Cambodia is slowly gaining popularity as a wonderful tourist destination thanks to its hospitable locals, colonial touch, sacred temples, unique wildlife reserve, and sandy beaches. Historians would be intrigued by the long reign of different empires such as Khmer and the tyrannic colonial rule of the French. Apart from its rich historical roots, Cambodia also lures in tourism purely based on the beautiful landscapes set up around its gorgeous beaches and magnificent shrines. Visitors can opt to either explore underwater aquatic life or pay a visit to an age-old temple. Let us walk through this travel guide to know more about tourism prospects in Cambodia.

By Air:

Major international airports such as Siem Reap International Airport and Phnom Penh International Airport provide excellent connectivity to Cambodia. Some of the prime air carriers that operate along this route include Cambodia Angkor Airways, Bangkok Airways, and Thai Airways. Tourists coming in from international or domestic quarters will find this mode of transport the quickest way to reach the country.

By Road:

Neigboring countries such as Vietnam and Bangkok allow tourists to rent a cab or a taxi and make their way into Cambodia's beautiful landscapes. Buses regularly travel in and out of places such as Phnom Penh and Siem Reap to international quarters such as Bangkok and Saigaon. The best route that tourists can use to get into Cambodia is the border crossing between Vietnam and Cambodia.

By Water:

Prime sea ports like Phnom Penh International Port and Sihanouk International Seaport lie along the coast of Cambodia. Passengers flying in from international quarters often use these ports to get into the country from ports such as the Chau Doc in Vietnam. The boats operating along this route conveniently drop passengers to the major seaports in Cambodia.

Cambodia experiences two prime seasons, the dry and the wet season. The relaxing weather witnessed around the country is a culmination of warm temperatures alternating between 24°C and 35°C. Let us see how the different seasons attract tourists.

Dry Season (October to Early May):

The advent of the north-east monsoons kickstart the Dry season in Cambodia. The warm and dry climate attracts several tourists to the country, with temperatures fluctuating between 25°C and 30°C. This is the best time of the year to catch a glimpse of the Angkor temples or spend time at the beautiful beaches at Kep and Sihanoukville.

Wet season (Early May to September):

The advent of the south-west monsoon kickstarts the Wet season in Cambodia. The climate usually alternates between 25°C and 27°C for most parts of the season. The lush greenery spread across town creates a perfect atmosphere to explore the Angkor Wat temple and the floating villages encompassing Tonle Sap Lake.

Magnificent ancient temples:

A trip to Cambodia would be incomplete without exploring the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor. Reminiscent of the Khmer regime that controlled the region at one point, temples in this city complex boast of impressive architecture and intriguing bas-relief carvings. Glorious structures such as the Angkor Wat, the Bayon, and the Ta Promh temple attract visitors with the unique forest foliage that also thrives within their vicinities.

Exciting sanctuaries:

Cambodia is blessed with unique wildlife reserves such as the Elephant Sanctuary of the Mondulkiri Project and the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre. Magnificent creatures like elephants, tigers, clouded leopards, bears, otters, and gibbons. It is a cherishable experience to spend time bathing and playing with the gentle elephants of the Mondulkiri Project.

Thrilling watersports:

The stunning coastal waters of Cambodia provide tourists with snorkeling and scuba diving options to explore. Beaches such as Sokha and Serendipity offer adventurers with rocky sea waters fit for snorkeling ventures. On the other hand, secluded islands such as Koh Rang, Koh Tang, and Bamboo Island also attract a number of tourists with the sheer beauty of the landscapes that surround them.

Incredible boat rides:

It is a serene experience to steer through the tranquil waters of the Mekong River in one of those conventional Cambodian houseboats. Spot the unique Irrawady dolphins in action while you cruise through the river waters. In addition, tourists can also explore the wonderful local culture by taking a ride through the backwaters of the Tonle Sap Lake.

Cambodian restaurants uniquely provide a fresh condiments and herbs with every meal. Most of the meals comprise rice, soup, and some additional chillies around the plate for tasting purpose. Some of the fine dishes that tourists should feast on when in Cambodia include Fish Amok, Lap Khmer, Kampot Pepper Crabs, Nom Banh Chok, and Bai Sach Chrouk. The Bai Sach Chrouk is found all over the streets of Cambodia and consists of a wonderful blend of grilled beef that is marinated with garlic and coconut milk. Owing to its coastal proximity, the country exhibits variety when it comes to seafood too.

Thanks to the rich cultural heritage of the locals, Cambodia provides tourists with intriguing handicrafts and artifacts to take home as souvenirs. Some of the major shopping hubs in Cambodia include Artisans Angkor, Angkor Night Market, Theam's House, Trunkh, Russian Market, and Psar Thmei. If Psar Thmei woos visitors with its impressive collection of jewellery, fashion accessories, and antiques, then Artisans Angkor lures in tourists with its creatively carved wooden artefacts and stone statues. Night markets such as the one at Siem Reap also offer tourists with relaxing fish massage experiences.