Bali and Thailand are the two top destinations that come to mind if you’re thinking of flying halfway across the globe to Southeast Asia.
The ancient pagodas, lush green nature, and beautiful coastal scenery all seem heavenly enough, alright, but perhaps not if you’re keen on avoiding the crowds…
Between the dollarization of prices and ongoing Westernization, both Bali and Thailand are now far from representing the idyllic, mystical Orient, and unless you’re signing up for an Ubud wellness cult, or looking to party hard in Phuket, you’re unlikely to find the spiritual awakening you seek.
Lucky for the passionate off-path explorer, not all of Southeast Asia is on the average Western Gen Z’s radar, and certainly not Cambodia, one of the region’s last hidden gems:
Why Cambodia Is Southeast Asia’s Rising Star
Though it’s been historically treated as an add-on in multi-country trips, particularly for travelers heading primarily to Thailand or Vietnam, interest in Cambodia as a stand-alone destination is increasing among Westerners:
Last year, the Asian hub hosted 5.4 million tourists, a whopping 139.5 percent increase year-on-year, and it looks set to grow even further in 2024, with 2 million arrivals registered between January and May already.
If Cambodia is nothing but a name or a vague location on a map for you, you may be wondering why Europeans and Americans alike are suddenly entertaining the idea of visiting––well, allow us to introduce you to Southeast Asia’s unspoiled kingdom.
A Charming Historic Capital
Yet to be discovered by the masses, Cambodia is nothing short of a cultural behemoth, retracing its origins back to a 9th-century Khmer civilization and having been part of several different empires over the centuries, including Greater India and France.
National capital Phnom Penh is home to an assortment of ancient and colonial-era landmarks, including the Central Market, an Art Deco-inspired markethall, Hotel Le Royal, evocative of Europe’s greatest, and the monumental Royal Palace, seat of the Cambodian royal family.
As charming as Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s true wonders lie outside its rather-compact capital city: the country is traversed by the Mekong Delta, a watercourse it shares with Vietnam, and one of the longest in the world, reaching as far as the South China Sea.
Leaving from Phnom Penh, there are several boat tours traveling down the Mekong, including this incredible sunset river cruise on GetYourGuide for as low as $9, though for the odd nature enthusiast, that’s only the starting point to a far more enthralling adventure.
This is Southeast Asia, after all, and you can expect some breathtaking natural vistas:
The Most Beautiful Nature You’ve Ever Seen
Located near the Vietnamese border, the scenic Bou Sra is one of Cambodia’s top sights, and a trio of cascading drops between 15 and 20 meters in height––for the thrill-seekers out there, you can even zip line over the waterfall for roughly $45, on the equivalent in Cambodian riel.
Elsewhere in Preah Monivong, in Cambodia’s southeastern end, tourists are greeted with emerald jungles and epic hikes, one of which leads up to Bokor Hill Station, a French-built ghost town left to crumble following their departure from Southeast Asia.
Other than paying the local Catholic church a visit, one of a handful scattered around Cambodia where Buddhism is king, the province is known for its thriving wildlife: if you’re lucky enough, you’ll be able to spot elephants, macaques, Asian tigers, and many other endangered species.
Another must-see attraction is Phnom Kulen: Thailand may lay claim to ‘The Beach’, a.k.a overtouristed Maya Bay, where Leonardo DiCaprio spent time shooting the 2000 drama, but this preserve in Cambodia had Angelina Jolie as a guest while filming her 2001 blockbuster Tomb Raider.
Hollywood features aside, let’s not forget the picturesque Battambang, a small town some 6 hours driving from Phnom Penh host to a nature-made spectacle you simply can’t miss: at sunset hours, hundreds of thousands of bats spew out of the local caves in an entrancing synchronized dance.
Numerous peninsulas jut out into teal-colored seas, and sleepy fishing villages tuck away cozily in remote, scenic bays, making it a literal paradise for sunseekers.
The southern coast’s number one beach getaway, however, has to be the exotic Koh Rong Island, with its 26 miles of largely-undisturbed white sands, fast-flowing waterfalls and laid-back villages yet to know the spoils of mass tourism.
Culture Buffs, You’ve Been All Sleeping On Cambodia For Far Too Long
Other than the awe-inspiring nature, Cambodia has been gaining momentum partly thanks to its ancient heritage:
The country’s signature postcard picture, emblazoned on its own flag, the ruins of Angkor Wat draw millions of visitors every year.
Located in the peaceful resort town of Siam Reap, in the Northwest, it is an amalgamation of temples built during the Khmer Empire.
Some date as far back as 900 years, with a string of chedi towers and delicately-sculpted facades, and the best part is, unlike other historical sites in Bali or Phuket, Angkor Wat can still be enjoyed without the crowds, especially if you’re booking Viator’s small-group sunrise tour.
The even more off-path Angkor Thom, a short tuk-tuk ride away from Angkor Wat, is the site of the last and longest-surviving capital of the bygone Khmer Empire, settled in the 12th-century, and it features stunningly-preserved temples.
Best Bang For Your Buck
Not only is Cambodian culture fascinating, but the country itself is very budget-friendly:
There have been complaints from tourists that certain beach zones in Indonesia and Thailand are becoming increasingly expensive to visit as gentrification advances and luxury resorts start sealing off access to privileged beach locations.
They’re still pretty cheap to visit, but in terms of overall affordability, they’re not nearly as attractive to the budget-wary tourist as Cambodia is:
The four-star, oceanfront BeachWalk Hotel in Koh Rong Island costs $92 to book per night, and at this rate, we’re talking world-class service and exceptional catering; elsewhere in Phnom Penh, the M9 Kirirom Hotel costs a mere $33 nightly, offering sweeping views of the capital’s skyline.
In Siem Reap, the leading tourist destination in Cambodia, five-star listing The Villa by Metta will only set you back $95 per night, and if you’re really being economical, there are private double rooms (fan-only) for as cheap as $8 at the centrally-located Damnak Riverside Villa.
Food is remarkably cheap, too: whether you’re ordering their signature fish amok, or the flavorful Samlor Korkor soup, accompanied by pepper crab sides and a soft drink, it’s unlikely to cost you over $16, even at the priciest of mid-range restaurants catering to visiting foreigners.
In inexpensive eateries locals actually frequent, it can go as cheap as $4 for a meal.
Overall, the average daily cost of a one-trip to Cambodia for a single person is, believe it or not, a negligible $431 based on Budget Your Trip estimates (for a non-luxurious trip).
Flying to Cambodia may be relatively pricey for most Americans and Europeans, as it typically involves multi-stop flight routes, and availability is lower compared to tourism hotspots like Bali, but once there, you can live like a king… even on a shoestring budget.
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