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Heads up: a few of the hyperlinks on this web site are affiliate hyperlinks. If you click on and make a reserving or buy, I\u2019ll make a fee (at no further value to you). I accomplice with firms I personally use and the $$ goes in direction of creating extra superior, free journey content material.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Wondering whether or not to go to Cambodia<\/a> or Laos<\/a>? When I backpacked round Southeast Asia, I\u2019d performed no analysis on both of those international locations, but they turned out to be two of my favourite locations within the area.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n When it involves evaluating Cambodia vs Laos, each provide totally different in their very own distinctive methods. In this detailed information I\u2019ll study how the 2 international locations examine when it comes to seashores, nightlife, meals, sights, pure magnificence, individuals and transportation. Hopefully it will enable you to make up your thoughts!\u00a0<\/p>\n The most evident distinction between Cambodia and Laos is that Cambodia has seashores and islands, whereas Laos is landlocked. However, Laos has a shocking, mountainous panorama, with spectacular limestone cliffs and the gorgeous Mekong River flowing all the best way down by means of the size of the nation.<\/p>\n The straightforward winner right here is Cambodia, since Laos doesn\u2019t have any seashores.\u00a0<\/p>\n Laos is bordered by Vietnam<\/a>, Cambodia<\/a>, Thailand<\/a>, China<\/a> and Myanmar<\/a>, and is totally landlocked. It does, nevertheless, have the Mekong River, in addition to some actually lovely waterfalls, resembling Kuang Si Waterfall and Tat Sae Waterfalls. So in the event you fancy swimming, there are positively some alternatives to do this \u2013 you simply received\u2019t be capable to swim within the ocean.\u00a0<\/p>\n Cambodia is residence to a few of the most lovely seashores I\u2019ve ever seen. I used to be really actually shocked, and would fee them among the many greatest on this planet.\u00a0<\/p>\n Many backpackers and vacationers go to the seashore city of Sihanoukville, which is positioned halfway up the coast within the southwestern a part of Cambodia. From right here you may take a ship to the paradise islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem, that are residence to powdery white sands and turquoise waters which might be good for snorkeling.\u00a0<\/p>\n Cambodia\u2019s panorama is somewhat flat, so apart from the seashores and islands (that are beautiful!), there\u2019s not a lot to write down residence about. Part of the Mekong does run by means of the central jap a part of Cambodia, and the Tonle Sap lake sits between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.\u00a0<\/p>\n Laos, alternatively, is residence to forest-covered mountains and spectacular karst landscapes with caverns and limestone pinnacles. Most of the western border of Laos is demarcated by the Mekong River, and most of the main cities and cities sit alongside it. The river has a really stress-free, tranquil vibe, and it\u2019s nice for taking boat cruises.\u00a0<\/p>\n Laos positively has the extra attention-grabbing panorama out of the 2.<\/p>\n While Vietnamese and Thai meals are fairly well-known throughout Europe and North America, Cambodian and Lao delicacies are inclined to fly beneath the radar.\u00a0<\/p>\n Cambodia\u2019s meals incorporates parts of Indian, Chinese and French delicacies, and contains plenty of salads, soups, curries and stir frys. Fish and seafood function closely in Cambodian dishes, because of the county\u2019s abundance of water sources. Rice is a typical staple right here too, and is often served as an accompaniment to each meal.<\/p>\n Popular Cambodian dishes embody:<\/p>\n Laos delicacies can be pretty just like Cambodian delicacies, though it’s barely spicier and has its personal distinctive dishes. Sticky rice is integral to Lao delicacies and has turn into an essential a part of the nation\u2019s tradition. Laos is understood for having the very best sticky rice consumption per-capita on this planet and Lao individuals generally seek advice from themselves as luk khao niaow, which interprets as \u2018children or descendants of sticky rice\u2019.<\/p>\n Famous Lao dishes embody:<\/p>\n The meals could be very comparable in each Laos and Cambodia, so it\u2019s laborious to select a transparent winner right here.