Everything about holidays in Cambodia: reviews, tips, guide. Cambodia resorts by the sea Where is the best place to go to Cambodia?

Travelers, for the most part, consider Cambodia a country of attractions, not beaches, which adds convenience to those who like to relax by the sea - there are an order of magnitude fewer people on the shore than at popular resorts.

The Khmer country is not as famous for hotels and beach holidays as Turkey, or even its neighbor, which is popular in this regard, but beautiful coastlines are not uncommon here.

The best beaches and resorts in Cambodia

The most popular place can be called the village Sihanoukville- a center of pilgrimage for lovers of sunbathing and swimming in the Gulf of Thailand. This place is famous for almost round-the-clock parties and an abundance of places for fun. Considering the influx of tourists, the seashore may not seem very clean, and the water may be cloudy. This is especially noticeable on beach areas Serendipity, Victoria or Ochitel.

The beaches are worth paying attention to Sokha And Independence, considered practically the standard of cleanliness in Sihanoukville. True, they are available only to clients of hotels of the same name, and. By the way, as for prices in hotels, you should expect an amount of approximately 25-30 dollars per night in a standard room.

A beach holiday in Cambodia for a family with children will be pleasant if you do not stay in the noisy youth of Sihanoukville, but choose accommodation in a quiet town such as Kep. This is a great place for lovers of a measured and slow pastime, and the coast here is always clean and well-groomed. The town is not particularly popular among tourists, although it used to be practically a Mecca for guests from Europe. This can be called an advantage, especially for those who want to sunbathe on clean and beautiful beaches with clear water. Prices in hotels here are lower than in Sihanoukville - for 15–20 dollars per night you can find a very decent room.

Excellent beach holidays can be found on the nearby islands: Koh Rong, Koh Tan or An Tai. The islands not only have beautiful scenery, but also clear azure water with white sand.

If you want complete privacy, then you should go to the outskirts of almost any resort. The territory, of course, will be without landscaping, but you can calmly enjoy the sea and the sun. We can confidently say that the Cambodian shores are one big beach, with something for every taste.

Specifics of a beach holiday in Cambodia

One of the advantages of the coast of this country is the small number of tourists, not counting, of course, Sihanoukville. The main interests of guests are focused on the attractions inside Cambodia, and the shores of the South China Sea are relatively sparsely populated. The advantages include unobtrusive but varied service, safety and friendliness of the local population.

The main thing to remember is to choose a hotel based on your interests. Young groups will find it a little boring at resorts in the area, for example, Kep, but for married couples with children, these places are ideal. The price range in the cost of living is quite large, which is suitable for both wealthy tourists and ordinary backpackers.

It is important to immediately choose a suitable place, since Cambodian transport is not particularly comfortable, and moving from town to town along the winding roads of the Gulf of Thailand coast may not be the best way to spend your time.

The Kingdom of Cambodia is located in the south of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. The state borders Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. For tourists, Cambodia is attractive for its beaches. The quality is not inferior to the beaches in neighboring countries. But you can relax here much cheaper than on the popular beaches of Egypt and. The downside is the undeveloped infrastructure and poor quality of local roads.

The best beaches in Cambodia

It would seem, how could there be a difference between several beaches in one country? Practice shows that yes. The best beach holiday, according to experienced tourists, awaits you on the shores of Sihanoukville. This is the most famous beach resort in the country, which has excellent prospects for further development. In addition, this city is the main seaport of Cambodia.

Sihanoukville has a well-developed infrastructure; there are hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, cafes, and travel agencies at every turn.

The city does not have many historical and architectural attractions, but this is compensated by its favorable location. In half a day from Sihanoukville you can reach Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City. Therefore, in Cambodia, a beach holiday at sea can be successfully combined with excursions.

There are also picturesque islands around the city that are suitable for lovers.

But of course, most of the time is spent on the beaches. The main beaches of Sihanoukville are:

The question of what time of year is best to visit Cambodia deserves special attention. The climate of this country is characterized by two seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season begins in May-June and lasts until October. The rainiest weather lasts from July to September.

