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Siem Reap

Located in the northwestern part of the kingdom of Cambodia, Siem Reap is a gateway to the ancient world and known globally for the breath-taking Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious monument. An enchanting city that perfectly blends modernity and tradition, it possesses a rich cultural heritage with a unique Khmer touch. The architecture of the old market area will take you back to the colonial era. Besides the historical Angkor complex, Siem Reap is also renowned for vibrant night markets, delicious Khmer cuisine, and pottery workshops. The city offers an exciting boat ride in Tonle Sap Lake, where you can discover Cambodia's rural life and appreciate the biodiversity of the lake ecosystem. With its accessible bike trails and mesmerizing sunsets, Siem Reap is a captivating travel destination that is bound to leave an indelible imprint on any traveller.

4 /5

Based on our research

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Safety:Safe

Siem Reap is generally considered safe for solo female travelers. As with any tourist destination, it's always important to stay aware of your surroundings and to avoid less crowded places at night. Yet, locals are typically friendly and helpful, and crime rates against tourists are low. However, scams targeting tourists can happen, so stay alert. Secure your belongings, particularly in crowded markets or while using tuk-tuks. Overall, provided you follow standard travel protocols for safety, Siem Reap is a relatively secure destination to explore solo.

Transport:Easy

Siem Reap can be navigated relatively easily. The city center, with its markets and restaurants, is walkable, and there's an abundance of tuk-tuks available for longer distances. Traffic can be chaotic, especially during peak hours, leading to occasional delays. The ancient temples including the famous Angkor Wat are a bit far from the city, requiring some sort of transportation. Most locals speak some English, easing the communication for directions.

Things to do:Interesting

Siem Reap is an incredible destination in Cambodia, filled with opportunities for a solo female traveler to explore and engage in memorable experiences. It's most famous for Angkor Wat, an architectural marvel which is a UNESCO Heritage site. Other than the ancient temples, Siem Reap also offers bustling markets such as Angkor Night Market and Siem Reap Art Center Market where one can shop for souvenirs and taste the local cuisine. You could also witness the Apsara dance show in local restaurants. The city also boasts beautiful countryside landscapes perfect for bike tours, river cruises on Tonle Sap, and a variety of wellness centers for those who prefer a relaxed journey. Additionally, safety in Siem Reap is generally good, though general caution should be practiced as anywhere.

Food:Above average

Siem Reap offers a vibrant and diverse culinary scene. From traditional Cambodian cuisine like Amok and Lok Lak to international dishes, there's a wide range of food choices to explore. Street-food culture is abundant, offering foodies an immersive experience. Expats living here have also introduced various global cuisines. However, certain people might face language difficulties while ordering or locating specific dietary preferences.

Budget:Affordable

Siem Reap is rather budget-friendly for solo female travelers as the cost of living is relatively low compared to many other destinations. Accommodations, food, and transportation are affordable although prices can go up in peak tourist season. The main expense will likely be the entrance fee to the Angkor temples, which is worth every penny. So overall, Siem Reap provides a good value experience for budget-conscious travelers.

Solo travel experience

Angkor Wat is truly amazing. Here are a few tips: Hiring a tuk-tuk driver isn't the same as renting a guide who accompanies you around Angkor Wat. Tuk-tuk drivers will drop you off on one side of the temple and meet up with you on the other side when you're done. During the day, I hired a tuk-tuk driver who transported me between temples, and then I toured by myself, but there are plenty of guides around each temple if you need someone. There's only one place where you can buy entrance into Angkor Wat, and that's the Official Angkor Ticket Center. Don't buy tickets or tours from unauthorized individuals; this is the only place where you can purchase them. Your driver can take you to the ticket office on the day you want to enter the park. However, if you want to see the sunrise, you need to buy your tickets the day before, after 16:00. If you buy your ticket after 4 p.m., you can enter for free that day to admire the sunset. I highly recommend the sunrise because it's spectacular, but it requires a lot of preparation. Angkor Wat tickets are sold for one, three, or seven days. I truly believe that you need more than one day to see the whole park, especially if you want to see both the sunrise and the sunset. Therefore, we bought tickets for 3 days, valid for any 3 days within 10 days of the first visit. Bring mosquito repellent, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable walking shoes, and lots of water. The temples are outdoors and in the middle of a forest, so you need to be well-prepared for the day. Show respect. Angkor Wat isn't just an archaeological site, but also a temple, and they won't let you into some of the temples if you don't cover your shoulders and knees. You're also not allowed to smoke here.

Posted: July 26, 2022

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5

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*Cambodian cuisine recommendation: Fish Amok, Cambodian lemongrass paste sour soup, Fermented fish with coconut milk, Palm fruit or palm fruit dessert, sour fruit with chili salt (That's the local people's favorite way to eat sour fruit.), Coconut smoothies, Jackfruit or Jackfruit dessert. Note: if you come to Cambodia from May to June, you must eat Kampot durian. * Please wear a knee-length dresses or knee-length skirt or trousers when you want to visit Angkor Wat Temple.

Posted: November 7, 2023

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Eléa

About Me

Hi. My name is Eléa. I was born in France, lived in Greece for almost 10 years. Left Europe in 2022 and now I want to explore Asia. Currently living in Cambodia but I would like to move to Malaysia. I love reading, drawing and writing. I feel my best when I’m surrounded by nature.