Las 17 mejores cosas que hacer en Siem Reap

Prepara tu lista de deseos. En esta guía, te mostraremos las mejores cosas que hacer en Siem Reap y cómo experimentarlas. ¿Necesitas ayuda para planificar tu viaje? Echa un vistazo a nuestros consejos para visitar Siem Reap — ¡encontrarás los mejores restaurantes, dónde alojarte, cómo moverte y mucho más!

Qué esperar en Siem Reap

Antiguamente colonizada por Francia, Siem Reap es una pequeña ciudad con un toque francés. Dispersas por la ciudad encontrarás casas y tiendas de estilo francés.

Pero un sabor de Francia, o un buen croissant, no es la razón por la que la mayoría de la gente visita Siem Reap. En cambio, más de dos millones de visitantes cada año vienen a explorar uno de los monumentos religiosos más espectaculares del mundo. Siem Reap es la puerta de entrada al mundialmente famoso Angkor Wat.

And when you’re not walking around Angkor Wat in utter amazement, there’s a very different way to occupy your time…Pub Street. A party-lover's dream! 

Una vez que te hayas recuperado de la resaca, puedes pasar tus días en Siem Reap tomando clases de cerámica, aprendiendo a cocinar platos Khmer o recorriendo el campo en un ATV.

Los mejores tours en y alrededor de Siem Reap

• Tour de 8 horas al amanecer en Angkor Wat por $19
• Tour al atardecer a Kampong Phluk en el lago Tonlé Sap por $21
• Tour privado de 2 días con atardecer y amanecer por $49

#1 Explora el monumento religioso más grande del mundo: Angkor Wat

Construido en el siglo XII durante el Imperio Khmer, Angkor Wat originalmente comenzó como un templo hindú antes de convertirse en budista. Es por eso que verás brillantes mezclas de arquitectura hindú y budista en todo el complejo de 400 acres.

Angkor Wat is so big in fact that it’s four times the size of Vatican City! It’s no wonder it’s one of the most popular sites in Cambodia, everyone wants to see the largest religious monument in the world. 

But it’s not just it’s size that’s impressive. Sure, from afar the grandeur of the temples is almost mindblowing, but the magic happens when you get up close. Look beyond the moss and you’ll find a plethora of intricate carvings, each with their own meaning. 

When to visit Angkor Wat 

The best time to visit Angkor Wat is in the morning, particularly for sunrise. During this time, the warm morning glow provides a breathtaking silhouette of the temple’s spires unlike any other. The lake infront of Angkor Wat temple somehow makes the moment even more mesmerising, casting a reflection of the towers in the water. 

You’re also better off exploring Angkor Wat in the morning before the temperatures get too high. 

The park is open from 05:00-18:00 every day. 

How to visit Angkor Wat 

There are over 1000 temples in Angkor Wat to explore. That number is somewhat overwhelming. Where do you even start? 

Guía vs. independientemente

Unless you’re willing to sit down and do your research before visiting Angkor Wat, it can be hard to know which temples are worth visiting and the stories behind them. This can mean that you can miss just how spectacular this place is. For that reason, we recommend visiting with a guide. 

Visit with a guide 

Visiting Angkor Wat with a guide means that you don’t have to worry about anything. They’ll pick the best temples for you to see, arrange an air-conditioned vehicle to take you around the complex, and give you a glimpse into what Khmer civilisation was like here. 

Los guías son como libros de historia andantes, ¡así que aprovéchalos! Además, si eliges el correcto, ¡pueden hacer que la experiencia sea muy divertida!

There are a ton of different tour options to pick from: 

• Tour de 8 horas al amanecer por $19
• Tour de 2 días con amanecer por $26
• Tour privado de 2 días con atardecer y amanecer por $49

Do keep in mind that you’ll need to buy an entrance ticket on top of the tour price. 

Visitando independientemente

A lot of people don’t like joining tours, we get that. They like the freedom of people able to explore by themselves and at their own pace. This is definitely possible to do at Angkor Wat, it just requires more work from your side and you might miss some of the information. 

If you’re planning on visiting by yourself, one of the most popular ways to do this is to hire a tuk-tuk driver for the day. This should cost around $15, so not that much cheaper than a tour. But, if you’re lucky, your tuk-tuk driver might know a little bit about Angkor Wat and can share that with you. 

Another way is to hire an e-bike or a bicycle and make your way around the temples. This allows you to cover more ground than walking, which would almost be impossible, especially when it gets hot. 

Consejo importante: If you’re visiting independently, plan your route and do some research before visiting so you’re not completely lost when you visit. 

