Cambodia is on each avid traveler’s bucket checklist, and for good cause. Not solely is it dwelling to Angkor Wat, one of the vital well-known temples on the planet, however Cambodia is full of numerous locations simply ready so that you can uncover.
You’re certain to take pleasure in your self exploring large temple compounds, getting misplaced in bustling cities, and enjoyable on beautiful seashores — multi function nation.
To correctly take pleasure in any journey to Cambodia, it’s necessary to be well-prepared for the new local weather, cultural customs, and any surprising situations that would come up alongside the way in which.
Follow this Cambodia packing checklist and also you’re certain to have the whole lot you want for a profitable journey!
Choosing a Travel Bag for Your Cambodia Trip
The first step to packing is choosing a journey bag that’s greatest for you and your journey. The uneven and infrequently dust roads make backpacks superb for touring in Cambodia, particularly when you plan on shifting round lots.
Osprey backpacks come extremely advisable as they’re tremendous top quality, have tons of compartments and pockets, and are long-lasting.
The better part in regards to the Fairview is that it seems like a backpack however opens up like a suitcase, so that you don’t must dig round to search out what you’re searching for. Plus, it is available in completely different sizes and colours!
The Fairview is designed for ladies, however Osprey additionally makes a males’s model known as the Farpoint!
Read our full Osprey Farpoint evaluation!
The Osprey Farpoint is similar to the Fairview, solely it’s designed for males and has a removable daypack on the entrance.
Having a removable daypack is handy since you don’t must buy any extra baggage when touring.
Here’s a lady’s model of this bag, additionally with a daypack on the entrance!
No matter which backpack you select, utilizing packing cubes is a complete recreation changer for becoming the whole lot you want in your backpack. Not solely do they compress what you pack, however they hold the whole lot divided and arranged for straightforward entry. No extra fumbling round searching for what you want!
Besides your principal backpack, you’ll want a daypack for every day adventures and exploring.
If you intend on plan on packing odds and ends in your day pack for the journey over, I like to recommend this one:
If you’re somebody who carries loads of gear (cameras, chargers, iPads), the Nomatic Bag is for you. Hands down, among the finest baggage we’ve ever owned, this present day pack makes it so handy to pack and unpack. With a gazillion completely different compartments, it makes certain you have got a house for the whole lot in your bag, fully saving you from having to rummage by means of your bag once more.
Read full Nomatic Travel Pack evaluation!
Alternatively, you may go for a packable backpack which you could hold stashed away till you’re prepared to make use of it.
P.S. This one has greater than 1,500 5-star evaluations on Amazon!
Read our full information to the most effective journey backpacks!
Cambodia Clothing Packing List
The clothes you put on in Cambodia drastically is determined by the a part of the nation you’re visiting. However, one factor is fixed regardless of the place you might be — the new and humid climate.
There are two seasons in Cambodia: dry and moist. Dry season runs from October to late April and moist season is from May to late September.
The hottest time of yr is correct originally of moist season between May and June, whereas the best time is between October and December. No matter if you go to, you may anticipate to be sweating the complete time.
Cambodia is a principally Buddhist nation and other people have a tendency to decorate extra conservatively. You’ll hardly ever see locals sporting shorts, skirts, or tank tops; as an alternative, they’ll usually be in lengthy pants and a minimum of have their shoulders coated.
While in massive cities like Phnom Penh and close to the seashore at Koh Rong, modesty is much less of a priority. However, when you plan on visiting temples and extra distant areas of the nation, you need to be ready to decorate conservatively.
Temple costume code is strictly enforced and people who find themselves not dressed appropriately will probably be denied entry, together with to Angkor Wat.
To go to temples, you have to have your shoulders and knees coated as an indication of respect. This is necessary to recollect when packing to your journey, particularly if Angkor Wat is your principal vacation spot.
That mentioned, listed here are the objects of clothes I like to recommend bringing on a visit to Cambodia.
Women’s Clothing
Tops and Bottoms
T-shirts are important for Cambodia, even when you’re a tank prime form of gal. You have to have your shoulders coated in any respect temples, and it’s usually a good suggestion to have them coated on the whole as properly, as a result of conservative nature of the nation.
Definitely convey alongside a couple of t-shirts constituted of dry-fit or quick-dry materials that wick sweat as an alternative of absorbing it. Also, go for lighter colours that replicate the solar!
There will probably be loads of alternatives to put on tank tops, particularly whereas in larger cities and by the seashore. Go for flowy, light-weight supplies that won’t solely look cute however hold you feeling cool as properly.
