Asia, Cambodia, Destination Guides, Food & Drinks, Travel

Shit You Probably Haven’t Thought Of… But Should Know: Cambodia

7 June

Alright, we’re going to do this one a little differently. My trip to Cambodia was supposed to be a simple three-week visa run, split between two cities. Through a SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS, that initial plan hit the fan, with avengence. While I won’t get into the gory details here, I’ve chosen to keep this as a “Country” guide as opposed to a City guide, and break down the specific information relating to each area visited as appropriate.

As I’ve learned through my time here, Cambodia offers a completely different experience depending on the town or city you’re in. That being said, this isn’t intended to be a blanket statement on life in Cambodia. Nor is it a deep dive on temple history or a backpacker’s checklist of must-see waterfalls. Instead, think of this as a collection of practical notes, casual observations, and the random-but-useful info I wish I had before arriving. Whether you’re coming here for a short visa run, slow travel, or just trying to vibe for a few weeks, I hope this helps you make the most of your time.

As always, this is based entirely on my personal experience and preferences, so your mileage may vary. But if you’re not into tour groups, packed itineraries, or luxury resorts, you’ll probably find something helpful here. Let’s get into it.

Ziplining through the jungle near Angkor Wat

Bored in Koh Rang…

Visa & Entry Info:

U.S. citizens can enter Cambodia for 30 days with a standard visa (although they have many inexpensive options for longer stays). There is a $30 fee for the standard tourist visa, which can be obtained upon entry at major ports of entry or online at least five days before your arrival. You can pay the visa fee with cash or card, and they have an ATM right next to Visa application line (with a $5 surcharge) if needed.

If you go the Visa-On-Entry route like I did, I recommend completing the e-arrival form (sent to me by my airline before shortly after booking my ticket), to make the process much smoother and quicker. I flew into Siem Reap, which now has a brand new, very efficient airport, and the entire process to deplane, get through immigration, and get my bags took less than 15 minutes. Literally, the quickest immigration experience I’ve ever had in LIFE.

Finances:

To be perfectly blunt, the Cambodian Riel is not the strongest (roughly 4,000 KHR = $1 USD), so much of the country operates on the US Dollar. You can pay with either, and ATMs offer both as withdrawal options (but again, with at least a $5 fee). As always, if you’re using credit or debit I recommend paying in local currency, and never taking the conversion offer, even at the ATM.

Siem Reap: While I tried to operate on cash while there, using my debit card was just easier in general (except for places like 7/11 that ONLY took cash?). It also kept me from calculating the mixture of USD and Riel I would get back as change (not a huge deal, but a little harder to track if you’re on a budget or worried about that sort of thing). I was only in Siem Reap for 10 days (although it didn’t feel that long), but had I been there longer, I’m sure I would’ve moved to a more cash-forward wallet.

Sihanoukville: To say this place was NOT what I was expecting would be a massive understatement. I headed to this part of Cambodia for a little Suns Out Buns Out time on the beach and got rain, roaches and regret instead. As far as money goes, the entire city is essentially cash only. Restaurants, convenience stores, and even the grocery store only took cash or QR pay. The only places I was able to use my debit card were Starbucks, the pharmacy, and on Grab. And given everything else that was going on while there, the last thing I wanted to do was pay more money to access my own cash at the ATMs.

Koh Rang: In an effort to “escape,” I headed out to the much-hyped Koh Rang Islands, just a few miles from Sihanoukville by boat, for a few days. The trip was OK, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to return. That being said, the resort I stayed at in Koh Rang was on an isolated part of its sister island, so they had a restaurant and amenities on site. They also took debit, which was a blessing considering my experience on the shore.

Phnom Penh: While not on my initial plan to visit, when shit hit the fan in Sihanoukville, I diverted to Cambodia’s capital city for a much needed respite and to catch my flight back to Thailand. From the moment I stepped into my hotel room, I knew I had made the right decision. Phnom Penh is the capital city, crowded, chaotic, and exactly what I needed. Food and transportation options abound, and EVERYWHERE takes Apple Pay, which surprised me as this convenience was barely even available in Thailand. Moving through the city and enjoying all it has to offer has been easy and convenient. While I didn’t explore a ton given my limited time there and where my stay fell within the work week, I’m sure there would have been situations where having at least some cash on me would’ve been beneficial, especially for a longer-term stay.

