Best Time to Visit
November to March (cool, dry season, ideal for temple exploration)
Language
Khmer (English widely spoken in tourism industry)
Currency
Cambodian Riel (KHR) — US Dollars (USD) widely accepted and preferred
Time Zone
ICT (UTC+7)
Airport
Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI), 40 km from city center (new airport opened 2023)
Population
250,000 (city proper)
Climate
Tropical, avg 24-35°C year-round, wet season June-October
Safety Rating
Generally Safe (Level 1) — petty theft possible, avoid landmine areas outside marked zones
Famous For
Angkor Wat — the world's largest religious monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site
The world's largest religious monument, built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II. 1-day pass: $37 USD, 3-day pass: $62, 7-day pass: $72. Open 5AM-5:30PM. Arrive by 5AM for sunrise behind the iconic towers — bring a flashlight. The bas-relief galleries depicting Hindu epics span 800 meters. Allow 3-4 hours minimum.
The enigmatic temple at Angkor Thom's center with 216 massive stone faces smiling from its towers. Included in the Angkor pass. Built by King Jayavarman VII around 1200 AD. The morning light makes the faces most photogenic. Less crowded than Angkor Wat, especially in late afternoon. Allow 1.5-2 hours.
The atmospheric temple where massive silk-cotton and strangler fig trees have consumed the stone ruins, made famous by the Tomb Raider film. Included in the Angkor pass. Open 7:30AM-5:30PM. The tree-root-entwined doorways are the most photographed spots in all of Angkor. Visit early morning or late afternoon for fewer crowds. Allow 1-1.5 hours.
Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake with villages of houses, schools, and shops built entirely on stilts or floating platforms. Boat tours from Chong Kneas (closest, 15 km from Siem Reap) cost $20-30 USD for 2 hours. Kampong Phluk (further, more authentic) offers a better experience — tours $25-35 USD. Best September-January when water is highest.
Siem Reap's entertainment strip with $0.50 draft beers, Khmer and international restaurants, night market stalls, and live music bars. Free to explore. Angkor Night Market (open 4PM-midnight) sells silk, crafts, and paintings. Fish spa foot massages cost $3-5. Dr. Fish is everywhere. Great for unwinding after a temple day. Allow 2-3 hours.
Known as the 'Citadel of Women,' this 10th-century temple 37 km northeast of Angkor features the finest, most intricate stone carvings in all of Khmer art. Included in Angkor pass. Open 7:30AM-5PM. The pink sandstone carvings are best photographed in morning light. Worth the extra drive — combine with Kbal Spean river carvings. Allow 1.5 hours.
Arrive at Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI). Tuk-tuk or taxi to hotel (~$10-15 USD). Buy your Angkor pass today — the ticket office photographs you for the personalized pass.
Transfer to hotel(40 minutes)
SAI is 40 km from the city center (opened 2023). Taxi or pre-booked hotel transfer $10-15 USD. Stay near Old Market or Wat Bo for best location
Buy Angkor pass(30 minutes)
Ticket office on Apsara Road (open 5AM-5:30PM). 3-day pass $62 USD (best value — valid any 3 days within 10 days). Photo taken on site. Bring USD cash
Pub Street & Old Market evening(2 hours)
Siem Reap's entertainment strip. $0.50 draft beers, Khmer restaurants, night market stalls. Fish spa foot massage $3-5. Try amok (Cambodian fish curry) at Genevieve's for ~$5. The energy is fun and welcoming
The big day — sunrise at the world's largest religious monument, then the essential temple circuit.
Angkor Wat sunrise(3 hours)
Arrive by 5AM with your tuk-tuk driver ($15-20 for the day). The sunrise behind the five towers reflected in the moat is iconic. Bring a flashlight. After sunrise, explore the 800m bas-relief galleries — the Churning of the Sea of Milk panel is the masterpiece. Entry included in your 3-day pass
Angkor Thom South Gate(30 minutes)
Drive through the massive gate flanked by 54 gods and 54 demons pulling a naga serpent. The causeway is one of Angkor's most dramatic entrances
Bayon Temple(1.5 hours)
216 massive stone faces smiling from towers. The morning light makes the faces most photogenic. Climb to the upper terrace for face-to-face encounters
Lunch at a temple-area restaurant(1 hour)
Restaurants cluster between temples. Basic Khmer food: lok lak (stir-fried beef) $4-5, fried rice $3-4. Stay hydrated — temperatures exceed 35C
Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider temple)(1.5 hours)
Silk-cotton trees consuming the stone ruins. The tree-root-entwined doorways are Angkor's most photographed spots. Visit late afternoon when crowds thin
The outer ring of temples and the finest carvings in all of Khmer art.
Preah Khan(1.5 hours)
A vast monastic complex — like a less-crowded Ta Prohm. The two-story building with round columns is unique in Angkor. Hall of Dancers with carved apsaras. Included in pass
Neak Pean(30 minutes)
A temple on an artificial island in a reservoir. Beautiful when the water is full (rainy season). Quick visit
Drive to Banteay Srei(45 minutes)
37 km northeast. Your tuk-tuk driver or car ($25-30 for Grand Circuit + Banteay Srei)
Banteay Srei(1.5 hours)
The 'Citadel of Women' — 10th-century pink sandstone with the most intricate carvings in Khmer art. Morning light is best for the pink stone. Smaller than other temples but the detail is breathtaking
Phare Circus evening show(1.5 hours)
$18-38 USD. A Cambodian circus combining acrobatics, music, and storytelling by former street children. Genuinely spectacular and supports an incredible social enterprise. Book online — shows sell out
Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake with communities living entirely on water.
