Phnom Penh is NOT a gangerous place as it used to be. Cambodia now has developed itself into a better stage where tourists can feel safe almost any where they are. Of course armed roberries do sometimes occur but very rare with foreigners.
As long as you know a little tip to stay away from their sight, you will be totally safe. During day time, almost anywhere is safe but you should beware during night time. At night, very simple, do not get yourself in isolated or dark place. Try to go to place crowded place and do not take valuable things along with you. If you happen to take them with you, keep it out of other people sight.
Another concer over safety at night time is accident. High speed car or motobike can be deadly but it also rarely happens. However always stay alert when crossing street and on road.
Go-cart in Cambodia is not popular but you still can find place offer this kind of service. It is Kambol F1 Go-cart located about 12 kilometer beyond the airport and 2 kilometer off road to Sihanoukville.
The price of Go-Cart is about 7USD per 10 minutes. If you are a fans of this activities, get yourself ready from now.
Bag snatching is quite popular in different countries but we don’t often see them in Cambodia. Previously bag snatching is a problem and the are usually targeted. Crowded place including riverfront and busy place are not serious place but speed motorbike thieves can mug any time any place.
The best way to stay safe is to keep expensive things out of sight such as phone, camera and other jewelry.
With two days, it is easy to get to grips with Cambodia’s capital. Start the day as in the one-day itinerary with a visit to the culture splendor that the National Museum and Royal Palace. In the afternoon, visit the harrowing Toul Sleng Museum before continuing on to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, where prisoners from Security Prison 21 were taken for execution. It is a grim afternoon but essential for understanding just how far Cambodia has come in the intervening years. Wind up with a sunset cruise on the Mekong River with a beautiful view over the Royal Palace.
N the second day, it is time to get serious about shopping. Browse through Art Deco Psar Thmei and then Pdar Toul Tom Pong, a maze of stalls selling everything from textiles and handicrafts to DVDs and cut-price clothing. Keep some cash for the excellent shop s that support good causes, all of which stock a solid selection of silk.
In the afternoon, take a look at the Independent Monument, modeled on Angkor Wat’s central tower, and wander up the Riverfront to Wat Phnom, where the Khmer prefer to pray for luck. From here it is a short stroll to catch the happy-hour cocktails at the Elephant Bar at Hotel Le Royal, the perfect warm-up for a final fling in Phnom Penh.
Visit Phnom Penh doesn’t require many days. You can the most popular places in Phnom Penh in just one day. Of course if you have much time, it should be great. However, if you have only one day you can follow our quick guide below.
I assume that we start in early morning. If you start your trip before 6:30 am, you will see local people and some foreigners enjoy their favorite exercise including Tai Chi, dancing and aerobics along river front. it should be great if you spend your time walking along the riverfront for both fresh air and watching people going around. Feel free to have a quick breakfast with restaurants there to kill time to visit Royal Palace at around 8:00. Once you reach Royal Palace, you can visit the Silver Pagoda and other highlights inside the Palace.
Right next to Royal Palace, there is National Museum. It is one of the most visit landmarks in Phnom Penh where the collection of Khmer sculptures located. Ask for information about interesting sculptures to learn the stories behind the history.
Now it should be launch time. Travel a few kilometers more to reach Psar Thmei where you can enjoy local food. Spend some time there to see if you want to buy any local products. The next destination after Psar Thmei, you can visit Psar Toul Tom Pong where there are many handcraft products there. It is a good place to buy souvenirs. Do not spend too much time there since you will have to visit another great place which is Toul Sleng Museum at around 3:30 or 4:00 pm. In short about Toul Sleng Museum, it is a killing place where it used to be a school but turned to be prison during Khmer Rouge Regime.
Now it should be dinner time, spare it with Khmer restaurant. Go back to your hotel for a short rest since you are going to enjoy nightlife in Phnom Penh. The best place for foreigner is at riverfront. There are many pubs. It is now safe to travel at night but you should go in group. Be friendly with local people so you will receive smile from them too.
