Cambodia Travel Guide

Tourism is one of the new building blocks that Cambodia is counting on after a pretty bad string of luck for the last 500 years or so. The result of newfound traveler confidence in the stability of Cambodia after UN sponsored elections brought a government to power, a recent tourism boom could have Cambodia soon rivaling Thailand as the number one backpacker destination in South East Asia.

What to do

Angkor Archaeological park contains the ancient ruins of the Khmer civilization in Cambodia and is perhaps the most fascinating attraction in Cambodia. Famous Angkor Wat is the flagship of these ruins that stretch around the park. Although the park has no accommodations or facilities, nearby Siem Reap is often used as a base camp for visiting tourists.

Phnom Penh is Cambodia's biggest city and capital and is becoming more and more of a must-see stop for tourists. While in recent years the lack of infrastructure, trash in the streets and high number of beggars kept some western tourists from visiting, things have been improving steadily for several years and now travelers are often choosing to tour Phnom Pen and absorb its history rather than forego the city because it was too unpleasant.

Getting there

Cambodia's most trafficked airport, Phnom Penh, is convenient to much of the country, although flying into Siem Reap will put you closer to the famous ruins at Angkor. Travelers from nearby countries often do not need visas to enter the country, anyone from a western nation will need to visit a Cambodian consulate and obtain a visa.

There are also bus routes from Vietnam, Laos and Thailand and a 90 minute speedboat ferry from Laos. Various entry points along the border allow for travelers to walk across, and most international bus-rides require you to walk across the border when you cross and transfer buses.

Where to stay

Hotels and hostels are widely available in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. There are a few guest houses in the outlying areas as well, although the populations in the urban centers are still much more used to foreign visitors and tourists than any of the rural areas.

Study Abroad With CSA
Center For Study Abroad