Maxi Skirt or Dress
A maxi-length skirt or dress is nice for temples, and makes for superior photographs as properly. Go for breathable materials, and when you’re choosing a costume, make sure it covers your shoulders!
Hippie / Elephant Pants
If you’ve already been to Southeast Asia, likelihood is you got here again with a pair (or two) of elephant pants.
It’s time to interrupt them out once more for this journey, as they’re prefect for sporting to temples and when you might want to costume extra conservatively. Plus, the skinny cloth is nice for warm climate.
If you don’t have a pair of those but, hit the market if you arrive in Cambodia and choose some up! Whatever you do, don’t purchase them beforehand since you’ll pay 5x the value as you’ll on the market.
Sundresses are a Southeast Asian should. Throw it on for an evening out on Pub Street or for strolling round Koh Rong. You’ll positively get good use out of a sundress in your journey.
When exploring cities, be comfy in a pair of shorts. Just be aware that they aren’t too quick, in any other case you could find yourself drawing undesirable consideration to your self.
A good way to get round Cambodia is by bicycle. Bring alongside a pair of sweat-wicking athletic shorts to remain cool whereas biking round. They’re additionally nice for staying comfy on lengthy bus rides or hanging round a hostel.
As scorching as Cambodia is, it’s in all probability a shock {that a} sweatshirt makes the checklist, however you’ll be comfortable that you’ve one when the time comes.
Ideal for air-con or as a pillow for journey, a sweatshirt or gentle fleece goes to turn out to be useful sooner or later or one other.
Undergarments and Beach Wear
Koh Rong, Cambodia is dwelling to some lovely seashores and attracts vacationers from everywhere in the world. So, if a seashore is in your itinerary, pack your favourite bathing fits for swimming, sunning and water actions.
This specific bikini is available in 41 colours and has greater than 6,700 5 star evaluations!
Bring one thing straightforward, flowy and cute to slide on over your bathing go well with when not on the seashore.
Bring alongside a sports activities bra or two constituted of sweat-wicking materials to remain comfy it doesn’t matter what you’re doing.
Also a good suggestion to have sweat-wicking underwear. It is probably not probably the most vogue ahead undergarment, however you’ll positively be glad you have got them on lengthy days strolling round within the Cambodian warmth.
Definitely convey light-weight, breathable socks to put on on sneaker days, and convey extra pairs than you suppose you’ll want!
Footwear
Flip Flops / Comfortable Sandals
Bring a pair of comfortable flip flops or sandals to stroll round in or put on to the seashore. I by no means journey with out my Rainbows as a result of they’re tremendous sturdy, reliable and so comfy after they’re damaged in!
It’s positively a good suggestion to pack some sneakers for bike rides and longer exploring days.
Men’s Clothing
Tops and Bottoms
Bring plenty of t-shirts constituted of light-weight or sweat-wicking materials. The temple costume code applies to males as properly so cowl these shoulders!
When you’re not visiting temples, throw on a light-colored tank prime for strolling round, exploring, or seashore journeys.
Elephant pants aren’t only for girls! Guys, it’s positively a good suggestion to spend money on a pair or two so that you don’t must put on a heavy pair of pants whereas in Cambodia.
If they aren’t your type, go for a pair of linen pants or others constituted of a light-weight materials.
P.S., This pair has greater than 1,800 5 star rankings!
When not visiting temples, you’ll in all probability need to let these knees roam free. Pack a couple of pairs of shorts for metropolis exploring or going out at night time.
Bring alongside some athletic shorts constituted of light-weight or wicking materials to maintain you cool on lengthy journey days or bike rides by means of the town.
You’ll desire a hoodie to maintain heat whereas in freezing airports or closely air-conditioned buses.
Undergarments and Beachwear
If you’re visiting Koh Rong or some other seashore, board shorts (or different swimwear) is a should.
Bring sufficient underwear to final your complete journey in case you don’t have entry to laundry amenities. A typical attribute of acceptable clothes in Cambodia is sweat-wicking, and this is applicable to underwear too.
Check out Under Armour’s choice that’s certain to maintain you feeling good on even the most popular days.
Bring greater than you suppose you’ll want as a result of there’s nothing worse than having to re-wear a pair of soiled, smelly socks!
Footwear
Bring a pair of comfy flip flops to put on to the seashore or on days if you need to let your toes go free. Make certain they’re comfy to stroll in and have good help.
