Best Things to do in Siem Reap: What I Enjoyed the Most, Beyond Angkor Wat

Most travelers visit Siem Reap for the temples of Angkor Wat, but there’s so much more to discover beyond the famous temples. I spent just over a month living in Siem Reap, teaching English, exploring the city, and getting to know the local community.

Cambodia’s history is deeply important to understand when visiting. The country continues to heal socially and politically from the devastating impact of the Khmer Rouge, a genocide that took place in the 1970s. Despite these hardships, the Khmer people showcase resilience and generosity that is incredibly inspiring.

As a tourist, there are many ways you can use your spending power to positively impact the community. From social enterprises and local markets to cultural experiences and locally led tours, there are so many meaningful ways to use your travel budget to make a positive impact. With that in mind, here are some of the best things to do in Siem Reap, based on my personal experiences.

APOPO Visitor Center

APOPO Visitor Center, also known as HeroRATS, is an organization that supports landmine extraction from Cambodia and other regions of the world affected by unexploded remnants of war. Cambodia is among 60 landmine affected countries in the world. The unexpected detonation of these landmines cause tragic accidents that leave people dead, missing limbs, and change lives forever. APOPO is saving lives by using specially trained African Giant Pouch Rats, to detect land mines to be safely detonated throughout Cambodia. The HeroRATS are so well regarded that once they are retired, they live out their pension in their private air conditioned rooms at the APOPO Visitor Center. Meeting them is a must while you are in Siem Reap!

The APOPO Visitor Center tour was one of my favorite activities in Cambodia. I took a one hour guided tour, learned about the history of landmines in Cambodia, how these cute and brilliant HeroRATS are trained, saw them in action, and I got to hold one! The tour was unique, informative, fun for all ages, and led by an experienced local English speaking guide.

Meet Michael Jordan, the life saving HeroRAT!

The APOPO Visitor Center is about a 10 minute tuk-tuk ride from the center of Siem Reap. Since it is located between the city center and Angkor Wat, I recommend stopping by after exploring the temples. The center is open every day from 8:30am to 5:00pm, except on certain holidays. The last tour of the day is at 4:30pm. Tours are $10 per person and free for children under 10 years old. I recommend booking online beforehand, as tour groups are small and size and can book out in advance.

Phare, The Cambodia Circus

This isn’t your typical circus. The Phare, Cambodian Circus is a theater, dinning, and shopping experience, and was unexpectedly one of my favorite things that I experienced in Siem Reap. In this engaging and exciting show, performers portray modern cultural stories through dance, theater acting, music, and acrobatics. There are no animals involved in the show. I recommend arriving early to enjoy dinner at food stalls and grab some popcorn before the show begins. Be sure to check out Phare Shop before or after the show, where you will find handmade art, jewelry, clothes, and other souvenirs created by Phare Circus students and other local Cambodian artisans. All of the sales from the boutique go straight back to the artists.

Additionally, all revenue generated from Phare Circus funds Phare Ponleu Selpak a non-profit arts and circus school in Battambang, Cambodia that empowers youth and community through art, education, and social support programs. The performers from Phare Circus are graduates of Phare Ponleu Selpak.

Tickets range in price from $18-38, with discounted pricing for children. If you are on a budget, I recommend sitting in Section C, the $18 option, with open seating on the side sections. The theater is very small and intimate, and every seat in the house has a great view, so I wouldn’t worry too much about paying more for Sections A and B unless you really want to be center stage. Section B seats are $28 with open seating in the rear half of the middle section. Section A seats are $38 with reserved seating of the front half of the middle section. I sat in Section C and I had a great view. You can purchase tickets to the circus here.

Made in Cambodia Market

The Made in Cambodia Market is an artisanal market that sells locally handmade crafts and souvenirs such as clothes, jewelry, handbags, art, and dish ware. Everything purchased supports Cambodian artisans, and gives you an opportunity to bring something special and unique home from your travels to Cambodia. This market is much more laid back to the hustle and bustle of the Siem Reap Night Market, and shoppers can leisurely stroll through this covered artisanal market with relaxation and ease. The mission of the Made in Cambodia Market is to create jobs for Khmer people and give them a space and community to sell their handmade goods. When you purchase something from the market, you are using your spending power to support the Khmer people who need it most.

