Backpacking in Cambodia

Backpacking in Cambodia is an absolute delight and highly recommended if you want to spend a few weeks in a tropical paradise. Cambodia is brimming with culture, magnificent architecture and some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. Out of all the amazing destinations in South East Asia, Cambodia is the most exciting prospect for a backpacker. 

From the breath-taking Angkor temples to the picture-perfect islands of Koh Rong, there is true beauty in this land. But amidst the beauty and wonder, there is the greater story of a people who have endured a terrible past. The wounds left by the tyranny of the Khmer Rouge regime only 35 years ago are still fresh in the minds of the Cambodians.

On your trip to Cambodia, you will experience the beauty and sorrow of this beautiful land as only a backpacker can. This is what makes Cambodia unique. The visual drama of Angkor Wat, the somber killing fields of Phnom Penh, the urban nightlife of Siem Reap and the isolated beauty of Koh Rong Samloem; there is so much to see and experience in Cambodia. From walking its beautiful beaches to traveling through an unspoiled rural charm, backpacking in Cambodia will make you fall in love with the place.

Cambodia is a great value for money destination, read our cost of travel article.

Cambodia is the perfect destination for couples to go backpacking. Whether it be double bed accommodations or romantic activities, it all adds up to the ideal holiday.

Basics of Backpacking in Cambodia

When you backpack around Cambodia, the first thing you will notice is how cheap everything is. You can get a beer for less than 50 cents. The accommodation in hostels is also extremely pocket-friendly. The same applies to food and travel! You can survive comfortably on a shoestring budget.

Cambodia’s reputation as a land of great beauty and easy accessibility attracts backpackers from all over the world. You will always be near people who are on the same journey as you.

If you don’t prefer to stay in hostels, then you will find great deals on hotel rooms too. Both hotels and hostels have wi-fi accessibility.

Combine a South East Asia backpacking adventure with Vietnam.

Nightlife in Cambodia

Spend your days wandering the land and soaking in the beautiful sights and sounds. And at night, get your groove on! If you feel like having a night on the town, there are plenty of pubs and night clubs in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. 

These two cities have plenty of quaint bars where you can enjoy craft beers and great cocktails. And all of this at very cheap prices!

Backpacker & young travellers will especially enjoy the cheap booze in Cambodia. A beer costs mostly just 1$.

Exploring the Angkor Sites

A short trip away from Siem Reap lies Cambodia’s pièce de résistance; the Angkor Archaeological Complex. The temples of Angkor are some of mankind’s greatest architectural masterpieces with the world-famous Angkor Wat as the crown jewel. A temple so grandiose that to this day it remains the world’s largest religious monument.

The day-long trip around the Angkor sites will be the highlight of backpacking in Cambodia. Alongside visiting the Angkor complex, make sure you know about all else there is to do in Siem Reap.

Cambodia is a very safe country to backpack, even for solo female travellers!

Visiting the Angkor complex is certainly not cheap but definitely worth it. So leave some budget for the entry fees!

Traveling around Cambodia

Most places in Cambodia are well connected by roadways. You can travel from city to city by bus services or through private car services. Within cities, you can travel in tuk-tuks. Consequently, we recommend that, when traveling short distances within the city, you should prefer walking or renting a bicycle from your accommodation (if available). There is a lot to be experienced on the streets of Cambodia, from its street food to the daily lives of the people.

You can also travel the countryside on a bike. If you choose to do so, then keep in mind that road quality tends to deteriorate as you move away from the national highways. Traffic can also be fickle at times. Not to mention your fellow motorists on the roads of Cambodia. The people of Cambodia have can be defined by many great qualities. Driving, however, is not one of them. Keep these few travel tips in mind while backpacking in Cambodia for a hassle-free trip. 

Getting around Cambodia as a backpacker is affordable and comfortable with tuk tuks and buses.

Food in Cambodia

The food of Cambodia borrows several culinary cues from Vietnamese and Thai cuisine yet remains unique in its own right. Rice is a staple, as is the case in all Southeast Asian countries. If you wander the streets of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh you will run into vendors selling mouth-watering street food including the likes of iced-coffee with condensed milk and chive cakes. If you are a culinary daredevil, you can even try out the local favorites: crickets and tarantulas.

