I have been to Cambodia last August to join the Angkor Empire Marathon. Running is my reason to travel and after knowing about the new marathon event in Siem Reap, I booked my tickets right away.
Here’s a quick insight about travelling to Angkor Wat. Consider it a quick guide if you plan to join the Angkor Empire Marathon 2015, or the Angkor Wat Half Marathon 2014 later this year, or simply to travel to Siem Reap for leisure.
An elephant ride around Angkor Thom
1. Bring US Dollars. The currency for Cambodia is Riel but it is easier to buy in US Dollars. The USD is accepted in all establishments, even by a small street vendor. It is better to have your PHP converted to USD while in the Philippines. Your 1,000 PHP might be worth 22-23 USD here in the Philippines, but in Siem Reap, they’d offer up to 18 USD only for your 1,000 PHP.
2. Ride the Tuk-tuk. It’s the most common mode of transportation around Siem Reap. You can rent them for a single trip or for the whole day. During race day, my running buddies and I booked a single tuk-tuk from morning until night. He was very prompt to fetch us before the assembly time at 3:00 AM, waited for us until we finished before noon, took us to Pub Street for lunch and dinner, and even drive our friends to the airport at 8:00 in the event.
The fare would be about 25-30 USD for the whole day. Others charge per head. The tuk-tuk drivers are very friendly and very honest. I have not heard of a tuk-tuk driver taking advantage of tourist during our stay.
Driving the Tuk-tuk
3. Hotter than home. Temperature in Siem Reap is about 2-3 degrees higher than Manila. So expect a hot day when going to the temples. Bring an umbrella or a big hat to protect you from the sun. Putting on sunscreen is a good idea as well.
Biking on a hot day to Angkor National Museum
4. Too many temples. Angkor Wat is the most famous among the temples but there are several other temples in Siem Reap. I don’t think you can finish all of them in one day. If you love taking pictures, then you’d probably stay more than an hour in just one temple.
I suggest starting your temple visit as early as 8:00 AM. For photos, most temples have good natural lighting before lunch time.
I find Angkor Wat is best to be visited before sunset as a finale. Note that it closes very early at 5:30 PM. So be sure to be there by 3:00 PM to maximize your tour inside Angkor Wat.
Outside Angkor Wat
Getting a guide is optional. They provide the important stories behind the temples. We did not get one so I can’t say if it’s worth getting a guide. I decided to look over Wikipedia instead after the tour.
There are many tourist in every temple. So expect some temples to be very crowded. Expect photobombs in your selfies too. 😀
A wall engraving inside the Angkor Wat
5. Simple Food. Food in Siem Reap are simple. It’s not spicy but you can request for chili to be added. Food prices ranges from 2-4 USD in simple food stalls. For the more sophisticated restaurants, prices would range from 6-8 USD.
There is no McDonald’s or Jollibee in Siem Reap. But there is KFC.
Food in Siem Reap is close to Vietnamese and Thai cuisine. Pho and Pad Thai are common in the menu.
If you want authentic Cambodian cuisine, order for the Amok, Lok Lak and Khmer Soup.
Trying out a street food for 1 USD
6. Haggle on the souvenirs. Like most street markets, haggling is a common practice. Don’t buy on the first price given by the seller. It is usually cheaper than that. Or ask around in the different stalls until you get the best price. One stall will give 15 USD and just walking a few steps to the next stall gives the same item at 8 USD.
From my experience, I ask for less than 50% of the original price given. When a saleslady told me that a table runner costs 15 USD each. I haggled as much as I can and ended up getting it for 3.50 USD each because I bought several of it.
7. Not for toddlers. I was contemplating if I should bring Gab along in this trip. Good thing I didn’t. Most attractions in Siem Reap are not yet for toddlers. Visiting the temples requires a lot of walking under the heat of the sun. I don’t think it would be a fun experience for kids.
I’d probably wait for Gab to be in his teens. Children at this age would probably appreciate the culture and history of Cambodia better.
8. The budget. I spent about 200 USD during my 3 day stay in Siem Reap. That includes only the meals, tuk-tuk fare, and some small pasalubongs. The hotel charged me for 10 USD a night. I got a promo fare which was about 7,000 Php. If I got a piso fare, it could have been just about 5,000 Php.
All in all, a 15,000-20,000 Php is a good budget to get around Siem Reap including the airfare and accommodation.
Food trip, night market and night life at Pub Street
More about my travel in Angkor Wat and around Siem Reap in the next blog. 😀