As all the time, I like to recommend going for a pair of Rainbows.
Great for biking, strolling, and touring.
Cambodia Packing List: Essential Items
These objects are must-haves when packing for Cambodia. You’ll actually be sorry when you overlook any of them!
Cambodia is scorching year-round, and boy is the solar sturdy! Be certain to maintain your self protected with a excessive SPF sunscreen, particularly as you’ll seemingly be spending loads of time outdoors exploring temples, cities, and seashores.
Bugs are lots and ever current in Cambodia. Mosquitoes will pester you till they’ve had their fill, and even then you definitely’ll nonetheless be bitten. Bring a powerful bugspray to maintain them away from you.
Tap water in Cambodia isn’t secure to drink and can end in an especially upset abdomen, or worse. However, always shopping for and ingesting from plastic water bottles is wasteful and dangerous for the setting.
Consider buying a water bottle with a UV gentle that filters faucet water and make it secure to drink.
An different to a water bottle with a UV gentle is the Life Straw. This useful instrument filters water, making it secure to drink.
It’s small and simple to pack, making it further sensible for journey. This positively comes extremely advisable and can make your life a lot simpler whereas on the highway.
This will certainly turn out to be useful at one level or one other, whether or not it’s for after lavatory use or earlier than a meal. Soap is scarce so it’s a good suggestion to hold some hand sanitizer with you alongside your Camboidan adventures.
I convey activated charcoal drugs with me regardless of the place I journey they usually’ve saved my life extra occasions than I can depend.
You can watch what you eat and drink whereas in Cambodia, however in all honesty, you would possibly nonetheless find yourself getting sick sooner or later. When taken, activated charcoal drugs bind to the toxins in your system and flush them out, shortly eliminating meals poisoning, diarrhea, or different abdomen illnesses.
Trust me on this one, you can not go to Cambodia with out these.
With all of the mud and dust round, child wipes are a good way to really feel contemporary with out having to take a full bathe. Great for lengthy journey days and simple to pack, don’t skip out on these.
Most hostels and a few visitor homes gained’t present a towel throughout your keep. A fast dry towel is particularly sensible as a result of it’s straightforward to pack, and can dry shortly even within the humid local weather.
This is a should for Cambodia and it’ll turn out to be useful extra occasions than you may think about.
Sarongs are tremendous versatile and can be utilized for a lot of completely different functions. Hang it up and create a makeshift curtain, unfold it out for a picnic or seashore blanket, or tie it round your waist or shoulders for a extra conservative outfit.
I all the time convey alongside a sarong with me, particularly if I plan on visiting temples. It’s straightforward to maintain in a day pack and pull out when wanted!
A raincoat is crucial, particularly when you’re visiting Cambodia throughout moist season. You’re certain to be caught in a downpour sooner or later, so pack a light-weight raincoat which you could convey alongside in your day pack for straightforward use when wanted.
Keep your baggage secure by locking it up with TSA-approved locks. Bonus factors if the locks are large enough for use on hostel lockers!
There’s nothing extra necessary than preserving your passport and cash secure whereas touring. I all the time hold mine in a journey pockets, locked away safely and separate from my on a regular basis spending cash and bank cards.
If you’re searching for a journey pockets, click on right here to take a look at our prime picks!
While touring, it’s an excellent rule of thumb to depart most of your money packed away and take solely what you want. A journey pockets has tons of pockets for a passport, cash, change, and even pockets to retailer flight tickets or different journey paperwork.
Toiletries to Bring
Here’s a normal checklist of toiletries you need to contemplate bringing with you. It could also be arduous to search out the identical merchandise you employ at dwelling whereas in Cambodia, so convey sufficient for the complete journey.
A sturdy toiletry bag with plenty of compartments is advisable. I like this toiletries bag and all the time take it on my adventures.
If you don’t really feel like packing your personal, contemplate buying one in all these toiletry kits which have the whole lot you’ll want for a visit. They are available in each males’s and ladies’s merchandise, with a carrying bag.
Electronics
Keep the electronics you’re taking to Cambodia with you to the naked minimal — solely convey what you’ll actually need and use whilst you’re there.
Here are some advisable objects.
A common adapter is crucial as a result of the shops in Cambodia are in all probability completely different from those you have got at dwelling. With an adapter, you’ll be capable of cost or plug in something you want.
The locations you go to in Cambodia are breathtakingly lovely and name for frequent photograph ops.
