Visiting Cambodia Beaches & Angkor Wat

🏖️Visiting Cambodia Beaches & Angkor Wat

Flying into Siem Reap Cambodia 

     I flew from Phuket Thailand over to Siem Reap Cambodia. I choose to stop in Cambodia because it is a place that travelers can’t stop talking about. A ticket from Phuket down to Siem Reap was only 30$ on Air Asia which made it an easy decision. When you fly into Siem Reap International Airport the first thing you notice is how small the airport is. This airport check-in area was the size of some airports smoking lounges. However, this added more charm to Cambodia in my eyes. Cambodia beaches and Angkor Wat await. 

     Personally I enjoy the quaintness of the airport and it was set up very easy to navigate and understand. You can get your Cambodian visa very easily once you arrive in-country. After you get your visa you can walk outside and get a “tuk-tuk.” After a 10-minute ride, you are in the hotel and hostel area. I stayed at the Mad Monkey hostel and it was amazing. I paid 18$ a night for a huge private room and they had bunk beds in other rooms for less than 5$. The location was amazing because it was right next to a small massage place where you could get 90-minute massages for 4$, talk about paradise. 

Visiting Downtown and Renting a Scooter

     Next up was visiting the downtown area and planning my Angkor Wat tour. The downtown area is full of hostels, hotels, shops, restaurants, and anything else you need. It is very westernized but also it is not. I know that sounds contradictory but it is true. A western traveler will not fill out of place staying in Siem Reap Cambodia but they will also get a sense of being in a completely different culture. Siem Reap also used the American dollar as their currency so it makes it very easy to avoid currency issues if you have USD.

     The best idea for day number 1 would be to rent a scooter for a couple of bucks and just go get lost. Drive around until you can’t drive anymore. There is so much beauty in this city. Siem Reap Cambodia also holds my personal record for the most smiles while walking a kilometer. I’ll explain, as I was walking back to my hostel after a fun night out I began to notice everyone smiling. At first, I was just kind of ignoring it and smiling back but then I realized the people were just all very happy. As I walked approximately a kilometer home I counted 29 smiling faces and they were all smiling just because it was Tuesday. It was so uplifting and made me smile all day long. 

On to Exploring Angkor Wat

     Getting your tickets for Angkor Wat can be done easily by just going to their main office and waiting in line and buying them. However, I would encourage you to think about getting a guide rather than doing it yourself. If you have read my blogs before you know that I’m more about saving money and doing things on my own without guides. However, Angkor Wat is a bit different. The reason I would tell you to look into a guide for Angkor Wat is due to its massive scale. This enormous Buddhist temple complex spans over 400 acres and it feels like even more.

     I decided to take a bike tour through Angkor Wat and it was worth every penny. I won’t lie to you and say it was easy because it was a bit tiring. By the end, I went home and passed out until dinner. By utilizing a guide I was able to see so much. My guide knew exactly where to go and how to get there in the most efficient manner. It is very easy to get lost in Angkor Wat and it is nearly impossible to see everything in one day. Our tour was over 10 hours long and we did not cover it all but we saw a lot more than I would have if I tried to do it myself. Taking this bike tour took my Angkor Wat experience to the next level. 😀 

Next Up, Cambodia Beaches

     Once I got my history appetite filled with Angkor Wat it was time to go and lay on  Cambodia beaches, but where? There are a few options but one stood out from the rest. This paradise was called “Koh Rong” which is an Island in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. The beaches are beautiful but you can also find secluded areas. This was my favorite part of the island. It can be a bit touristy in certain parts so just be aware of that going in. You will find many opinions on the area of Koh Rong but personally I think it is the perfect stop after Angkor Wat. I hope you enjoyed this blog and it can help you plan your next adventure in Asia. 

Be Sure to Check Out “Do You Need a Bali Itinerary” Next! 😀