Guide to Backpacking Cambodia: Everything you need to know
Cambodia is the most underrated country in Southeast Asia. Full of beautiful landscapes, interesting history, and unique culture, Cambodia is truly one of a kind. People typically shy away from the country because of its reputation of having high crime, but Cambodia is safe - I promise. Just be smart, trust your instincts, and you'll be okay. Cambodia is full of the nicest people and your experience will be more than memorable. This article is the complete guide to backpacking Cambodia - let's begin!
Cultural Standards to be aware of
Just like the other southeast Asian countries, there are cultural standards to be aware of. Because the country's most popular religion is Buddhism, you need to be aware of the etiquette that comes with visiting temples. Shoulders and knees must be covered and you cannot wear hats when inside of temples. Tank-tops and shorts are forbidden. You must also take off your shoes before entering temples and sometimes in other privately owned areas as well. No matter where you are, especially not in temples, you cannot point with your feet - a sign of disrespect. When in public, you should avoid showing affection to the opposite sex and dress relatively conservatively. Men should avoid going shirtless in public unless in beach towns. When greeting someone, place your hands together and bow. The higher your hands are, the more respect you have for them, so you should have higher hand placement for the elderly and monks. Abide by these common practices, learn some of the basic language (hi, please, thank you, etc.), and you will fit right in.
When you should go to Cambodia
The best time to backpack Cambodia is from November to May when there is little rainfall. During this dry time, it is very hot and humid, so pack accordingly.
Travel Visa
One important thing to know before departing to Cambodia is that you need a travel visa to enter the country. You can get a Visa on arrival under certain circumstances, but it safer to get one online before you arrive. Depending on your nationality, you're typically allowed 30 days of entry. This amount of time will provide plenty of time to see all the major tourist spots as most people don't even stay the full 30 days. I recommend staying the whole 30 days and taking your time at each place. You can fill out an electronic visa online at the national website. It will cost $30 plus a $7 processing fee and will take about 3 days to process. Make sure you successfully fill out your visa application a week before you plan on entering the country just to be safe.
What to Pack
It’s extremely hot and humid in Cambodia, so you have to be prepared to change out of sweaty clothes often. Bring 1 sweatshirt, 1 rain jacket, 2 pairs of bathing suits, 4 pairs of shorts, 1 pair of jeans, 1 pair of sweatpants, 8 shirts, 8 pairs of underwear, and 5 pairs of socks. Laundry services are widespread and very cheap so you will have the ability to get your clothes cleaned for about $1 - $2 per kg of weight. A general rule of thumb, it is easy to reuse shorts, pants, and sweatshirts so you’ll want to pack less of those items. It is harder to reuse shirts, underwear, and socks, so you’ll want to pack more of those items.
The most efficient way to pack your clothes is by purchasing packing cubes, which are zippered containers that allow you to organize and separate your belongings. These travel assets allow for increased efficiency when looking for specific items and help to improve the organization and compacting ability within your travel bag. Another packing tip is to roll up your items within your packing cubes instead of folding them - this will create even more space to fit more belongings. Check out our high-quality packing cubes here: 6-Piece Travel Packing Cubes.
You should bring 2 pairs of shoes: 1 versatile and durable pair for everyday use and 1 heavy duty pair for hiking. Sandals, flip flops or crocs are an absolute must for your beach trips, everyday use, and the shower. You’ll need travel locks to secure your belongings: some small ones for your backpack zippers and a large one for a locker that you will be given at a majority of hostels. A compacting microfiber towel is another must, so that you can avoid renting towels and losing your money. A universal adaptor is extremely necessary to charge your electronics using foreign outlets. For easy transportation of toiletries to and from the bathroom, a toiletry bag is another great investment.
