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Siem
Reap & Angkor
Overview
The Angkor
Archaeological Park encompasses a few hundred square miles of jungle and
temples in Northern Cambodia. However, there are no accommodations
within the park -- the main tourist hub is Siem Reap, where the local
airport is located.
Download my FREE Angkor Guide and Map here -- perfectly sized for your pocket notebook. You
can add in your own tips / activities and places to go. Print it
out, and you're on your way.
On this page:
Angkor Wat
Where to stay: Siem Reap
Temples and Tickets
Weather
Buddhist Monks and Temples
Cambodian Food
Cambodian Money = US Dollars
Internet Access
Arrival and
Airport Tax
Passport Photos
ANGKOR WAT
While many people use the name "Angkor Wat" to refer to ALL of the
temples in Northern Cambodia, it is actually only one of the temples
within the Angkor Archaeological Park. Granted, it is the largest,
most famous, and most visited temple, but it still is only one of many
temples in this vast jungle complex.
TEMPLES AND TICKETS
The whole Angkor Archaeological Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site,
and well worth the trip. The temples and extensive grounds are
simply amazing, and you will need at least 3 days to see the various
different temples. While everyone has heard of Angkor Wat, the
other temples are quite impressive in their own right and offer varying
levels of solitude and mystique.
For insider information and travel tips on the Temples, Getting Around,
and Tickets, visit my Siem Reap & Angkor Wat
Activities Page. For additional pictures, check out my
Angkor Gallery Page.
SIEM REAP
Because the Angkor Archaeological Park is protected, all of the hotels
(and the international airport) are located in the nearby town or Siem
Reap.
Siem Reap is not a pretty city. In fact, I'll go as far as to say
it's just plain ugly. However, you will find yourself spending
every evening there since the parks close down at 5:30pm.
While there is a daytime market in Siem Reap, there really is nothing of
note to buy. Siem Reap is often quite empty during the day, while
most tourists are off visiting the temples. The town livens up in
the evening when everyone returns, and everyone heads to the
restaurants and bars around Pub Street.
Siem Reap also offers an archaeological museum.
WEATHER
The weather in Cambodia is straight out of the movies and books about
Southeast Asia -- oppressively hot and humid. The dry season will
have the highest temperatures, while the rainy season of course has its
precipitation-related drawbacks. The "coolest" time of year (I use
that term pretty loosely) is from November to February, but this is also
the busiest time of year (and it gets PACKED).
Overall, be prepared to wake up early to go sightseeing before the heat
sets in. Once mid-day hit, I was usually exhausted from the heat
and would often retire to the cool of my air conditioned room.
During the rainy season, it will rain every single afternoon (usually
from about 3pm to 5pm) without fail. You can count on it.
While it usually clears up in the late afternoon, the temples also close
at 5:30pm, so there is only a small window to take your sunset pictures
before the guards kick you out.
In either season, you will be able to get your fill of temples and
typically will be "templed out" after 3-4 days.
BUDDHIST MONKS AND TEMPLES
You will find many Buddhist monks in and around Angkor Wat. Many
of them are quite friendly and speak English. Do not gawk at them,
but engage them in friendly conversation -- they love to hear what you
think about their country. But be forewarned, many of them are
poor students studying in Siem Reap and MAY as you for a handout to help
them continue their education.
CAMBODIAN
FOOD
There are numerous restaurants
in Siem Reap, specifically around Pub Street.
They locals are quite used to tourists, and offer everything from Indian
to Italian, and even hamburgers. You can also get your fair share
of local Khmer food. Everything is extremely cheap, and you can
plan on getting a good meal in a decent restaurant for under $4.
CAMBODIAN MONEY = US DOLLARS
Cambodians use US Dollars as currency, and ATMs in the country
dispense Dollars and not Riels. They use Riels instead of US Cents. For more information on currencies, ATMs,
and the exchange rate, see my
Cambodia money page.
INTERNET ACCESS
There are numerous internet cafes near Pub Street in Siem Reap, and
a few hotels, such as the "Mandalay Inn" offer free internet to hotel
guests in their lobbies. Be prepared for a slow connection, but
the rates are cheap and the cafes quite ubiquitous.
ARRIVAL AND AIRPORT TAX
First of all, the Siem Reap airport is EXTREMELY nice and fairly
new. It is one of the nicest small city airports I've ever been
to, and was quite a surprise when I arrived. It is clear from the
get go that Cambodia understands what a cash cow Angkor Wat is, and is
bent on providing an efficient, presentable welcome to its visitors.
Be prepared to pay an airport tax when you arrive -- and like other
countries the tax rate is based on which country you are from. So
make sure you have US Dollars on hand to pay the tax.
Many hotels offer airport pick up, you just have to arrange for it with
your hotel in advance. Mandalay Inn,
where I stayed, offered a pickup at no extra charge.
PASSPORT PHOTOS
One of the requirements to enter
Cambodia (you get your visa at the airport when you arrive) is that you
have two passport sized photos with you. You will have to present
these photos at the airport, so make sure you hand carry them along with
you.
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