Digital Nomads & House Sitters
Cambodia is developing rapidly. If you’re looking for a beach in Southeast Asia that is off-the-beaten-path with fewer tourists and interesting history, we definitely recommend adding the coastal town of Kep to your travel itinerary. And do it soon!
Check out more amazing places to visit in Cambodia.
[Read more…]
Siem Reap is the closest town to Angkor Wat and the temples inside Cambodia’s ancient Angkor temple complex. There are over 1,200 accommodation options in Siem Reap (wow 😲!), so choosing the best place to stay can be difficult!
Stevo and I lived in Cambodia for over three years and traveled there several times before and after living there. We’re incredibly lucky to have been to Siem Reap many times over the years.
From backpacker hostels to luxury accommodations, here are the best places to stay in Siem Reap based on our own experiences!
These are some of the best places to stay in Siem Reap based on our personal experience. Accommodation is listed from least to most expensive.
Note: This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the links in this article we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We only make recommendations we would give to our own friends and family.
The laid-back riverside town of Kampot, Cambodia is one of our favorite weekend getaways from Phnom Penh. Located only 2-3 hours outside of the bustling capital city, Kampot is a beautiful breath of fresh air and green when you need a break from city life. There are lots of great Kampot riverside bungalows and hotels in Kampot where you can relax and enjoy your stay even more!
When we lived in Phnom Penh, we went to Kampot at least once every couple of months. We have stayed in many different types of accommodation in Kampot, both in Kampot city and along the Kampot River.
We’ve also enjoyed some fun nights out at some of the backpacker party hostels in Kampot, though personally, we find them too noisy to sleep at.
Below we’ve shared our favorite Kampot bungalows and hotels in Kampot. We hope you love your stay in this beautiful, laid-back place in Cambodia!
Website: Samon Village
Cost: $10-$25 per night
Location: On the river, 5-10 minute tuk-tuk ride to town.
Amenities: Free WiFi, motorbike, bicycle, and kayak rentals are available.
This budget-friendly option is located right on the Kampot river, lending it a calm and relaxing atmosphere. Modeled after a traditional Cambodian village, the bungalows at Samon Village are basic with no hot water and coconut shells with holes serving as showerheads. Cambodia is already hot so, to be honest, you probably won’t miss the hot water.
The rustic bungalows are charming if you’re not too fussy about amenities. The restaurant is right on the Kampot river and serves delicious home-cooked Cambodian food, international options, great coffee, and an excellent smoothie and cocktail menu.
Check prices for Samon Village
Website: Eden Eco Village
Cost: $15-$23 per night
Location: On the river, 20-25 minute tuk-tuk ride to town.
Amenities: Free WiFi, free bicycles to use, kayak rentals, yoga classes, compost toilets.
Eden Eco Village offers a truly local experience and a chance to get off the beaten path in Kampot. Eden Eco Village is located in a Cham fishing village, an area many travelers don’t usually see when they come to Kampot.
The bungalows at Eden Eco Village were built using renewable building materials. Solar power is used throughout the property for lights and fans. Compost is recycled. There are even composting toilets! The fertilizer is used for the on-site mango orchard and other organic farming.
The bungalows are simple yet beautiful. Green palm trees and fruit trees on the grounds sway in the gentle breezes blow in from the water. All bungalows on the property overlook the river, some on the water’s edge and others on stilts, with patio doors opening up to the river.
The food is healthy and delicious and there is a creative cocktail menu. Most food at the restaurant is grown on the property and the rest is sourced locally from 50km away or less.
Eden Eco Village encourages guests to support local businesses in the community and suggests different itineraries to follow independently using the provided free bicycles.
Eden Eco Village is a comfortable and gorgeous place to stay in Kampot. It is the perfect place to enjoy the Kampot river, relax, and immerse yourself in Cambodian village life.
Check prices for Eden Eco Village
Website: Champa Lodge
Cost: $25-$70 per night
Location: On the river, 15-20 minute tuk-tuk ride from town.
Amenities: Free WiFi, kayak, bicycle, and boat rentals are available.
Champa Lodge is a unique and peaceful place to stay in Kampot to soak in the laid-back vibes. There are three traditional Cambodian stilt homes on the spacious property and only five rooms in total.