The most favorable season for tourists is the dry season. The best time for travelers to go on a beach holiday in Cambodia is November. It is in this month that precipitation stops. The dry season lasts until April.

By going to Cambodia, you can get a relatively comfortable beach holiday for a much lower price than in resorts frequently visited by tourists in other countries.

Cambodia as a tourist country is rapidly gaining momentum. The main tourist destinations are Siem Reap, the Angkor temple complex, the capital Phnom Penh and the beach resort of Sihanoukville. Let's take a brief look at what attracts guests to the country in each of these places.

The small town of Siam Reap boasts that it is visited by the bulk of foreigners. This is explained by the close location of the main attraction of the country, the Angkor temple complex, to Siem Reap. The city has everything to ensure a comfortable stay for fastidious Europeans - restaurants, shops and hotels that are not inferior in level to those in the capital. The city is perfect for relaxing after long excursions to ancient temples.

Siem Reap has a colonial flavor, and even Phnom Penh is inferior to it in this regard. French words are heard everywhere. Enterprising Khmers still bake the baguettes beloved by the French at home to sell them to tourists.

Siem Reap is a cozy transit point on the way to Angkor.

Angkor has recently gained increasing popularity among tourists all over the world. Think you haven't seen him before? Did you watch the animated series “Mowgli” as a child? Do you remember the “Abandoned City” in the jungle? This is Angkor. The modern popularity of the temple complex was brought by the film about Lara Croft with Angelina Jolie in the title role.

Angkor's area is larger than that of Amsterdam. To be more precise – 200 sq. km. Impressive? Imagine how impressed he was with the French explorers who discovered him in the jungle in the 19th century! Today Angkor is the largest religious building in the world, which can only be compared with the Pyramids of Giza.

The number of people coming to see Angkor is constantly increasing and today amounts to about two million people a year. Crowds of European pensioners do not add exoticism to the place, so if you want to feel the spirit of that very ancient Angkor, you will have to hurry.

Sihanoukville is located on the shores of the Gulf of Thailand, it is the only beach resort in Cambodia and is actively developing, threatening to overtake Thailand's Pattaya in popularity in the future. A more convenient location relative to the equator and lower prices attract tourists here who love to explore new vacation spots.

For now, Sihanoukville is a small town with big ambitions, quiet beaches and a calm atmosphere. There are still few tourists here compared to Pattaya and you can relax inexpensively.

Recently - about ten years ago - Sihanoukville won the fame of “the most Russian city” in all of Southeast Asia. There are not so many Russians here - about fifty people - but they have a noticeable influence on the life of the resort. They own all the main discos, as well as some diving centers and restaurants. The most eloquent symbol of the presence of Russians in Sihanoukville is... a wooden toilet on one of the beaches with a simple inscription: “Free entry for Russians, 500 riel for others.”

Sihanoukville has four main beaches located near the city center.

The service of renting a jet ski will cost you twenty dollars per half hour, a regular motorcycle – five per day. An international passport serves as collateral. Bargain - initially they offer a price that is several times higher.

As for diving, it clearly loses here in comparison with Egyptian, but wins in comparison with Pattaya. The water here is muddy and there are few living creatures. More or less decent diving on the islands, which will take 4-5 hours to get to. The price for those who have a certificate is from 50 dollars for two dives, for those who do not – from 65. Courses for beginners, designed for three days, will cost you 200 dollars.

Phnom Penh in the times following the collapse of the Soviet Union had approximately the same fame as the capital of the Russian criminal world - St. Petersburg. About the same thing happened here. After the overthrow of the Pol Pot regime, Phnom Penh became the scene of gang warfare, tavern fun and everything in the same spirit. Now the locals want to forget all this and leave it in the past and imagine the city as a center of nightlife with bars, clubs and all kinds of pleasures.

