Cambodia — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“The grandeur of Angkor Wat, heritage of Khmer civilization”
Cambodia is the land of ancient Khmer civilization — Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, the largest temple complex in the world, the tourist hub of Siem Reap, the riverside capital of Phnom Penh, and the beaches of Sihanoukville, all paired with smiling people and a wallet-friendly cost of living. It's close to Thailand and easy to reach.
Cambodia at a glance
Choose a city in Cambodia
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Cambodia right for you?
Why people love Cambodia, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
Angkor Wat World Heritage
The largest Khmer stone temple in the world — watch the sunrise over its towers.
Temples in the jungle
Ta Prohm, wrapped in giant tree roots, the setting for the film Tomb Raider.
Great value
A low cost of living, cheap stays and food, and US dollars accepted everywhere.
Close to Thailand
A short flight or an overland border crossing — easy to add onto a Thailand trip.
Riverside life
The floating villages of Tonle Sap and an evening cruise along the river in Phnom Penh.
Cambodia vs its neighbors
| Cambodia | Vietnam | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $25–45 | $25–50 | $25–55 |
| Visa (Thai passport) | Visa required — e-Visa 30 days ~$35 | Free 45 days | Home country |
| Getting around cities | Tuk-tuks and Grab, no metro | Grab and buses, still developing | BTS/MRT good in Bangkok |
| English | Good in tourist areas | Decent in tourist areas | Decent in tourist areas |
| Known for | Angkor Wat · history · low prices | Food · nature · ancient towns | Beaches · food · good infrastructure |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
History lovers
Come for Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom — spend 2–3 full days in Siem Reap, then head to Phnom Penh for the Royal Palace and the Tuol Sleng museum.
See this plan → 🌊Beach and island lovers
Fly straight to Sihanoukville or take a boat to Koh Rong for white sand and clear water, at far lower cost than Thailand or Vietnam.
See this plan → ⏱️A cross-border weekend
Fly Bangkok to Phnom Penh in an hour, stay two nights in the city, and stroll the riverside and old markets — worth every baht.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
10 ranked reviews
Reviewed12 Best Battambang Hotels for 2026 — Honest Reviews and Price Comparison
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Reviewed12 Best Kampot Hotels for 2026 — Reviews and Price Comparison
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Reviewed12 Best Hotels in Kep, Cambodia (2026) — Reviews & Price Comparison
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Reviewed11 Best Koh Rong Hotels in 2026: Reviews and Price Comparison
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Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Phnom Penh, Cambodia (2026 Review)
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Reviewed10 Best Phnom Penh Hotels — Riverside & BKK1 (2026)
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Reviewed10 Best Siem Reap Hotels Cambodia: Angkor Wat Gateway 2026
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Reviewed8 Best Hotels in Sihanoukville 2026 — Otres & Koh Rong Gateway
8 hotels · Read review →
Reviewed8 Best Hotels in Siem Reap — Angkor Wat & Pub Street (2026)
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Reviewed10 Best Phnom Penh Hotels Cambodia: Royal Palace & Riverside
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City-by-city food guides — standout dishes and places to try, with real photos
Signature dishes across Cambodia
- 1🍛
Fish Amok
A coconut-curry fish custard steamed in banana leaf — Cambodia's national dish.
📍 Nationwide - 2🍜
Kuy Teav
A clear pork or beef noodle soup, a popular breakfast.
📍 Nationwide - 3🥩
Lok Lak
Stir-fried beef in sauce, served with rice and a lime-and-black-pepper dip.
📍 Nationwide - 4🌶️
Green mango salad
Shredded raw mango tossed with fish sauce, chili and herbs — sour, spicy and refreshing.
📍 Nationwide - 5🦗
Fried insects
An unusual local snack in the markets for the adventurous eater.
📍 Markets
City-by-city sightseeing guides — real photos, locations and unmissable highlights
📸 SeeBattambang Things To Do
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📸 SeeKampot Things To Do
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📸 SeeKep Things To Do
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📸 SeeKoh Rong Things To Do
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📸 SeePhnom Penh Things To Do
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📸 SeeSiem Reap Things To Do
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📸 SeeSihanoukville Things To Do
Read the guide →Top sights across Cambodia
- 1🛕
Angkor Wat
The stone temple that symbolizes the nation — watch the sunrise reflected in its pool.
📍 Siem Reap - 2🏯
Angkor Thom
The ancient capital, with the Bayon temple and its smiling stone faces in four directions.
📍 Siem Reap - 3🌳
Ta Prohm
A temple gripped by giant tree roots, with a mysterious atmosphere deep in the jungle.
📍 Siem Reap - 4🛶
Tonle Sap
The largest lake in Southeast Asia, with floating villages and a fishing way of life.
📍 Siem Reap - 5🏛️
Royal Palace
The royal palace and Silver Pagoda — beautiful Khmer architecture by the river.
📍 Phnom Penh - 6🏖️
Koh Rong
An island of white sand and clear water, with glowing plankton at night.
📍 Sihanoukville
🚆 Getting around Cambodia
Tuk-tuk
The main way around Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, and handy to hire for a full day of temple-hopping.
Van / bus
Links the main cities — Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville.
PassApp / Grab
Apps to hail a tuk-tuk or car in the big cities, with clear pricing.
Airports
Siem Reap and Phnom Penh both have international airports with easy direct flights from Thailand.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Cambodia
US dollars accepted
Cambodia uses USD alongside the riel, with most prices in dollars — carry small bills.
Dressing for temples
Cover shoulders and knees when entering sacred temples; carry a cover-up.
Visa
There's an online e-Visa or visa on arrival, and Thai citizens can cross the land border easily.
Angkor Pass
You must buy an Angkor Pass (1/3/7 days) separately before entering the ruins.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Guesthouse / hostel $7–17
Eat at local spots and haggle for tuk-tuks — the cheapest cost of living in Southeast Asia.
Comfortable
🛏️ 3–4★ hotel $25–50
Grab is more convenient than haggling, and a private Angkor tour is better value than a group one.
Premium
🛏️ Luxury boutique / pool resort $70+
Siem Reap has beautiful boutique hotels at far lower prices than Bali or Chiang Mai.
🗓️ When to visit Cambodia
Dry season
Nov – MarCool, comfortable weather and clear skies — the best time for temple-hopping.
Hot season
Mar – MayVery hot — visit temples in the early morning and evening and avoid the midday sun.
Rainy season
Jun – OctAfternoon showers, lush greenery, a full Tonle Sap, and fewer crowds.
Sunrise viewing
Nov – FebThe clearest skies — ideal for watching the sunrise over Angkor Wat.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Cambodia — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.6💑 Great for your trip
★ 9.6💑 Great for your trip
★ 9.5💑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Cambodia?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Cambodia
How many days do you need for Angkor?+
2–3 days with an Angkor Pass works well for Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm and the outer temples, plus a sunrise.
Do Thai citizens need a visa for Cambodia?+
Thai citizens can enter Cambodia easily, with both an online e-Visa and overland border crossings — check the latest conditions before you travel.
What currency does Cambodia use?+
US dollars (USD) are accepted nationwide alongside the riel — carrying small dollar bills is recommended.
Tips before you go to Cambodia
- Buy an Angkor Pass before entering the temples (1/3/7 days).
- Carry small USD bills — they're used everywhere.
- Hire a tuk-tuk by the day for temple-hopping — good value and convenient.
- Cover your shoulders and knees when entering sacred temples.