Things to do in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Since French explorer Henri Mouhot stumbled onto the jungle covered stone ruins of Angkor Wat in 1861, Cambodia’s city of Siem Reap has blossomed from a sleepy cluster of fishing and farming villages to a thriving cultural center and commercial hub.

What to do in Siem Reap?

Siem Reap Nightlife

Siem Reap has everything from sophisticated roof top bars to Pub Street with more of the back-packer type establishments.

Some of the more popular spots are:

• Angkor What? Bar
• Elephant Bar at Raffles/li>
• FCC Angkor
• Laundry Bar
• Miss Wong Cocktail Bar

Angkor Wat & Siem Reap Temples

Situated just four miles from the main entrance to the Angkor Wat temple complex, Siem Reap offers tourist accommodations for every budget including many of Cambodia’s top resort properties. In recent years, the city, which was evacuated by the Khmer Rouge during the Vietnam War in 1975, has attracted local and international artists, artisans, chefs and designers. They have created a dynamic arts scene with gourmet eateries, live performances and stylish souvenirs, many with philanthropic origins in the local community still struggling to recover from the Khmer Rouge atrocities.

Aqua Expeditions has built strong ties here, to connect our guests with the most well-informed temple guides as well as to insiders who know the way by bicycle along ancient Angkorian highways, to overnight camp sites at unexplored Angkor temples hidden in the tropical jungle and along paths through the ride paddies to idyllic stilted houses for kaffir lime infused sundowners. For those who wish to stay by the water, our local bird watching experts lead kayaking trips around the great Tonle Sap Lake.

Siem Reap Weather

Consistent with the rest of Campbodia, Siem Reap has a tropical climate that varies with the seasons. The Northeast monsoon starts in December and goes through April, while in the southwest the monsoon season is from May to November. During these times the weather is very wet with high humidity.

Knowing this, the best time to visit is between December and January when its drier. The sun brings with it more tourists, so keep this in mind as you plan your vacation.