Places to visit in Cambodia

Places to visit in Cambodia: your Green Guide

And everything else you need to know when planning your Cambodia holidays

Cambodia holidays // WHEN TO GO 

Best times to visit Cambodia 

Cambodia only has two seasons: dry and wet. I’ve been here during both, and although I love them each for different reasons, I do have a little preference for the wet season. Below are the particulars of each so that you make up your own mind.

Dry season: according to most tourists, this is the best time to visit Cambodia: between November and April when the country sees very little rain. The skies will be clear and blue, and you will be able to enjoy a lot of outdoor time. If you are planning to head to the coast, I would recommend traveling to Cambodia then.

Wet season: unpopular opinion it seems, but this is my favorite time of the year in Cambodia! During the rainy season, the jungle truly comes alive and you find yourself surrounded by lush greens, rushing waterfalls, and flourishing rice paddies. That being said, during the peak of the wet season from July to September it usually rains every afternoon, and there have been countless times I’ve found myself trapped in the rain, entirely soaked and running around frantically to try and keep my equipment dry.

Places to visit in Cambodia // WHERE TO GO

Siem Reap

Siem Reap is my favorite big city in Cambodia! I’ve lived here for eight months and I know the city inside and out. Siem Reap not only houses Cambodia’s number one drawcard: the Angkor complex, but this city is also home to some of the most amazing non-profit organizations, restaurants, spas, and shopping opportunities in all of Cambodia. The temple of Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious building, is only one the thousand other temples worth a sight, and I’d recommend setting aside more than one day to explore the Angkorian period’s achievements. 

Green Wanderlust Advice - If you’re in a time crunch, and in need of inspiration while in Siem Reap, I’ve written a thorough 3 days itinerary that outlines all the best activities to do in the city, you can check it out HERE. 

Phnom Penh

While Siem Reap soaks in ancient history, Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh lives at the frenetic beat of any other large asian city! Motorbikes zoom by, tuk-tuks hails at potential customers and the car horns fill the air. Deserted during the Khmer Rouge era and left to decay, the city had regained a wild pace and is now considered one of the most dynamic cities in all of Southeast Asia. I’m usually not a big fan of frantic cities but Phnom Penh is absolutely worth a visit if you are interested in the arts and culture of Cambodia. When I’m there and not working, I enjoy wandering around the National Museum and visiting the Royal Palace.

Phnom Penh is also a vital landmark in the preservation of the memory of the Khmer Rouge era. Although a very dark and traumatic period in the recent Cambodian past, learning about this period is very important if you wish to truly understand the present socio-cultural landscape of this country. You can start by visiting Tuol Sleng Museum and the killing fields of Choeung Ek to get an idea but please, do be warned that these places are not for the faint-hearted.

Tonlé Sap Lake

This is my second-favorite place in Cambodia after Mondulkiri. The Tonlé Sap Lake is Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake and Cambodia’s most important waterway. In addition to being the number one source of fish for the country—a staple to the Cambodian diet, the lake is also home to a few hundred floating villages whose livelihoods depend on fishing and farming. These villages, built directly on top of the water, are fascinating and can be a great place to spend a day exploring. I love heading out there super early and getting to watch the sunrise over this seemingly endless lake. Don’t forget your camera when you go because you’ll want to remember this incredible and unique landscape forever.

Green Wanderlust Advice - while I highly recommend exploring the floating villages, I urge you to do some in-depth research before choosing a tour. It’s important to make sure that the proceeds of the organization you decide on really reaches the people of the villages. If you’re looking for guidance, I’ve always trusted Osmose. They organize tours of the Prek Toal Reserve and depart from Siem Reap. Their tours are ethical and engaging and I’ve never been disappointed by their services. For more information about this tour, read my top 10 things to do in Siem Reap guide for more inspiration of what’s in reach of this iconic city.

Koh Rong Samloem 

If palm trees are what is calling your name, then Koh Rong Samloem is your paradise! Just off the south coast of Cambodia, these islands are like a slice of tropical dream. Much less busy and developed than its Thai counterparts—Phuket and Koh Samui, Koh Rong’s islands are very much all about the hammock time and have little other to do than enjoying the white sand and crystalline waters. Here, you’ll find about a dozen different providers who rent bungalows right on the beach at very affordable prices. All you have to do is chose and pack your bathing suit and snorkel mask. 

Green Wanderlust Advice - Although I do enjoy some downtime during my travels, I usually only spend two to three full days on the islands before heading back out on more jungle adventures.

Kampot 

You’re looking for a laid-back experience? Kampot has your name written all over it! This small town with a chill atmosphere is the perfect place to spend a few days and learn more about the pepper region of Cambodia. Discover the quaint market of Kampot, rent a kayak to explore the green cathedral for the day, or make your way to Kep, a close-by town on the oceanfront, famous for its surprising crab market. 

Green Wanderlust Advice - In terms of housing, check out both the Eden Eco Village, which boasts incredible views on the river and rooms lit by solar power, as well as the Green House, for its pricey but delicious restaurants and for its bungalows made entirely from natural, local materials. 