Champa Lodge is located on the Kampot river, about 20 minutes outside of Kampot city. The property is near a Cham fishing village, farming communities, Buddhist Wats, and Cham Mosques.
Cambodian and international dishes are served in the restaurant, and most produce used is grown in the organic garden on site. There is also a large selection of Belgian Beers as the co-owner is Belgian.
Website: Meraki Kampot
Cost: $4-$30 per night
Location: About 20 minutes from Kampot city center, right on Kampot river.
Amenities: Free WiFi, kayak and bicycle rentals are available.
Meraki is great if you’re looking for a fun and easy-going atmosphere. It is run by John who is a super friendly and well-connected Kampothead (Kampot expat) who knows a lot about what’s going on in Kampot and is always happy to share.
The grounds at Meraki are pretty big, with lots of trees, flowers, grass, and plenty of hammocks. You can rent kayaks or just hang out on the deck over the Kampot river. The sunsets from Meraki are stunning.
Meraki often hosts community garden parties where lots of expats and travelers come together to enjoy music, dancing, games, and more. They also occasionally host workshops and yoga classes among other activities. Meraki is a great place for any type of traveler, from couples to families to solo travelers.
Website: Les Manguiers
Cost: $11.50-$85 per night
Location: On the river, a 15-minute tuk-tuk ride from town.
Amenities: Free WiFi, free bicycles to use, kayak, and motorbike rentals are available.
French-owned Les Manguiers is a beautiful escape into nature. There are a variety of bungalow options to choose from, and even a house to rent for large groups.
Les Manguiers is a great place for families. There is a ping pong table, games, and a kids area. Breakfast is included, and trust us, you won’t want to miss it! Lunch and dinner are also served.
Book directly by email or phone through the Les Manguiers website.
6 min read” data-jpibfi-src=”https://twocantravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/DSCN0204-1024×768.jpg”> Our Kampot bungalow at Les Manguiers.
Website: La Java Bleue
Cost: $30-$45 per night
Location: In town, 5 minutes walk from the river
Amenities: Free WiFi, motorbike and bicycle rentals are available nearby
Situated in the old French Quarter of downtown Kampot, La Java Bleue is a beautiful boutique hotel in Kampot within walking distance of Kampot’s most popular restaurants, bars, and shopping, and only a five-minute walk from the riverside. Rooms are stylish and comfortable, and a restaurant and bar are located on-site.
Check prices for La Java Bleue
Website: Good Morning Kampot Guesthouse
Cost: $12-$60 per night
Location: In town right across from the Kampot river
Amenities: Free WiFi, rooftop bar, motorbike and bicycle rentals available nearby.
Good Morning Kampot is in an excellent location right on the Kampot river in the center of Kampot city. It is just a 1-minute walk from the Kampot Fish Market and only a few minutes walk from the other excellent restaurants around town. It is also walking distance from the Giant Ibis Kampot office and several of the other bus companies in town.
The rooms at Good Morning Kampot are simple. We booked into a double room with air conditioning and hot water. Everything worked great, and even though the room was a bit basic, the location more than made up for it.
Good Morning Kampot is one of the tallest buildings in the area, and there are great views from the rooftop bar to look out over the river and the city, especially at sunset.
There are several evening river cruise boats just across the street from Good Morning Kampot.
We definitely recommend going on a river cruise during your stay to watch the sunset as you cruise down the river with a local Cambodia beer in hand, then see the fireflies dance along the riverbank when the sun goes down.
Check prices for Good Morning Kampot Guesthouse
If you’re on a tight budget and looking for a party vibe, there are several Kampot hostels that will suit you.
As we mentioned earlier, these places can get pretty rowdy at night so we personally haven’t stayed in them since we value our sleep.
Even if you don’t stay at these hostels, they can be fun places to hang out at night since there isn’t a whole lot of nightlife going on in Kampot.
Mad Monkey Hostel Kampot.
Mad Monkey Hostel Kampot
Banyan Tree Kampot
(Double click the ‘View larger map’ icon on the top right of the map to view details.)
