Ten Tips for Angkor Wat

I thought it would be helpful to post a few suggestions for any interested visitor of Angkor Wat; in the last post I put up more info on the temple itself and my experience there.  Here I just wanted to do a quick post with tips.

1. Angkor Wat is only the tip of the iceberg

Angkor Wat may be the most well known temple in Cambodia, but the area around it contains hundreds of other impressive structures.  Yes, spend time at Angkor, but leave more for the other attractions; there are many more sites worth a visit as well.  Ta Prohm, with massive trees invading and growing over the temple compound, was probably my favorite.  Even though there is so much to see...

Here is a map of the central grounds:as you
can see Angkor Wat is hardly the only temple

2. Don't try and overdo it

You can't conquer it all in one day!

Mike and I saw a hell of a lot of temples in one day (and we didn't even make it for dawn, as many do).  Impressive as they may be, temple sightseeing works like anything else.  In economic terms, the marginal utility you get from each additional temple is less than the previous one, assuming they are of equal value.  What I mean is that the temples may all be interesting, but after seeing 20 how much more can you appreciate the 21st?  Some of us have a longer tolerance than others, but don't get to the point where you are too tired of sightseeing to appreciate the beauty of each new place you visit.  Which leads me to my next point:

3. If you have time, space out your viewing

you can take a day or more to explore the other temples and try also to see Angkor Wat at dusk or dawn,
although it was cloudy when we visited

You can buy a 3 day or week pass and space out your visits so that you can truly appreciate and enjoy the sites.  3 days was fine for me, but some of you may be really into the architecture, history, atmosphere, etc and want to stay longer.  Good for you, take a week and explore.  The days don't have to be consecutive, so if you want take a day off in between.  This tip won't be helpful for time-pressed visitors, however, so -

4. For those who have little time, you can do Angkor Wat in one day

I may sound like I'm contradicting my previous suggestions, but let me explain.  If you don't have much time and plan on one day for Angkor, it is doable.  Several days would be better, but if spending several at Angkor means you have to skip over another activity that you are looking forward to, then do one day.

Research beforehand and pick a few sites that sound interesting to focus on.  Try to make it to a few outlying temples that won't be very busy.  Then you can still get the overall experience without seeing everything.  And let's be honest; the temples aren't that interesting to everyone.  I enjoyed them but had had enough after a few days; for others that threshold may be only one, and that's okay, especially if you are short on time.  And to get the most out of your day there,

a tuk-tuk is a great way to get around

5. Hire out a tuk-tuk

Hiring out a tuk-tuk driver who picks you up from your hotel, drives you around the whole day, and brings you back for only $15 or so.  Splitting it a few ways makes it even better.  That way you can sit back, relax, and use more energy for sightseeing.  Many drivers are also friendly and may even have some insights for you; they cannot go into the temples, however, as they would take business away from the paid guides.  Alternately, you could rent a bicycle to get around.

6.  Cycling is not for everyone

I like exercise and enjoy staying fit, but at a certain point cycling in the Cambodian heat for hours to save a couple bucks hardly seems worth it.  It didn't help that I was there in April, the hottest month of the year.  Even during a 'cool' month the temperature can make cycling around Angkor a pain.  And the temple complexes cover a vast area, too vast to cycle in a day.  So if you have a short time stick with a tuk-tuk.  If you have multiple days I'd suggest getting a tuk-tuk for the full day tour, and if you want to cycle doing it say for a half day, or in a small-ish area of the temple complex.  The traffic and vehicle exhaust can also make the cycling experience less enjoyable.  That being said, I did rent a bike for an afternoon, and I was glad I did it.  It's just that the bike option is not a must, just a possibility to consider.

biking can be a rewarding experience,
but the heat made it tough to go a full day

7.  The guides are hit and miss

There are legit guides waiting outside of the main temples (many around Angkor) who can lead you around the complex and provide information to enhance the trip.  At many temples though random guys hang around and try to show you around, for money of course.  The guy who tried with me seemed to know a bit, but was not nearly as insightful as a real guide.  Sometimes it is nice just to wander around at your own pace.  I'd say you can try out a guide at one temple and see what you think, as they are cheap (you can just pay the informal ones a couple bucks).  Another way is to bring a book with you, or buy one on site - I was offered to buy or rent an Angkor guide book many times.  The guide option really just comes down to your own personal preference.

8. Try not to buy from the kids

yeah they look cute, until they start relentlessly trying to sell you
anything from bracelets to postcards

You will get hounded by cute little kids - well cute at first glace but not so much when they won't leave you alone asking, "you buy magnet, mister you buy postcard, you buy..."  As much as you may want to help and as cheap as the souveiners are (10 postcards for a dollar, for example), buying from the kids does little good.  The money goes straight to their parents or guardians.  The more they sell the greater incentive to keep them out there selling to foreigners and not in school.  Better to buy from a reputable shop, even if it is slightly more expensive.  Speaking of expenses...

9. Don't sweat the small stuff

This really applies to traveling in general.  I, like many other backpackers, are very budget conscious.  But there comes a point where you have crossed the fine line from being budget conscious to unnecessarily cheap.  Haggle, yes, but keep in mind the prices you are haggling over.  Is it really an achievement to get the seller or tuk-tuk driver down from $2 to $1.50?  Think about how much that dollar or two means to you and then how much it means to the local.  Many locals live off only a few dollars a day, and they would greatly appreciate the extra money, much more than I would appreciate saving a buck.


10. Enjoy the trip!

I wanted to make 10 tips, so I wasn't sure of another Angkor-specific one.  This is also a general travel tip like #9.  Often times I see unhappy travelers...why?  The bus ride may be long and uncomfortable, or the heat may be unbearable, or there could be any number of problems and bothers.  But remember you are on vacation, and try to enjoy it!  When we look back most people will have fond memories of their trip, even if they were not always enjoying it.  Don't let small trivial details derail your fun and just go with the flow!  A long bus ride?  Look at it as more time to see the countryside, relax, read, etc.

smile and appreciate the amazing scenery!

This tip was really brought home to me when I was traveling in Thailand on a long, not so comfortable minivan ride.  We got out at a transfer point and 10 or 15 other travelers were waiting at the stop as well.  No one seemed to be in a great mood or talking very much.  I started chatting with a Belgian guy who was just fine with chilling at a bus stop.  "Smile people, you are on vacation!"  I won't forget his line for a while; if I am in a bad mood or bothered by something on the road, I can think of that.  Much better to be in transit in Thailand than in an office working back home!