Siem Reap is known for it’s gorgeous, amazing temples and that is what drew me to visit. The temples are breathtaking but the heat can get to you or you may get “templed out” and need something else to break up your day. Here are some suggestions on how to enjoy the city outside of the temples.
1.Phare Circus
The circus ended up being a very pleasant surprise since I went into it with very low expectations. Despite the circus name, there are no clowns, tight ropes, or lions. Instead the show was more of a small version of Cirque du Soleil with a focus on acrobats. I enjoyed watching them soar through the air. They had great theatrics and had mini stories with each of the acrobatic acts as well. I was never once bored throughout the show.
One of the things that I like about the Phare Circus uses its’ proceeds to fund Phare Ponleu Selpak school. The school provides free academic education, artistic vocational training and social support programs to children in Cambodia. It is a great way to support the arts in Cambodia!
Planning your visit: There are three options for seats: A for $38 (front three rows in the center), B for $28 (back three rows in the center, and C for $18 (on the sides of the stage). We sat in section B in the last row which I think is the best option since you have a back rest and can easily see the whole stage (even if you are short). If you do go with Option C then I would arrive right when the doors open (30 minutes prior to showtime) since it is open seating within your section. Show time is 8pm but they do add an additional show during busy season at 5pm. Tickets can easily be booked through the Viator website
2 . Angkor Wat Putt
Mr Tee built the 14 hole Putt Putt course with a temple theme throughout. Their are miniature models of the popular temples throughout the course. It isn’t an easy course and many of the holes require tricky shots or some analysis of the best angles. One of the best parts of the course is that if you get a hole in one then you get a free beer!
Planning your visit: For $1/person, they will pick you up in a tuk-tuk from your hotel. One round of mini-golf is $5/person, 2 rounds is $8/person, and 3 is $10/person. You can buy beer and soft drinks for $1. They are open from 8am to 8pm. But be warned, the bugs come out as the sun goes down. We also saw several frogs on our course as well as lots of little lizards running around on the walls where you buy drinks.
3. Pub Street
This is the party area of Siem Reap. It is lively with many restaurants, bars, and street vendors. It is a great way to unwind after a long day at the temples. We ate, drank, got massages, and shopped all on Pub Street. It seems like Pub Street is the “it” place to be and totally worth exploring.
4. Visit Sugar Village as part of your large circuit tour. They will give you a demonstration of how they make sugar if you ask. We ending up buying some Rum and Wine made from the sugar that we need to try when we get back home! I would plan on spending just 10-15 minutes there but it is on our way so worth a quick stop.
5. Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre.It is located on the large circuit by Banteay Srey temple and can easily be added to your day. While there, you will see caterpillars, cocoons, moths & butterflies. There was also beautiful flowers in the lush garden.
Planning your visit: It costs $5 for entry. Included with your ticket, is a guide that will give you a 45 minute tour.
6. Get a massage. We got our massages on Pub street where it was $3 for a 20 minute foot massage or $7 for an hour foot, hand, head, shoulders, and back massage. You can find a wide variety of massage places throughout the city. It is a great way to unwind and relax especially after walking all day! For such cheap places, how could you go wrong? If we had it our way, we would have had a massage every day!
7. Try the fish spa
I have seen these pop up in many countries now including Thailand, Greece, Vietnam, and Cambodia. There are tiny little fish that will eat the dead skin off of your feet leaving them feeling silky smooth. It is a very weird sensation like someone is tickling your feet. Now this isn’t like a callous removal treatment when you get a pedicure. They will really only take the top layer off. If you haven’t done it, it is worth doing once for the experience.
Planning your visit: I spotted the fish spa on Pub Street and they charged $3USD for an unlimited amount of time. About 10 minutes is enough for you to enjoy the experience without starting to get bored.
8. Take a cooking class
I didn’t do my cooking class in Siem Reap but instead in Thailand. I did see a number of cooking classes offered in Siem Reap. It is a good way to learn about the cuisine and try several different courses. Most of the tours will take you to the local market as well to show you exactly what ingredients they buy to make their dishes.
Planning your visit: Most cooking classes last around 4 hours. I saw them costing $30 to $50/per person.
9. Spend some time relaxing at the pool at your hotel
We loved staying at the newly built Courtyard by Marriott Siem Reap. They had a great pool with a lap pool and a recreational swimming area. Many people come back and took a quick swim in between temple tours to cool down when it reaches the hottest point of the day. Enjoy some poolside drinks and relax! Or even take a quick nap by the pool!
10. Walk through market
Very close to Pub Street is a market with about any souvenir that you may possibly want. Head there to walk around and see a wider selection of souvenirs then you have in the stalls set up right outside the temples as you walk out. Remember to haggle with them, they will start the prices high and expect that you negotiate with them. If you want to get the best price, start to walk away and they will usually lower the price yet again.
Did I miss anything?? What did you outside of the temples in Siem Reap??
Leave a Reply