is decorated by golden sandy beaches, glistening blue waters of the Gulf of Thailands and dotted with resorts, hotels and guesthouses. There are verdant national parks to explore brimming with flora and fauna and hidden ancient temples.

When is the best time to visit Cambodia?

Cambodia is a year-round destination with a tropical climate and one of the few Southeast Asian countries to feature a pretty consistent climate. There are two distinct seasons; The wet season in Cambodia runs from June to September, which can be a great time to visit the country. The humidity increases between May and October when the rainy season begins and the countryside is verdant green with full rivers flowing and a quieter time to see attractions. The great lake of Tonle Sap, which is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia comes to live at the end of summer with many water activities and attractions to enjoy. The dry season starts between November and April with very little rainfall and daily average temperatures around 68 degrees. This is a fantastic time to visit with clear blue skies that are perfect for a relaxing beach day or a day exploring the temples.

Cooler temperatures are from December to February with temperatures still reaching around 86°F, but dropping at night. The hotter season is March through May where temperatures can reach a high of 91°F with April being the hottest month with scorching temperatures around 104°F with high humidity.

Monsoon Season - September - October. This time of year brings afternoon and evening downpours when flash floods commonly occur, the rain brings the lush countryside to life with blooming flowers and few tourists.

How many days should I spend in Cambodia?

We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in larger cities.

What is the best way to get around Cambodia?

By Car: Hiring a car and a driver is a convenient way to travel around Cambodia and explore cities such as Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Drivers will take passengers to different destinations and also work as well-informed guides.

By Boat: Cambodia boasts over 1,100 miles of waterways including the mighty Mekong River. Popular scenic boat tours can be taken from Siem Reap and Battambang, and on the great Tonle Sap Lake which can be explored year-round. There is a boat from Phnom Penh traveling to Siem Reap leaving the Sisowath Quay pier at 7 am which takes around 5 hours.

By Bus:There are many different bus services available throughout Cambodia. The extensive and fast express minivans are one of the most popular options with routes that link passengers to major cities including Phnom Penh which is a major hub and where many bus routes change. There are regular daily buses that depart from Siem Reap and travel to Thailand for as little as USD 15 each way.

What is the currency of Cambodia?

The units of currency in Cambodia are the Riel (KHR) and US dollars are accepted. The US dollar is preferred at most places in the service industry such as hotels, shops, etc and places will set and show their prices in US dollars. The exchange rate is around KHR 4,000 to USD$1 and the Riel is a non-convertible currency so you can only exchange from Cambodian currency within Cambodia. Be sure to have Riel in hand as the small change will come in useful for small purchases along with transportation, street food, etc.

Most major credit cards are accepted at major hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops. ATMs can be found in the city and normally dispense in US dollars. For more detailed information, consult our guide by clicking here Tipping in Cambodia.

Do people speak English in Cambodia?

The official language spoken in Cambodia is Khmer, however, English is widely spoken by people working in the service and tourism industries. We recommend you get a good English-Cambodian guidebook and familiarize yourself with a few common phrases, such as hello, goodbye, please and thank you, excuse me and numbers 1-10.