Pictures within Pictures… Monks taking selfies at the Bayan Temple in Angkor Wat.

One of the many buddhas scattered throughout the temples of the Angkor Wat complex.

Transportation:

Flights: Air Cambodia – In all my time traveling as an adult, I’ve never had a flight cancelled. Not sure if it was the destination or the airline, but my flight from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville was canceled TWICE. While I did receive a refund when I told them I would find another way to Sihanoukville, it was still a headache I wouldn’t want to deal with again. That being said, do your research before you book.

Air Asia – When I was booking my return flight to Thailand, there was a $60 price difference between booking in the app and on the computer. No idea why as I was unable to expand the section that had the full price breakdown on the app. Something told me to try from my computer before purchasing and I’m so glad I did. Not sure if this was a fluke or universal issue, so when all else fails, be a good lil millennial and do the important things from your big computer 🙂

Buses: I’ve never really been a bus girlie, but when I first booked my trip to Cambodia, I figured it might be fun to roll the dice and take a bus back to Bangkok at the end. That plan quickly got scrapped thanks to the eventful week in Sihanoukville and growing rumors that the borders might close.

That said, buses are a solid option for getting around Cambodia. There are plenty of companies running routes between the major cities, and they’re a cheap, relatively easy way to cover long distances without hopping on a plane. I used GiantIbis for their sleeper bus from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville and their “luxury” bus for the shorter ride to Phnom Penh. Both were comfortable enough, had free wifi and water, and were good value for the price. They’re worth checking out if you’re not in a rush, or if your flight gets canceled… twice.

Grabs & Taxis: In and around the cities, these are plentiful and convenient, with Grab being the Southeast Asia equivalent of Uber (and Uber Eats). Many of the Grab drivers also operate independently, so you may want to negotiate future rides if you like your driver. For example, my Grab from the airport in Siem Reap was $32 on the app (the new airport sits 25 miles outside of the city center), but my driver offered to take me back for just $20 if I booked through him directly.

Tuk-tuks: Tuk-tuks and rickshaws are the primary mode of transport in Cambodia, especially in the big cities. They’re more common than cars or bikes, and you can catch one pretty much anywhere without much effort. While you can order tuk-tuks through apps like Grab, many drivers operate independently and are more than happy to negotiate a fair price, whether it’s for a quick ride across town or hiring them for the day as your personal tour guide.

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Food:

I thought nothing could beat Thailand when it comes to value for money, but I was massively mistaken. Cambodia now tops the list of the most affordable food so far on this world tour, with an average meal at a restaurant costing less than $6-10 (drinks and tip included). Cambodia also falls somewhere between Thailand (numerous) and South Korea (few and far between) when it comes to its vegan and vegetarian options. Because I was still dealing with a sickness I got in Thailand about a week before I left, I was unable to try very many local (Khmer) food options. That being said, there were a few restaurants that stood out to me in Siem Reap, including Elia Greek Kitchen and Try Me Restaurant. In Phomn Penh, David’s Homemade Noodles was AMAZING and extremely affordable.

Language & Safety:

Solo Female Travel: Not since Barcelona have I been followed while walking through the streets and neighborhoods of the cities I visit. While it only happened once during this trip, it’s beyond infuriating that it happened at all. I’m always aware of my surroundings and the crowds I move through, but when things like this happen, it puts me on edge until I leave. I do not offer this story to talk down on any country or culture, or to discourage anyone from visiting, merely as an reminder to remain vigilant, observant, and aware, especially as a solo female traveler.

Safety: Like many of the other Asian cities, towns and countries I’ve visited, I rarely felt any issues in regards to safety (save the isolated incident mentioned above). In general, my person and property were safe, and walking away from my belongings while working at the coffee shops and cafes to order more food, or take a quick call, was never an issue.

Language: While Khmer is the official language of Cambodia, English is also widely spoken. In fact, I don’t think I ran into a single person I couldn’t communicate with in at least a basic manner while there. As always, I tried to learn a few words, but let’s just say I’d likely need a LOT more time in Cambodia to learn and retain even a few common phrases.

