Cambodia Travel Information Part I

 When to go, Costs and Communication

Never been to Cambodia before? Or maybe never traveled anywhere that required you to get a passport? Maybe you’ve seen amazing photos of the Temples of Angkor and have always wanted to go there and see them for yourself and finally you’ve decided you’re going to do exactly that.

You are probably investigating your Trip to Cambodia, what to see and how to Tour Angkor Wat and you find you have a lot of questions!

When is a good time of year to go? What are the costs? Will I be able to communicate? Emergencies?  What if I get sick? Will I find food I like there? How are the hotels? Transportation? How much money should I bring?

All very good questions, let’s try to give you some information as a place to start….

WHEN TO GO? – Well, Southeast Asia has two seasons, wet and dry. Remember, you’re fairly close to the equator, so the temperatures year-round don’t change that much. Dry season is November to May and wet season is June to October. There really isn’t a bad time to come to Cambodia although personally, I would avoid April because it can get very warm. VERY warm. Each of the seasons has its own advantages. When temperatures and precipitation are mild, that’s when most travelers visit so you can expect crowds, especially at the temples. During the rainy season, there are less people because there is more rain. But the warm rain normally is only an hour or two in the afternoon and although roads can be a challenge, the showers leave the temples fresh and the jungles where they are located become vibrant with both color and sound. Did I mention the waterfalls?

WHAT ARE THE COSTS? – As of this writing, round trip from Denver to Siem Reap is about $2500.00 (US) per person. This is the main part of your total expenses. Once in Cambodia, prices are dramatically lower than where it is you’re coming from. A 4-star hotel for two is around $90-$100 (US) per night in large cities, considerably less in smaller ones. Of course, this cost is driven by your taste and the degree of comfort you seek. In the city of Siem Reap which is the base of operations for Angkor and Asia Adventures, very comfortable hotel rooms can be had for two at $60 a night. Hotel costs change with the seasons. “High” season is October to April and costs are a bit more during this time. That is another advantage to planning your visit for the wet season!

Other than air fare and accommodations, you’ll find you don’t really spend a whole lot. A wonderful dinner for two (wine / cocktails included) is rarely above $40-$50 (US). If you have moderate tastes, maybe a notch or two below “luxury” level, a good rule of thumb is beyond the cost of your airfare, for two people a target of $200 a day for everything should do just fine.

CAN I COMMUNICATE? – Sure! English is widely spoken in Cambodia, especially in the cities. If you venture further into rural areas, English is less spoken but easily overcome. If you allow Angkor and Asia Adventures to be your host during your stay, we always will provide translation when needed. It is always a great idea to do a little homework before your arrival and learn some basic sentences and questions in Khmer. Not only will it make your time in Cambodia more engaging, but when you see the response of the Khmer people to your attempt to speak their language it will make your heart smile. The Khmer are some of the most warm, inviting, and hospitable people you will ever encounter. They may laugh and giggle a bit at your first attempt and then welcome you with open arms, which is certainly one of the best reasons to plan for a visit here!

Did we not answer all of your questions yet? Please call or email us, we would love to help you!