Practical tips: Siem Reap & Angkor

What I wish I'd known before my first trip.

Visas and entry

Most visitors can get a Cambodian visa on arrival at Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport or apply for an e-visa online in advance through the official government site. A tourist visa is usually valid for thirty days. You need a passport valid for at least six months and a passport photo for visa on arrival. Fees change, so check current rules before you travel, and use only the official e-visa site.

The Angkor Pass

A pass is required to visit the temples in the Angkor Archaeological Park. It is available for one, three or seven days and must be bought at the official ticket centre or online through the official site; your photo is printed on it. Some sites, including Phnom Kulen, Beng Mealea and Koh Ker, require separate tickets. Opening hours vary: some temples open early for sunrise, others at around 7:30.

Money

The US dollar is used alongside the Cambodian riel, and many prices are quoted in dollars. Change under a dollar is given in riel, at roughly four thousand riel to the dollar. Bring clean, untorn dollar notes, which are sometimes refused if damaged. ATMs are common in town and usually dispense dollars, with fees. Cards are accepted in larger hotels and restaurants, less so at stalls.

Getting around

Tuk-tuks are the classic way to get around, and many drivers also act as informal guides. Ride-hailing apps such as PassApp and Grab work in town and are convenient for fixed prices. Bicycles and e-bikes are widely available and perfect for the flat roads. For temples further afield, a car with a driver is more comfortable. The new airport is about forty kilometres from town; shuttles and taxis connect it.

Seasons

The cool dry season from November to February is the most comfortable, with clear skies and pleasant mornings, and the busiest. March to May is very hot, often above thirty-five degrees. The wet season from June to October brings afternoon storms, lush landscapes, fewer visitors and lower prices; rain usually falls in short heavy bursts.

Health

Drink bottled or filtered water. Mosquitoes carry dengue fever, especially in the wet season, so use repellent and cover up at dusk. Malaria is rare around Siem Reap but present in remote forested areas. Heat exhaustion is a real risk at the temples: drink plenty of water, wear a hat and rest in the midday hours. Good clinics exist in town for minor problems.

Etiquette

Dress modestly at temples and pagodas, covering shoulders and knees. Remove shoes and hats before entering prayer halls. Do not touch people’s heads, point your feet at Buddha images or monks, and women should not touch monks or hand them things directly. A gentle greeting with palms pressed together, the sampeah, is always appreciated.

Safety and scams

Siem Reap is generally safe, but take care with bags on tuk-tuks and in crowds. Avoid visiting orphanages, as orphanage tourism has been linked to exploitation. Decline requests to buy milk powder or rice for strangers at inflated prices. In remote areas, stay on marked paths: Cambodia still has landmines in some places, though major tourist sites have been cleared.

SIM cards and connectivity

Local SIM cards from providers such as Smart, Cellcard and Metfone are cheap and easy to buy at the airport or in town with your passport. Data packages are generous and coverage is good in town and at the main temples, weaker at far sites like Koh Ker. Most guesthouses and cafés have free Wi-Fi.

Responsible travel

Choose locally run guesthouses, restaurants and guides when you can. Buy crafts from social enterprises and workshops that support artisans. Do not give money or sweets to children selling at the temples; it keeps them out of school. Never buy antiquities or carvings claimed to be ancient: removing them from Cambodia is illegal.