Phnom Penh can be visited for two reasons - exotic, which has been preserved in itself, without changing for the purpose of tourist attraction, unlike popular Thailand, and low prices in the markets. Some of the lowest in the countries of Southeast Asia.

Phnom Penh's markets are also among the largest in the country and region.

A flight from Phnom Penh will be more economical and convenient than from Siem Reap, which is primarily aimed at tourists.

If you love real exotics, then only Cambodia can help you! It is in this amazing country that you can find a completely unforgettable vacation and see such beauties that you had never even suspected before. And although this country is very close to Thailand, you will immediately see that it is still not similar to it and is distinguished by its own flavor and spirit, which simply has no equal!

Cambodia for youth

You should go to Cambodia, first of all, to visit its unique monuments and admire its absolutely unique nature to your heart’s content, and this is exactly what young people can do. If your company loves excursions and various tourist outings, you have chosen the right tourist destination! It is in Cambodia that you can travel day after day, enjoying, for example, such architectural monuments as Angkor Thom - an amazing place that combines many ancient temples, unique bas-reliefs and even traces in the walls that indicate what used to be these places contained gold and precious stones. If you're lucky, you might find your treasure here!

If you prefer swimming, then your choice is Sihanoukville! There are excellent beaches for everyone, and close to many young people will find excellent restaurants, shops, bars and souvenir shops, so in between swims it will be possible to organize a small “cultural program”. In the evening, of course, many of these bars offer excellent discos to their visitors. And once you move closer to the center of Sihanoukville, there will simply be no end to the bars and restaurants! Here you can taste unique national seafood dishes, try the cuisine of Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Great Britain, Italy, and dance to your heart's content - most bars and discos are open 24 hours a day!

You can also relax on the island of Koh Dek Kul, but it is still worth considering that this place is not cheap. Here is the most respectable hotel in Cambodia, where not everyone can afford to relax. And, by the way, Ko-Dek-Kul is located in a tropical climate zone, so it is better to relax there in winter: from May to September there is a rainy season. Well, you can find the best beaches on the island of Koh Rong, which will be a paradise both for those who love to splash in the sea, and for those who are just learning to swim and are still afraid to go out into the “big water”.

Well, if you suddenly want adventure, then it’s best to immediately go to Koh Kong Island for it. Only here you can search underwater for lost cities and ancient shipwrecks, and also go on daily expeditions into the jungle, where mysterious ruins and amazing nature await you, the likes of which you have never seen anywhere else!

Health resorts

In addition to traditional spa treatments and thalassotherapy, which are developed, perhaps, in all resorts in the world, in Cambodia you can get a truly unique “course of treatment”. However, it can rather be called a survival course, because for those who wish, there is a special program for nurturing your spirit and maintaining your body in excellent physical shape, which will help you survive in the harsh conditions of the jungle. After such a rest, you will certainly return home fit and cheerful, and any illnesses will simply recede!

Resorts for romantics

Perhaps the best place for lovers in Cambodia will be the island of Koh Dek Kul. Of course, you will find an excellent holiday in the famous Sihanoukville and in other cities of the country, but it is here that you will be provided with truly ideal conditions for an unforgettable honeymoon. The island is filled with ancient legends, which are especially interesting for young couples, and the beautiful nature is created only so that it can be admired endlessly. But that’s not all!

It is on Ko Dek Kul that the finest private island resort has been created, which includes an exclusive five-star hotel - an ideal place for a couple who loves the most comfortable holiday! Here you can definitely relax, unwind and feel even happier! By the way, the hotel has only 12 beds, so you can be sure: no one will interfere with your enjoyment of life, and you will forget about the troubles and worries of the “mainland”!

Well, if Ko Dek Kul gets boring, which, of course, is hardly possible, you can always go on some romantic excursion and diversify your vacation by visiting truly sacred places in Cambodia.

Eco-resorts

If you like secluded holidays and eco-tourism, then Cambodia is the best place for it! You can find deserted places where you can relax right in the open air, and not be afraid that someone will disturb you, even in noisy Sihanoukville! Simply head away from the popular beaches or head to nearby islands for your own personal piece of paradise!

