Siem Reap City Guide
Image by antwerpenR via wikipedia

Cambodia

Siem Reap City Guide

Siem Reap Province

Siem Reap is in northwestern Cambodia and is known for Angkor Wat temples. The city mixes Khmer culture with growing modern comforts. Living costs are low, and the food scene is lively, making it popular with visitors and remote workers.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Excellent
8

Local dishes like Amok, Lok Lak, and Khmer Red Curry are must-tries. International food is easy to find near Pub Street and Old Market. Vegetarian and vegan options are growing. Late-night food is available around Pub Street.

Local Dishes:
Amok, Lok Lak, Khmer Red Curry
International Cuisine:
Western, Chinese, Vietnamese, Italian
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Good
7

Nightlife centers on Pub Street with many bars, pubs, and clubs.

Coffee Culture
Good
7

Coffee culture is growing with more specialty and third-wave cafes opening.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping isn’t required but is appreciated. Small tips or rounding up is common in restaurants and for tuk-tuk drivers.

Top Attractions
Angkor Wat
Historical
Famous UNESCO temple complex nearby.
Bayon Temple
Historical
Temple known for stone faces.
Ta Prohm Temple
Historical
Temple famous for jungle-covered ruins.
Angkor Thom
Historical
Ancient city with temples and monuments.
Pub Street
Entertainment
Main nightlife and dining area.
Old Market
Market
Bustling local market with food and crafts.
Phnom Kulen National Park
Nature
Sacred mountain with waterfalls and hiking trails.
Tonlé Sap Lake
Nature
Lake with floating villages and water sports.
SIM Cards

SIM cards are sold at the airport and mobile shops. Major providers include Smart Axiata, Cellcard, and Metfone. Passport needed to register.

Available at:
Smart Axiata Store
Cellcard Store
Metfone Shop
Recommended Apps
Grab(Transport)
PassApp(Transport)
Foodpanda(Food)
ABA Mobile(Finance)
Telegram(Communication)
Google Maps(Navigation)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
6

Tourist areas stay clean, but other parts can be less tidy. Waste services are developing.

24/7 Services
Good
6

Some 24/7 minimarts and pharmacies exist near tourist areas. Food options available late near Pub Street.

Groceries
Angkor Market
Lucky Mall

You can find international products in supermarkets like Angkor Market and Lucky Mall. Fresh markets such as Phsar Chas offer local produce. Bargaining is common in markets.

Cashless Payments
Cash preferred

Card payments work in hotels and larger restaurants, but cash (USD and Riel) is preferred for markets and small shops.

ATMs

ATMs are common and mostly dispense US dollars. Check your bank about fees before withdrawing.

Schools
International

International schools include International School of Siem Reap and ACE for English training. English is primary instruction language.

Available Schools:
International School of Siem Reap
Australian Centre for Education (ACE)

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
7
Available Spaces:
AngkorHub
Flexible desks, private offices, and meeting rooms.
The Hive
Quiet and productive workspace.
Garage Office
Small community-focused space.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Excellent
Sister Srey Cafe
Popular spot with good Wi-Fi and food.
Artillery Arts Cafe
Creative setting with fast internet.
Common Grounds Cafe
Good coffee and work space.
Bloom Cafe & Training Centre
Cafe with social focus, good for working.
Gelato & Coffee Lab
Good coffee and a quiet vibe.
Alternatives:
Hotel lobbies
Many hotels have Wi-Fi and comfortable seating.
Guesthouses with common areas
Some offer quiet spots for work.
Digital Nomad Community
Good
6

The nomad community is growing, supported by coworking spaces and cafes with meetups and online groups.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Excellent
8

Angkor Archaeological Park offers large green areas for walks and cycling.

Running
Good
7

Running routes around Angkor Archaeological Park are scenic and safe during the day.

Gyms
Available

There are gyms offering general fitness and Muay Thai training.

Available Gyms:
Angkor Fitness
The Siem Reap Gym
Angkor Fight Club (Muay Thai)
Tennis
Limited
5

Tennis courts are available at some hotels and clubs.

Padel
Poor
3

Padel courts are uncommon but exist in some private clubs.

Yoga
Good
6

Several yoga studios and wellness centers offer classes, often with English-speaking instructors.

Martial Arts
Good
6

Muay Thai (Khmer Boxing) training is available at gyms like Angkor Fight Club.

Skiing
Poor
0

No skiing facilities in Cambodia.

Water Sports
Limited
5

You can kayak or paddleboard on Tonlé Sap Lake.

Surfing
Poor
0

No surfing in Siem Reap, as it is not on the coast.

Diving
Poor
0

Diving is only available on Cambodia's coast, not in Siem Reap.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Good
6

Private clinics and hospitals have English-speaking staff. Royal Angkor International Hospital is a good option. Public care is lower quality. Pharmacies sell common meds.

Hospitals:
Royal Angkor International Hospital
Pharmacies:
Phsar Chas Pharmacy
City Pharmacy
Tap Water Safety
Not recommended

Tap water isn't safe to drink. Bottled water is widely available and recommended.

Common Scams
Overpriced tuk-tuk rides, Fake monks asking for money, Pushy street vendors

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
7

The city has playgrounds, kid-friendly cafes, and baby supplies in supermarkets. Angkor temples offer shaded spots for family visits.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Good
7

Siem Reap is generally welcoming to LGBTQ+ people, with some gay-friendly venues and decent societal acceptance.

Pet Friendly
Limited
5

Pet policies vary; vet services are available but pet parks are limited.

Communities
Siem Reap Expats (Social)
Siem Reap Foodies (Food)
Siem Reap Digital Nomads (Work)
What's On Siem Reap (Events)

Quick Facts

Population
147,866
Power Reliability
Good
7/10

Power is mostly reliable but short outages can happen, especially in the rainy season.

Mountains
Available

Phnom Kulen National Park offers sacred mountain hiking and waterfalls.

Languages
Khmer(100%)
English(65%)
Emergency
117
Police
118
Fire
119
Ambulance

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
1
🏔️
Earthquake
Very Low Risk
1

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Rainy season
May, June, July, August, September, October
Heavy rain and humidity from May to October.
Hot season
March, April, May
Very high temperatures in late dry season.
Cool season
November, December, January, February
Pleasant and cooler weather.

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