One of the most popular destinations in Cambodia, Siem Reap, is a must-visit for those who want to appreciate unperturbed Southeast Asian culture. You need at least three days to explore the historical jewels of Siem Reap. This is the gateway to exploring Angkor Ruins and a lot of other ancient sites, some of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Here’s how you can plan your vacation in this amazing city that seems to have been stuck in the lost world.





The best time to visit
The climate doesn’t really change much throughout the year; the temperatures remain on a similar level every month with an average of 28 degrees. The dry season is usually considered the best time to visit; the season spans from December to March. Rain showers remain at a minimum during this time, but the temperatures are bearable. Bear in mind that this is also the high season, which means that everything is double its low-season price, so be prepared to pay a lot for accommodation. The hot season, on the other hand, is from April to May, with an average temperature of 40 degrees. By the end of April, the city is practically empty, so this could be a great time to visit if you don’t mind the high temperatures. Accommodation will be less expensive with the additional benefit of lesser crowds. If you visit in the hot season, make sure you wear light clothing and lather your skin with sunscreen; also, keep in mind that you won’t be able to see any of the floating villages as the water levels are low. The rainy season is from June to November, characterised by southern monsoons. The temperatures are low during this time, but the rain showers are constant, and the chances of sightseeing are low.



Accommodation
You have a wide range of great accommodation options in Siem Reap, including Anantara Angkor Resort. Budget options are a favourite with backpackers; home stays are common, too. Mid-range and luxury options are ideal for those who want a comfortable stay with great guest service.



Getting here
There are three ways you can get here: bus, boat, and air. The international airport of Siem Reap, Siem Reap International Airport, is only 5 kilometres from downtown. From downtown, you can get to the Siem Reap Wharf in Tonle Sap Lake in 15 minutes. If you are interested in boat trips, make sure you visit in the rainy season, extending from June to November – the water is at an optimal level during this time. During the dry season, only small boats operate on the river, and when the water level is low, boats stop operating altogether. If you are a backpacker, look into bus travel; Capitol Tour and Mekong Express are the most popular services. As for train travel, the service is yet to be available in Cambodia. You can take a direct flight to Siem Reap from major Asian tourist destinations like Vietnam and Thailand.



Things to do
A diverse array of attractions awaits you in Siem Reap; things to do are many here. The number of temples found here can be categorised into three: outlying temples, big circuit, and small circuit. Small circuit covers the temples located at Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat. Big Circuit contains the temples in the eastern and northern parts of the city. To explore the outlying temples, you need to travel about 20 kilometres from Siem Reap; this group of temples includes sites with original features untainted by time. Adventure seekers are in luck; hiking and trekking are among the popular tourist activities. However, if you want to do something different, you should join a cooking class. Also, don’t forget to give yourself some time to relax and take in the unspoiled natural beauty of Siem Reap.