5 Secrets To Visiting Cambodia

Learn the top five secrets to visiting Cambodia. What you should know before you go and the do/don’ts of your trip to make it as smooth as possible. During my travels I had a lot of mistakes or just simple things I wish I knew before my trip. I list my top five travel tips and secrets to visiting Cambodia below so you can have the best experience possible.

Currency 

One thing that surprised me the most about Cambodia is that they use USD and Riel. For the most part especially in the cities they prefer for you to use USD and can actually get it out of their ATMs. I would recommend bringing cash with you already and in smaller bills. You won’t really need any of the big bills for food, tansit or tours. 

The biggest price was my admission ticket to the Ankor National Park which was $36USD and I paid with a credit card so I could keep most of my cash for other activities. Prices on menus and clothing stores are also usually in USD so it just makes it easier not to convert your money. I didn’t know this until I was there and wish I knew ahead of time.

Transportation 

You can take a Tuk Tuk or taxi anywhere in the cities and buses to more rural towns. A Tuk Tuk shouldn’t cost you more than a few dollars. If they try to go $4 and over for short distances try to haggle because it doesn’t really cost that much. I took a Tuk Tuk for $2 on a ten minute drive.

For sightseeing you will usually “rent” or reserve a Tuk Tuk for the day to take you around. That is much cheaper than just getting in and paying separate drivers and haggling all day long. When I was in Siem Reap the Tuk Tuk was $18 for the entire day and we split that between three people.

Lodging

In most places you travel it’s common to stay close to the attractions so A) it will cost less in transit and B) you could walk everywhere if you wanted. This rule doesn’t apply here. I recommend staying in the city areas and then taking a taxi/Tuktuk to where ever you want to go. If you’re reserving one for the day that’s a flat rate that doesn’t matter where you are coming from. In Siem Reap I stayed close to Ankor Park and that was not the best experience.

The hotel was nice but it was a literal oasis in the middle of chaos. You couldn’t walk anywhere because the streets were so congested, dirt roads, no shops or restaurants to pick up something or a quick bite, and couldn’t really leave without a tuk tuk to take you somewhere. Thankfully the hotel had a few restaurants to eat at but it would have been more enjoyable to stay in the city and be able to walk around and eat out. But on a positive note your money can go a long way here! 

Traveling Around The Country 

Depending on what you have in mind for your trip and how long you plan to stay in Cambodia will depend on getting from city to city. I took a bus ride from hell from Siem Reap to Phnom Pehn that took EIGHT hours! We stopped and picked up everyone and their mom along the way, stopped at a “restaurant” that was outdoors and had flies all over the food so didn’t eat that day. The bus ticket was $10 and took WAY longer than described.

If you are traveling to both of those cities I recommend taking a flight because it would’ve only been $25 for about a half hour or 45 minute flight. Much easier, less stressful, and then you get to enjoy the city more.

Tourist Areas 

Phnom Penh is a big city and one that is notorious for pick pockets! I don’t mean that in a chill way either. Even in a Tuk Tuk they will tell you to keep your bag on the inside of you because people will ride by on motorbike and reach in and grab your bag. I heard a story of a woman who had her bag stolen from her as she was riding a motorbike and they ended up making her crash. So big lesson is “hide ya kids, hide ya wife, hide ya bag” haha brownie points if anyone knows that quote!

Cambodia is a beautiful country with some heavy history but definitely worth visiting and checking it out for yourself. This wasn’t the most uplifting article but one that’s completely transparent. I made plenty of mistakes when I went to Cambodia but that’s why I wanted to share them so you don’t have to go through the same ordeal.

 

I’m also all about saving and traveling on a budget so there are plenty of tips/hacks and destinations on my blog to explore! You don’t want to miss a thing so Subscribe To My Blog Via Email to get updates when new content goes out or I update old content. Hope you have a great trip to Cambodia! Cheers!