Siem Reap: Temples and Culture!
Siem Reap is not to be missed if visiting Cambodia. It is full of beautiful temples and rich culture! It was an unforgettable experience to see the temples dating from around 1000 years ago and to feel what life might have been like. I was there for three nights, a perfect escape from the bustle of Phnom Penh.
How I got there! 🚌
There is an airport in Siem Reap but I got there by private taxi and used a bus on the way back. I was traveling with two other friends so the taxi was not that expensive (95 total U.S dollars holiday price for one way). Note: Cambodia uses dual currency so most larger amounts are in U.S. dollars! During the holidays in Cambodia, many of the buses and vans going to Siem Reap were already full and we were not able to book the ticket. On the way back, we booked the bus from Giant Ibis, probably the most reliable bus company in Cambodia. It was 15 dollars one way, including free water and some bread. The total length of the drive from Phnom Penh is about 6 hours.
Where I stayed 🛏
We stayed at a relatively cheap hotel in Siem Reap. I would recommend paying a bit more and staying somewhere nicer if you like to have full amenities and are afraid of bugs (mainly some kind of grasshoppers). For me, considering the price it was not bad but the breakfast seemed like it was left in the hot weather too long to be safe, and there were many local bugs, no internet at times, and our hotel card didn’t always work.
Angkor Wat and the other Temples
One of the most important things to do when in Siem Reap is to visit the temples! The weather gets extremely hot so my recommendation, especially if you are traveling with a group, is to hire a private taxi to take you around the temples. With a private taxi for the whole day of touring the temples it was 15 dollars a person for a group of 3. The taxi driver had a water cooler handing out water after each temple. He would also drive nearby so we don’t have to walk outside from temple to temple.
Entrance fee to get into the temples?
The fee for a one day pass for the temples was 37 dollars. You can check the website here, for more details on the various day pass options.
What time to go?
Because of the hot weather it is recommended to go early in the morning. Also, for Angkor Wat when the sky is clear the sunrise can be incredibly beautiful so most people will go before sunrise. We left to get tickets and go to the temple around 4:30am.
My own thoughts!
The ticket price seems expensive but it’s definitely worth it to see the temples at least once. I heard that there are also free temples all over the place if you just wander around. The weather is very hot and keeping the stamina is difficult especially if you start early in the morning. I hope that next time I could go to Siem Reap I can stay longer to slowly see each temple at a leisurely and less tiring pace!
Finally, places to eat in Siem Reap 🍽
Here are some of my recommendations! Our group didn’t have much local food in Siem Reap because we had already been in Cambodia for a week.
Footprint Cafes
We ended up going to this cafe many times during our stay in Siem Reap. It was so hot outside that we needed somewhere to relax during the daytime and this place was perfect. They have delicious food and drinks. Their cafe is also eco friendly and is helping local communities. I highly recommend checking out their website!
The Missing Socks Laundry Cafe
This was a cafe next to the hotel we were staying at. It is a unique concept because it is a cafe combined with 24 hour laundry machines! I didn’t try the laundry but their waffles are amazing and worth a visit.
Jungle Burger
Forgot to take photos but by this time we were craving hamburgers! This place has giant burgers, and a combo with fries and drink is only 7 dollars.
Have you been to Siem Reap?
Would be curious to hear what your experience was like! Also feel free to check out some of my other travel posts: Hội An: Lovely evening in the old town! or Berlin trip: One day of food, culture, and history