Similarly, you can relax on the island of Koh Kong, where you can, if you wish, sit right in the middle of the jungle next to some lost city, making only forays into the Cardamom Mountains for a change. And, of course, solitude can also be found on the island of Ko-Dek-Kul, where quite recently there were no people, and the slopes of the rocks were covered with thickets of ferns. Today you can stay here in complete comfort and choose either a hotel or any secluded corner to set up a tent.

And, of course, the real lost paradise of Cambodia is the island of Koh Rong. Its nature can be considered truly untouched, and it is here that you can endlessly admire stunning forest and mountainous landscapes, as well as observe the life of unique animals and birds.

Dive Resorts

If there are places on earth specially created for divers, then Cambodia is certainly one of them! At almost every resort you will find excellent diving conditions and will be able to get all the necessary lessons. For example, Sihanoukville is well developed in this regard, where you will find a lot of water sports centers and dive centers. The beaches here are truly conducive to diving, and this is where you can see absolutely stunning water worlds!

Divers will also be at ease on the island of Koh Kong, which until recently was completely uninhabited, but today its tourism infrastructure is actively developing. Diving here will not only be unforgettable! It will be truly exciting, because you will not only be able to admire various marine life, but also explore ancient sunken ships, of which there are a lot in Cambodia!

Well, if you want to swim around coral reefs, welcome to Koh Rong island! Here are the most popular diving spots, and they are equally good for professionals and beginners. And if the former can swim to their heart’s content in the most picturesque places, the latter will learn to dive on safe sandbanks, which also hold a lot of interesting things for divers. And by the way, only on Koh Rong you have a unique chance to swim with playful dolphins!

Whatever you hope to get in Cambodia, remember: your expectations will always be fully met! The amazing resorts of this country, the extraordinary atmosphere, the friendliness of the locals and absolutely stunning landscapes can give you a vacation that you could not even dream of! And after visiting Cambodia, don’t be surprised: your dreams will become more colorful and vibrant, and the memories of your trip will never fade!

Today, even for experienced travelers, Cambodia's resorts remain unknown. This destination is not as popular as, for example, neighboring resorts. But if you love exoticism and adventure, then Cambodia can truly surprise you and give you a lot of unforgettable impressions.

Siem Reap

First of all, people come to this beautiful country to see unique monuments and enjoy the pristine beauty of its nature. After all, it is young people who are able to make long treks through the jungle to visit abandoned temples.

If you are interested in the best resorts in Cambodia, perhaps you should start by visiting the city of Siem Reap. Here you can spend whole days on exciting trips, enjoying the monuments of Angkor Wat. This unique location houses numerous ancient temples with ancient Buddha statues and interesting bas-reliefs.

Angkor Wat is the cultural center of the country, located a few kilometers from the city of Siem Reap. Actually, all travelers stop in the city, where the tourist infrastructure is well developed. There are a lot of hotels of different categories, as well as numerous cafes and restaurants.

Usually tourists, after spending the whole day in Angkor Wat, return to Siem Reap for the night. But the day does not end there for many, because the city has nightclubs and discos. You can also visit the Night Market - a local night market where you can buy everything from expensive gold jewelry to elegant silk scarves or simple bamboo crafts.

For young people

Travel agencies offer various tours for fans of trekking through rugged jungles. This could be a one-day walk or a multi-day motorcycle trip. The choice is always up to the client.

Beautiful waterfalls, mountain lakes and impenetrable vines - this and much more awaits curious tourists on the proposed hikes. Naturally, such entertainment is suitable for trained and physically developed people.

Tourists leave interesting reviews after visiting the Phnom Kulen waterfall, which goes into the jungle. You can swim in its warm waters. Travelers say that this is a really good place where you can spend a great day!

Some travelers want to get acquainted with the originality of the Khmer village, to see with their own eyes how the descendants of the ancient culture live today. There are specially designed tours for them to the Cambodian outback, where there are no paved roads and there is no electricity in the houses of the local population. Many travelers are recommended to visit the villages in the provinces of Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri (of course, accompanied by an experienced guide).