Siem Reap is the top tourism destination in Cambodia thanks to the great temples especially Angkor Wat. If you want to enjoy your travelling on your own, you should get a map. This map is originally on Lonely Planet but I suggest you to purchase on from local store to get an up-to-date.
Credit: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/asia/cambodia/siem-reap/
Looking for a map of Phnom Penh? This should be a good help for you but I suggest you to purchase one in the market for and uptodate map. However you can use this map.
Credit: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/asia/cambodia/phnom-penh/
Koh Rong is a very famous island to visit and if you taking at the side of the island, you will notice two island side by side. The two islands are called “Koh Song Sa” meaning in English as Sweetheart Island”. One is called “Bong” and other called “Oun”.
It is a private island but will be opened for public by late 2011. It is a good place to relax with marine life around your body. On two islands you can enjoy beach villa, rainforest and more. The building there is made with sustainable materials to make thing more natural.
Visiting these islands, you can enjoy two mains parts, one is the adventure in the rainforest and other one is beach. You should not have problem with overcrowded since it is a new place for visitors and not many people know it.
Be the first to stay there!
The costal of Sihanoukville has almost a dozen undeveloped tropical islands to explore. Presently the island are still quiet, lush and green with beautiful beaches. All of the islands have been sold and are slated for development of luxury resorts.
Koh Russei (Bamboo Island)
A 45-minute boat ride from Sihanoukville with one bungalow development, quiet beaches and nice snorkeling. Boats run daily from Ochheuteal beach and Ream National Park. Any travel agency can arrange transportation to Bamboo Island.
Koh Rong Samloem
A two hour boat ride from Sihanoukville, the island is quiet, pristine and has beautiful beaches and fantastic snorkeling. Perfect for day trip for diving.
Koh Rong
Two hours from Sihanoukville, this is a large island with long beaches, waterfalls and a dense jungle. A huge ecotourism project has started with an international airport planned.
Koh Thmei
Off the coast of Ream is a playground for bird-watchers. Sea-eagles and dolphins are regularly spotted.
Ochheuteal or Serenpidity
The longest and most popular beach with lots of bars, nightly BBQs, beach parties and hawkers selling everything from fruit to book. The beach gets very busy during weekends and holidays. The South end has been cleared for development and is generally quiet. At the far North end bungalow accommodation is available.
Victory Beach
Located at the North end of tower, Victory Beach has a handful of businesses serving up cold drink and meal. It is more quiet than other areas with calm, shallow waters for swimming. It also has the most beautiful sunset.
Otres Beach
Otres is located South of Ochheuteal . For accommodation you will find bungalows and small guesthouse, some of them rights on the beach. The beach is one of the most beautiful and definitely worth a visit.
Hawaii Beach
A popular weekend hangout for Khmer families, this beach between Independence and Victory has a few beach shacks and quiet on weekdays. It is also site for new bridge to Koh Pos Island.
Sokha Beach
Located between Independence and Ochheuteal beaches, Sokha beach us reserved for guests of the Sokha Beach Resort. There is a small stretch open to the public where locals gather in the evenings. Non-guests of the resort can use the private beach for a small fee.
Hun Sen Beach (Prek Treng)
This beach is accessible behind the port on the road to Steung Hauv, a few kilometers from the Victory Hill area. The beach is more or less vacant with long stretches of vacant beach. No shacks or restaurant available. If you take a moto/tuk tuk there, ensure that the driver comes back to collect you or wars.
Independence Beach
The beach was cleared for development in2008 but there is a small patch near Holiday Palace, that there is a small patch near vendors. As well, there is a sandy area closer to the Independence Hotel that is open to the public. The beach is quiet, swallow and great for swimming.
Ream National Park
Located 23km from Sihanoukville, Ream has beaches that are quite with nice views of the island. The first beach has several Khmer shacks with fresh seafood and drinks available. The shacks can also arrange a boat trip to Ream Island. Past this area, there are two quiet beaches lined with coconut trees that are good places to spend a few hours, although there are no beach shacks to get food/drink. Further on, past the oil storage facility in the center of the park, is a beautiful beach that was the filming location for French-Khmer director Rithy Pahn’s.