Where to Stay: 

For Siem Reap

Siem Reap is filled with great boutique hotels.  Overall I recommend staying near Wat Bo Road just east of the river from the Old Market and “pub street” where all the nightlife is. It’s still an easy five minute walk to all those restaurants, shops and bars only with the added benefit of being more peaceful and quiet.  

My second recommendation would be to stay to the north of the Royal Independence Gardens closer to Angkor Park’s entrance.  

View my post:  Considerations to keep in mind when choosing where to stay

When to Go:

In Cambodia the dry season typically runs from November to May, with the cooler part of the dry season overlapping from November to February making it a popular time to visit and also Cambodia’s Peak tourist season.  Temperatures heat up from April to June. The wet season usually lasts from June to October, taming dust and turning the countryside green.  With September and October being the cooler months of the wet season.

View My Post: Country Essentials – Cambodia, to view month by month weather averages. 

Both dry and wet seasons have their advantages.  The one time of year it’s probably best to avoid travel to central and northern Cambodia is the so-called, Burning Season, when a combination of forest fires, farmers using “slash and burn” to clear their fields, and dust build up, create significant air pollution.  This ’burning season’ takes place at the end of the dry season, usually around March or April.

What to take:

Riding around in an open air remork-moto is a classic Cambodian experience but it can also be a dusty experience especially on dirt roads and you might want to bring a face mask or two with you.  Lots of tourists had parasols and there was at least one day I wished I had one too.  If traveling during the wet season you might want to make it an umbrella instead.  

View my post:  Packing Checklist.

Sightseeing:

Angkor Wat

Tickets on arrival:    Yes, at the Angkor ticket office.  
Tickets online:          Yes.   
Timed entry:             Tickets come in one day, three day, and seven day passes.

The lines for buying tickets on arrival aren’t too bad, they seem to move quickly, but it can get very crowded and with multiple lines it can be momentarily confusing which one your supposed to be in.  You can also buy tickets ahead of time online, but make sure you buy them from the official site:   Angkor enterprise.gov.kh. There are no timed entries, just one day, three day and seven day passes.

National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. 

Cambodia’s largest archaeological museum, it is not usually crowded. Tickets are only available on arrival and not sold online.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Phnom Penh (If your up for it emotionally)

A museum and memorial of a tragic period in history and of the people tortured and killed by the Khmer Rouge.
Tickets are only available on arrival at the entrance to the museum and are not sold online.

Kampot 

The town of Kampot is full of charming boutique hotels and guest houses located all along Kampot Bay River.  The river is known for its bioluminescence which can be viewed at night.  There are also kayak rentals and tours along the river.

Koh Rong Island Beaches

The island of Koh Rong can be reached by ferry from Sihanoukville.  The trip can take anywhere from 30 min to an hour depending on the type of ferry and the sea conditions.  Most ferry companies run multiple departures a day.  Tickets on most ferries may be booked in advance online or bought on arrival if not sold out.