You can reach Kampot from most major cities in Cambodia. You can also take a minibus or hire a private taxi. If you have a group of 3-4 people, hiring a private taxi is usually not much more expensive than taking a bus.
A bus from Phnom Penh to Kampot or Kampot to Phnom Penh takes about 3 hours.
A bus from Siem Reap to Kampot or Kampot to Siem Reap takes about 11 hours.
A bus from Sihanoukville to Kampot or Kampot to Sihanoukville takes about 3 hours.
Kep is close to Kampot and makes for a great day trip. You could also add on a couple of nights in Kep before or after your time in Kampot. Getting from Kampot to Kep takes about 30-45 minutes from Kampot by taxi or 1 hour by tuk-tuk.
Update: When we went to Kampot in March 2019 the roads were pretty torn up as we got closer to the city, making for a bumpy ride. It also added about 30 minutes to the journey since the bus driver had to slow down. It was well worth it once we got there!
Updated April 2020.
Getting around Phnom Penh is never a dull experience. Considering the perilous traffic conditions and the lack of infrastructure upkeep, the best way to get around Phnom Penh is by car.
But that’s not the only way to get around the capital city! Motorbikes, tuk-tuks, and rickshaws can be found on almost every street corner, and there are multiple apps that let you call transportation to your doorstep.
Phnom Penh can feel like a big small city and a small big city. But that means nothing in the noonday sun. A meter can feel like a mile and I’m pretty sure that math is exactly right. [Read more…]
Siem Reap, Cambodia is best known for Angkor Wat, the oldest and largest religious monument in the world. What many travelers don’t know is that Cambodian food is a highly underrated cuisine in Southeast Asia, and Siem Reap is one of the best places to try it! Thankfully, we’re here to help you figure out where to eat in Siem Reap so you don’t miss out.
We’ve visited Siem Reap countless times over the past ten years (most recently in 2019), and in our opinion, these are the best places to eat in Siem Reap for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some have already made it onto world famous lists for the best restaurants in Siem Reap, while others are still under the radar and are definitely worth trying!
A few of these Siem Reap restaurants we’ve mentioned are also social enterprises. That means when you dine at these restaurants your money will not only make your belly happy but will also benefit the local community.
We’ve also included a few of our favorite Siem Reap bars and a cooking class.
Click the name of the restaurant to view their website or Facebook page. All photos are our own!
Don’t leave Cambodia until you’ve tried at least a few of these places. Happy eating!
There is certainly no shortage of incredible Cambodia accommodation options available. In fact, the sheer number of hotels in the country can leave you stumped about which one to choose! After over 10 years of both traveling and living in Cambodia, we’ve stayed in quite a lot of hotels all around the country.
We strive to find unique hotels in Cambodia with environmentally friendly practices that are also involved in the local community. It’s great knowing your money is not only providing you an amazing stay but is having a bigger impact as well.
The great news is that most Cambodia hotel rates, even at luxury hotels, are usually less than half of what you’d spend for a night in a chain hotel in the USA or Europe.
From stays in boutique hotels to eco-lodges, modern-day glamping tents to historical buildings, we have been lucky to experience a wide range of unique accommodation in Cambodia that we want to share with you.
Tourists are able to enter Cambodia again for the first time since the pandemic began. See the requirements to enter Cambodia on a Tourist visa here.
November 2021 update: We have received many messages from people asking for advice about Cambodia visa extensions. Things are changing frequently and we don’t have all the answers. For the latest information, we recommend joining the Facebook group Cambodia Visa and Work Permit Group where people are sharing their experiences entering Cambodia right now. Stay safe out there!
Note: The information below is pre-Covid 19 and may not apply at this time.
Getting a visa for Cambodia is relatively easy, and extending it is just as simple. You can renew your visa for one month up to a year! Here’s how you can extend your Cambodia visa without leaving the country.
**Important notice: As of September 4, 2017, the laws for long-term Cambodia visa extension have changed. This article has been edited to reflect that. You can read more about the changes here.
There are two types of Cambodia visas you can extend without leaving the country: TOURIST (T) Visa or ORDINARY (E) Visa.
