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 Traveller's Tales: Things to do in Siem Reap, Cambodia
Learn about leisure and recreation in Siem Reap, Cambodia. You may read about their travel activities and adventures. Find out their travel tips and guides and discover fun things to do in Siem Reap, Cambodia.Also, you might want to read our
Angkor / Siem Reap city guide,
and Phnom Penh city guide.
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| A Farber |
16 January 2005 |
Stayed at Angkor Diamond Hotel - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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Angkor wat and the surrounding temples are phenomenal. We had a guide ($20/day) and a car ($20/day) take us around; while that's not the cheapest way, it was the most informative because the guide knew all sorts of information and when you've seen that many temples, you don't want to inhale exhaust or feel the heat. We did two days, which we think was enough to see all of the 2stars + temples and more would be too much to remember anyway. We also had a really good meal at the Buddha Lounge and a really good massage at the Island Traditional Khmer Massage place catty-corner from the old market. Siem Reap is very walkable and cute, but again, for two days not more. Also, the guide told us that if you stay in a 5-star hotel, like the Raffles, you end up paying more for EVERYTHING!
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| M Fisken |
14 January 2005 |
Stayed at Borei Angkor Hotel - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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We were only in Siem Reap for 3 days and wanted to make sure we got to see the temples we wanted to see in this time without having to race around like headless chooks. We took the advice of many travellers comments on this website and also friends who have travelled to Siem Reap and booked a travel guide (Phan Virak phanvirak@yahoo.com) and driver organised by the guide. We decided to book before we arrived so we did not lose valuable time to see the temples, but could also take breaks during the heat of the day and have a swim at the hotel. We also read up on the temples and made a list of what we wanted to see. Our guide was recommended to us and he was very knowledgeable and interesting having worked with the Tomb Raider film crew. Some of the temples were a great distance across rough roads but we were so pleased that we chose to visit them as you could immerse yourself into the temple without being surrounded by tourists. We were told that we had chosen the best time to travel to Cambodia (mid January) as it was cooler (but still over 30 degrees Celsius) and the humidity was low.
Some of the temples we visited were in remote areas and we got to see how everyday villagers lived. These areas are very poor and parents struggle to send their children to school. Any assistance with pens, pencils, writing pads etc will be welcomed. We were so pleased that we still had pens and pencils left to hand out to these children and they were so excited when we gave them to them (they did have kiwi themes all over them as well).
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| R Beale |
31 December 2004 |
Stayed at Victoria Angkor - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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We arranged for a guide for 2 of the days that we were there and he was great. They arranges an air-conditioned car with a driver and a tour guide (at our hotel the price was $ 150 for 2 days). One can negotiate what kind of schedule you would like with the tour guide.
The first day we visited Angkot Thom in the morning - then came back to the hotel for a break and then went to Angkor Wat in the afternoon (my best temple.)
The following day we went to Banteay Srei which is further away but very pretty and then Ta Prohm which has been overgrown by huge tree roots - very interesting. We had a rest and then went to dinner and a show with typical Cambodian dancing. The day before the temples we went around the town of Siem Reap -to get the feel of the place. Everything is priced in dollars so you don't need local currency. You might be hounded by victims of landmines (once you give money to one person - more appear) but as there is no social security one can understand.
We did eat luch at a place near the hotel called FCC which was very nice and otherwise we ate in the hotel where the food was superb.
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| D Mcfadden |
27 December 2004 |
Stayed at Borei Angkor Hotel - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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We had two nights but only one full day in Siem Reap. Nevertheless, we managed 3 temples - Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, and Angkor Wat, in that order - and felt we had a sense of the place. Ta Prohm is especially atmospheric, and we experienced a lovely red sunset and moonrise at Angkor Wat. Caution: if you're even slightly prone to vertigo, DO NOT CLIMB THE "STEPS" TO THE CENTRAL TOWER AT ANGKOR WAT. It's far steeper than it looks; you need hands as well as feet. Halfway up you'll begin to shake, and coming down (even on the steps with a rail) is much, much worse.
The hotel arranged a car and driver for our day at the temples, which worked out very well, enabling us to see as much as possible, to have a great lunch at the Soup Dragon, and even to have a swim at the hotel during the hottest part of the day. The rest of the time we took tuk-tuks. The hotel also arranged pick up from the airport - very convenient - as well as tickets and transport to the fast boat to Phnom Penh. That early-morning trip past the floating village and then down the Tonle Sap was an experience we wouldn't have missed for the world, but it's probably not for everyone. Trying to get comfortable (not to mention staying safe!) on the rounded metal roof of the boat, with its rivets and its eight-INCH high "protective" railing, was like a five-hour yoga class, and the noise of the engine below was deafening. Can't imagine small children or elderly people enjoying/surviving it. Fabulous views, though, so the ride was a holiday highlight for our family. Caution: larger bags get stored below, so be sure to have your hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, long-sleeved shirt, etc. with you on the roof of the boat before the journey begins.
