Cambodia has taken its place as one of the world's top destinations. While the ruins of the ancient Khmer capital around Angkor Wat are truly one of the wonders of the world, there's much more to Cambodia than that. You can easily spend weeks, or months, exploring all that the country has to offer, from bustling seaside resorts to virgin rainforests.
While the splendors of Angkor Wat will understandably be the focus of any visit to Cambodia, set aside some time to spend in the laid-back charms of the country's capital, Phnom Penh. Sihanoukville is the main beach resort, but if you want something less frenetic and more atmospheric, try the old French get-away of Kep, or the old riverside port town of Kampot.
The capital of the Khmer kingdom in northwestern Cambodia remains one of the most outstanding legacies of the ancient world. Many have the impression that Angkor Wat is a single temple, when in fact there are more than 40 sites still recognizable to this day. Visitors planning to see the ruins should allow at least three full days to get a good overview. Five days is ideal.
Map of Siem Reap & Angkor Wat Your base for any visit to the temples will be the modern day town of Siem Reap.
Battambang is Cambodia's second largest city, but it isn't on the main tourist trail, and I have to say, not without good reason. Battambang is certainly a nice enough place. I would even say that the people in and around town are some of the nicest you'll find in Cambodia, if not Southeast Asia. The center of town still has some rather pretty old colonial buildings, and there are also some Angkor era ruins in the countryside around town.
Set on the banks of a wide lazy river, it's surprising that Kampot isn't more popular than it is. The city was Cambodia's main sea port in pre-colonial times, and the French also used it, giving the city a mix of Chinese, French and Khmer flavors. But the sea and river were not deep enough for modern cargo ships, the town lost trade and started to fade into a forgotten backwater, especially when the Khmer Rouge came to power in the 1970s.
The Royal Palace of Phnom Penh Cambodia's capital retains much of its former colonial charm, with old houses along tree-lined boulevards. Although many people simply stop off in Phnom Penh on their way to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat, or even bypass it entirely for a direct flight to Angkor, to do so is to miss out on something special.
Most of Phnom Penh's major sights are along the pleasant Tonle Riverside.
Electrical current in Cambodia is 220 volts, 50 cycles. Electrical sockets take two flat prongs. The power supply is relatively stable in the big cities, although the power supply is somewhat "dirty" (inconsistent in voltage). Outages can be frequent in the rainy season.
The currency of Cambodia is the Riel, although US Dollars is used at most places frequented by tourists and can be used interchangeably for Riel just about everywhere else. While the Riel is theoretically convertible, it isn't commonly traded. Prices at hotels, restaurants and tourist sights are usually in US Dollars. However, businesses in Cambodia don't keep US coins on hand, so small change will usually be given in Riel, at a common exchange rate of 4,000 Riel to one US Dollar.
There is quite a range of options for getting around Cambodia, especially by road. However, the roads in Cambodia are among the worst in Southeast Asia, so while you can get just about anywhere using shared taxis, minivans or private cars, it isn't necessarily the most comfortable way to get around. Roads are under repair, so the situation is changing. Trains are another cheap option, although service can be quite infrequent and unreliable.
Although Cambodia is place most people visit for the ancient cultural experience, it does have a gay scene of its own, no doubt enriched by the many international visitors the country now attracts.
Resources for Gay Travelers to Cambodia As always, the people at Utopia Asia have the latest information on where to go, where to stay and where to meet people. Now, they've even compiled all their accumulated knowledge in a book you can take with you on the road to those places, like Cambodia, where internet connections can be rare.
Most visitors to Cambodia will need a visa. You can obtain one in advance from a Cambodian embassy or consulate, or you can apply for one on arrival in Siem Reap or Phnom Penh. Most people opt for the visa on arrival, so the queues to get the visa can be quite long.
To obtain a visa on arrival, you'll need to complete an application form and attach a passport photo of yourself to the application.