The Made in Cambodia Market is located in central Siem Reap and is open every day from 12pm to 9:00pm, except on certain holidays

Kompong Phluk Floating Village

The Kompong Phluk Floating Village is exactly what it sounds like, a community built on top of a lake. It is probably one of the most unique places I have ever been to. Located on the edge of Tonlé Sap Lake, this unique community is built entirely on stilts and adapts to the rise and fall of the water levels throughout the year. There are not only homes but also markets, police stations, hospitals, churches, and schools, all floating on the lake. Taking a tour through the village offers a fascinating glimpse into daily life on the lake.

The villages are a common tourist destination and very easy to get to from Siem Reap. If you want to explore independently, it is easy to order a taxi through your accommodation or the Grab app, and purchase a ticket for a boat tour when you get there. I recommend booking a tour with a local guide that provides transportation to and from your accommodation and guides you throughout the floating villages. I did my tour through The Drop Inn Hostel for $25, but you can find private and group tour options on tour sites like 12go and Trip Advisor, and most hostels will offer tours as well.

My tour through The Drop Inn Hostel started off with transportation from the hostel to Kompong Phluk. Once we arrived our guide purchased our tickets and we hopped aboard our boat which our group had to ourselves. The captain even let me drive the boat! After exploring the village, we were given the option to take another, much smaller boat, through the mangrove forest for an additional $5 per person. I personally do not recommend this, as your boat will be pulled up alongside other boats selling drinks, food, and other souvenirs for very high prices. If you say no thank you, they can become quite pushy, so I would encourage you to give them a couple dollars and say that’s all you have. Next we hopped back on our large boat and explored more of the village before heading back to our accommodation.

I recommend visiting the Kompong Phluk Floating Village if you want an eye opening experience that highlights both the resourcefulness of the local community and seeing the beauty of Cambodia’s largest freshwater lake.

Teach English with NDCCO

If you are looking to give back to the local community during your travels, teaching English is an amazing cross cultural exchange experience. Tourism is one of the largest industries in Cambodia, and English has widely become the language of the tourism industry. As a result, there is a high demand for English teachers in the region. I volunteered as an English teacher with New Dream of Cambodian Children Organization. During my one month of volunteering, I stayed in the on site accommodation at The Drop Inn Hostel, volunteered a few hours a day, and spent the remainder of my time exploring Siem Reap and connecting with the village community. If you’re looking to travel with purpose, I highly recommend volunteering with their school or elsewhere for a unique, impactful, and unforgettable experience. Check out my guide to teaching English with NDCCO to learn more!

Siem Reap Snow World

Looking to escape the Siem Reap heat? I’ve got just the thing. I unexpectedly stumbled upon Snow World when some of my English students begged us volunteers to take them, so we did! It is basically a freezing cold warehouse with man made snow, an ice luge, sleds and even ice sculptures. The entrance fee is $12 at the door and includes a parka and snowshoe rental to keep you warm. It is located about a 15 minutes tuk tuk ride from the city center. While this might not be the top thing to do in Siem Reap, it is an activity you might enjoy if you need a break from the scorching heat! I certainly enjoyed myself.

FAQs

How do you get around Siem Reap?

The most common way to get around Siem Reap is by tuk tuk. You can order them through the Grab app or hail one down from the street. Just make sure you agree on a price before getting in to avoid any misunderstandings. You can also rent a motorbike and a bicycle through your accommodation or a local shop if you want to be more independent.

What are the best things to do in Siem Reap at night?

Most people will tell you to go to pub street, but I don’t recommend it. Siem Reap has a great cocktail bars scene. My favorite is the Adana Old Wooden House. Check out my guide to the best cocktail bars in Siem Reap here.

What are the best restaurants in Siem Reap?

My personal favorite is Tevy’s Place! It is woman owned and staffed, and serves up delicious Khmer and Western food. You can learn more about my favorite restaurants in Siem Reap here.