Background

Cambodia is a country with bright smiles and a dark past. It’s hard to forget the Communist genocide that happened here in the 1970s, but Cambodia is still a fascinating place to visit and the people are very friendly to outsiders.

The Siem Reap area of Cambodia is home to the world famous Angkor Wat ruins, which bring in millions of tourists every year.

Exploring the Angkor Wat feels a bit like stepping into The Jungle Book. These are massive Hindu temple ruins from the 12th century that cover hundreds of acres of land.

Climate

The climate of Cambodia is tropical, so the weather is hot and humid year round. The rainy season runs from May to November (but especially the months of September and October), and the sunny season runs from December to April. It’s still possible to visit Cambodia in the rainy season, but give yourself some extra days as a buffer in case of bad weather.

Safety

Cambodia is a relatively safe place to travel, with a low violent crime rate of 1.8 per 100k inhabitants (71% lower than the global average). Petty theft and other crimes have been reported in Phnom Penh, but violent crime is not as common. The biggest safety risks are probably motorbike and tuk-tuk accidents, and natural threats like dengue fever. Be sure to wear mosquito spray, especially during the rainy season.

Budget

Cambodia is a very budget friendly travel destination, with hostels available from $3 and private hotels from $8. Meals are also cheap, costing about $1 to $5 depending on location. Transportation in Cambodia is generally by tuk-tuk or car, and hiring a driver is cheap and easy. The best transportation app here is Grab, which works like Uber, except in Cambodia it hails a tuk-tuk taxi!