Mondulkiri 

Saving the best for last! Mondulkiri has managed to stay off the radar of most tourists, and makes for the perfect gateway to a real jungle adventure. In the heart of the forest, Elephant Valley Project offers an experience like no other: get up close with majestic asian elephants while learning more about the negative effects of traditional elephant tourism. Their motto is simple: no riding, no tricks, no touching—just pure and undisturbed elephant fun! I’ve visited and worked at elephant valley three times already and I absolutely love this place. Most elephants who reside at this sanctuary have been over-worked and neglected most of their lives and it’s so special to see them finally enjoying the tranquil life they deserve. 

Green Wanderlust Advice - While on your visit, ask to be taken to the waterfall, it’s so beautiful and is really worth the short detour. If you’d like to learn more about ethical tourism and how to engage in these experience, be sure to check out my full ethical wildlife  tourism guide HERE. 

Cambodia holidays // WHAT TO PACK 

Let me just preface this section with an important message: Cambodia is hot! Whether you chose to go during the wet or the dry season makes no difference, you will sweat and you’ve got to be prepared for that. 

How to Dress 

Cambodia remains a conservative country. Although when strolling Pub street this may not seem evident if you start looking beyond the tourist industry and the tourists themselves, you’ll notice that Cambodian people dress in a very humble way. Men rarely wear shorts, and women almost always have their arms and legs covered. 

Although you may not have to go at such great lengths in covering yourself, I do recommend being mindful of how you dress and how much skin you’re exposing while parading on the streets. At home, we are all entitled to dress the way we want, but when in a foreign country I do think it is important to be aware of the local culture and be respectful of it. As for temples, you’ll need to cover your shoulders and knees out of religious respect.

In terms of weather, during the dry season, morning rides on a tuk-tuk can feel a little chilly and I’d recommend you bring a light sweater and a scarf just in case. If you are traveling during the wet season, don’t forget your umbrella and your raincoat any time you leave your accommodation. Rain can really surprise you, one minute it’s sunny and the next is pouring down buckets!

Green Wanderlust Advice - If you are anything like me and you love taking pictures of the local people, I can only encourage you to pursue that passion! But please, when you do so, be mindful and respect your subjects by first asking them for their permission. Don’t worry about not speaking Khmer, gestures go a very long way!

Cambodia holidays // GREEN GUIDE

How to be Sustainable 

Sadly, although recent efforts are stating to reform the old ways, Cambodia is still very much the land of plastic. You’ll see it everywhere: wrapping a single banana in a fancy food store, littering the streets, in all the to-go cups you see zooming by on the handlebars of the thousand scooters buzzing around, wrapping your souvenirs and in the straws that are passed around like candy in the bars. Plastic is everywhere because it’s convenient and cheap, but there’s a way to break free and as a tourist enjoying the amenities of this beautiful country, it’s partly your responsibility to take action and not be the cause of even more plastics piling up in the streets! 

So here I’ve compiled a little list of all my favorite zero-waste items for you to check out and get inspired by. You can buy them directly by clicking on the link, which will re-direct you to my favorite only sustainable shop: EarthHero. They ship carbon neutral and only partner with brands whose mission statement incorporates the care and respect of the environment. 

Get -10% OFF on your cart when you use my code: GREENWANDERLUST

Straw 

Please, please, do get your hands on one of them before heading to Cambodia! Although a lot of up-scale tourists restaurants now provide non-plastic straws to their costumers, in the country-side and anywhere off the beaten path, you’ll still be at risk of adding another plastic straw to the landfills and streets of Cambodia. 

Water bottle 

Careful, in Cambodia, you cannot drink the water from the tap! During your time here you’ll most likely have to buy plastic bottles, but remember that when possible, buying big is best. Buy a 4 to 8 liter jug and refill your bottle every time you’re back at your accommodation. Be also sure to check with different restaurants on wether they offer filtered water refills. A lot of them do now, and having your own re-fillable water bottle handy will make all the difference. 

Bamboo toothbrush

Goes without saying, these are always really hard to find when traveling and you’ll be so happy to have your non-plastic toothbrush with you already! It’s a small and uncomplicated gesture but it goes a long way to reducing the plastic that ends up in our oceans. 

To-go cup 

I love coffee and I simply cannot live without it—well, I’ve had to before, and it was okay but I’d much rather have it when I can. Good news is Cambodia has great coffee! Although not as popular for it as their neighbors, you’ll find plenty of cute coffee stores in the country.

Tupperware 

If you were to only buy one thing from this list for your trip to Cambodia: please, make this be it! Take-away in Cambodia is huge, especially from all the delicious street vendors in the country, and while it’s tasty and cheap, your food almost always will come in styrofoam. I could ramble on and on about styrofoam but here is not the place. Take home message being, it’s absolutely terrible for the environment and especially for our oceans. Bring your own Tupperware everywhere you go and avoid falling into the trap! You might get puzzled looks and smiles, but the vendors will be happy to fill it up for you and you’ll feel even better about your noodles. 

Thanks for reading! I really hope this guide was helpful, and definitely don’t hesitate to reach out with questions directly on Instagram, I’ll do my best to answer and share the stoke for this very special country. If you’d like to see more of the landscapes I’ve described in this guide, give a glance to my 2020 Cambodia travel video below.

Cambodia holidays // WATCH MY CINEMATIC TRAVEL VIDEO

To me, Cambodia has such a special flavor as it is a place that has seen me grow throughout the ages. In total, I have spent 8 months there, first as an envi...