Angkor Wat Travel Forum

I'll be going Angkor wat this weekend. Wanted to check with travellers who have been there whether it is better to bring USD or cambodian riel?

I'm planning to stay at Sofitel. Is it a lot more expensive getting the hotel to arrange a private tour guide for the temples compared to outside agencies? Is it necessary to book a guide before i go or would it be easy to get a guide there and then? Does anyone have any good guides to recommend? Would prefer a guide who knows substantial history on the temples. Does the guide and car/driver usually come as a package or do we need to hire separately? What's the pricing like? I've heard that there is an official guides association in angkor wat, is there a website or contact no. to find out more?

would greatly appreciate if anyone can advise. Thanks! :)

Currency.

Bring both. You will need small bills or Cambodian currency to pay for cheap items. Even a $10 bill (U.S.) may be too big to make change for in some places.

When you leave Cambodia spend down or exchange your Cambodian money, hard to convert it to other currencies after you leave Cambodia.

As far as your question about tour guides, I usually find that tours arranged by expensive hotels to cost more than what you can get on your own or from a cheap hotel. Sometimes you just have to pay a little more for convenience.

I haven't been back in over 5 years, I used a cheap $10 hotel then (with air & hot water & private toilet/shower,) the driver they arranged for me was real cheap including picking me up at the boat ramp, the price you pay to enter the temple area may be the biggest expense. (I used a boat to get from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, it was pretty neat, passed through a huge lake part of the way there. Some of the biggest catfish in the world are caught there, big as sharks - but perhaps for only for a few more years because of over fishing!)

Check out the temples at sunrise/sunset. You might be able to enter the temple areas after 1700 for free, check with your hotel or from your tour guide after you find one.

Hal

I just came from there a few weeks ago.

USD is fine for all transactions (even for a 1000 riel purchase). the change will just be in riel.

I arranged a tour guide and transporation in advance. I prefer the comfort of airconditioning since the temples are far away from each other and the heat is quite uncomfortable these days.

I guess you can arrange this once you get there either through the tourist information office, hotel, or street peddlers. The gudes are in uniform so its not hard to miss who are official ones.

The rate I got so far is around USD20 - 25 per day either for car or guide. Its good to discuss this with the guide/driver first as some temples are 30 to 50 km away and if you plan to visit those the prices are quite different.

I would bring only US dollars. As stated above, where the transaction costs less than a dollar, you will simply get the change in Riels.

Thanks for your info. I'll probably bring US$ then.

I called the hotel and they are charging US$30 each for guide and car. Does this sound reasonable?

a bit on the high-end if you do not want the hassle.

You can really just get it for as low as 20.

Yeah, US$30 is a bit steep. Hopefully someone will be able to recommend someone local for you to contact. Unfortunately, my friend and I used a Vietnam tour company for the whole lot so I can't recommend anyone.

Just a note: The Riel is not a freely available currency. It does not travel outside of Cambodia....so one is never able to exchange for Riels outside of Cambodia (same for the Laotian Kip and The Vietnamese Dong)

We traveled using only US$, a point which we discuss on our pages.
I wish Cambodians insisted more on the use of their own currency.
As to guides, a good, dependable guide (like the one we recomend on our pages or, who others have recomended) who know about Cambodia and the temples make for hiring an additional guide an unecessary expense.
We paid US$ 20.00 per day which included ice cold water and pick up/drop off at a time of our convenience.

Agree with others, having your hotel arrange this will cost you much more.
Additionally, people will just offer their services once you reach the airport and, if you feel comfortable with him, agree on a price (no more than $20-25.00/per day) and take it from there.
Make sure they speak good english and are able to contribute to your overall experience in Angkor, it is an amazing place.
Additionally, we share tips on how to get the most out of your trip and short cuts to the Angkor experience if your time is limited as well as suggestions for things to do.
Good luck,
Homer

Totally agree take small denominations of $US the change will be in Riel. We recently paid $US20 for each guide and driver, given you are staying at the Sofitel they are charging accordingly but still pretty good value. If you have the time do take the hot air balloon cost of $US15 was well worth it gave a fab view of the temples last about 20 mins. You are correct all guides are official guides and very knowledgable.

The demand for guides in Angkor Wat area it quite high and the result is noticeable in most guides’ attitude. We choose a very good travel agency and still had to put up with it. Since Siem Reap Sofitel is a very select hotel, I’d assume that they will choose very carefully their guide, so I’d suggest sticking with it.
Cheers,
Marius

Hi I have not heard of that travel agency before.

However, I suggest you look out for www.thevillasiemreap.com I have been to this place and am very happy with the service. Prices are affordable, personalised and private tour with dedicated tuk tuk driver. Excellent hospitality at The Villa too. They provide guides too.

An undiscovered heaven. I was there last Dec. I had a wonderful trip. Do write to them and ask them for a personalised itenary for the number of nights u are staying and I bet they will reply you with a good itenary proposal.

I have referred to many friends of mine and they are of the same opinion as me.

As for currency, I suggest USD because it is used widely in Cambodia, but make sure u bring small notes...