Cambodia - Siem Reap - FAQs

Cliff notes for planning a vacation in historic Siem Reap:

FAQ
1)What is the difference between hiring a Tuk Tuk driver and hiring a Tour Guide?
2)Will I need to book a tour guide before I arrive?
3)How will I get around in the evenings?
4)Will I need special medication or vaccinations before the trip?
5)List of authorized guides and tuk tuk drivers (from TripAdvisor)
6) How much does it cost to enter the grounds of Angkor?
7) What is the weather like?
8) Will I need a visa?


1)What is the difference between hiring a Tuk Tuk driver and hiring a Tour Guide?
Tuk tuk drivers can take you into the ruins of Angkor but CANNOT walk with you through the ruins. They will wait for you at a specified spot. This may or may not be a disadvantage depending on the driver. Some are very friendly with interesting stories to tell. This option is also cheaper. Price is approximately $12 a day.

Authorized Tour Guides typically have their own vehicles (car or van). This is suited for larger groups. Tour guides are identified by their uniform and can accompany you through the ruins explaining their history and significance. They usually have secondary level or higher education (according to our guide). However their level of enthusiasm is not always correlated to their qualifications. Cost is approximately US$25 a day for the guide plus an addition $25-$35 depending on the vehicle you choose (car or van). Worthwhile if you have a bigger group.


2) Will I need to book a tour guide before I arrive?
That would be a good idea. One thing to note is that sometimes the guide you contact from the website or whom you emailed may NOT be the one who actually shows up! Verify with them to see if they are indeed the ones conducting the tour.

(This actually happened to us. My friend recommended Mr X (I can't remember his name) as a wonderful guide. When we arrived we were rudely surprised to find that he had sent someone else. )

3)How will I get around in the evenings?
Tuk tuks are the way to go and cheap. Negotiate your price before getting on board. It should be approximately $US2-3.


4) Will I need special medication or vaccinations before the trip?
There are no required vaccinations or health certifications aside from the typical travel vaccinations like tetanus. However, malaria is common as is dengue fever. You should also take a course of malaria medication and bring lots of insect repellent!

5) List of Authorized Siem Reap Guides and Tuk Tuk Drivers

Here are some guides that are recommended on TripAdvisor:
Angkor Guides - Authorized Guide
Angkor Service - Authorized Guide
Driver in Siem Reap - Non authorized guide
Tuk Tuk Driver - Pik Savuth
Siem Reap Taxis

IMPT: Please confirm that the guide advertised on the site is the one who show up on the day itself. (See #2)

6) How much is the entrance fee to the grounds of Angkor Wat?
You can buy the tickets on the way into the grounds. The pricing is:
US$20 for 1 day
US$40 for 3 days
US$60 for 7 days

7)What is the weather like?
Sweltering hot and humid. Pack tank tops and light clothing. Don't even think of re-wearing anything without washing it! :) December is supposed to be slightly cooler but more crowded.

8) Will I need a visa?
Get one at the airport. A passport photo is required. The price is $20.
If you want to beat the line at the airport, get an e-Visa online.

Please leave us a comment or send us an email if we are missing any questions from our FAQ.

Destination Angkor - Trip Report

Places Visited: Temples of Angkor, Tonle Sap,
Psar Cha, (Siem Reap)

I visited Siem Reap last summer (2007) with my parents and in-laws. Ain't I brave? Fortunately no fighting broke out and we were all cordial! Perhaps we have the Angkor beer to thank.

We spent 2 and a half days in Siem Reap.

Day 1 Trip Report: To Market and Tonle Sap
Day 2 Trip Report: The Temples of Angkor Wat

Day 1: To Market and Tonle Sap
We arrived bright and early and were met by our guide who showed us around town. He took us to several places including a crafts school, the old market, lunch in the town center and a short visit to Tonle Sap.

I love this photo at the old market ( psar chas ), doesn't it feel like we've stepped back in time?


At Tonle Sap, we got on an old boat and toured the lake. The lake wasn't particularly spectacular however it was seeing the lives of the boat people that really made an impact. Most of the families are very poor however they don't let that get them down:

A happy child:


The boat people:


If you'd like to go to Tonle Sap, just let your guide or tuk tuk driver know and they can make the appropriate arrangements for you. No advance booking necessary. If you're interested in doing a boat cruise down the river check out Tara Boat. (Don't ask me why anyone would want to do this?!)

