Bordered by the better-known Southeast Asia countries of Thailand and Vietnam, Cambodia is not a country that many travelers know well. If you ask most people what they know of Cambodia, they will probably reference the ancient temples of Angkor Wat or the violent decades following the rise of dictator Pol Pot, but not much about Cambodia travel.

However there is much more to this fascinating country. It draws more visitors year after year, and caught Sarah’s attention when she visited for the first time. When potential travelers find out we’ve visited Cambodia and are running tours there, they will ask us what to expect, so here are our Cambodia travel essentials:

When is the best time to visit Cambodia?

Cambodia is hot all year round, but the hottest months of the year are April and May when temperatures are regularly in the high 90’s with very high humidity. Unless you are used to these types of weather conditions, we would recommend avoiding this time of year.

The rainy season starts in June and runs through to October, with daily downpours. These are intense but quick, so you need to be prepared to get wet if you visit during the summer – there is no real way to avoid this, but at least you get dry fast too!

From November the dry season lasts through to March, and the temperatures drop a little. For us, the best time to visit Cambodia is in the coolest months of the year; December, January and February. Yes the better weather conditions mean the Angkor temples and major cities of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh are at their busiest, but this is very manageable.

Deciding where to stay

There are a couple of main areas to base yourself if you’re visiting Cambodia so think about what you want to do while you’re in Cambodia and choose the location that makes the most sense for that.

Phnom Penh: The Capital City

Phnom Penh was originally the capital of Cambodia in the 1400’s. It lost this status for a few centuries before being reinstated as the capital city in 1865 when the French occupied the country. There are many historical sites and landmarks to see here thanks to the city’s long history, and many visitors start their Cambodia adventure here.

You can visit the Royal Palace and its Silver Pagoda, which is the official residence of the King of Cambodia, as well as the National Museum which traces the history of the long Khmer empire from prehistoric times to the 20th century.

If you visit Phnom Penh you will find a modern city that does not draw attention to the extreme violence that took place here. For us it is important to learn about this recent period and its impact on the entire country, so when we are in Phnom Penh on our Cambodia tours we include a stop at the Genocide Museum and nearby Killing Fields. These sites are harrowing but necessary, demonstrating the brutality and scale of the violence perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970’s.

Siem Reap: The Gateway to Angkor Wat

If your main focus is to explore Angkor Wat, then the city of Siem Reap is for you. There isn’t a lot to do in Siem Reap itself, but there are a lot of great food places, markets and shopping malls and lots of bars – very popular with backpackers!

It’s only around 15 minutes drive from the center of Siem Reap, so the temples that make up the complex of Angkor Wat are easily reachable. Given the size of Angkor Wat, going for a multi-day pass makes sense so you can see more of the different temples beyond the most popular Angkor Thom.

From Siem Reap you can also visit the floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake and learn about the local way of life. This is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and many people live in floating villages built on boats, so a local guide is a must if you want to visit.

Visa and vaccination requirements

The vast majority of travelers will need a visa to enter Cambodia, which is valid for 3 months from when the visa is issued but you can only stay in the country for 30 days total. You can apply for this visa online via the official Kingdom of Cambodia website here.

Cambodian immigration officials may request proof of onward travel, so ensure you have a valid ticket or travel plans that you can show them when you arrive in the country.

Don’t forget to check your passport as well, it needs to be valid for at least 6 months from when you enter Cambodia and cannot be damaged or be missing pages.

The only vaccination requirement to enter Cambodia is for yellow fever, if you come from a country that has a risk of yellow fever transmission or have transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of one of these countries. If this does not apply to you then you will not need to provide proof of any vaccination – the list of relevant countries can be found here.

Respecting Cambodian culture and customs

Cambodia is a conservative country, and as such it is important that all visitors respect the local customs and traditions. This means that everyone should dress modestly when visiting temples or attending cultural events, covering shoulders and knees.

This is particularly important at Angkor Wat, which is still a significant Buddhist sacred place. The rules apply to men, women and children alike at all the temples and will be enforced.

You will likely see Buddhist monks during your visit, and one of the most important Cambodia travel essentials is knowing how to interact with them. You may speak to them but be polite. If you want to take a picture it is respectful to ask first, and if they agree to take a photo with you, do not put your arms around them or touch them.

Personal safety tips

Cambodia is a relatively safe country, but there are some important factors to be aware of.

Petty Crime

Violent crimes are rare, especially against tourists, but petty theft is far more common. Bag straps being cut by people on tuk-tuks occurs frequently in busy areas, so do not carry anything valuable or hard to replace and hold your bag away from the road.

There are some common scams that visitors fall for, namely:

• The motorbike scam, where rental businesses try to charge you for ‘damage’ to a bike you hired. To avoid this make sure you take pictures and video of the bike at the start of the rental, and be firm in saying no.
• The tuk tuk scam, where the driver takes you to a restaurant or shop rather than the actual destination and tries to get you to go inside and buy something. Be firm in declining if this happens to you, or agree the price of the ride up front to avoid being in the situation at all.

Foreign visitors are unfortunately seen collectively as rich so if you wear flashy clothes, show people you have lots of cash or wear lots of valuables you are putting yourself at risk. As well as theft, you will be a target for children begging, so to avoid this be conscious of your actions and clothing.

Personal Safety

Firstly, it is safe for both solo female and LGBTQ+ travelers in Cambodia. Same sex relationships are legal here and while you may get some odd looks in more rural areas if you are holding hands or kissing, this is more because public displays of affection are not common for anyone.

Female travelers are unlikely to be harassed or need to dress a certain way, but as with any destination, it is sensible to avoid walking alone at night or in quiet areas. If you are enjoying the nightlife in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap you should always pay attention to your drink to avoid the chance of it being spiked.

When getting around, public transportation does not really exist outside of Phnom Penh so you will need to take taxis or tuk-tuks for short distances. Agree a price up front and don’t be afraid to walk away if you aren’t getting a good feel from the driver – ignore anyone who comes up to you unprompted to offer transport.

Dangerous Areas

There is one big thing to remember if you’re in more remote areas of Cambodia or exploring an area that is less visited – do not leave the marked paths. There are large parts where unexploded landmines are still buried, so you should follow the directed routes and not try to take shortcuts.

In the north of Cambodia on the Thai border there is a longstanding dispute about whether the Preah Vihear Temple is in Cambodia or Thailand. On occasion there are clashes between soldiers on the border so if you’re traveling in this area pay attention to local guides and stick to tourist areas.

Stay Healthy While in Cambodia

It will be hot no matter when you visit so it is vital to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. Tap water is not safe to drink so bring a water bottle with a built in filter to ensure you always have access to drinkable water.

Due to this, you should avoid ice (unless you know it is made from mineral water) or eating raw fruit and vegetables that have been washed in tap water. Stick to eating in reputable restaurants and food stalls – taking food tours is an excellent way to get reliable recommendations for great Cambodian cuisine.

There is a low risk of Malaria in Cambodia but you should take steps to avoid getting insect bites and ticks, as other diseases like Dengue are present here. Bring (and use!) plenty of insect repellent, wear long trousers and use mosquito nets at night.

As with all our adventures, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance which is comprehensive in coverage. You don’t want your trip to Cambodia or anywhere else impacted by poor coverage and limited assistance, trust us on that.

Hopefully these Cambodia travel essentials have given you more information about what to expect from a visit to this beautiful place. If you would like to know more about our upcoming tour or get additional details about what to expect, don’t hesitate to contact us today.