Low-Cost Cambodia: Destination Guide for Budget-Savvy Travelers

#cheaptravel #cambodia

Here’s a breakdown of the places I visited in Cambodia, covering top sights and personal recommendations across five amazing destinations:

📍 Siem Reap
* Angkor Wat – A must-visit; one of the largest temple complexes in the world.
* Bayon Temple – Famous for its serene stone faces.
* Ta Prohm – Tomb Raider temple wrapped in massive tree roots.
* Pub Street – The nightlife hub, full of bars, restaurants, and street food.
* Night Market – Great for souvenirs, local crafts, and cheap eats.
* Tonle Sap Floating Village – (Planned for my next visit) Best to see at sunset.

📍 Battambang
* Bamboo Train – A fun and unique ride along the real train tracks ($5).
* Killing Caves – Historical site from the Khmer Rouge era; sobering but important.
* Bat Cave at Sunset – Watch millions of bats fly out of a cave after sunset (starts ~5:50 PM).
* Phnom Sampeau Hill – Great views, monkeys, and temples at the top.

📍 Phnom Penh (Capital)
* Royal Palace – Traditional Khmer architecture. Entry: $10. (I only saw it from outside.)
* National Museum of Cambodia – Traditional artifacts and religious items. Entry: $10.
* Independence Monument – Built in 1958 to celebrate freedom from France.
* Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum – Former prison now museum; entry: $5 (+$5 for audio guide).
* Choeung Ek Killing Fields – Memorial site with skull stupa; entry: $3 (+$3 for audio guide).

📍 Koh Rong Island
* Long Beach – Amazing for sunsets 🌅
* Lonely Beach – Farther out, very peaceful and beautiful.
* Fishing Village – Local charm and quiet life.
* Nest Beach Party – Held every Saturday night. Free beer + T-shirt between 3–4 PM at Nest (entry $10–12.5 depending on where you buy).
* 🛥️ Getting there:
* Speedboat: $25 round trip (flexible return time).
* Public Ferry: $5 one way (limited schedule, but much cheaper – highly recommended).

📍 Kampot
* Bokor Mountain Tour – Only worth it in clear weather; otherwise fog ruins the views.
* Big Buddha, abandoned casino/hotel, waterfall, old church – all barely visible in fog.
* Countryside Tour – More enjoyable:
* Pepper Plantation – Kampot pepper is world-famous! Great tasting and shopping experience.
* Cave Temple – Older than Angkor Wat!
* Salt Fields – Couldn't see much due to cloudy skies.
* Riverside Sunset – Peaceful and pretty.
* 🎒 Stay at Arcadia Backpackers if you’re looking for a social/party hostel.
📝 Final Notes & Tips
* 🚌 Best bus company: VET Air Bus – clean, punctual, and comfortable.
* ✅ Don’t miss Battambang and Kampot – Underrated but rewarding stops.
* 🧾 Keep the immigration card you receive when entering the country.
* 🛂 Visa on arrival is easy and straightforward.
* 💵 US Dollars are widely used. (If you have euros, exchange them.)
* ⛴️ Use the $5 public ferry to get to Koh Rong instead of the $25 speedboat if on a budget.
* 🗓️ Tourist visa can be extended by 30 days.
* For longer stays, try the business visa – sometimes no documents are required.