Welcome to Siem Reap, the vibrant gateway to the enchanting temples of Angkor. Known globally for its unique blend of history, culture and warm hospitality, it's a place where the past and present converge to offer an unforgettable experience. At the heart of Siem Reap is its deep-rooted history, with the most prominent being the ancient temples that stand as a testament to a glorious past. These fascinating structures, steeped in centuries-old history, provide a glimpse into a world long gone, attracting millions of visitors each year with their awe-inspiring architecture and spiritual significance. But there's more to Siem Reap than just ancient ruins. The town itself is brimming with life and energy, a testament to the resilience and spirit of the Cambodian people. The bustling markets are a must-visit, offering a plethora of local goods. From intricate handicrafts to fresh produce, the vibrant stalls are a sensory overload of colors, sounds, and aromas, encapsulating the essence of Cambodia in a single place. Siem Reap also boasts a diversifying culinary scene that caters to all palates. Restaurants, both humble and high-end, dot the town, offering a taste of local and international cuisine. Each meal is a culinary adventure, an exploration of the rich flavors and culinary traditions that the region has to offer. From local street food to refined dining experiences, there's a gastronomic journey waiting at every corner. As day transitions into night, Siem Reap unveils another facet of its charm. The town transforms into a lively hub with an array of nightlife options. Mellow lounges and high-energy bars cater to every kind of night owl, while the vibrant night markets offer a unique shopping experience under the stars, coupled with local entertainment. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a food lover, an adventure seeker, or simply someone looking to immerse themselves in a new culture, Siem Reap has something to offer. It's a place where you can step into the past, live in the present, and look forward to the future. So, come and create unforgettable memories in this remarkable town. Welcome to Siem Reap, and enjoy your stay!

Siem Reap: Tourist Information If you are planning a trip to Siem Reap, there are several key pieces of information you should be aware of to ensure your visit is smooth and enjoyable: Currency: The official currency of Cambodia is the Cambodian Riel. However, US dollars are also widely accepted throughout Siem Reap, making it convenient for tourists. It is advisable to carry some small denomination Riel for local markets and street food vendors. Mobile Payment & ATM: With the rise of digital banking, mobile payments have become increasingly common, particularly in urban areas. ATMs are readily available in Siem Reap. They dispense both US dollars and Cambodian Riel, giving you the flexibility to withdraw the currency of your choice. Card Tokenization: Card tokenization services may not be as readily available in Siem Reap. Therefore, it is recommended to carry some cash, especially when visiting local markets or smaller establishments that may not accept cards. Don’t worry you can do via siemreapwonder mobile app , download here. Language: The official language of Cambodia is Khmer. However, English is commonly spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants, so communication should not be a problem for English-speaking visitors. Visas: Most visitors to Cambodia will require a visa. This can be obtained either on arrival or online prior to your visit. It's worth checking the conditions and requirements ahead of time to ensure a smooth entry process. Money: While cards are accepted in many places, it's always a good idea to carry a mix of cash and cards. Small local businesses and street food vendors may only accept cash. Mobile Phone: If you wish to stay connected during your trip, you can purchase a local SIM card at the airport or in town. This will provide you with access to local rates for calls, messages, and data. Time: Cambodia operates on Indochina Time, which is GMT+7. This is important to know when coordinating with your home time zone, especially for communication with family and friends or if you're conducting business during your visit. Average Daily Cost: The cost of living in Siem Reap can vary greatly depending on your lifestyle and preferences. Budget travelers can get by on as little as $20-30 a day, while a more luxurious daily budget would be around $50-100. Arriving in Cambodia: Siem Reap Angkor International Airport is the main gateway to the city and is located 40 km away from the city center. Once you land, you will find taxis and tuk-tuks readily available to take you to your accommodation. Important Phone Numbers: For any assistance or emergency services, visit siemreapwonder.com. The website provides a comprehensive list of important phone numbers and offers 24-hour assistance. Exchange Rate: The exchange rate between the Cambodian Riel and other currencies can fluctuate. It's recommended to use mobile applications to check the latest exchange rates. You can also exchange money yourself at local exchanges or banks. Getting Around: Siem Reap offers various modes of transportation. You can rent a bicycle or motorcycle if you enjoy exploring on your own. Alternatively, hiring a tuk-tuk is a popular and affordable way to get around the city.