However, if you want a taste of home on your trip to Cambodia, you’re in luck. There are several restaurants run by expats from all over the world, serving continental cuisine.

Eat healthy and at low costs as a backpacker in Cambodia.

Off the beaten path in Cambodia

You will notice that as you travel further and further off the beaten path in Cambodia, accommodation and food tend to get pricier. There are several luxury hotels and resorts tucked away in the Cambodian countryside. But don’t let this dissuade you from exploring off the beaten path. There is great beauty to be witnessed in rural Cambodia, with the simple nature of life in the country.

There are some fantastic places that you can visit and wander on your trip. The seclusion of Koh Rong Samloen, rural Kampot and Kep are all great places that will add flavor to your Cambodian experience. We can help set you up while backpacking in Cambodia; just hit Plan Your Trip.

In the countryside you are guaranteed to make friends with the locals as the Cambodians are curious folks.

Island Hopping in Cambodia

From the coastal city of Sihanoukville, you can go on an island-hopping trip around Koh Rong and it’s nearby islands. The main island of Koh Rong is a well-developed one with good infrastructure and modern amenities. On others like its southern neighbor Koh Rong Samloem, you will once again experience the ‘off the grid’ nature of island life.

These islands have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. They are worth a visit for their pristine waters, white sands, and picturesque setting.

Visiting the beaches of Cambodia is possible even for backpackers with hostels in every part of the country.

A window into Cambodia’s painful past

The Khmer Rouge and its tyrant leader Pol Pot carried out a bloody massacre that took the lives of over 2 million people between 1975 and 1979. A fifth of the country’s population lost their lives in the genocide. The scars left on the country by the genocide exist to this day.

The capital city of Phnom Penh is home to the Killing Fields and the $21 Prison, sites where some of the most deplorable crimes in human history were carried out. The clothes and remains of the unfortunate who lost their lives are kept preserved such that we may understand the sorrow that stems from wanton violence.

The Killing Fields in Phnom Penh are a humbling sight to visit but definitely worth your time.

The people of Cambodia

The people of Cambodia have endured an awful lot, from poverty to genocide. But still, they will greet you with a smile. They are extremely approachable, and will more often than not provide you with any assistance that you need on your trip. All they desire is to move on from the horrors of their recent past and showcase to the world, with pride; their rich culture, and heritage. They are, after all, descendants of the civilization that painstakingly chiseled and carved formless rock into the wondrous temples of Angkor. In this regard, the people are grateful for a booming tourist economy.

What better way to showcase your heritage than to have visitors from around the world take back with them stories of visionary architecture, great tropical beauty and a resolute people rising back up from the horrors of genocide.

There are a lot of volunteer programs available that you can join while backpacking in Cambodia. If you feel like your skills can help the people in any way then you should consider enrolling for one of the many programs. But keep in mind that you should make it at least a 1-3 month program as most of the smaller programs offer very little in the way of help to the local communities. We can get you in touch with good volunteer programs but only if you are willing to spend up to 3 months in the country.

Curious backpackers don’t mind spending weeks in Cambodia to get to know the local people & their culture.

Is backpacking in Cambodia safe?

The short answer is yes. Crime is prevalent in the country. However, which country on the planet is free of crime? Petty theft like bag-snatching and scamming does occur. However, these are easily countered by a few basic precautions. Always keep your belongings close to you, especially in tuk-tuks. Far more sinister crimes can occur if you travel alone in the remote areas of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh late at night.

It is best if you avoid traveling to remote areas at night. Similarly, try not to travel alone in a tuk-tuk at night, especially if you are inebriated. At parties, don’t leave your drink unattended and do not accept drinks from strangers. As you can see these are all basic precautions that you should be mindful of irrespective of the country you are traveling to. Backpacking in Cambodia is safe, and the Cambodian people are very friendly. Just be wary of your surroundings and you will not run into any trouble on your trip.

You can check out our blog for more details regarding Cambodia and everything the country has to offer. From the best time to visit, to visa details, we’ve got it all covered. If you need help planning a trip to go backpacking in Cambodia, then do feel free to get in touch with us!