This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you are better prepared for what to expect, what not to expect and can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Siem Reap. To help you make friends with Siem Reap before you visit, we've included a few helpful and fun things you should know about the area. Enjoy!
Siem Reap is a must-see for any trip to Cambodia and a good place to get a hostel as your base in the region. This is the hub from which to visit the Angkor kingdoms that were designed and built by the Khmer people almost a thousand years ago. Among the most impressive and famous of these kingdoms is Angkor Wat. Also of interest is Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple containing two hundred fifty-six faces on the pillars of the temples and Ta Prohm, the Jungle Temple. Ta Prohm is the only one that has all of the trees still growing in, around and on top of the buildings and has been a set on many movies, including "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider." To get out to the Angkor temples, ask at your hostel and they can give you an idea of how much it should cost to get to the temples with a tuk tuk driver for the day. Organized tours may also be an option.
Within Siem Reap itself, there are many activities that you can get involved in. There are many restaurants that have performances by Apsara dances so that you can get immersed in Khmer culture. A trip to the Cambodian Cultural Village should also be on the agenda. There are some beautiful pagodas, shrines, and temples around the city center to explore as well.
If you want to relax and take it easy, go for a trip to the Seeing Hands for the Blind Massage. All masseuses are blind and trained to do this for work so that they can be self sufficient, and they offer quite a great experience.
There are many hostels in Siem Reap that are scattered throughout the city center. It is a fairly small city and easy enough and cheap enough to get around in a tuk tuk if you choose an accommodation that is on the outskirts of the town center.
Written by local enthusiast for Siem Reap hostels
Globetrotter
