The Kingdom of Cambodia is a country that divides travelers. Some swear they have been irrevocably charmed by the rough around the edges country & could (and do) spend months of their time there. The other camp can’t leave soon enough. Unfortunately, after two trips to Cambodia–I’m firmly in the latter. If I had been privy to these 5 Cambodia tips ahead of time, I think my experience could have been wholly different.
I’ve never disliked a country before Cambodia. And although I won’t go as far as to say I hated it…I won’t be returning. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t deny that the country has some of the world’s most interesting attractions and a horrendous dark history that captivates and moves you as you walk through the museums of Phnom Pehn.
You can cycle around the world’s most impressive ancient temples in the complex of Angkor Wat.
The Killing Fields and the S-21 museums in the capital that tell the harrowing story of Cambodia in the late 70s.
The blossoming foodie culture and pepper farms that are scattered across the trendy region of Kampot.
And of course the glistening crystal clear waters and white sand beaches of the Southern Islands- Koh Rong & Koh Rong Samloeng.
But there are many things in Cambodia that are off-putting if you don’t come flexible and prepared.
Here are the 5 things I Wish I Had Known About Cambodia that would have made my experience in the country more enjoyable.
1. There’s A Lot to be Gained by Traveling in the Wet Season
Unlike the rest of Southeast Asia where you avoid the monsoons like the plague, Cambodia could greatly benefit from those torrential downpours. The majority of the country is agricultural farmland and it’s insanely flat. The scenery in the dry season or more temperate climate is then just long endless stretches of yellowed dry grass and clouds of dust.
Not exactly the most scenic landscape.
The rains bring the landscape to life & the country thrives with fields of green and a lushness brought back to the jungles. The rivers run higher and clearer. It really is just all-around prettier if you can get past the constant drizzle.
Landscape aside there are some attractions that are really only worth visiting in the rainy season. For example, the floating villages at Tonle Sap near Siam Reap are a unique and interesting stop for any traveler…but only if they are actually floating. During the dry season, the lake completely dries up leaving a big dusty bowl & not a whole lot to do in the town itself.
This floating village is very similar to Inle lake in Myanmar. A great alternative if you are visiting in the dry season because Inle Lake never runs dry.
2. The Border Scams
I wrote a whole blog post all about why you should opt for the E-Visa instead of the Visa on Arrival if you plan to travel by land into Cambodia. Scams are absolutely rampant. Cambodia is essentially the wild west with people in uniform wielding their power like a big stick & doing whatever they please.
The most important of my Cambodia tips is to prepare for the scams. This particular scam isn’t costly but it does leave a bad taste in your mouth.
Basically, the border agents require you to pay an additional $5 directly into their pockets. There is no way around it. So if the principal of paying corrupt government officials a bribe bothers you then perhaps your best bet is to opt for the E-Visa instead.
Scams, in general, are rampant in Cambodia so be on your A-Game always. Here are some of the common ones unique to Cambodia that we heard tales of.
- The bus drop off. Tourists get dropped off well outside of town & then must pay for an additional (overpriced) tuk-tuk who just happens to be waiting right there.
- Police Checkpoints. Police often demand bribe money for just about whatever they choose to make up. You should demand to be taken to the police station for any encounter with the “police”.
- Motorbike Theft. An unscrupulous company will steal the motorbike you rented from them & then demand payment for the “stolen” motorbike.
If you’re worried about scams in general I wrote a guide on common everyday scams you may encounter in Southeast Asia & how to avoid them.
3. It’s Not As Cheap As You May Think
Even if you manage to avoid the scams in Cambodia…it’s not as cheap as you may think.
We paid on average $60 per day for the two of us.
Which is not a lot. It’s still a relatively cheap country. BUT during the rest of our time in Southeast Asia we had been doing many more activities, staying in nicer places, and eating at nicer restaurants all for on average $49 for the two of us.
The transport was overpriced, the food was overpriced, and the attractions like Angkor Wat were expensive. It’s still a cheap country to travel within overall. But as far as bang for your buck I was left disappointed.
4. Avoid Sihanoukville Like the Plague
Or you just might get it.
Seriously this is the most vital of all my Cambodia tips. You’ll spare yourself from visiting the worst place I have ever been in my entire life. Sihanoukville has zero redeeming qualities & I’ve never met anyone who felt any differently. Here’s the backstory…
Sihanoukville was once a small coastal rural village that drew backpackers in. It was beautiful. A perfect stopover on your way to the white sand beaches of Koh Rong Samloeng.
Then Chinese development started. They decided they wanted Sihanoukville to be their next hot gambling destination. So they bulldozed the city and commissioned all kinds of high-rise hotels and casinos catered to Chinese tourists. The problem is they didn’t build any infrastructure first. So now, they roll out the red carpet to their casinos over a LITERAL open sewage drain. So much trash lines the streets you could build 10 casinos from the waste. It’s a city-wide garbage dump, the air is toxic, and there are no amenities to speak of.
It’s really just a shame for the locals who are stuck there. Who had to watch their beautiful home get turned into a garbage dump in the name of tourism. & now for the tourists headed to the islands, it’s a horrifying look at what tourism done wrong has the potential to create.
5. Spend Your Time in Off-The-Beaten-Path Places
Our absolute favorite destinations were Battambang, Kampot, Kep, & Koh Rong Samloeng.
Generally speaking, the Southern towns of Cambodia were more welcoming & friendly (aside from Sihanoukville of course) and they had more attractions and fun day-to-day things to do. This is also the lesser touristed area of Cambodia.
Most tourists show up for Angkor Wat in Siem Reap and then hit the capital of Phnom Phen on their way out. Those tourists miss all the good parts of Cambodia. Sure, Angkor is great but you don’t get a feel for Cambodia today by visiting its ancient temples.
You visit its small thriving communities and experience some of the local life the towns have to offer. You kayak the scenic rivers and wander through temples still in use today.
If you want any hope of falling in love with Cambodia at all then you have to get off-the-beaten-path and visit some rural destinations. These Cambodia tips will help you get to know Cambodia today and make some connections with locals who aren’t yet jaded by the tourism industry.
If I had known these 5 things before I went to Cambodia, I think my trip would have been very different.
For me it was a difficult country to love. But some are captivated right away. I needed some serious context to understand why Cambodia is the way that it is. Another factor I briefly mentioned above to consider, is the mass genocide carried out by the Pol Pot regime.
If the people aren’t overly friendly & seem a little aggressive and hard—it’s because they had to be. Anyone over the age of 40 lived through the regime that enslaved their entire population and eradicated ¼ of the entire population of Cambodia. It would be difficult to come out of that friendly & welcoming to outsiders. It’s not fair to compare Cambodia to its Southeast Asian neighbors. Their history is so different.
With these 5 Cambodia tips given to you ahead of time, I think that planning your trip to the Kingdom will be infinitely smoother and more enjoyable than mine.
Need Help Planning Your Trip To Southeast Asia?
- Getting your Cambodian Visa & Avoiding Scams at the Border
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- 16 Must-See Destinations you Absolutely Cannot Miss in Laos (& Some Helpful Travel Tips Along the Way)
- Experience the Magic of Bagan, Myanmar: Finding the Perfect Sunrise Stupa
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