Discover the Hidden Charms of Siem Reap: Cambodia’s Coolest City

It's been 14 months since I was last in Siem Reap - I am happy I finally came back - it's by far the best place to visit and live in Cambodia.

Oct 31, 2024

Photo by Rob Hourmont

I loved Siem Reap back then – well, at least the first 4 months out of 8 – I finally left due to a “slightly” volatile woman “bugging me.”

That’s another story - not for my health and travel blog. I just wanted to explain why I left in the first place when I liked Siem Reap so much. Now you know.

Since leaving in July 2023, I spent several months in Kampot and Phnom Penh.

Kampot Life

I liked Kampot because there’s tons of nature surrounding it. You can find hundreds of kilometers of mountain ranges that stretch from Kep behind Kampot and back to the south in Sihanoukville.

There is an abundance of rivers, creeks, waterfalls, hiking, and trekking trails, plus the lush Kampot Riverside to walk along.

Kampot is a great option for nature lovers.

The slight problem is it’s small. You see the same people daily. They are known for gossiping, making you feel exposed, talked about, and lacking privacy.

Topping that off – it’s the drinking capital of Cambodia for the old expats, which is definitely NOT for me.

Phnom Penh Life

Phnom Penh is a vibrant and exciting city. That’s the first impression you get.

Yet after spending several months, you soon get hit with a reality check and see how dangerous it is for petty crime. The Riverside area is notoriously dangerous, but so are many other quieter areas.

If you walk around with your phone in your hand, there’s a 50% chance you can say bye-bye to it.

Despite knowing this and being extra careful, I had 3 phones stolen in 18 months and an attempted break-in to my apartment. That was the final straw, so I called it a day and returned to the quiet and peaceful Siem Reap.

Siem Reap Life

While Siem Reap also suffers from the “old expat” drinking problem – you can easily avoid these types. You can live in peace if you steer clear of Sok San Road. The heavy drinkers mostly hang out in the hundreds of expat-owned bars on that street - so I avoid like the plague.

“Pup Street,” while super popular with locals and expats alike because of its wild and late-night party scene, is crazy busy and, at times, out of control. music blasting from every bar, of which there are likely more than 500.

Logically, I avoid that area too. I stay away from nightlife altogether these days, as it’s too busy, loud, and dangerous.

Instead, I focus on healthy and productive days in nature by walking, biking, swimming, and working on my writing and video projects, preferably by a pool.

Siem Reap has some fabulous restaurants and excellent street food. I don’t normally risk eating street food, but here, it’s pretty safe – so far.

I always go for the same things – grilled meats: chicken, pork, sausages, and beef. A good portion will only set you back by $2 - $3.

Siem Reap’s architecture is French Colonial style. It’s wonderfully restored, maintained, and a pleasure to see – just like the Riverside.

The town center called the Old Market and the Riverside areas are beautiful places to walk around, sit, take in the scene, people watch, and have a drink or a meal.

I’m happy I decided to come back to Siem Reap. I plan to spend the next few weeks or months here before embarking on an adventure to another country.

Please take a moment to view my YouTube video where I bike and walk around Siem Reap giving you a mini tour:

I hope you enjoy my video. It’s a bit shaky at times. I didn’t have my Gimbal with me.

The thought popped into my head to make this video intuitively as I rode my bike through the city.

That’s what exercising in nature does to your mind – it stimulates the creative side of your brain.

In Conclusion

If you come to Cambodia, you should try to visit all the places I mentioned, including the Koh Rong islands and the Mondulkiri Mountains, where the best coffee is grown. One of the best in the world, in my opinion.

If you want to retire or work here, Siem Reap is the best place to be for health, peace of mind, and safety.

Rob

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