Cambodia family holidays
Engaging culture, sandy beaches, tempting food and welcoming smiles make Cambodia a great destination for families who love adventure.
After staring wide-eyed at the magnificent Angkor temples, intrepid kids will delight in scrambling through jungle-covered ruins at Beng Mealea or Koh Ker, or camping in the shadow of Preah Khan.
Beyond the temples, you can tuk-tuk through Phnom Penh’s vibrant streetfood scene, meet local families in rural villages, kayak across Tonle Sap lake, and make the journey your own.
We always include some much-needed downtime too, maybe in the beautiful Cardamom Mountains or on Kep’s calming coastline.
Things you’ll all love in Cambodia
Cambodia with kids: what to expect?
Kids are always up for exploring Cambodia’s awe-inspiring temples, and many families head straight for the familiar bustle of Siem Reap, with the magnificent Angkor Archaeological Park right on the doorstep. If you’re travelling with very little ones, we’d suggest taking a couple of days to do the main temple tour, as it is a pretty big site!
Central Siem Reap has plenty to offer visiting families, including strolls through the sensory-stimulating markets, workshops by the inspiring Phare Circus, and winding tuk-tuk tours, which are a great way to see the city without letting little legs get tired.
For a family experience that’ll really spark the imagination, camp overnight near the tree-covered temple ruins at Preah Khan. Wander around the atmospheric temples by torchlight, sleep under the stars, and wake at first light to explore the ancient structures with no-one else around…
Travel further south to Phnom Penh, to explore more of the country’s rich culture and ancient history. Being in the capital offers a good opportunity to talk about Cambodia’s tragic modern history with older children too. Let little ones run off steam in the Royal Palace’s expansive courtyards, cycle over the Japanese Bridge, see weavers at work on nearby Silk Island, and help care for rescued sun bears at a local sanctuary.
Family holidays in Cambodia - as everywhere - are best when taken at your own pace. Our top tips? Focus on a few key destinations, take fewer long journeys, and schedule in some flexible days. Less can definitely be more!
For that proper family r&r time, you can’t beat the gorgeous Cardamom Mountains. The Rainbow Lodge is a laid-back base for spending time in the wild, away from screens and WiFi, with kayaking, trekking and waterfall swimming on hand if you’re eager to keep active.
To find out more about where to go in Cambodia with kids, head to our Cambodia Travel Guide Section.
Experts in family holidays to Asia
With a UK based team of Destination Specialists with offices and partners across Asia, ensuring we focus on staying really local in our approach. Our specialists have travelled extensively in Cambodia and throughout Asia, many having also lived in the region.
Along with enjoying great travels, the team regularly inspect the best hotels, seek out new activities and design new routes to ensure each detail of your family holiday is perfect, for you.
Our Cambodia Specialists’ top tips for families
Include a decent amount of relaxation time between temple-exploring adventures to give your energy levels a boost. This can really ensure you get the most from every moment, and no-one gets overtired.
If you’re keen to include some beach time in your family holiday to Cambodia, consider making it a double destination trip. Vietnam and Cambodia pair perfectly, and you can combine the best of Cambodia’s culture with a few days on one of Vietnam’s stunning beaches…
Cambodia is blessed with one of Asia's simpler weather systems. The country has two distinct weather seasons, but you can travel in Cambodia all year round. The very best weather in Cambodia occurs between October and April, so it makes a fantastic destination for an Easter adventure, or an Autumn or February half-term getaway. During these drier months, the North and East of the country are on the table too, opening up the opportunity for elephant encounters in Mondulkiri. Christmas is a really popular time for holidays to Cambodia, so if you fancy spending the festive season in Phnom Penh, make sure you book early!
Having an experienced, knowledgeable and welcoming local guide on hand during your trip is absolutely invaluable. From meeting you upon arrival, to transferring you between locations, and generally making everything about your family holiday in Cambodia as smooth as possible, they’re an integral part of your journey. We pride ourselves on using only the best guides working in any region, and all our guides are trained to the highest level, and fully certified and licensed. The feedback we get from our clients is that they can make a great trip into an outstanding one.
Several of our Destination Specialists have travelled to Cambodia recently with their families, and found it safe, welcoming, supportive and reassuring. It’s still a developing destination, so you’re likely to find some things at different standards to what you’re used to, and factoring these in is common sense. If at any time you’re unsure of anything, our fantastic guides are always on hand to help.
When planning a trip to Asia, it’s important to consider the possible requirement for vaccinations and immunisations. Most importantly, we stress that you should contact your doctor or medical practitioner well before you depart to get their advice on any vaccinations you may need for your trip. If you’ve travelled recently and believe that you are already up-to-date, it is still worth checking as vaccinations have a varying life span. Much of Cambodia has been designated low risk for malaria on the NHS Fit For Travel map, and the NHS Travel Vaccinations site has lots of up-to-date information on travel vaccinations too.
Yes. Citizens of the UK, EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States and almost all other nationalities will require a visa to visit Cambodia. Other nationalities should check with the Cambodian Embassy in their country of residence for the most up-to-date information. If you’re arriving in Cambodia by air, you can obtain your visa in advance of departure with the easy to use online e-visa service. Most nationalities can also obtain their visa on arrival at either Siem Reap or Phnom Penh Airport for a fee of $30. We recommend using the e-visa service when possible as it saves unnecessary queuing upon arrival. If you are arriving in Cambodia at a land border you must obtain your visa at your arrival point. The cost is $30 plus an extra $5 - $15 'stamping fee'.
Light, long sleeved shirts, a light scarf or two, and long trousers or skirts will mean that you’re prepared for any eventuality, including modest dress codes at sites of religious significance. They’ll also help provide valuable protection against strong sunlight and mosquitoes. Though you can buy more than you might assume in the bigger cities, we’d recommend bringing your own supplies of any essentials, such as nappies, formula etc., as well as your preferred brand of sunscreen and a good insect repellent. If you’re travelling with tinies, consider taking a really good baby carrier, as push-chairs might be a pain to get around with.
You can’t obtain Riel outside of Cambodia, but both US$ and Riel are widely accepted. It is essential to arrive with some US$ if you are obtaining your entry visa upon arrival, as you have to pay in US$ cash. It can also be beneficial to have some on arrival for immediate use until you locate an ATM. ATM machines are available in Siem Reap, Battambang, Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh and usually offer good rates of exchange, often better than at currency exchange bureaus or hotels. ATMs only dispense US$ cash. When purchasing items using US$ it’s quite normal to be given your change in Riel.
Though not one of Asia’s most renowned wildlife destinations, there are some really special wildlife experiences to be had in Cambodia. Walk with elephants at the inspirational Elephant Valley conservation project in Mondulkiri. Keep your eyes open for sun bears as you trek near the Tatai River. Spot storks, ibis and pelicans (and perhaps even crocodiles) as you kayak across Tonle Sap lake.