Angkor Wat is a must see for any traveler looking for amazing sights, hospitable people, yummy food and history at every turn. This has easily become my #1 recommendation to anyone looking for an economical Asia trip or someone who wants to visit this continent for the first time.
Getting to Angkor Wat
We flew to Siem Reap directly from Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam on Cambodia Angkor Air, one of the many budget airlines in Asia. As one of the top tourist destinations in Asia you would easily be able to fly here from Bangkok, Thailand, Singapore or any major hub.
Helpful tip, ALWAYS pay for your baggage in advance online when booking on any of these budget airlines, the minimum weight requirements can be as low as 8kg (17lbs) and fees at the airport for extra baggage are exorbitant. Cambodia Angkor Air requires you to purchase additional baggage from Option Town, a third party site that allows you to pre pay for your baggage. The price for 15kg or 33lbs of baggage is US$24.
You need a Visa to visit Cambodia
Like many Asian countries you need a visa to enter Angkor Wat with a US passport. The visa is easy to obtain online for US$35 and will be delivered via email within three to four days. It is for single use entry and valid for 3 months, your passport must be valid for more than 6 months and have at least one blank page, I recommend always having at least 4 blank pages as many countries have this requirement. Be sure to print out two copies of your visa and have this ready when you arrive.
Currency
1000 Cambodian Riel (KHR) = $.25 cents USD (Check online for the most current rates). As you can imagine from the exchange rate, Cambodia is very affordable! US dollars are widely accepted in Cambodia, so we did not exchange any funds at the airport as we usually do.
Accommodation
As loyal Mariott Bonvoy members we stayed at the Le Meredian hotel in Angkor Wat using points. The hotel was a bit out dated but close to the Angkor Wat ticket office and only a 20 minute drive from the airport.
Transportation
Everything here is negotiable, try to reasonably bargain for all taxis and tours. To get to Angkor Wat, we hired a private driver for the day at US$50 split between three of us, a bit more expensive than renting a Tuk Tuk (less than US$20) but we enjoyed the comfort (particularly the air conditioning) and flexibility of having our own driver.
Buying tickets to Angkor Wat
We came here for one reason, to see the amazing Angkor Wat temples! Like most travelers, we were set on catching the iconic golden sunrise view of the temple and braved the early morning (we’re talking 5am!) to get there. Getting here early also helps you beat the blazing heat and humidity.
The park opens at 5am with sunrise at 6am, get to the ticket office at 4:30am or earlier to beat the lines. Tickets can only be purchased from the Cambodian tourism office which is not near the actual temples, any driver will know how to get you here. You will have to present your ID, take a photo and pay US$37 for a one day pass. Three day tickets are also available for US$62 and seven days for US$72, you can visit all the temples with these tickets, checkout all the various options here. Major credit cards are accepted at the ticket booth.
A tour guide at Angkor Wat is a must!
We met our tour guide Socheath at the entrance of Angkor Wat, he was young, very knowledgeable about the history of the park, statues and all things Cambodia! I’d recommend using him for any tour you want to do on your visit to Cambodia. He can also recommend a few options if you are unsure of what to do, and knows all the tricks to taking great photos at these sites! You can book Socheath by messaging him on Instagram.
What Temples to visit
There are quite a few temples that you can visit in the Angkor Archeological Park, with our short time frame we settled on Angkor Wat and Bayon Temple. Visiting two temples took us about six hours to explore!
There is so much to see and learn, and explore in these picturesque monuments, you really can get lost in all their beauty! Bring some snacks and water to keep you going. There are a few restaurants in front of Angkor Wat where you can take a break between temples and get a cheap (under US$5) authentic breakfast.
Within the Angkor Wat temple, you can enjoy a religious blessing from a Buddhist monk who will give you a small red string bracelet made of wool for a small donation. Wearing the red string in Buddhism is a reminder to show compassion to all and “mind the tongue.” Be sure to wear the bracelet until it breaks off!
Bayon Temple
A short drive from Angkor Wat lies Bayon Temple, home to 216 carved faces carrying an unique smile!. Unfortunately, some of the faces are hard to see due to the decaying of the temple, but if you look really closely you will find them! This smaller temple should take you less than an hour to walk through.
Temples outside of Angkor Wat
If you have 3 days in Angkor Wat checkout some temples outside of the city! Not only will you get a beautiful drive into the countryside but you’ll see temples that most people don’t get to see. Some of these temples are:
Night life
Pub street is the place to be at night! With a wide array of bars you can mingle with locals, join fellow tourist singing Karaoke and eat at one of the many bustling restaurants. There’s also a local market where you can shop for all your souvenirs, bargaining is certainly recommended, I bought a beautiful cotton skirt for only US$5! You will need this to cover your knees and shoulders when visiting any of the temples. Unlike most countries, the rule applies to both men and women!
While you’re there, pick up some Asian ice cream made fresh to order from many vendors at only US$3 a cup!
The land of US$4 Foot Massages
Yes, it’s true. You can get a foot massage for only US$4! This is the cheapest massage I’ve seen in Asia so far, and great quality for the price! There are many places in downtown Siem Riep that offer massages along with fish eating pedicures. Another thing I’ve always wanted to try! Very strange feeling with mini fish nibbling at your feet but a must do experience.
Things I missed
I really loved Angkor Wat, my only regret was not staying in Cambodia longer! There is so much to see here that I missed out on, ATV rides in the country side, sunset views in the ocean and the Tomb Raider temple. If you have the time, spend at least 3 days here. Many people also visit the famous floating village but I have heard nothing but negative reviews with people trying to scam you for money and the tourism dollars not really helping the people of the village. Do your research before visiting any place in Cambodia.
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For a visual journey checkout this vlog from Roger B Stillz recent trip in September 2019!
