Ready for your next life-changing adventure? While most travelers to Southeast Asia often flock to Thailand and Vietnam, you should definitely consider adding Cambodia to your bucket list! I thought of Cambodia as a little “well since I’m already there” side trip to my impulsive Vietnam tour, knowing very little about the country. I never expected that it would have left the impact that it did on my life and my outlook of the world. Here are 7 reasons why you shouldn’t overlook the charming country of Cambodia:
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Everything is affordable
As with most destinations in Southeast Asia, Cambodia is very affordable. It’s the land the 50 cent beers and $3 cocktails. Want a full body massage? Some spas have hour long appointments for as low as $4! Hotels in the 3-star range will set you back roughly $20 a night depending on the area. You could even splurge for a 5 star rooftop dining experience with a premium cocktail and gourmet dinner in Siem Reap that will set you back a whooping… $17.
Your dollar will stretch very far here. And yes, I said dollar. Cambodia uses both the USD and Cambodian Riel. In fact, most prices in their stores are displayed in USD. Sometimes if you pay in USD, they will return the change in Cambodian Riel though. Tipping also is very rare here (as with most countries outside of the U.S., but don’t get me started on that topic). For above and beyond service, though, you can always tip a dollar or two. For the traveler on a budget, Cambodia is the ideal destination.
Rich in History
Cambodia has an incredibly rich and fascinating history, dating back thousands of years. We’ve all seen Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider, but did you know that Ta Prohm Temple, aka the Tomb Raider temple is part of Angkor Wat, the largest religious structure in the world? This complex comprising of 72 major temples was built back in the 12th century, originally as a Hindu temple to the god Vishnu and later converted into a Buddhist temple. It’s so vast that you have to take a tuktuk to get from temple to temple, as Angkor Wat covers over 400 acres!
Cambodia also has a darker history with one of the worst and most devastating genocides in recent times. The Khmer Rouge, or Communist Party of Kompuchea, which came to power in the 70s is guilty for torturing and murdering 2 million of its own people, roughly 25% of the population. You can learn more about this repressive, authoritative, and cruel political party and the hardship Cambodia had to endure by visiting the Killing Fields and the S-21 prison in Phnom Penh.
Friendly People
Cambodians are some of the friendliest people I’ve ever encountered. You can really tell the difference between a collective society of the East and an individualist society of the West. They embrace travelers with open arms and are eager to share their culture. I have been traumatized in the past and have a hard time trusting people when traveling because of the abundance of pickpockets and scammers, particularly in Europe. It’s unfortunate that I am often burdened with this hesitation and suspicion when I first visit a country. However, I was quickly put at ease by all the friendly and wonderful locals.
I sang karaoke and played volleyball with locals on a beach in Koh Rong Sanloem, joined in on a traditional breakfast during one of their biggest public holidays at a Buddhist pagoda in Siem Reap, and was hugged and high-fived by countless Cambodian children. When my friend went into a shop to buy a coke in Phnom Penh because her blood sugar was falling low, the employees rushed out and gave us all free cokes even though we tried to offer to pay. It was refreshing to experience such sincere friendliness as a traveler.
You’ll Never Be Bored
If you’re an adventurer like me, you don’t go on vacation to relax… you go to live to the fullest! There are so many activities you can do from kayaking in Kampot, to snorkeling in the islands, to quad biking in the country side, to jungle treks that lead to waterfalls and hidden fresh water springs.
If that’s not enough to tire you out, you can continue into the night with karaoke and dancing at hole-in-the-wall cafés and rooftop bars. One of my most memorable moments was salsa dancing with ballroom instructor from Indonesia at an open air café on a random weekday late at night. I needed a vacation from my vacation after Cambodia because of how jam packed my schedule was.
Of course, you can have a relaxing trip with massages, lounging by the beach, exploring museums, and quiet dinners too if that is more your style. There is something for everyone in Cambodia.
Tuktuks
Tuktuks are the most fun mode of transportation ever (period). As the main mode of transportation in Cambodia, they are affordable and fast. If you are too chicken to ride a motorcycle, but love the wind in your hair and seeing and smelling and hearing all the sights around you, then you’ll fall in love with taking tuktuks everywhere. And to make things even better, they are super affordable too. A Tuktuk to the airport will only cost you $6, for example.
The Food
Cambodian food is surprisingly delicious, and the portions are very generous. It’s difficult to describe–it’s less spicy than Thai, but similar in the sense they use a lot of coconut milk and fish in their cooking. I love Asian flavors in general, so I enjoyed Cambodian cuisine a lot. You have to try their most famous dishes– Fish Amok and Beef Lok Lak while you’re there. If you’re a vegetarian they often substitute meat with eggplant which makes for just as appetizing of a dish. I personally enjoyed the Eggplant Lok Lak even more than the beef!
If you’re not into Cambodian food or need a break from it, don’t worry—there are a ton of Western food options on most menus. Notably, pasta carbonara and pizza seem to be popular menu items there and readily available everywhere. And if you really are homesick, you’ll find Domino’s and Krispy Kreme among other Western franchises in the bigger cities. The only thing missing is McDonald’s!
Fun fact: Cambodia is one of the few countries in the world without a McDonald’s in 2023.
Beautiful Nature
Cambodia is stunning, gorgeous, pretty, beautiful, picturesque… whatever is your adjective of choice to describe an attractive site. Aside from the capital, most of the areas in Cambodia are fairly rural and unscathed by man’s need to put up a sky rise building on every block. You can see rice fields and lotus farms and pristine white beaches and clear oceans and sunsets that you will remember for a lifetime. There were two occasions where I legitimately had to stop and think, “Did I die?” because it felt like I was in heaven right then and there looking at the breathtakingly beautiful and surreal surroundings.
Cambodia is a vastly underrated destination. I was going through some personal issues following a bad breakup and needed a change of pace and scenery on a budget, which is why I booked my three week Vietnam and Cambodia trip. To be honest, neither was high on my travel bucket list, but under the circumstances I went for it. I was far more excited for the Vietnam portion at the beginning, since I was more familiar with the country. As for Cambodia, I went in not expecting much at all, and even thought 10 days was a long time to spend there.
By the end of my trip, I wanted to throw my passport into the river and never leave. Ten days is not enough, but it’s a good start. You could easily spend weeks if not months in Cambodia enjoying all that it has to offer. My biggest regret was not cancelling my return flight back home. Cambodia won my heart and healed me when I needed it most. I am extremely grateful for the time I had there and can’t wait to plan my return someday.