Cambodia's sun is very strong, with the UV index exceeding 10 on most days. If you plan on being in the sun during peak UV hours, it is necessary to pack sunscreen. Do not wait to purchase sunscreen in Cambodia because it can be very expensive; buy some before you leave. In addition to the sun, you need to be prepared to defend against mosquitoes. To avoid catching Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis, and other deadly diseases, it is very important to pack enough Deet to last you the whole trip. Many travelers receive Encephalitis vaccination from healthcare professionals before departing (in addition to other shots) and are prescribed malaria preventative medication for their trip, but these measures are not necessarily vital. Sometimes insurance covers these costs, but if not, the prices can be significant. Read into the CDC’s recommendations to decide what is right for you.
Navigating Cambodia
When you need a quick lift from place to another, you have a couple different options. A popular option is by waving down a tuk-tuk and negotiating a price for a ride. A tuk-tuk is a golf cart-like vehicle. The price range depends on your ability to bargain and the distance you are going. These vehicles are everywhere, especially in the city, and the drivers are not afraid to heckle you to buy a ride. The better method of transportation is Grab: the Uber of Southeast Asia. These are unbelievably cheap and the cars are always super clean and air-conditioned. Just download the app and order your ride. You should definitely get a tuk-tuk ride at least once just to experience it, but Grab will save you much more money. Scooters are also very popular and easily accessible, but if you don’t have a lot of biking experience, I do not recommend this. The roads of Cambodia are nothing like you have ever experienced. Jam-packed roads, crazy drivers, and hardly anyone following traffic laws is a good recipe for disaster. Although renting scooters is cheaper than any other transportation method, it is better to play it safe unless you are a pro.
Long distance travel is also very easy. Booking online through 12goAsia is a reliable way to purchase longer transportation buses, trains, ferries, or a mix of them. Or you can go into a local transportation office and purchase your tickets through them, which will end up being cheaper than booking online. Many hostels also offer booking ability. Booking through hostels will sometimes be cheaper, sometimes not. Planes are another option. Although they are quicker and less of a hassle, they are more expensive and subject you to a much larger carbon footprint.
Safety
Cambodia has a reputation of being a dangerous country because of its history of crime against tourists. Over the years, this problem has gotten much better, with reports of crime having plummeted in the past few years. Regardless, petty crimes are still common just like in any major city in the world. Your visit will likely be trouble-free, but you should still have an awareness in public spaces, specifically in crowded areas where pickpocketing can occur and directly on the street where people on scooters can conduct drive-by snatches of loose bags, phones, etc. that you are carrying. These drive-by thefts are the most common of crimes reported against tourists. Another thing to know is that Phnom Penh is considered the most dangerous area in Cambodia, so be extra cautious if you plan on visiting this city. Just be smart and trust your instincts.
Money
Cambodia is a very cheap country, even when you’re spending generously. Following the pandemic and worldwide inflation, the cost of traveling in Cambodia has slightly increased. One can expect to spend between $30 - $45 a day depending on where you are. Rural areas are very cheap and the islands are on the expensive side. Here is a list of the prices of common purchases:
Hostels $5 to $15
Meals $3 to $10
Street Food $0.25 to $3
330mL Beer $1 to $2
Excursions $25 to $65
Grab rides $2 to $8
Tuk-tuks $4 to $10
Scooters $5 to $10 / day
Long Buses $20 to $40
Temple Fees $1 to $20
Just like any country, there are ways you can save money. One great money saver is by buying alcohol at convenience stores rather than bars and clubs. Buy a case of beer to pregame and then get a couple drinks when you’re out. You’ll save a lot of money over time with this method. Eating street food over sit-down restaurants is another great way to budget. And of course, taking Grab’s over tuk-tuk rides. Although excursions are very expensive, they are an absolute must, as they allow you to see some of the most beautiful places you will ever experience. Pick and choose your excursions wisely; you don’t need to go on every single one.
Where to go in Cambodia
My favorite places (ranked in order):
Koh Rong Samloem
Osoam
Siem Reap
Koh Rong
Phnom Penh
Goodluck!
A backpacking adventure to Cambodia is the trip of a lifetime. You will get the opportunity to experience a completely new style of living, see some of the most beautiful places on Earth, and meet some amazing people along the way. After reading this, you should hopefully be much better prepared to take on this amazing country. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out and leave a comment. Safe Travels!