Sihanoukville

If you are looking for Cambodian resorts by the sea, then you should pay attention to Sihanoukville. When visiting this small town for the first time, many return here more than once. Here you can find ancient Buddhist temples, modern spas, nightclubs and discos.

But the most attractive thing about Sihanoukville is its endless sandy beaches. Popular beaches among locals and tourists include Ochheuteal, Serendipity, Independence, Hawaii, Victory Hill and Otres. When tourists arrive, they choose a place to relax according to their tastes and preferences.

Usually young people stop at Ochheutela or Serendipity, because it is here that life does not stop for a minute. During the day you can sunbathe and dine in a restaurant right on the seashore. And in the evenings, these same restaurants turn into nightclubs and are open until dawn.

Hawaii and Victory Hill are quieter areas. There are fewer large hotels and restaurants here. Many tourists rent apartments here for a month, enjoying their vacation on the snow-white seashore.

Otres is chosen by those who come to Cambodian resorts to find solitude. This beach is significantly removed from the city center and the benefits of civilization. But unforgettable sunrises, clear sea, white sand and silence - this is something that can only be enjoyed here.

Based on numerous reviews from tourists, we can conclude that this city is excellent for long-term living and starting a business. For example, many expats say that this place is perfect for doing business; for many, Cambodia has already become a second home.

For romantics

For those looking for romantic beach resorts in Cambodia, a holiday on Koh Deck Kul Island is ideal. Of course, the famous Sihanoukville, like other cities in the country, is great for a vacation. But it is on Ko-Dek-Kul that many travelers prefer to spend their honeymoon.

Among connoisseurs, the island of Koh Dek Kul has long been in first place on the list of “Best seaside resorts in Cambodia”. This island has been privately owned for several years, and an exclusive five-star hotel has been built on it.

The hotel is small, it has 12 rooms, each of which is a separate villa with a private pool. Here you are guaranteed to enjoy privacy and freedom. Young couples come here to relax and enjoy time spent with each other.

Eco holiday

As mentioned above, Cambodian resorts can hardly be called popular tourist destinations. There are few travelers here, so nature has preserved its original appearance. There are many places in the country where no tourist has ever set foot. Many travelers choose Cambodia for a secluded holiday and eco-tourism.

Deserted places where you can spend the night right in the open air can be found near Siem Reap or Sihanoukville. To do this, you just need to move away from popular resorts. But despite the proximity to big cities, one should not forget about caution - snakes and other dangerous animals roam free.

Islands

The real Cambodias are located on local islands. For example, Koh Rong Island is a good place to relax, where you can pitch a tent right in the middle of the jungle. To better familiarize yourself with the surrounding area, you can take a walk to the Cardamom Mountains. Those who are accustomed to a comfortable stay can book a room in a local hotel in advance.

An ecologically clean paradise can be found on the nearby islands of Koh Kong, Koh Rong Samloem and Koh Ta Kyiv. The nature there is practically untouched. Here you can admire the amazing mountainous and forest landscapes, as well as watch with interest the life of animals and birds.

Tourists after visiting Koh Rong island share their impressions and say that there is very clear water and the most beautiful beaches, and one day is clearly not enough to explore the area.

For divers

If there are places on earth created specifically for divers, then some resorts in Cambodia are definitely on this list. Almost every tourist city has good diving conditions.

Good diving schools can be found in Sihanoukville. Experienced and novice divers feel more comfortable on Koh Kong Island. It is here that you can swim among various sea animals and explore sunken ships, of which there are a lot on this island.

Those who want to swim among the coral reefs go to Koh Rong Island. Popular diving spots are located here, and they are good for both beginners and professionals.

According to numerous reviews from tourists, the amazing resorts of Cambodia remain in the memory forever. Here the traveler will find the friendliness of the local population, an extraordinary atmosphere and stunning scenery.