Essentials
- City
- Siem Reap, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia
- Population
- Approx. 140,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 25-40 Mbps (Fiber is common in central cafes/coworking spaces)
- Currency & Banking
- Dual currency: Cambodian Riel (KHR) and US Dollar (USD). 1 USD ≈ 4,100 KHR. ATMs dispense both.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water or filtered refill stations like 'Refill Not Landfill' (approx. $0.50/bottle)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A, C, and G sockets (Universal outlets are standard in many hotels)
- SIM Card
- Cellcard or Smart Axiata; approx. $5-$10 for 20GB-40GB monthly data packages
- Banking for Expats
- ABA Bank (best mobile app) and Canadia Bank; ABA allows easy 'KHQR' mobile payments
- Accommodation
- Boutique hotels, serviced apartments, and villas. Monthly rates range from $300 to $1,200
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, KHQR/ABA Pay is used everywhere from luxury malls to street stalls; cards accepted in high-end venues
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local Facebook Groups (Siem Reap Real Estate)
- Budget Accommodation
- Lub d Cambodia Siem Reap (Approx. $12/night for dorms, $45/night for private rooms)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Old Market (Psar Chaa) and Pub Street for nightlife and proximity to attractions
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Wat Bo or Wat Damnak; quieter, residential feel with many trendy cafes and local prices
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Angkor Hub (Wat Damnak Village); $12/day or $120/month, focus on social entrepreneurship
- Best Cafe for Work
- Footprint Cafes (Street 26); excellent Wi-Fi, ethical mission, and abundant power outlets
- Networking Events
- Impact Hub Siem Reap; hosts regular workshops and entrepreneur meetups
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats in Siem Reap Facebook Group; regular Friday mixers at venues like Miss Wong
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- PassApp or Grab (Tuk-tuks are the primary mode of transport; $1-$3 for city trips)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- The Green e-bike (Electric scooters) for $10/day or Angkor Cycling Tour (Street 26) for $3-5/day manual bikes
- Best Beach Nearby
- Not coastal; closest 'beach' is Tonle Sap Lake (30 mins) or fly to Sihanoukville/Koh Rong
- Top Regional Airline
- Cambodia Angkor Air
- Top International Airline
- AirAsia, Singapore Airlines (via SilkAir), Thai Airways
- Highway Access
- National Highway 6 (Connects to Phnom Penh and the Thai border at Poipet)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Siem Reap Bus Station (National Road 6); note: no train service currently reaches Siem Reap city
- Public Transport Passes
- None; transportation is decentralized via private tuk-tuks and taxis
- Regional Travel
- Giant Ibis Bus (Premier service to Phnom Penh or Bangkok), approx. $15-$19
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Royal Angkor International Hospital (Bangkok Hospital Group); National Route 6
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Samadhi Yogashala & Wellness Center by Navutu Dreams; $12-$15 per class
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Angkor Muscle Gym ($1/day local style) or The Place (Luxury fitness, $15/day, $80/month)
- Laundry Services
- Found on every corner; approx. $1 per kg (e.g., Lyly Laundry on Wat Bo Road)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Foodpanda and Nham24
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fish Amok (steamed coconut curry) at Sugar Palm (Street 27)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Banllé Vegetarian Restaurant (Wat Bo); organic garden-to-table dining
- Best Dessert Spots
- Gelato Lab (Alley West); artisanal Italian gelato ($2.50/scoop)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Phsar Leu Thom Thmey (Upper Market) for local prices on produce and goods
- E-commerce/Online Store
- L192 (Fashion/Lifestyle) or Smile Shop
- Grocery Delivery
- Grocerdel or Nham24's grocery section
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Pub Street (Street 08) for loud party vibes; Sok San Road for backpacker bars
- Local Brewery
- Siem Reap Brewpub (Corner of Street 5 and Shinta Mani St); craft beers from $4
- Wine Bars
- The Glasshouse Deli & Patisserie or Heritage Suites Bar
- Street Food Stalls
- Night Market vendors along the Siem Reap River (near Old Market bridge)
- Popular International Cuisine
- El Camino (Spanish Tapas, Wat Bo Area) or Vitking House (Vegetarian Asian fusion)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Angkor Wat Temple Complex (1-day pass $37, 3-day pass $62)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Angkor National Museum (Charles de Gaulle Blvd); $12 entry
- Historical Sites
- Bayon Temple (The 'face' temple) and Ta Prohm (The 'Tomb Raider' temple)
- Religious Sites
- Wat Preah Prom Rath (Modern pagoda in the city center)
- Annual Events
- Chaul Chnam Thmey (Khmer New Year) in April; Water Festival (Bon Om Touk) in November
- Cultural Districts
- Kandal Village (Hap Guan St); a small street of designer boutiques and art galleries
- Theater Venues
- Phare, The Cambodian Circus; tickets $18-$38 near Ring Road
- Local Markets
- Made in Cambodia Market (King's Road); artisan goods and live performances
- Music Scene
- Hard Rock Cafe Siem Reap or Laundry Bar for live bands and DJs
- Street Art
- Murals around Kandal Village and the 1961 Coworking/Art Space
- Cooking Classes
- Le Tigre de Papier (Pub Street); $15 for market tour and 2-course meal preparation
- Art Galleries
- The Treeline Urban Resort Gallery (Riverfront); showcases contemporary Khmer artists
- Historic Buildings
- The Grand Hotel d'Angkor (Raffles); French colonial architecture opened in 1932
- Local Heritage
- Traditional Apsara Dance performances; night shows at Angkor Village Hotel
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Phnom Kulen National Park (Waterfalls and reclining Buddha); $20 entry for foreigners
- National Parks Nearby
- Angkor Archaeological Park (400 sq km of forest and temple ruins)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The riverside paths along the Siem Reap River (newly renovated with stone walkways)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Phnom Bakheng at sunset (limited to 300 people at a time)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary (Tonle Sap Lake); home to rare water birds
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Chreav Village countryside (Private campsites like 'The Camp' nearby)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL Express (Highway 6) or J&T Express for domestic shipping
- Tech Repair Services
- V-Store (National Road 6) for Apple repairs and laptop maintenance
- Table Tennis Spots
- The Siem Reap Provincial Stadium (on occasion) or private expat villa meetups
- Language Classes
- Angkor Khmer Lessons (Private tutors typically $7-$10 per hour)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Grace Center (Wat Damnak Library); quiet, traditional space
- Community Centers
- Impact Hub Siem Reap; serves as a center for social innovation
- Gaming Lounges
- High-end internet cafes found along Sivatha Boulevard
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casinos are currently banned in Siem Reap city limits (must travel to Poipet border)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $72,000 for strata-titled units)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $44,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $96,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $900 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $54,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $120,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $64,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Standard rate 20%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 14% for non-residents, 10% for residents
- Tax System
- Residency-based; worldwide income for residents (staying >182 days)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 20% (for income over 12,500,000 KHR per month)
- VAT
- 10% Standard Rate
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules currently enforced
- Property Tax
- 0.1% annually on property value exceeding 100,000,000 KHR (~$25,000)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 4% Stamp Duty on the transfer of title
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa tax, but low enforcement on foreign-source income for remote workers