Weather & Environment:

Weather: Like Thailand, Cambodia is warm, humid, and often sticky, especially during the peak of the day. But compared to Bangkok, its noticeably greener and more open, with far more consistent direct sunlight. The landscape around Siem Reap, in particular, is lush and dotted with palm trees, rice paddies, and slow-moving rivers, which gives everything a more breathable, tropical feel. I visited during rainy season (roughly May to October) and experienced dramatic afternoon downpours most of the time I was there. Dry season (November to April) is hot and dusty, especially leading into April when the temperatures can soar, but it’s also when the skies are clearest and temple exploring is at its most photogenic. Either way, hydration, sunscreen, and lightweight clothes that actually breathe will be your best friends.

Critters: Long story short, there are more creepy crawlies and stray fur-babies in Cambodia than in other countries I’ve visited recently. The creepy crawlies are just blah… annoying but manageable like almost anywhere else in the world. But seeing so many stray fur-babies, especially for animal lovers, can add a bit of a heartache to your trip. Neither of these should be a deal breaker, just something to be aware of.

Sidewalks: Walking in Cambodia, especially in Phnom Penh, is not for the faint of heart. While sidewalks do exist, they more often than not serve as parking lots of convenience for the many cars, tuk-tuks and bikes that dominate the cities. Crosswalks are just a suggestion, offering no guarantee oncoming traffic will actually yield to pedestrians. No matter where you are or what you’re doing in the Cambodia, be hyper-aware yet assertive when crossing the street. If you wait until it’s “clear”, you’ll remain on the side of the street for eternity.

A little homage to Lara Croft at the “Tomb Raider” temple.

Boats and hoes… escaping Sihanoukville.

Tech:

In terms of power, just like Thailand, Cambodia uses a combination of U.S. and European-style plugs, and the outlets are designed to accommodate both prongs. However, the voltage here is 230V, so most basic U.S.-based electronics will need a transformer to work properly. If you have internationally compatible devices, like most Apple products, you won’t need a transformer; just plug in and go.

Gyms & Wellness:

While my three-week visa run to Cambodia was at least partially helpful to my mental reset, it was horrible for maintaining my gym routine. There were private gym options, and many larger condos had at least small gyms on the premises, but I moved around so much there was just no way to work out effectively. Had I planned on staying in Cambodia for an extended period, I would’ve looked into a more permanent solution.

Potty Protocol:

Like many other countries, toilet paper must go in the bin, not down the toilet. I hate it. But I get it… the plumbing systems here aren’t built to handle paper, and flushing it can cause blockages or even damage the infrastructure. As a spoiled American, it’s not a practice I’m used to, but it’s also not the end of the world. So, just remember: wipe, toss and spray (the bidet)… never flush and walk away.

Exploring Phnom Penh…

…followed by same tasty nosh.

Attractions:

Yes, Cambodia has so much more to offer, but for me, it started (and almost ended) with two words: Angkor Wat. Visiting this UNESCO World Heritage site had been on my bucket list for years, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The scale, the history, the early-morning light spilling over ancient stone… It’s one of those rare places that feels both surreal and sacred at the same time. That said, there’s more to the Angkor Archaeological Park than just the iconic and lesser-known temples that dot the massive complex. I also booked a half-day adventure with Angkor Zipline, which let me soar through the jungle canopy with views you’d never get from the ground. It added a little thrill to all the awe. While Angkor Wat was my main focus, it ended up being a launchpad for other unforgettable experiences.

Tips and Reviews:

In places like Cambodia, where tourism is a major part of the economy, things like tips and reviews aren’t just niceties—they’re lifelines. Many local tour guides, drivers, and small operators rely on word-of-mouth and platform reviews to stay visible and competitive. While I don’t normally do tours (instead preferring to explore based on my own interests and timeline), I did hire a all-day tuk-tuk driver through Get Your Guide to take me around the Angkor Wat complex. At the end of the day, he casually mentioned that the company assigns him future bookings based on how many positive reviews he receives. That stuck with me. A few kind words and a decent tip aren’t just good manners—they can directly impact someone’s livelihood.