Low-Cost Cambodia: Destination Guide for Budget-Savvy Travelers

#cheaptravel #cambodia Here’s a breakdown of the places I visited in Cambodia, covering top sights and personal recommendations across five amazing destinations: 📍 Siem Reap * Angkor Wat – A must-visit; one of the largest temple complexes in the world. * Bayon Temple – Famous for its serene stone faces. * Ta Prohm – Tomb Raider temple wrapped in massive tree roots. * Pub Street – The nightlife hub, full of bars, restaurants, and street food. * Night Market – Great for souvenirs, local crafts, and cheap eats. * Tonle Sap Floating Village – (Planned for my next visit) Best to see at sunset. 📍 Battambang * Bamboo Train – A fun and unique ride along the real train tracks ($5). * Killing Caves – Historical site from the Khmer Rouge era; sobering but important. * Bat Cave at Sunset – Watch millions of bats fly out of a cave after sunset (starts ~5:50 PM). * Phnom Sampeau Hill – Great views, monkeys, and temples at the top. 📍 Phnom Penh (Capital) * Royal Palace – Traditional Khmer architecture. Entry: $10. (I only saw it from outside.) * National Museum of Cambodia – Traditional artifacts and religious items. Entry: $10. * Independence Monument – Built in 1958 to celebrate freedom from France. * Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum – Former prison now museum; entry: $5 (+$5 for audio guide). * Choeung Ek Killing Fields – Memorial site with skull stupa; entry: $3 (+$3 for audio guide). 📍 Koh Rong Island * Long Beach – Amazing for sunsets 🌅 * Lonely Beach – Farther out, very peaceful and beautiful. * Fishing Village – Local charm and quiet life. * Nest Beach Party – Held every Saturday night. Free beer + T-shirt between 3–4 PM at Nest (entry $10–12.5 depending on where you buy). * 🛥️ Getting there: * Speedboat: $25 round trip (flexible return time). * Public Ferry: $5 one way (limited schedule, but much cheaper – highly recommended). 📍 Kampot * Bokor Mountain Tour – Only worth it in clear weather; otherwise fog ruins the views. * Big Buddha, abandoned casino/hotel, waterfall, old church – all barely visible in fog. * Countryside Tour – More enjoyable: * Pepper Plantation – Kampot pepper is world-famous! Great tasting and shopping experience. * Cave Temple – Older than Angkor Wat! * Salt Fields – Couldn't see much due to cloudy skies. * Riverside Sunset – Peaceful and pretty. * 🎒 Stay at Arcadia Backpackers if you’re looking for a social/party hostel. 📝 Final Notes & Tips * 🚌 Best bus company: VET Air Bus – clean, punctual, and comfortable. * ✅ Don’t miss Battambang and Kampot – Underrated but rewarding stops. * 🧾 Keep the immigration card you receive when entering the country. * 🛂 Visa on arrival is easy and straightforward. * 💵 US Dollars are widely used. (If you have euros, exchange them.) * ⛴️ Use the $5 public ferry to get to Koh Rong instead of the $25 speedboat if on a budget. * 🗓️ Tourist visa can be extended by 30 days. * For longer stays, try the business visa – sometimes no documents are required.