\u00a0<\/p>\n You can\u2019t actually beat Cambodia for landmarks. The nation is residence to Angkor Wat \u2013 a sprawling temple advanced that holds the title of being the biggest spiritual construction on this planet. It was initially constructed as a Hindu temple devoted to the gods Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma, however was later remodeled right into a Buddhist temple on the finish of the twelfth century.\u00a0<\/p>\n Angkor Wat is gorgeous at each dawn and sundown, and is effectively value visiting if you end up in Siem Reap. Cambodia can be residence to quite a few different temples and palaces, together with Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm, Angkor Thom and the Royal Palace.\u00a0<\/p>\n On a extra somber be aware, the nation additionally has a number of darkish tourism websites, such because the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, the place guests can study in regards to the brutal Khmer regime.\u00a0<\/p>\n Laos additionally has a number of temples and pagodas, though none examine to the sheer dimension of Angkor Wat. The most notable landmark in Vientiane is Pha That Luang Vientiane \u2013 a historic gold stupa that stands over 44 meters excessive. Vientiane can be residence to the Patuxay Monument, a well-known arch and battle memorial that appears a bit just like the southeast Asian model of the Arc de Triomphe.\u00a0<\/p>\n A big focus of temples could be discovered within the metropolis of Luang Prabang, which was the royal capital of Laos till 1975. The metropolis is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is understood for its French colonial structure and laid-back vibe.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n When it involves nightlife, Cambodia has far more occurring than Laos does. The large cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are fairly quick paced and have a number of bars and eating places to maintain you entertained.\u00a0<\/p>\n Sihanoukville is understood for being a little bit of a celebration city, and is residence to quite a few hostels together with The Big Easy and Monkey Republic. You\u2019ll discover a first rate array of bars and eating places right here, and plenty of of them have Happy Hours. If you need to spend a day trip on the water, there are a selection of social gathering boats and booze cruises geared in direction of vacationers who need to let unfastened.\u00a0<\/p>\n Nightlife in Laos is far more low-key. Yes you\u2019ll nonetheless discover bars in cities like Vientiane and Luang Prabang, however the scene is far more mellow. Luang Prabang really has a curfew of 11.30pm, when bars and companies should shut down. At this level, the one place left to social gathering is the Luang Prabang bowling alley, which I\u2019ve written about right here.\u00a0<\/p>\n When it involves nightlife, Cambodia positively wins this one.\u00a0<\/p>\n Most worldwide flights to Cambodia fly into Phnom Penh, whereas flights to Laos fly into Vientiane. Flights to Vientiane are usually dearer than Phnom Penh, and there are fewer flights per day.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you\u2019re flying to both of those international locations from the U.S. or Europe, you\u2019ll often have a stopover in Singapore, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur.\u00a0<\/p>\n Running a fast seek for flights from London in May, a flight to Vientiane prices roughly $1200 (\u00a31000) round-trip, with as much as two stopovers. A flight from London to Phnom Penh on the identical dates prices roughly $1000 (\u00a3830) round-trip, with one stopover.\u00a0<\/p>\n Flying to Vientiane is dearer, with extra stopovers and an extended flight period. So Cambodia is the best nation to get to.\u00a0<\/p>\n Laos gives an eVisa for residents of many international locations, together with the UK and the U.S. Prices fluctuate from nation to nation, however for United States residents, the payment is $50. All you need to do is fill out the applying on-line, add any essential documentation, and pay the payment. Approval takes as much as 3 working days, and you then simply must print out your approval letter and take it with you. Don\u2019t get ripped off by costly visa firms \u2013 you may merely apply by means of the official visa web site right here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Visas on arrival are additionally obtainable at sure ports of entry, together with Luang Prabang Airport, Pakse Airport and Wattay Airport in Vientiane. You also can get visas on arrival on the border crossings from Thailand, Vietnam and China. Only US {dollars} are accepted as fee and a passport-sized picture is required. The visa means that you can keep in Laos for as much as 30 days.