Cambodia Travel Guide
The ultimate guide to the coolest things to do and see in Cambodia
The Kingdom of Cambodia has a lot to offer visitors. Pristine beaches, spectacular ruins, friendly faces and delicious food are just some of the things that await you on a trip there! Start here with my basic Cambodia travel tips, or jump down below to read my latest Cambodia travel blogs.
When to Visit
Cambodia’s annual climate is roughly divided into two seasons: dry and wet. The dry season is from November to April when temperatures are much higher, and humidity lower, and the wet season runs from May to October, with lower temperatures, higher humidity and chances of flooding. The dry season is typically more popular with visitors, but this means that prices are often higher: by travelling during the wet season, you’ll likely find good deals, especially on accommodation.
Like in much of Southeast Asia, Chinese New Year (in late January or early February) is widely celebrated, and things can get crowded at this time. Other important annual festivals to consider when planning a trip to Cambodia are the Khmer New Year in April, Pchum Ben in September, a religious festival which commemorates the dead and the Water Festival on the last full moon in late October or early November.
Top Things to Do
Explore Angkor Wat – No trip to Cambodia, or even Southeast Asia, is complete without a visit to this magnificent temple complex. Allow a full day to explore this 12th century ruined city, and consider arriving early for sunrise or staying late to enjoy sunset behind the complex.
Be humbled at the Killing Fields – An easy day trip from Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, a visit to the Killing Fields is an important history lesson in the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge government in the 1970s.
Release your inner beach bum – Cambodia’s relatively small coastline and few islands perhaps boast some of Southeast Asia’s most pristine beaches. Bamboo Island, Otres Beach, Koh Thmei and Rabbit Island are definite highlights.
Cambodia Tours
Getting around Cambodia is cheap and relatively easy, but often taking a tour will save you time and hassle of working out bus routes and dealing with the language barrier. Take a look at this selection of Cambodia tours.
LGBT – Gay Cambodia Travel Guide
Cambodia’s stance on LGBT issues is moderate, and though there are not any laws specifically protecting queer people against discrimination or allowing for same-sex marriage, general consensus is mostly in favor of such things. The king himself, is in favor of same-sex marriage, for example!
Given that Cambodia’s population is mostly rural, the majority of the little gay life that exists in the country is concentrated in the capital, Phnom Penh. Here are some things you should know about:
Pride – Though a tiny event by European or North American standards, Phnom Penh Pride is an important event that has taken place every May since 2003 where locals take to the streets to proudly display their queerness!
AV Bar 225 – This popular gay bar in downtown Phnom Penh is a great place to see local drag acts, as well as mingle with the friendly crowd, a good mix of locals, expats and visitors. They sometimes even put on workshops to teach you how to do drag makeup!
More gay travel resources here.
Cambodia Hotel Deals
Accommodation in Cambodia runs the gamut from cheap, backpacker hostels and bungalows to luxury penthouses, so you can quite easily spend as much or as little as you like! I’ve always found that using Booking.com, Agoda.com or Hotels Combined is a great place to start and can be really useful for finding some amazing last-minute deals.
Booking.com
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