Kampong Phluk floating village tour(4 hours)
Further than Chong Kneas but more authentic. Tour $25-35 USD including boat. Stilt houses, floating schools, and a flooded forest you can kayak through. Best Sept-Jan when water is highest. The scale of life on water is extraordinary
Lunch at Haven Training Restaurant(1.5 hours)
A social enterprise restaurant training Cambodian youth in hospitality. Excellent Khmer and Western food. Mains $5-8 USD. Near Old Market
Afternoon: Angkor National Museum(1.5 hours)
$12 USD entry. Excellent context for the temples you've seen — Khmer history, Buddha galleries, and multimedia presentations. Air-conditioned — a welcome break. Audio guide included
Evening at Night Market(1.5 hours)
Angkor Night Market (4PM-midnight). Silk, crafts, paintings, T-shirts. The food stalls outside have excellent fried spring rolls, grilled meats, and fresh fruit shakes
A temple-free day to recharge. Optional cooking class to learn Cambodian cuisine.
Cambodian cooking class(3 hours)
Le Tigre de Papier or Lily's Secret Garden: $15-25 USD. Market visit + cook 3-4 dishes including fish amok, green mango salad, and Khmer curry. Take home recipes
Afternoon spa at Bodia Spa(1.5 hours)
Traditional Khmer massage using Cambodian ingredients. 1-hour massage from $25 USD. Bodia uses locally made products — excellent quality
Sunset drinks at Miss Wong cocktail bar(1.5 hours)
1920s Shanghai-themed bar on The Lane. Inventive cocktails $5-7 USD. One of Southeast Asia's best bars
Explore the rice paddies and villages surrounding Siem Reap by bicycle.
Guided countryside bicycle tour(5 hours)
Grasshopper Adventures or Siem Reap Cycling: $30-45 USD. Cycle through rice paddies, stop at village workshops (palm sugar making, rice noodle factory), visit a pagoda, and swim in a rural river. 25-30 km, flat terrain. One of Siem Reap's best experiences
Village lunch(1 hour)
Home-cooked Khmer food at a village family's house — usually included in cycling tours. Rice, fish, vegetables, and fresh fruit
Farewell dinner at Cuisine Wat Damnak(1.5 hours)
Siem Reap's most celebrated restaurant — modern Khmer tasting menu for $28 USD. Chef Joannès Rivière uses only Cambodian ingredients. Book 2-3 days ahead. It's worth the splurge
Final morning and airport transfer.
Optional: Angkor Wat morning revisit(1.5 hours)
If your 3-day pass has a day left, return for a quieter morning visit without the sunrise crowds. The inner galleries are magical in soft morning light
Transfer to SAI airport(40 minutes)
Hotel transfer or tuk-tuk $10-15 USD. The new airport is 40 km from town — allow extra time. Bring leftover USD for departure
Most nationalities (including US, UK, EU, India, Australia) get a 30-day tourist visa on arrival for $30 USD (cash, bring passport photo). E-visa available online at evisa.gov.kh for $36 (48-hour processing). The new Siem Reap airport (SAI) has efficient visa on arrival counters. Bring a pen to fill out the form on the plane.
The best way to explore Angkor is with a dedicated tuk-tuk driver for the day ($15-20 USD for the Small Circuit, $25-30 for the Grand Circuit). They know the best routes, wait at each temple, and often become excellent guides. Book through your guesthouse. For bigger groups, a private car with driver costs $35-50/day with AC.
Almost everything in Siem Reap is priced in USD. ATMs dispense USD. You'll receive change under $1 in Cambodian Riel (4,000 KHR = $1). Don't accept torn or worn US bills — Cambodians are very particular about bill condition. Bring crisp bills from home. A budget traveler can get by on $25-35/day (guesthouse, local food, temple pass excluded).
The 3-day pass ($62) is the best value — it allows entry on any 3 days within 10 days, giving you flexibility to avoid temple fatigue. Day 1: Angkor Wat + South Gate + Bayon + Ta Prohm. Day 2: Banteay Srei + Preah Khan + smaller temples. Day 3: sunrise revisit + any missed sites. Photos are taken at the ticket office for your pass.
Angkor temples require covered shoulders and knees — this is strictly enforced at Angkor Wat's upper level. Bring a scarf or sarong. Wear sturdy shoes (not flip-flops) — the stone stairs are steep and slippery. Bring 2+ liters of water, sunscreen, and a hat — there's minimal shade and temperatures exceed 35°C.
Cambodia still has uncleared landmines in rural areas. At temples beyond the main Angkor complex (Koh Ker, Preah Vihear), stay strictly on marked paths and never wander into undergrowth. The main Angkor Wat complex is completely safe. Also beware of aggressive monkeys at Angkor — don't carry open food.
StoriesI woke at 4:30AM for Angkor Wat sunrise and it was worth every minute of lost sleep. Then a tuk-tuk driver named Sokha changed my whole trip.
StoriesSokha has driven the Angkor circuit 3,000+ times. He knows which temples to see first, which to skip, and where to get the best fish amok in town.
SeasonalLower humidity, full lakes, tolerable temperatures, and Tonle Sap at its most dramatic. The cool season delivers.
