Cambodia Travel Guide
Plan Cambodia — Angkor, Phnom Penh, the south coast and how to combine it with Vietnam. Guides written by our team on the ground.
When is the best time to visit Cambodia?
Cambodia has 2 distinct climate seasons · wet vs dry · Nov-Mar dry is universal sweet spot.
| Region | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowlands (Phnom Penh · Mekong) | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Angkor / Siem Reap / Battambang | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ |
Best country-wide window: mid-November to early March · cool dry across both zones. Aug-Sep "wet" is actually photogenic for Angkor (lush moss + waterlogged moats) · avoid only if afraid of afternoon downpours.
All Cambodia guides
2 guides · written + kept current by our team
Cambodia travel FAQ
Is Cambodia safe for first-time travellers?
Yes · very safe. Petty theft (bag-snatching) is the main risk in Phnom Penh tourist areas · zero violent crime concerns for tourists. Land-mine areas only in remote rural countryside (never on tourist routes). Tap water = NOT drinkable · stick to bottled.
How many days do I need at Angkor?
3 full days minimum for the temple complex if you want to cover Angkor Wat + Bayon + Ta Prohm + Banteay Srei + Beng Mealea without exhaustion. 5 days = ideal for deep coverage with rest day. 1-2 days = too rushed unless purely Angkor Wat sunrise.
What's the Cambodia visa process?
E-visa $30 + $6 service fee from evisa.gov.kh · 30 days single-entry · 3-5 business days standard processing. On-arrival also possible at SR + PP airports. Most nationalities eligible · check <a href="/visa">visa-by-nationality breakdown</a>.
When is the best time to visit Cambodia?
Nov-Mar is the universal sweet spot — cool, dry across both zones. Aug-Sep "wet season" makes Angkor lush + moats waterlogged (photogenic) but bring rain gear. Avoid Khmer New Year (mid-Apr) unless seeking festival energy — most family-run hotels close.
Can I drink the tap water in Cambodia?
No. Bottled water $0.30-0.50/bottle. Hotels typically provide 2 free bottles/day. Ice in tourist restaurants is OK (filtered).
How much does a typical Cambodia trip cost?
From $165/day for tailored private tours with guide+driver+mid-range hotels. Luxury tier $385-485/day (5★ Sofitel/Raffles). Budget DIY $35-65/day. Our most-booked 5-day Angkor-deep = $1,250/pax all-in.
Should I combine Cambodia with Vietnam?
~60% of our Cambodia guests come from Vietnam booking first. The 14-day Indochina combo (Hanoi → Halong → Hoi An → HCMC → Siem Reap → Phnom Penh) is our most-booked multi-country itinerary. Flight HCMC↔Siem Reap is 1h · boat Phnom Penh↔Chau Doc (VN) is the slow-travel option.
Are there ethical concerns with Angkor?
Angkor pass fees ($37/1d · $62/3d · $72/7d) fund site preservation directly. UNESCO + Cambodian Ministry of Culture co-manage. Our guides follow strict no-touching + no-climbing-temple-walls protocols (some areas roped off). Visit Phare Cambodian Circus (social-impact arts non-profit) over commercial Apsara shows.
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Verified against official sources
- UNESCO World Heritage · Cambodia (Angkor · Preah Vihear · Sambor Prei Kuk) · verified 2026-05-20
- Cambodia Ministry of Tourism · official statistics · verified 2026-05-20
- Cambodia Immigration · official e-visa portal · verified 2026-05-20
- CDC Yellow Book · Cambodia health advisories · verified 2026-05-20
- US State Dept · Cambodia travel advisory · verified 2026-05-20
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Everything we cover for Cambodia — destinations, tours, food, stays and festivals, all cross-linked in one place.
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