I ended the day relaxing by the pool. Dinner was in the hotel accompanied by an Apsara dance.

Day 2: The Magnificent Temples of Angkor Wat
We got up early to catch the sun rise which is said to be spectacular. Nature and I don't always get along. The conditions that morning weren't set up for an awe inspiring one.

The rest of the morning was spent touring Bayon, Ta Phrom, and Angkor Thom. I don't remember the names of the rest of the temples, however, travelfish.org has great descriptions of the lesser known sights at Angkor.



Here's our guide pretending to be an Apsara dancer:


Now presenting Angkor Wat:


I managed to climb to the top of Angkor Wat. Even though there are steps, the incline is literally 90 degrees. This was quite a feat for me since I am afraid of heights! I really don't know how the monks go and down so casually without any support?!

Note: I'm not sure if you can get to the top of Angkor Wat anymore. I read recently that the stone steps are worn out and are being refurbished.

(Un)Reap(ed) : Un(defeat)ed

Siem Reap is hot : boiling over with tourists each month despite her searing heat.

My equally travel addict of a husband, M, was (thankfully) game for a quick whirlwind romance with the city. Now, it may not count for a lot but for someone who breaks out in violent itchy rashes when exposed too long in the sun, it's a sacrifice.

Like I said, Siem Reap is hot. I mean seriously folks. We went in the cooler period in early February this year and I wish I had portable a/c with me. So first tip of the day, avoid the Northen Hemisphere's spring if you can, unless your idea of a vacation is being burnt to a crisp and bringing in your back-pack, bottles of sunblock with the highest SPF protection.

Right. Back to our whirlwind romance with the city.

Siem Reap is the gateway to the magnificent temples of Angkor.

We were hit by the magnificent padi fields in the background immediately upon landing at the modern international airport. Smiling faces greeted us. We were immediately taken in.

So, I had dreams of exploring the ruins, prancing about in my overweight frame reminiscent of Lara Croft. I also day-dreamed that I had the kind of moolah Lara Croft amassed so, the best we could afford on our day jobs, is FCC Angkor - a refurbished French Governor's mansion. A boutique 20-odd-room hotel embracing the art deco style whilst retaining its refined quiet elegance. Sipping cocktails on the verandah overlooking the Siem Reap river is a nice relaxing way to chill after a hard day exploring the temple ruins in Angkor.

The temples at Angkor are every bit I imagined. Colossal. Beautiful. Awe-inspiring.



In seeing these magnificent architecture, you are forced to learn the history of how the Khmer civilisation built the temples in the 12th century. The steep and small steps up to the top of the temples are meant to be climbed up and down on all fours, with your back towards the ground, as a sign of respect for the kings who may be sitting at the top of the steep steps in the temples.

Before I forget, please please please ensure you wear good walking shoes. I cannot stress that enough. I have seen a few tourists in the name of vanity, wear platforms (!!) --> huh? I hate to think how badly twisted their ankles got climbing all that steps. And oh, bring as many pairs of socks as you can (you will need to change them everyday, trust me on this).

Whizzing by in Siem Reap is easy and quick in a Tuk-Tuk though be prepared to get dirty and choked by the dust and debris from the booming construction. Lesson learnt : white T-shirt at 8am turned muddy red by 5pm.

Eat local food. Please. No point going to a foreign country and eat burger and fries, is there? Cambodian cuisine is much like Thai food. But for those who cry at the mere sight of a chilli pod, fret not, Cambodian cuisine is far less spicy.

M and I had our meals mostly included in our room stay in FCC Angkor. So for our last night in Siem Reap, we hit Viroth's Restaurant - a semi-alfresco restaurant serving authentic Khmer cuisine. Mention Viroth's to any Tuk-tuk driver and they'll know it immediately. Be prepared to wait a while if you haven't made reservations though!

All in all, I love Siem Reap - I love the laid back city, fighting to get back on her feet after the genocidal Khmer rule in the 70s. Her people captured my heart, smiling.