Whether it’s a personal quest to cross off Angkor Wat from your bucket list or to fall into conversation with some monks, Cambodia is a unique place to experience culture and community the Buddhist way. From the history filled capital of Phnom Penh, to the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, Cambodia is a great country to experience history, meet welcoming locals and save money, as it remains one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia.

Why Travel To Cambodia

Visiting Angkor is certainly a powerful incentive to make the journey to Siem Reap, Cambodia. The archeological park of Angkor is brimming with historical beauty as some of the oldest religious monuments and temples are still standing from centuries ago. The park is full of hidden details and it’s all seamlessly overrun by trees and moss making the park an adventurous journey through time. On top of the history in Cambodia, the people are lovely. We were overwhelmed by the genuine responses from locals and their willingness to share. The country is stricken with poverty, but the locals have adapted a curative happiness that’s infectious. The people take a great deal of pride in their culture and their spirituality. The temples here are miraculous, full of detail and ten times more flash than any of the buildings surrounding them. You’ll find temples everywhere all uniquely their own design and specialty. 

The Nitty Gritty Facts

15.76 million people live in Cambodia, 1.5 million of them live in Phnom Penh, the capital.

The National Language of Cambodia is Khmer.

The National Currency of Cambodia is the Riel (KHR).

Cambodia's flag is the only one in the world to feature a building.

During the Khmer Rouge rule under Pol Pot in 1975 to1979, around 2-3 million of the then 8 million population were executed.

Half of Cambodia’s current population is younger than 15 years old.

During the Vietnam War, the U.S. also bombed Cambodia from 1963 until 1973.

Our Route

Phnom Penh — Siem Reap

Bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap is roughly a five hour journey  and costs $9. We traveled mostly with the Sinh Tourist company because they were reliable and relatively comfortable for a good price. 

Traveling throughout Asia is easy and affordable. Both domestic and international flights are relatively cheap.

Budget airlines include

Air Asia 

Tiger Airways

Jetstar

Cebu Pacific

Lion Air

Firefly

Peach 

Scoot

You can also rent motorbikes in Cambodia fairly easily in order to travel from place to place. Keep in mind that riding in Siem Reap, specifically Angkor Archeological Park, is technically illegal for tourists without a Cambodian driver’s license but everyone does it anyway. 

The Rugged Budget

Tuk-tuks under $5 USD

Domestic buses $7—$15 USD

International buses $15—$25 USD

Accommodation in a 8 bed mixed dorm $4—$7 USD

Private room in a 4 star hotel start at $24 USD

Beer at a bar $3 USD

Beer from a shop $1 USD

Street food $1—$5 USD

Sit down restaurant $6— $15 USD

A pack of 20 cigarettes $1 USD

Cambodia From From The Scratch My Pack Lens

Helpful Hints For Traveling Cambodia

Officially, the currency in Cambodia is the Riel, but there seems to be a stronger market for the US dollar. The exchange rate is roughly 4,000 Riel to $1 USD. If you’re really penny pinching, it might be best to deal in Riel, but in all honesty things are so cheap in Cambodia that working in dollars is more manageable. There are less decimal places to think about when dealing in dollars and you’re could be providing the bit of extra change that shopkeepers and family members benefit from. 

The country is primarily Buddhist which is evident in the amount of temples and Wats around the country as well as the spirit houses, both inside and outside, of homes and businesses. The spirit houses provide shelter for wandering spirits and offerings from the living are to ensure happy spirits who inhabit these spaces and wish to enter the physical houses of the living. The outside spirit houses often look like miniature pagodas, all gold and decorated with miniature nagas. 

Cambodia like most of southeast Asia, supports a range of power plugs including: the North American plug, the European plug, and the UK plug. 

The voltage used in Cambodia is 220—240 V so the US, Canada and most South American countries require a voltage converter for charging electronics.

Activities That Won’t Scratch Your Budget

Angkor Archeological Park in Siem Reap: $37 USD entrance fee plus $18 USD tuk-tuk around the park

Visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and the iconic Tomb Raider temple Ta Prohm in Siem Reap. We recommend taking a tuk-tuk around the park because sites are spread out, but there’s also the option of renting a push bicycle or electric bicycle around the park. 

Choeung Ek Killing Fields, Phnom Penh: $3 USD for entrance and audio tour.

Thousands of men, women, and children were kidnapped and taken to several locations in the outskirts of Phnom Penh to be executed as enemies of the state during the reign of the Khmer Rouge. Cheung Ek is the central monument and remembrance site of the mass genocide during the ‘70s in Cambodia. Visiting the fields isn’t a light hearted event, but it’s important as a visitor to the country to understand this raw historical wound as it paints a broader picture of the people as a whole. 

S21, Phnom Penh: $5 USD for entrance and audio tour

Visiting S21 is critical in understanding more about the genocide of over 1.7 million Cambodian people during the five years under the Khmer Rouge. It’s a difficult visit, but the audio tour is a powerful part of understanding the Cambodian people who are still healing.

Royal Palace and Golden Pagoda, Phnom Penh: $10 USD

The grand palace is worth a visit and so is the area surrounding it. We actually enjoyed the architecture and beauty from the outside for free. 

Phsar Thmei Central Market, Phnom Penh: Free

The central market is cool because it’s housed in a very artsy building full of history as it was bombed in WWII and then rebuilt. It’s perfect for people watching as well as a great stop for unique food such as fried tarantula.

Fish Pedicure, Siem Reap: $3 USD and a complimentary drink (beer/coke/water)

A huge and strangely popular activity in Siem Reap is to dip your feet in the fish tanks after a long day of temple visits. The strangely ticklish and oddly comforting activity will leave your feet so smooth and your abs sore from laughing.   

Where Did We Stay (Accommodation We Recommend)

Siem Reap: Siem Reap Pub Hostel: $3.88/night for an 12 bed mixed dorm

This hostel had an electric atmosphere and a pool. We spent hours wrinkling in the pool playing water volleyball and meeting amazing travelers. The food was tasty and affordable. The refreshing fruit smoothies, however, were better at the family restaurant next door. Beer at the hostel was cheap and cold which is always a plus. The beds were relatively comfortable and the air-conditioning worked great. We loved the helpful and friendly staff that worked there. The hostel is in an obscure location, down a rather dodgy alley way, but worth it. Not far from the bustle of town, street food, or shopping outlets either. 

Phnom Penh: Dynsey FlashPacker Hostel: $4/night for an 8 bed mixed dorm

This is a relatively new hostel, but they’re off to a great start. We loved how clean and cozy the hostel was. The rooms were spacious and comfortable with great air-conditioning. The rooftop atmosphere was great and the beer was a good price. Their tour prices and tuk-tuk deals were awesome and easy to arrange. It was only $18 for a tuk-tuk tour to S21, the Killing Fields, and a trip to the airport. 

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