Book cheap flights to Siem Reap

Like most of Cambodia, Siem Reap boasts a consistently warm dampness throughout the year, with temperatures generally hovering from the mid 20˚Cs to the upper 30˚Cs. The months of December to February, however, stand out as the months with the least rain; they’re the most popular among tourists, and the best time to come should you wish to catch the weather at its most outdoorsy – assuming you’re willing to deal with heavier crowds and higher accommodation rates. By contrast, the months of May until October are marked by the rather relentless rain that has given this island nation its distinctive lush greenness; it’s the best time to come if you’d like to avoid the crowds, but you’d better remember to pack a raincoat.

South Africans may receive a visa upon their arrival in Cambodia. Travellers should ensure that their passports are valid for at least six more months after their arrival, and that it has room available for new stamps.

South Africa does not have an embassy in Cambodia; the South African embassy in Thailand, located at 87 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pratumwan in Bangkok, is currently accredited to Cambodia.

The Centres for Disease Control recommends that visitors to Cambodia ensure that all of their routine vaccinations are up to date before departing, and that, in addition, they receive vaccinations against Hepatitis A and typhoid, both of which have a risk of being spread via contaminated food and water. In addition, Cambodia is known to be the site of a number of mosquito-borne infections, including malaria and zika; and while their frequency is generally lower in urban centres, visitors are nonetheless heavily advised to take steps against mosquito bites.

In terms of safety, Siem Reap is frequently seen as one of Cambodia’s safest locations. While one is advised to take common precautions against petty crime, such as not leaving one’s valuables unattended or wandering the streets late at night, one has generally little to fear in this peaceful tourist hub.

Naturally, having been the recipient of wide-eyed tourists for years, Siem Reap has developed an extensive array of accommodation outlets of varying levels of affordability and luxury, from quaint and humble guesthouses and hostels to lush five-star establishments. Prices are immensely varied, ranging everywhere from under ៛25000 to over ៛1400000.

The flat and reasonably sized nature of Siem Reap means that many of its key points are easily accessible by foot, or on the bicycles that can be affordably rented from many of the guest houses; however, other forms of transport are also available to any traveller who may be in a hurry. Most notable, and typical to Southeast Asia, are the city’s many forms of taxis, which include ordinary taxis, motorcycle taxis (or “motodops”), and auto-rickshaws (or “tuk-tuks”). All three of these can be readily hailed down from almost any street corner; however, due to the frequent lack of fixed rates, and the often limited English fluency of the drivers, one would ensure that a fare is firmly negotiated, and that one’s destination is asserted, before setting out.