Cambodia

Siem Reap:

Things To Do:

Angkor Wat Day Tour: I would recommend doing the small loop of temples. After seeing 3-4 different temples, I was ready to head home. While visiting the temples, if you’re a female, make sure your knees and shoulders are covered.
- There are a bunch of different tours, I would pick that one that’s most convenient time wise, because they’re all pretty much the same. However, don’t get a tour guide outside of Angkor Wat, as most of those guides are fake and dressed in a fake uniform.
Kompong Phluk and Tonle Sap Lake Tour: an eye opening tour that takes you to a local floating village. A really great experience, and my favorite thing I did in Siem Reap.
- Tour Link: https://www.viator.com/tours/Siem-Reap/Kompong-Phluk-Village-and-Tonle-Sap-Lake-Half-Day-Tour-From-Siem-Reap/d5480-13389P5
Check out Pub Street at night. There are so many fun bars, street food vendors and the place is so alive and fun!
- Check out Angkor What? and Temple Club.
Visit the Siem Reap Night Market. They have some good handicrafts. The night market and Pub Street are intermingled.
If you like boutique shopping, stop by Wild Poppy, they have really cute clothing for girls.
If you’re an adventurous eater, try the scorpions, tarantula, frogs or snakes on a stick. They can be found on Pub Street.
Angkor Balloon: a good alternative to a hot air balloon ride if you’re visiting Cambodia during the rainy season. Kind of expensive for only floating for 15 minutes, but there’s nice views of Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. If you’re trying to go at sunrise or sunset, make sure you check the forecast! Also note that the balloon cannot fly when it’s really windy or raining.

Accommodation:

Staying near Pub Street is a great spot. You’ll be in the thick of things! But if you’re too close, you can hear the bars at night.
- Khmer Mansion Boutique Hotel: phenomenal service! The staff were incredibly helpful. There’s free airport pickup and drop off, you’re always greeted with cold water and a cold jasmine towel, the pool is very nice and you’re a 5 minute walk from the heart of downtown.

Food / Drinks:

Cuisine Wat Damnak: a fantastic 5 or 6 course traditional Cambodian meal. This is the place to go for Cambodian food. The menu is set, but you can request a vegetarian menu if needed. You have to make a reservation, no walk-in’s accepted. If this restaurant wasn’t located in Siem Reap, it would have a Michelin Star.
- Sample Vegetarian Menu:
Vibe Cafe and Juicery: amazing vegan restaurant. It was so good that I went 2 days in a row. I would recommend trying any of the juices or teas, the buckwheat flatbread and getting some of the hemp balls to go!
- The Buckwheat Flatbread (mine is without tomatoes):
Maybe Later: really good Mexican food.
Design Restaurant: restaurant on Pub Street with a great atmosphere and a menu with a variety of options. The grilled chicken dish was delicious!
Gelato Cafe: good gelato and good coffee!
Mie Cafe: I didn’t have time to eat here, but the chef from Cuisine Wat Damnak highly recommended it!

Notes:

There were a lot of mosquitos in Siem Reap and in the rural areas surrounding the town, malaria is present. I recommend taking malaria pills and using bug spray with at least 35% deet.
Everywhere in Cambodia takes US Dollars, so if you are traveling from the US, there is no need to exchange currencies.

Background photo taken at Angkor Wat.