There are 4 different types of Ordinary (E) Visas: (EB) Visa: Business, (EG) Visa for those searching for employment, (ER) Visa for Retirement, and (ES) Visa for Students. You can choose which type you would like when you extend your Cambodia visa. [Read more…]
Great news! As of November 15, 2021, vaccinated foreign tourists can enter Cambodia without quarantine!
Visa on Arrival in Cambodia remains suspended. If you are not in possession of a multi-entry Visa Extension of Stay (EOS), then you need to apply for a Visa in Advance from a Cambodian Embassy or consulate. The criteria varies from Embassy to Embassy, so check with them directly.
Tourists can also apply for the tourist e-Visa (electronic online Tourist Visa) at www.evisa.gov.kh or through visa services such as iVisa.com.
Visa Exempt Entry for ASEAN passport holders has been reintroduced.
The cost for a Tourist (T) Visa is $36 USD.
The Tourist (T) visa allows you to stay in Cambodia for 30 days. You must enter Cambodia within 90 days of when your (T) Visa is issued.
You can fly into Phnom Penh International Airport and Sihanoukville International Airport. Cambodia’s land and sea borders remain closed to entry for foreigners without prior authorization.
Preflight PCR Test
ALL Passengers, including children and babies, must have a printed medical certificate indicating a negative Coronavirus (COVID-19) PCR test conducted no more than 72 hours before arrival into Cambodia. PCR test result documentation must be original (not a copy) and must have a wet ink signature and stamp. See the Covid-19 Travel Medical Certificate Template that you can bring to your doctor. You should also carry color copies of your PCR test results just in case.
Proof of Medical Insurance
Foreign tourists must purchase a local health insurance package for COVID-19 treatment from Forte Insurance Company. The cost is $90 for a $50,000 policy valid for 20 days.
We also recommend having additional insurance either through your home country that covers you abroad or getting travel insurance such as World Nomads or Safety Wing. It is recommended to print all of your insurance documentation in color and to carry multiple copies.
Covid Vaccination Card/Certificate
All fully vaccinated travelers need to present their vaccination card/certificate in order to be eligible for the reduced 7-day quarantine period.
You will need to present:
• Confirmation of complete vaccination status
• Final dose is required to have been administered at least 14 days prior to arrival
Your vaccine card/certificate must state:
• Travellers Name
• Type of Vaccine
• Date(s) of vaccinations
Note: Vaccine card/certificate must be hard copy (not digital on phone/tablet). If it is a card then make a color photocopy. If it is digital then print it out in color. If your original card/certificate does not have color then don’t worry about this.
Tourists entering Cambodia on a (T) Visa who are fully vaccinated DO NOT need to quarantine.
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated tourists must quarantine for 14 days. In order to apply for a Cambodia Tourist (T) Visa, passengers must pre-book a quarantine hotel.
You will need to book your quarantine hotel in advance. The five approved Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) hotels in Cambodia are: Sokhha Phnom Penh Hotel and Residence, Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh, Raffles Hotel Le Royal Phnom Penh, Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, Himawari Hotel Apartments.
These are the only ASQ hotel options for Tourist (T) Visa travelers. These hotels are priced between $1,200 and $1,600 for a 7-day quarantine.
November 2021 update: This latest update includes extensive research from government websites and people who are currently in Cambodia or who have entered recently. We have received many messages from people asking for advice about entering Cambodia right now. Things are changing frequently and unfortunately, we don’t have all the answers.
For the latest updates, we recommend joining the Facebook group Cambodia Visa and Work Permit Group where people are sharing their experiences entering Cambodia right now, Covid-19 testing, requirement changes, and more. Stay safe out there!
The information below is pre-Covid 19.
Cambodia has one of the laxest visa processes in Southeast Asia making it a popular destination for people from all across the world.
You can purchase a Cambodia Visa On Arrival when you arrive at the airport in Cambodia or at land border crossings from Thailand, Vietnam or Laos.
If you’re the type of person who likes to plan ahead, you can get your Cambodia visa before you leave on your trip. This can be done at a Cambodia embassy or consulate abroad. You can also purchase an electronic visa (e-Visa) for Cambodia through an online visa service.
In this article, we’ve outlined what you need to do for whichever option you choose.
Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Sometimes these links can even save you money! We only partner with companies we have personally used and would recommend to our own friends and families.
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