Cambodia is definitely one of the best Asian countries to visit for anyone looking for a memorable travel experience.
A cheap guesthouse room will set you back around 10 dollars and a meal in a simple restaurant costs around 5 dollars. You can also get around pretty inexpensively by using public buses.
Travelling around Cambodia is surprisingly easy and journeys between cities and tourist destinations do not tend to take very long due to the country being relatively small and largely flat.
Some of Cambodia’s highlights include Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Battambang, Kampot and Kep.
Siem Reap
One of the main reasons people come to Cambodia is to visit the Angkor Wat temple complex close to Siem Reap. And that’s not surprising; visiting these ancient temples surrounded by jungle is a mind-blowing experience.
To make the most of your visit and soak up the magic of the place, it’s advisable to buy the three-day pass. Another tip is to rent a bicycle and explore the ruins at your own pace – this is not a place to be rushed!
Phnom Penh
In Phnom Penh, you have plenty of opportunities to learn about Cambodia’s history. Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields to find out about the atrocities that occurred here in the 1970s.
It’s a harrowing yet essential experience, as everyone you meet in Cambodia will have either lived through the Khmer Rouge regime, or know people who did. It’s impossible not to be moved by the stories you hear and by the resilience of the every-friendly Cambodian people.
Battambang
Battambang is a laid-back city, a far cry from the commotion of the capital and devoid of tourist crowds. Come here to relax, enjoy the quirky cafés, ride the bamboo train and rent a bike or scooter in order to explore the surrounding countryside and traditional villages.
Kampot and Kep
Finally, Kampot and Kep on the south coast are well worth a visit. Kampot is a sleepy riverside town with a lively backpacker scene. Highlights here include taking a sunset river cruise, exploring local caves and touring a pepper plantation.
Coastal town Kep is just a short drive away and a great place to spot abandoned houses (it was the country’s top seaside destination until the 1960s), relax on the beach and eat the local speciality: crab with green peppercorns.