\u00a0<\/p>\n As you may see, each international locations have eVisas and are very straightforward to go to. The Cambodia eVisa is simply barely cheaper for Americans, however each have the identical utility course of and turnaround time.\u00a0<\/p>\n Cambodia additionally gives an eVisa, which you’ll be able to pay for utilizing the official authorities visa web site<\/a>. The course of is fairly comparable \u2013 simply fill out the web kind, pay the fee utilizing your bank card, then obtain the eVisa certificates. The processing time can be 3 enterprise days, but it surely\u2019s barely cheaper, costing $30 + $6 processing cost. Like the Laos visa, the Cambodia visa is legitimate for a keep of as much as 30 days.\u00a0<\/p>\n Tourists from most international locations also can get a visa on arrival at airports and border crossings. If you arrive by air, they\u2019ll often provide the kind to finish on the aircraft. The payment is $30, and should be paid in USD.<\/p>\n I discovered getting round Cambodia to be very easy. Cambodia has a well-trodden vacationer route and there are vacationer buses that go between the primary locations like Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. The buses are low-cost and cozy, though the journey time is clearly longer than in the event you journey by aircraft. Popular firms embody Giant Ibis<\/a> and Mekong Express<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you\u2019re touring between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, the quickest option to journey is by air, with a journey time of only one hour. Angkor Air, Bassaka Air, and Cambodia Bayon Airlines all provide direct flights between these two cities. Expect to pay round $130-$140) one-way. You can examine costs utilizing Google Flights<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you\u2019re touring in a bunch of three individuals or extra, then it’d make extra sense to rent a non-public driver by means of a web site like GetYourGuide<\/a> or Viator<\/a>. The drivers often communicate good English and can even cease off at varied sights alongside the best way.<\/p>\n There are additionally boats that go between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap and Battambang. It\u2019s not probably the most snug option to journey, and the boat is sluggish shifting, but it surely\u2019s an effective way to see native life on Tonle Sap Lake.\u00a0<\/p>\n Once you\u2019re within the large cities, the easiest way to get round is by tuk-tuk.\u00a0<\/p>\n There are two home carriers in Laos \u2013 Lao Airlines (nationwide service) and Lao Skyway (price range). If you need to fly between Vientiane and Luang Prabang, the flight takes round 40 minutes and prices wherever from $21 to $152. This is clearly the quickest and best option to get between the 2 cities.<\/p>\n When it involves utilizing floor transportation inside Laos, journey could be sluggish. Be ready to spend a full day getting from A to B, or you may take the VIP night time bus and get monetary savings on one night time\u2019s lodging. Some routes even have shared minivans that may take you from A to B.\u00a0<\/p>\n For a singular expertise, you can even take a ship alongside the Mekong River, which runs during Laos. However remember, boat journey on the Mekong could be very sluggish, and the boats aren\u2019t often air-conditioned.\u00a0<\/p>\n Within cities, the easiest way to get round is by renting a bicycle or hopping in a tuk tuk. The UNESCO World Heritage metropolis of Luang Prabang could be very walkable, and you’ll see many of the temples and sights on-foot.\u00a0<\/p>\nCambodia vs Laos: General Comparison<\/h2>\n
Cambodia vs Laos: Beaches<\/h2>\n
Cambodia vs Laos: Landscape<\/h2>\n
Cambodia vs Laos: Food<\/h2>\n
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Cambodia vs Laos: Landmarks<\/h2>\n
Cambodia vs Laos: Nightlife<\/h2>\n
Cambodia vs Laos: Getting There<\/h2>\n
Cambodia vs Laos: Visas<\/h2>\n
Laos Visas\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Cambodia Visas<\/h3>\n
Cambodia vs Laos: Transportation<\/h2>\n
Transportation in Cambodia\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Transportation in Laos<\/h3>\n