Siem Reap is a city rich in history and culture. To truly immerse yourself in the experience, hiring a knowledgeable local guide can be very beneficial. These guides are usually well-acquainted with the city's history, culture, and must-see spots, and can provide you with a unique and personalized experience. If you are looking for drivers, tuk-tuk drivers in Siem Reap are known for their friendly demeanor and expertise in navigating the city. They can often provide the same informative and local experience as a guide. When selecting a guide or driver, it's important to consider their knowledge of the area, language skills, and customer reviews. Platforms like TripAdvisor and Lonely Planet have sections dedicated to Siem Reap, where you can find highly rated guides and drivers based on traveler reviews. Reading through these reviews can give you a good idea of what to expect from each guide or driver. Find them in the siemareapwonder.com tour guide and driver section, and perhaps those at the top rank have better service satisfaction rates according to previous visitors. Another good approach is to ask for recommendations from people who have visited Siem Reap before. They can provide firsthand experience and may be able to recommend a specific guide or driver. Remember, the best guide or driver for you will depend on your personal preferences, interests, and the kind of experience you are hoping to have in Siem Reap.

Visiting orphanages while traveling, including in places like Siem Reap, has become a topic of ethical concern in recent years. This is due to the fact that such visits can unintentionally lead to the exploitation of vulnerable children. The issue lies in the system known as 'orphanage tourism'. This is a cycle where children are often separated from their families and placed in orphanages to attract tourists and their donations. It's a sad reality that some establishments use the sympathy and goodwill of tourists to profit, without prioritizing the welfare of the children involved. Such institutions may lack proper regulation and oversight, leading to varying levels of care and protection for the children. In some cases, they may even be subjected to neglect or abuse. The children may also be made to perform or interact with tourists against their will, infringing on their rights to privacy and normal childhood experiences. Additionally, regular interaction with a stream of strangers can disrupt a child's ability to form stable attachment relationships, which are crucial for their emotional development. It can also expose them to potential harm or exploitation. Furthermore, the constant coming and going of tourists can disrupt the stability and routine that these children need, adding to their emotional distress. The donations given to these institutions, although well - intentioned, can inadvertently incentivize and perpetuate this harmful system. Therefore, it is advisable for tourists to contribute to responsible organizations that work to keep families together and support community development, instead of visiting orphanages. These organizations work towards long-term solutions such as education, healthcare, and social services, which address the root causes of family separation. By supporting these organizations, tourists can make a real, positive impact on the communities they visit. In conclusion, while the desire to help children in need is commendable, it is important to ensure that our actions do not unwittingly harm those we wish to help. It is always best to research thoroughly and support ethical, sustainable initiatives that promote the welfare and rights of children.

Siem Reap , is a relatively safe city. There are occasional reports of petty theft, and the occasional bar fight, but these can easily be avoided (especially the latter) if you exercise common sense. Do not leave your bag sitting at your feet while riding around in a tuk-tuk (hold onto it!), and leave your expensive jewelry and watches at home. And never, ever leave cash or valuables unattended in your hotel room. Some travelers opt for money belts that can be worn inside the clothing, or hanging around the neck under the shirt.

The cool, dry season is from December to February. The temperatures still get up to 30 degrees C during the daytime, but the evenings and early mornings can be quite chilly. A thin layer of fleece is recommended. The real heat & humidity really starts to set in around March, and April is by far the hottest month, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees C. The rain begins in May and lasts through November, but the real monsoon months are September and October. The rain is not constant, however, and may be characterized by afternoon or evening downpours. Some roads in the countryside may be impassable at this time as they get flooded or washed out.

That depends entirely on your style of travel and level of comfort that you are accustomed to. Here are some examples of basic costs. (Costs are quoted in US dollars, or USD). You can find guesthouses from as low as USD 7 to suites at 5 star western chain hotels for USD 2000. Dinner at a street stand for USD 2 - USD3, at a cheapie local place for USD 4 or USD 5 (including beer), on pub street (Siem Reap) for $8 or at a hotel restaurant for USD 20 (and up). In Phnom Penh most tourists prefer to stay by the riverside, and hotels can range from USD 10 to USD 400 (or more). The local guidebook by Canby Publications lists detailed information on hotels and restaurants. (See link at bottom of page) A massage can be had for USD 5 at a little place near the old market or for USD 15 at a fancier spa. Generally speaking, you can consider this for a daily budget per person - Accommodation, food & a beer or two (excluding the Angkor Wat pass, guide & driver) - Budget traveler - USD 20-30 Flashpacker - USD 40-55 Mid-range - USD 60 -80 Deluxe - USD 100 and up.

