Why Cambodia for a Honeymoon
Angkor is the reason most people come. It deserves the hype. More than a thousand temples are scattered across the plains north of Lake Tonle Sap. Some are vast and carved with miles of bas-reliefs. Others are tiny shrines swallowed by forest. Couples can spend three days exploring and still find quiet corners.
Beyond the temples, Cambodia offers good value and variety. A two-week trip can take you from boutique hotels in Siem Reap to colonial shophouses in Kampot and then to island bungalows on the Gulf of Thailand.
Khmer food is a quiet revelation, less fiery than Thai but rich with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime and fermented fish. Cambodians are famously gracious hosts.
Finally, the country is less crowded than the big Southeast Asian hits. Even at Angkor, a little timing helps you find temples almost to yourselves.
Safety and the Current Advisory
The US State Department rates Cambodia Level 2, exercise increased caution. The most serious warning is Level 4 for the area within 50 kilometers (about 30 miles) of the Thailand border, where military tensions flared in 2025 and remain unresolved. Avoid the border crossings at Poipet and the northern temple of Preah Vihear. The main honeymoon areas of Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Kampot, Kep and the Koh Rong islands lie well away from that zone.
Other risks are more everyday. Bag and phone snatching from passing motorbikes is common in Phnom Penh, so carry valuables on the side away from the street. Landmines and unexploded ordnance remain in remote parts of several northwestern provinces, including rural Siem Reap province. Stick to marked paths at outlying temples.
Be wary of online job offers, romance scams and money-transfer schemes. Road safety is poor, so avoid night buses and use reputable drivers. Medical care is limited outside Phnom Penh, so carry insurance that covers evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore.
Best Time to Visit
November through February is the classic window. The rains have ended, the countryside is still green and temperatures are at their most comfortable, with daytime highs in the upper 80s Fahrenheit. This is also peak season at Angkor, so book hotels early and plan temple visits around the crowds.
March through May is the hot season. April is brutal, with temperatures often above 95 degrees. Khmer New Year falls in mid-April, a lively festival with water fights and family gatherings, but many businesses close for several days.
The wet season runs from roughly May or June to October. Rain usually comes in heavy afternoon bursts, leaving mornings clear. Angkor looks lush and the moats fill up, while crowds thin out and prices drop. The south coast and islands are rougher, with choppy seas and some resorts closing. September and October are the wettest months. The Water Festival in Phnom Penh, usually in November, brings boat races on the river.
Where to Go
Our Siem Reap guide covers the gateway to Angkor, with advice on temple timing, the best sunrise spots, day trips to Banteay Srei and Phnom Kulen and the hotels that make the heat bearable.
Our Kampot guide heads south to the riverside town and nearby Kep. Expect pepper farms, sunset boat rides, the misty plateau of Bokor and crab lunches by the sea.
Our Koh Rong guide covers the islands off Sihanoukville, including quieter Koh Rong Samloem. White sand, clear water and glowing plankton at night make this the beach finale of most Cambodia trips.
Phnom Penh deserves at least a day or two. The capital has a grand riverside, the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, excellent restaurants and the sobering Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek memorial. Battambang has charm and old colonial streets, but check its distance from the border zone before you plan a visit.
Sample 10-Day Itinerary
Days 1 and 2: Arrive in Phnom Penh. Visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, then the National Museum. Spend the second morning at Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek. End with a sunset cruise on the Mekong.
Days 3 to 5: Fly or drive to Siem Reap. Watch sunrise at Angkor Wat, explore the Bayon and Ta Prohm, then take a day trip to Banteay Srei and Phnom Kulen. Spend an evening at the Phare circus.
Day 6: Fly back to Phnom Penh and drive to Kampot, about three to four hours.
Day 7: Tour a pepper farm, then take a sunset boat on the river. Visit Bokor if the weather is clear.
Day 8: Kep for crab lunch at the market and a boat to Rabbit Island.
Days 9 and 10: Drive to Sihanoukville and take the ferry to Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem. Finish with beach time before flying home.
Budget and Costs
All figures are approximate and vary by season.
Cambodia is very affordable by US standards. Comfortable boutique hotels in Siem Reap and Kampot often run about $50 to $150 a night, while luxury properties like the top Siem Reap resorts can cost several hundred dollars. Island resorts on Koh Rong range from simple bungalows to upscale beachfront villas.
Meals at local restaurants cost a few dollars per person. A nice dinner for two with drinks might be $30 to $60. Cocktails and imported wine are pricier than local beer, which is very cheap.
The biggest single cost is often the Angkor pass, which is sold for one, three or seven days at the official ticket office or online. A tuk-tuk and driver for a day of temple touring costs a modest flat rate, more for outlying temples. Add domestic flights, ferries and private drivers between towns, plus tips for guides and drivers.
Getting There and Around
There are no nonstop flights from the US to Cambodia. Most couples connect through Taipei, Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok or Tokyo. Phnom Penh's international traffic moved in 2025 to the new Techo International Airport south of the city, while Siem Reap Angkor International Airport opened in 2023 about 30 miles from town. Allow about an hour for transfers from either one.
Within Cambodia, short domestic flights connect Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. Buses run between major towns; Giant Ibis has a good reputation. Many couples hire private drivers for comfort and safety, especially for the drive from Phnom Penh to Kampot or the coast.
In towns, tuk-tuks are the main way around. Agree on the fare before setting off, or use ride apps like PassApp or Grab. Fast boats link Sihanoukville to the Koh Rong islands in under an hour. Motorbike rental is restricted in Siem Reap, which makes a tuk-tuk driver the default for touring Angkor.
Culture and Etiquette
The traditional greeting is the sampeah, palms pressed together with a slight bow. Return it when someone greets you this way, especially elders and monks.
At temples, cover shoulders and knees. At Angkor Wat, guards check clothing before letting you climb to the upper level. Remove shoes before entering active pagodas and homes. Never touch anyone's head. Avoid pointing your feet at people or Buddha images.
Women should not touch monks or hand them items directly. Place offerings in front of them or give them to a male companion to pass along.
Khmer culture values calm. Losing your temper causes embarrassment for everyone, so keep negotiations friendly. Public displays of affection beyond holding hands are frowned upon.
The Khmer Rouge era still touches almost every family. Ask about it gently, if at all. Follow your guide's lead. Tipping is not traditional but is appreciated by guides, drivers and hotel staff.
Quick tips
- Bring crisp, untorn US bills; worn or marked notes are often refused.
- Cover shoulders and knees for Angkor Wat's upper level and other active temples.
- Use the PassApp or Grab apps for tuk-tuks in cities to avoid fare haggling.
