Top 10 Takeaways from My Cambodia Trip

Before I talk about things to do in Cambodia, in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, let me share my off-the-bat impressions about this country with you and give you some insider tips and my Top 10 Takeaways from My Cambodia Trip that could come very handy if you're planning a Cambodian sojourn!

#1

This beautiful country is a tourist's delight; the warmth, hospitality and simplicity of the locals vis-à-vis tourists is commendable.

You will find the local people all smiles and eager to please; you will often come across people who bow down and fold their hands to greet you. Tourism is a big sector in the country's economy, and it is reflected in the way visitors are treated.

Angkor Wat attracts about 2.5 million tourists each year, with no tourist traps, misleading information, unnecessary haggling, or harassment at touristy spots.

A mildly flavoured rice drink with some sweetened snack is served upon arrival at most hotels

#2

The country is quite safe, even for solo female travellers. One cannot help but notice, though, that the local women dress up quite conservatively. And imagine, if this coming from someone like me from India, it's serious! My takeaway is that one should wear casual clothes that are not too revealing.

I felt that Cambodians also take their temples, pagodas and palaces very seriously and expect the tourists to abide by their customs and traditions.

We were visiting the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. There was a hushed silence all around. Our guide spoke about the king with so much reverence, and we saw many people paying obeisance in the Throne Room in front of the Royal Throne, although the king was not in court at that time.

#3

The local currency is Riel, but most places accept US dollars; even small cash transactions like a tuk-tuk ride can be paid in dollars. You could carry dollars with you to avoid paying any fee to withdraw money from an ATM. Be mindful of the current exchange rate, though. When we visited, one USD was roughly 4000 Riel.

#4

Language is not a problem in hotels and restaurants; most local people who deal with tourists regularly have devised ways and means to communicate effectively, even though I found it quite hard to follow the thick accent at times. For instance, our guide in Angkor Wat had a very thick accent that made it very difficult to follow him. You could use an online translator to resolve this issue.

#5

Most of the must-see attractions in both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh are outdoors. Don't forget to carry enough sunscreen, sun hats and an umbrella to protect yourself from the scorching sun's rays, since tourists spend a good amount of their time around the Angkor Archaeological Park in the open.

#6

This brings us to the next very important point.

As I've mentioned above, Cambodians dress conservatively.

Everyone is expected to cover their shoulders and knees while visiting temples and palaces. Despite the heat, I saw everyone wearing sleeved shirts and trousers and this rule is implemented quite judiciously.

In Phnom Penh, visitors at the Genocide Museum who were not dressed properly had to hire scarves and sarongs from the ticket counter to comply.

Instructions for visitors at the entrance to the Royal Palace, Phnom Penh

#7 

Take an eSIM with you and download the Grab App.

Grab is an extremely efficient and cost-effective way to commute within Cambodia. The app allows you to book a cab and even a tuk-tuk.

Please note that your local SIM card will not allow you to download the App.

Of course, you could also hire a cab without the Grab app, but that would involve two challenges: one, explaining the location of your destination to the driver who does not understand your language at all, and two, haggling over the price to be paid.

So, Grab App!!

#8

If you're planning to travel within Cambodia, from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, then travelling by road is a good option instead of flying.

I always reiterate, in all my blogs, that roads and trains are the best way to travel around a foreign country; the entire culture of that region is on display here.

We hired a cab for USD 95, a comfortable SUV, which took about 5.5 hours to cover a distance of 318 km.

#9

If you're visiting Phnom Penh, you must carry and wear a face mask at all times. The city experiences very high levels of pollution at certain times of the year, and since most attractions are outdoors, wearing a face mask is a great idea.

#10

While in Cambodia, you must try the traditional Khmer cuisine, especially the exotic Amok, the traditional coconut fish curry. If you're a vegetarian, then a lot of vegetarian options of popular noodle and rice dishes are also available.

Sticky rice served with ice cream and mango ...yum!

My favourite was the sticky rice dessert served with ice cream and mango slices.

And don't forget to drink the naturally refreshing coconut water instead of the usual fizzy drinks to beat the heat!