Be certain to convey alongside a digicam to doc particular moments all through the journey. Also keep in mind to convey further SD playing cards in case you run out of reminiscence, and a charger, in fact.
Read our full information to the greatest journey cameras.
Save room and weight in your bag by bringing a Kindle as an alternative of books. With a Kindle, you have got hundreds of titles at your fingertips, providing you with loads of studying materials whereas on the highway.
If you intend on touring in Cambodia, put together for lengthy bus rides. Pass the time by listening to music or audiobooks alongside the way in which.
Days in Cambodia can get fairly lengthy as there’s lots to see. Bring an influence financial institution to maintain your electronics totally charged on even the longest days.
Other Items
Here are another objects you need to convey together with you to ensure your journey is as profitable and hassle-free as attainable.
Be ready for something with a journey first help package. Whether you want band aids, an ace wrap or a fast painkiller, a journey first help package has it multi function handy place.
Protect these eyes from dangerous UV rays with a pair of reliable sun shades. I can full-heartedly advocate this sun shades as they’re purposeful, sturdy, and good wanting.
Getting bug bites in Cambodia is inevitable. Keep your self from scratching by making use of Afterbite to your bumps.
If you burn simply, positively convey alongside some aloe to sooth your sunburn and hold your pores and skin from peeling!
This is a should for me once I go to Cambodia.
When touring round, the roads are usually not usually paved, making for tremendous bumpy and lengthy journeys. Coupled with a cramped bus (generally with out air-con), this makes for an extremely disagreeable journey expertise.
Keep an upset abdomen at bay with Dramamine or different movement illness drugs.
Keep observe of all you do in a journal which you could look again on years down the highway. Don’t overlook writing supplies!
Planning Your Cambodia Trip
If you’re nonetheless within the planning phases of your Cambodia journey, listed here are some necessary issues to notice.
Visa
If you don’t have a passport from an ASEAN nation, make sure you have the right visa sorted out earlier than taking your journey to Cambodia.
A single entry vacationer visa to Cambodia is legitimate for 30 days and prices $30 USD. Most occasions, you may get a visa on arrival, however make sure you have a passport that’s legitimate for a minimum of 6 months, further passport photographs, and the right sum of money within the designated forex.
Currency
The official forex of Cambodia is the riel, however U.S. {dollars} are broadly used all through the nation. Most ATMs ship {dollars} as an alternative of riel, however there are many locations to change forex within the uncommon incidence that the greenback isn’t accepted.
An fascinating facet of this forex scenario is that U.S. cash aren’t used, solely payments. So when you pay for one thing and require small change, you’ll seemingly obtain it in riel even when you use {dollars} initially.
Accommodation in Cambodia
One of the superior issues about Cambodia (and the vast majority of Southeast Asia) is that there’s an abundance of low-cost lodging accessible for vacationers to select from.
No matter your funds, you’re capable of finding stays starting from hostel dorms to a 5 star, luxurious retreat.
To see what we’re speaking about, try our article on greatest locations to remain in Cambodia!
Transportation in Cambodia
Transportation: We advocate downloading the Skyscanner App and utilizing Bookaway or 12Go web site to view bus, boat, and prepare schedules forward of time. We’ve used these web sites throughout Asia, they usually save us the effort of lining up at journey businesses or bus stations.
While reserving buses in Cambodia, I like to recommend sticking with Mekong Express or Giant Ibis, which have the most secure observe data and are throughout the most effective firms to journey with.
Cambodia Safety Tips
When touring in Cambodia, it’s necessary to be alert and conscious of your environment. It’s a usually secure place, however there are vacationer traps and scams that rope in harmless vacationers.
Be conscious of shared taxi scams and false visa prices. To keep away from these, do correct analysis in regards to the buses you intend on taking and the necessities for coming into the nation.
Be cautious of bus drivers making an attempt to persuade you to remain at a sure guesthouse or change cash at a sure change place. Often occasions, bus drivers obtain a hefty fee from the enterprise they push vacationers in direction of.
Also make sure you hold your belongings near you, particularly your valuables. For girls, I like to recommend utilizing a cross physique purse with a zipper to maintain your belongings secure from pickpockets. Men ought to keep away from preserving their telephones and pockets of their again pockets as a result of these are the simplest targets.
Other Resources
Make certain to learn our full Cambodia Travel Guide, whether or not you’re searching for locations to go to, issues to see, what to eat, or nice spots to remain.
Need extra concepts to your Cambodia journey? Check out these articles
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