We thought the food, the service, and the atmosphere at both the Soup Dragon and the Bopha Angkor restaurant were excellent. We've travelled quite widely in South East Asia, and found Cambodians to be some of the loveliest, gentlest, warmest people we've ever encountered, in spite of their recent horrific past and the country's current problems of mass poverty and persistent corruption. We'd been warned a great deal about how distressing the beggars, especially the amputees and the children, would be, and yes, they are terribly sad, but we also noticed that there were many, many more people trying to earn a living by selling cold drinks, hawking souvenirs, etc, - surely a hopeful sign. Our best advice: buy whatever you can, don't bargain hard, and carry a supply of pencils, pens, small toys, food items, hotel soaps, etc. to give to the children who are begging or selling souvenirs.
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| S Taylor |
29 November 2004 |
Stayed at Angkor Diamond Hotel - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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No matter how little time you have in Siem Reap try your hardest to get out to Beng Mealea. It is quite remote and takes over an hour to get to, but can be incorporated into a dy trip with Banteay Srei, Kbal Spean and a couple of other smaller sights. Being this far out over bad roads Beng Mealea is not swamped by package tours. So you don't have to share the ruins with hundreds of others - we had the place to ourselves. The temple ruin has been left untouched and is completely overrun with jungle - Ta Phrom may have big trees but this has real jungle and a simply wonderful atmosphere. Miss it at your peril...
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| J Stagg |
15 November 2004 |
Stayed at Mysteres d' Angkor - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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Siem Reap is really the only base for a visit to Angkor, but has a bustling appeal in itslef. There are top end hotels with good (if not rather impersonal) facilities, and a good range of hostels and restaurants to suit all budgets. The massage centres run and operated by the blind are incredible value, and you can indulge in a couple of hours in expert hands for a good cause. The FCC bar is recommended for evening sundowners/poolside dining, and the Blue Pumpkin for great coffee and good quality pattisserie. Do not miss the old market for cheap and tasty street food.
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| J Hamilton |
13 November 2004 |
Stayed at Angkor Village Hotel - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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On our first visit to the temples we hired a car and guide through the hotel for $50, not being too sure of how things worked. It’s not necessary, and much cheaper and more comfortable to hire a tuk-tuk for maybe $6 for half day. Visit Angkor Wat in the morning, Bayon in the afternoon, Ta Phrom in the morning to miss the crush. Enter Angkor Wat and Ta Phrom from the east entrance to get even more peace and buy a copy of Dawn Rooney’s “Angkor” for $5,4, or 3 from the first kid who approaches you when you get out of the tuk-tuk. That’s all you need.
Soup Dragon near old market serves excellent food and cold beer at reasonable (for Siem Reap) prices. Old market is fun to wander round in and has some nice souvenirs. Interesting pictures can be taken in the meat and vegetable market section. Make sure you have a lot (say 50 for 3 days) of 1$ bills, and make your life easy. A visit to the land mine museum (ask the tuk-tuk driver) is a must, just don’t get so fascinated as I did and forget to take any pictures!
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| L Milis |
16 October 2004 |
Stayed at Angkoriana - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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We visited Siem Reap for the richness of the Angkor Wat complex: splendid and for Europeans used to medieval buildings an enriching experience of what the contemporary Kmer culture could perform. We had contacted before we left an excellent guide (laoukchhou@yahoo.com) (I guess most guides are well trained) who gave (in French) very adequate explanation on the monuments, daily life, monasticism, nature etc. He made us understand much better the deeper sense of the architecture and sculpture. The price was fair and so was the organization and price of the transport (by 'remorque'). Since everybody is paying in US$ everything is cheap for €-people.
By the way: asia-hotels.com was effective in the reservation procedure.
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| F Moey |
12 October 2004 |
Stayed at Bopha Angkor - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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Angkor was astounding, best to get around on the remorque-moto's, fun & convenient, but remember to bargain! Restaurants, cafes & bars are aplenty in city centre, but most look like each other. Day trip to floating village was a rip-off as the sights do not justify the US$7 per head, 1 1/2 hour boat trip out to the Tonle Sap Lake.
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| K Russo |
03 October 2004 |
Stayed at Passaggio Boutique Hotel - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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Cambodia is an excellent destination with so much to see and do. We stayed for five days in Siem Reap, which was ample time to see all that we wanted of the Angkor temples; relax and sample the excellent restaurants of Siem Reap; do a day trip to include Bang Malea and the floating Village; and extra time to shop at the Old Market. Such a wonderful holiday destination.
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