Unless you are a Cambodian resident, an admission pass, often called Angkor Pass, is required to visit the temples in Angkor Archaeological Park. The Angkor Pass is also valid for some other monuments in the Siem Reap area, like Phnom Krom, Wat Athvea, Kbal Spean, Beng Mealea and the Roluos Group.Where to Buy the Angkor Pass? The Angkor Pass can be purchased at the official ticket center, located 4 km away from Siem Reap town and open from 4.30am to 5.30pm every day. The entrance ticket can be paid in cash (US Dollars, Cambodian Riel, Thai Bath, Euro) or by credit card (Discover, Visa, Mastercard, Union Pay, JCB, Diners Club). An on-site ATM is available to withdraw cash. You can’t purchase your entrance ticket upfront. Entrance tickets for a one-day visit are issued up to 5pm, tickets issued after 5pm are valid for the next day. The Angkor Ticket Office is located on Road 60. Consult this Google Map for the exact location. When you book a taxi or tuk tuk driver for the day, he will bring you to the ticket office before entering the park. Entrance Fees The entrance fee to the Angkor Archaeological Park depends on the type of admission pass that you choose. There are 3 types of passes available: • 1-day pass – US$ 37; • 3-day pass – US$ 62; • 7-day pass – US$ 72; The 3-day pass is valid for 10 days from the issue date, the 7-day pass is valid for 1 month from the issue date. So with both of these passes it’s not necessary to plan your visits on consecutive days. Good to know is that the entrance fee includes a US$ 2 contribution to the Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital fund. Visiting Hours Most of the temples in the park can be visited from 7.30am – 5.30pm, but there are exceptions: • Angkor Wat and Srah Srang can be visited from 5am – 5.30pm, to make it possible for visitors to witness the sunrise; • Phnom Bakheng and Pre Rup can be visited from 5am – 7pm, to make it possible for visitors to witness both the sunrise and sunset; Good to Know • Admission passes are not refundable. • Passes bought online can be use as soft copy (photo on smartphone). • Admission passes are not transferable. The pass owner’s name and photo are printed on the ticket. • Children under 12 years old are not required to purchase an entrance ticket. A passport needs to be shown as proof. • The admission fee does not include special permits for commercial picture taking or film shooting. • Do not hesitate to have a Angkor Wat Tour Guide. It change your perspective. • The admission fee is non-negotiable. There are no discounts for groups. • Phnom Kulen National Park cannot be visited with an Angkor Pass. It requires a separate admission pass. • Koh Ker temples also require a separate admission pass, which costs US$ 10.

No, a guide for the Angkor Area is not required, and it is an entirely up to the visitor to decide if he/she needs one or not. A guide will definitely enrich your experience and can offer you detailed cultural and historical information, but many prefer to go without a guide. An English-speaking guide will generally charge $25 per day (more for other languages). They can arrange drivers as well, from tuk-tuks to cars to mini-vans. Prices will range from an additional $15-$60 for transportation.

The tuk-tuk is the cheapest and most comfortable (and most fun!) and you can take a short ride for a couple of dollars or hire a guy for the day for $10 or more(depending on distance). Guys on motos (motorcycles) are also for hire but use these at your discretion, especially on the crowded streets of Phnom Penh. For longer journeys, ask your driver if he has a spare helmet to lend you. Air-conditioned cars are also available and start at $25 per day for trips around the Angkor area, but for longer journeys(Phnom Penh-Siem Reap/ Phnom Penh - Sihanoukville) expect to pay upwards of $70. For long journeys, buses are super-cheap and quite comfortable.

This is a personal choice. While malaria may not be a problem in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, there ARE malaria-carrying mosquitoes around the Thai-Cambodia border area. Unfortunately, the malaria parasites in that area have recently become increasingly resistant to the usually highly-effective artemisinin based drugs. There is also dengue fever to worry about, so it is recommended to wear a good DEET-based mosquito repellent when you are outside, and re-apply periodically. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are also good to prevent bites. At any market, you can also pick up mosquito coils to burn if you happen to like sitting outside at dusk, when the mosquitoes are out. Vaccines: If you will be spending more than a couple of weeks traveling in Cambodia, it is a good idea to get a hepatitis A & B shot, as well as to update your tetanus shot. If you will be spending a good deal of time in rural areas on farms, working with livestock or in areas with rice paddies, you may want to look into getting a Japanese encephalitis vaccine. See the CDC homepage for detailed information on these diseases.

Can I buy women's products in Cambodia? Sanitary products for women are available in Phnom Penh at large markets and also in Siem Reap at some of the mini-marts. In Asia, pads are favored over tampons, so you may not find much of a selection. If you have a favorite brand (or size), it is recommended you bring them with you from home. Many female travelers opt for a Mooncup (or Divacup) so they don't have to worry about bringing these items with them. You can buy a re-usable menstrual cup from Western Pharmacy in Phnom Penh, Peace Cafe in Siem Reap, and Bantreay's Women's Spa in Kampot for 15 dollars.