Itinerary for Cambodia

[Americantan]

Planning to visit at Christmas/new year, fancy a few days in city then split rest between 2 locations including a beach. 2 adults, 1 15yo. Cheers!

In Phnom Pehn hire a Tuktuk to take you to Silk Island, Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields.
You need a few days in Siem Riep to visit Angkor Watt and also Tonlé Sap. Both amazing.
We didn’t do a Cambodian beach resort, we went to Nha Trang in Vietnam instead.
Love Cambodia so much.

Thanks for that Mad! Did you do Cambodia and Nha Trang in the same trip?

Yes - we did a three week trip. Started in Hanoi in Vietnam, then flew to Nha Trang, then flew to Ho Chi minh city (Saigon). Then we got a coach from Ho Chi Minh over the border to Phnom Pehn, then took the night bus from PP to Siem Riep. Then finally got a flight from Siem Riep to Bangkok, had 2 nights in Bangkok which wasn’t really long enough then flew home from there.
Absolutely loved it, would go back in a heartbeat. I think the popular Cambodian beach resort is called Sianokville but we didn’t go there.

We travelled by boat from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Thought Sihanoukville was scabby and grim. Loved Kampot. Went over the border on the back of a moped to Rach Gia and by ferry to a Vietnamese island called Phu Quoc to get our white sand beaching in. Loved, loved, loved that trip!

Na Trang was much better than Sihanoukville.

For beaches I can recommend Koh Rong Samloem. Daily boats from Sihanoukville to the island. Very quiet and laid back, great beaches and snorkeling. Stay at the Lazy Beach for the best experience as snorkeling and beach just perfect there.

Oh, and agree - Sihanoukville very yucky. A couple of hours while waiting for boat were enough.

Would also suggest you read the Foreign Office travel advice on Cambodia paying particular attention to their safety and security section.

Have heard mixed reviews on sihanoukville - some loved it, others hated it. I think the otres 2 beach area is okay. There is a lot of Chinese investment which has perhaps not improved the town, think it is known locally as Shanghaiville.
Also make sure all your jabs are up to date - tetanus, hep a and b.

Shanghaidiva, I also read it recently. Apparently another 10 casinos to be built there all for future Chinese tourists. We really didn't like the beach area there, just too croweded and too many hawkers. We have renamed the city to Shitville. Honestly Koh Rong Samloem only 40 minute boat ride away, definitely worth it to escape the crowds.