10 Things to Know Before Visiting Cambodia

Before I discuss things to do in Cambodia, specifically in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, let me share my initial impressions about this country.

Top 10 things to know before visiting Cambodia

There are some things that really stood out for me on our Cambodian sojourn. I would love to share these top 10 things that you should also know before visiting Cambodia to be able to plan the perfect vacation to this beautiful country.

01 The warm hospitality of the Cambodian people

This beautiful country is a tourist's delight; the warmth, hospitality and simplicity of the locals vis-à-vis tourists is commendable.

You will find the local people all smiles and eager to please; you will often come across people who bow down and fold their hands in greeting. Tourism is a big sector in the country's economy, and it is reflected in the way visitors are treated.

Angkor Wat attracts about 2.5 million tourists each year, with no tourist traps, misleading information, unnecessary haggling, or harassment at touristy spots.

A mildly flavoured rice drink with some sweetened snack is served upon arrival at most hotels

02 Why Siem Reap is perfect for first-time visitors

Siem Reap is a thriving tourist destination, yet it feels charming than overwhelming. The city offers an eclectic mix of culture, history and comfort. You can spend your mornings exploring ancient temples and your evenings exploring the vibrant night markets. And the adorable tuk-tuk rides...it's loads of fun riding tuk-tuk through the streets of Siem Reap!

The city is clean, safe and compact, making it easy to navigate through streets filled with cafes and restaurants offering delicious and reasonable food.

For first-time travelers to Cambodia, Siem Reap is the ideal place to start your vacation.

03 Planning your Siem Reap itinerary well is important

Nothing can prepare you for the expansive Angkor Wat, the largest temple complex in the world. It's huge, with one corridor leading to another, stairways leading up to more verandahs, and hundreds of intricately carved stone idols, all demanding your attention. There is so much to see, and if you have opted for a day pass, then start early in the morning.

If you plan your time judiciously, then you can see up to a maximum of five main temples on a one-day pass. But if you wish to explore beyond that, then you must go for a 2-day pass. We started quite early from Angkor Wat, followed by Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm Temple, and Banteay Srei Temple.

Apart from the temples, Siem Reap is also known for its Apsara Dance shows and the famous Pub Street. So, plan your days to make time for these two activities as well.

04 Phnom Penh has a completely different vibe

While Siem Reap feels relaxed and centred around tourism and temple visits, tuk-tuk rides, Apsara Shows and more, Phnom Penh, on the other hand, is fast-paced, modern, with bustling markets and an evolving nightlife scene, which also makes it polluted, crowded and noisy.

The city carries the historical weight of places like the Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre and bears the ghastly and tragic events of the Khmer Rouge Regime.

The stark contrast between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh is almost unnerving at first.

05 Respecting local customs while visiting temples and Palaces

Cambodians dress conservatively. And imagine, if this came from someone like me from India, it's serious! My takeaway is that one should wear casual clothes that are not too revealing, especially while visiting temples and palaces.

Everyone is expected to cover their shoulders and knees. Despite the heat, I saw everyone wearing sleeved shirts and trousers, and this rule is implemented quite judiciously. In Phnom Penh, visitors at the Genocide Museum who were not dressed properly had to hire scarves and sarongs from the ticket counter to comply.

I felt that Cambodians also take their temples, pagodas and palaces very seriously and expect the tourists to abide by their customs and traditions.

We were visiting the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. There was a hushed silence all around. Our guide spoke about the king with so much reverence, and we saw many people paying obeisance in the Throne Room in front of the Royal Throne, although the king was not in court at that time.

Instructions for visitors at the entrance to the Royal Palace, Phnom Penh

06 US Dollars are widely used in Cambodia

The local currency is Riel, but most places accept US dollars; even small cash transactions like a tuk-tuk ride can be paid in dollars. You could carry dollars with you to avoid paying any fee to withdraw money from an ATM. Be mindful of the current exchange rate, though. When we visited, one USD was roughly

4000 Riel.

07 Be weather-wise while visiting temples and other outdoor attractions

Most of the must-see attractions in both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh are outdoors. There is no escaping the harsh rays of the sun while visiting the temples.

Don't forget to carry enough sunscreen, sun hats and an umbrella to protect yourself from the scorching sun's rays, since tourists spend a good amount of their time around the Angkor Archaeological Park in the open.

Phnom Penh experiences very high levels of pollution at certain times of the year, and since most attractions are outdoors, wearing a face mask is a great idea.

08 Tuk-Tuks are the best way to explore Cambodia

Take an eSIM with you and download the Grab App.

Grab is an extremely efficient and cost-effective way to commute within Cambodia. The app allows you to book a cab and even a tuk-tuk.

Please note that your local SIM card will not allow you to download the App.

Of course, you could also hire a cab without the Grab app, but that would involve two challenges: one, explaining the location of your destination to the driver who does not understand your language at all, and two, haggling over the price to be paid.

So, Grab App!!

09 Cambodian cuisine is underrated

While in Cambodia, you must try the traditional Khmer cuisine, especially the exotic Amok, the traditional coconut fish curry. If you're a vegetarian, then a lot of vegetarian options of popular noodle and rice dishes are also available.

My favourite was the sticky rice dessert served with ice cream and mango slices.

And don't forget to drink the naturally refreshing coconut water instead of the usual fizzy drinks to beat the heat!

010 Cambodia is one of the most budget-friendly countries in Southeast Asia

One of the things that surprised us most about Cambodia was how affordable it was to travel comfortably.

If you're planning to travel within Cambodia, from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, for instance, then travelling by road is a good option instead of flying. We hired a cab for USD 95, a comfortable SUV, which took about 5.5 hours to cover a distance of 318 km.

Plus, the added benefit is that when you travel by roads and trains, the entire culture of that region is on display.

Local food was not only delicious but inexpensive, tuk-tuk rides are cheap, and even attractions like Angkor Wat are worth the cost one pays for the experience.