Whether you’re there to catch the sunrise at your favorite temple ruins (can you say the perfect proposal story?) or get extra happy with the fellow travellers on Pub Street, here are more than a dozen easy ways to make the most out of your trip.
1. Sunblock. You'll do a lot of walking, so make sure you keep your skin protected!
2. When it’s not super sunny, it’s pouring—literally. Make sure to bring a foldable umbrella with you.
3. Get ready to test your bargaining skills. You’ll have to haggle for everything, even your ride.
4. The easiest way to get around is by tuktuk. One can comfortably fit around four people as long as two of you don’t mind sitting backwards.
5. The streets are dusty! Face wipes, sunglasses, a bandana, and maybe even a face mask are your best friends when commuting in this locale.
6. Wear light and comfortable clothing. The sun and the humidity will not be forgiving.
7. That said, still be #OOTD-ready. The temple ruins like Ta Prohm and Bayon are the perfect backdrop to your sunset selfie, so get ready for all the insta-hearts you'll be getting.
8. Don’t be afraid to try the street food as long as it’s cooked in front of you. And stick to bottled drinking water just to be safe.
9. Try the local cuisine. Go for "extra happy pizza" from Ecstatic Pizza conveniently located at near Pub Street. Try the Khmer barbecue from the straightforwardly named Khmer BBQ restaurant if you're conservative (chicken, beef, pork) or daring (frog, snake, crocodile).
10. Grab a drink with fellow tourists. Backpackers are everywhere, and booze is strong and relatively cheap. Check out the Angkor What?! pub.
11. Ready your mobile data because Tinder is going to be fun in Cambodia. There'll be a good mix of locals and tourists. Plus, isn't it the best way to get tried and tested recos?
12. Snap party! Need we say more? Make sure your internet plan can keep up.
13. If you’re not planning to hire a tour guide (with whom you will also have to bargain with), hit up the local museum for a crash course. The National Museum in Phnom Penh will give your tours of the temples some context with a little Khmer history. Or...
14. Viber your way through your trip. Your friends are better than any travel guide. Trust us on this one—they'll even know which corner to take your OOTD from or how to make a local fastfood chain look like the perfect brunch spot.
15. Beware of river tour scams. Before signing up for a local tour, check its authenticity online. You have been warned.
16. Cuisine Wat Damnak is a foodie’s heaven. Splurge on their Khmer-French fusion degustation menus. It’s even listed as one of Asia’s top 50 restaurants.
17. Markets are the funnest place to buy your pasalubong. The best part is you’ll never run out of one to shop at—the night market, the art market, etc. But don't forget to manage your time and your finances wisely.
18. Cool your heels at The Blue Pumpkin. It’s a quaint cafe with gelato, coffee, and a wall lined with cushions like an extended sofa.
19. Find the most happening hotspots and never lose your way—not to mention, post those cute selfies on time—with a reliable data plan that won’t shock your budget. There’s no need to bargain for a local sim with Smart Surf Postpaid Abroad 550. At just P550 a day, you can see more, experience more, and #travelmore.
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