Letter from a Future Tourist to Cambodia

Posted by Toe on August 16, 2008 · Leave a Comment

I’ve received letters from a businessman on a business trip, a future teacher, and a future expat in Cambodia. Here’s one from a future tourist:

Dear Toe,

Hi! I found your blog via Kristene’s blog and I think you’re one of the best writers in the blogosphere (hindi kita binobola!).

I live in Dallas, Texas (originally from Bacolod), and was hoping that you could help me with some travel tips for Angkor Wat. My husband and I are going home for a visit to the Philippines in December and we’re hoping that we could make a sidetrip to another country in Asia during this time. I’d really like to see Angkor Wat if we can work it out.

If you have some time to help out, these are the questions I have:

What airline would you recommend for the Philippines to Cambodia trip? Any good deals on fares (how much is a round-trip ticket)? Is there a straight flight from Manila (or Clark) to Siem Reap? Also, what ballpark price would you consider a “good deal” on the fares? How many hours of travel time is this?

Any hotel recommendations? For hotels, around $100 would be our budget. We’re not picky on hotels as long as they’re clean and safe.

Is December a good time to go to Cambodia? Are there any December dates/holidays that we should steer clear of (i.e. too many crowds at Angkor Wat? Or is it closed for the holiday?)

Any recommendations on how many days to plan for Angkor Wat? Would three days be enough or would it be bitin (this would include arrival day + touring + departure day). We don’t really want to spend too many days away from the Philippines but would really like to do this sidetrip if time/resources permit.

Do we need visas (our citizenship is Filipino so we still travel with our green passports)?

Thanks so much in advance! Hope you and your Honey are doing well!

Johanna