Cambodia vacations

From ornate temples and fascinating museums to an Art Deco market, Cambodia’s capital city is a treasure trove of history and culture.

By day, explore Siem Reap’s iconic temples and national parks. As darkness falls, enjoy dazzling sunsets, traditional dance performances and buzzing night markets.

This fun-loving Cambodian beach town has it all, from golden sand and crystal-blue waters to lush rainforests with waterfall hikes you’ll remember forever.

Wandering through ancient Khmer temples is one of the best things to do in Cambodia. You’ll find millennia-old stone structures carved with intricate religious motifs tangled in vines and jungle roots. There are around 4,000 temples to explore across the country, the largest and most famous being the dazzling Angkor Wat.

Looking for trip trinkets? The capital city of Phnom Penh has you covered with Central Market, Russian Market and Phsar Reatrey all crammed with goods. For an evening spree or locally made art, the city of Siem Reap boasts the legendary Angkor Night Market. Or breakfast like a Cambodian and order coconut pancakes at a local street food stall.

Exploring the waterways unlocks some of Cambodia’s most treasured experiences. Jump aboard a tour boat to see entire communities living in floating villages or spot endangered Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong Delta. You’ll also find a string of tropical islands out at sea, like Koh Ta Kiev or popular Koh Rong Sanloem, which boasts idyllic beaches and laid-back resorts.

Cambodia has over 270 miles of tropical coastline. For pure paradise, make a beeline for one of the 64 islands. Koh Rong Sanloem is perfect for backpackers, Koh Rong enjoys unspoiled beauty and Koh Thmei is a go-to for nature enthusiasts. Many of the beaches on the mainland are rapidly being developed, though you’ll still find pretty pockets around Kep Beach and Ream National Park.

There’s natural beauty everywhere you look in Cambodia, but the stars are the raging waterfalls and colonies of bats. Bou Sra Waterfall in the country’s east and Kulen Waterfall in the northwest are mighty forces not to be missed. For an incredible show, head to the bars near Battambang Caves to watch as millions of bats take flight each night.

Street food reigns supreme in Cambodia. Locals flock to the markets for breakfast, lunch and dinner, feasting on hand-pulled noodles, fresh fruit and barbecue skewers. Some of the best restaurants in Cambodia offer refined versions of national classics. Look out for dishes like fish ‘amok’ (coconut-based curry), ‘num banh chok’ (lightly fermented noodles with fish) and ‘lok lak’ (peppered beef).

Don’t pass over the museums in Cambodia. To grasp how influential the Khmer Empire was to contemporary Cambodia, visit the Angkor National Museum in Siem Reap. It’s full of recovered artifacts and tremendous legends. To comprehend the devastation of the Khmer Rouge period, stop by the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh and the War Museum in Siem Reap.

The dry season from November through May is the best time to visit Cambodia, especially if you plan to be outdoors. If you’re worried about the heat, aim for the cooler months of November to February. Or if you want to avoid crowds and can brave a little rain, June to September enjoy cheaper rates and fewer tourists.

A cheap holiday to Cambodia is one that still offers great accommodations and a packed schedule. An inexpensive meal costs about 16,000 Cambodian riels (៛), and it can be washed down with a ៛4,000 beer. For a short taxi ride, plan to spend roughly ៛20,000.