Tickets for Angkor Wat 

Angkor Wat is huge! That’s why they offer multi-day passes, so that you can take your time exploring this magnificent site. 

• Pase de 1 día: $37 (válido para 1 entrada durante un período de 5 días)
• Pase de 3 días: $62 (válido para 3 entradas durante un período de 10 días)
• Pase de 7 días: $72 (válido para 7 entradas durante un período de 30 días)

#2 Descubre los pueblos flotantes en el lago Tonlé Sap

Angkor Wat no es el único sitio importante cerca de Siem Reap. El lago Tonlé Sap is the largest lake in Southeast Asia and one of the more important sources of fresh water in Cambodia. 

The lake isn’t only home to 300 species of fish, but communities too. Many communities live in floating villages, anchored to the lake bed here. Their stilted houses are built high enough so that when the rain waters come, they’ll remain nice and dry in their homes. 

It’s a completely different way of life to the busy city of Siem Reap and awesome to see how humans have adapted to this way of life. You can also find some nice souvenirs from the floating vendors.  

Y si eres fanático de las aves, en el borde occidental del lago se encuentra la colonia de aves acuáticas más grande del sudeste asiático. Visita entre diciembre y abril para presenciar la colonia en su apogeo.

Cómo visitar el lago Tonlé Sap

Desde Siem Reap, puedes tomar un mototaxi ($3) o un taxi de 4 plazas ($15+) a Chong Khneas, ubicado a unos 10 km al sur. Allí, puedes tomar un paseo en bote por $20 por persona.

Si bien puedes ir allí por tu cuenta, es más conveniente e incluso más barato unirte a un tour. Recomendamos este tour al atardecer al pueblo de Kampong Phluk en el lago por $21.

#3 Diviértete en Phare, el circo camboyano

Phare, the Cambodian Circus, is an experience unlike any other. You’ll be glued to your seats as artists juggle fire, walk across unbelievably thin wire and contort their bodies in ways you never thought to be possible. 

And what makes this all even more amazing is that there’s a social cause that sits behind these incredible performances. 

Todos los artistas son capacitados por profesionales del famoso Phare Ponleu Selpak Artistic and Social Centre, una generosa asociación no gubernamental dedicada a ayudar a niños, jóvenes y sus familias a través del arte.

Every year 1,000 students are empowered through their schools and programs. So, whilst you get to enjoy an unforgettable performance, you’re also helping a community. 

Cómo asistir a un espectáculo de Phare

Performances begin at 20:00, and you’ll find Cambodian street food, drinks, shopping and pre-show entertainment from 17:30 every night. 

Las entradas cuestan $18 para adultos y $10 para niños de 5 a 11 años.

Consejo importante: Ha habido informes de venta de entradas falsas en las calles de Siem Reap. Recomendamos reservar a través de el sitio web oficial de Phare o a través de una empresa de reservas de renombre como Viator. 

#4 Cena toda la noche en un tour gastronómico

Cambodian food often gets overshadowed by the likes of Vietnamese and Thai food, but if you know where to look, you’ll discover that it has some gems of its own. 

One of the best ways to get a taste of the most delicious food in the city is by joining a food tour. 

En este tour gastronómico de 5 horas you’ll make your way through Siem Reap’s night markets sampling the must-try street food. Everything from Cambodian BBQ and spring rolls to BBQ snails and other insects. To wash it all down, you’ll find your night at a liquor house where you can try Cambodian rice whiskey. 

The tour is a great way to learn about Cambodian cuisine, as well as getting to know a bit about Cambodia with your knowledgeable guide. 

Aprende sobre Camboya a través de su comida en este tour gastronómico de 5 horas por $45

#5 Sumérgete en el ambiente de fiesta en Pub Street

El nombre lo dice todo. Pub Street es donde encontrarás la mejor vida nocturna en Siem Reap. Con actuaciones en vivo, luces brillantes y bebidas heladas, quién sabe lo que implicará una noche en Pub Street.

As the sun goes down, the street is closed to traffic and turns into a real party zone. Almost every bar offers a happy hour, so what do you expect? 

And if you fancy something to eat later on in the night, you’ll find plenty of late-night food vendors selling greasy food to soak up the alcohol and fried insects. Trust us, after a few drinks, trying one of these critters gets a lot easier. 

#6 Explora el Parque Nacional Phnom Kulen

Camboya tiene una naturaleza y vida silvestre increíbles que merecen ser exploradas. Phnom Kulen National Park is a spectacular place where you can do that. Covering 37,000 acres, you could say it’s pretty big. 

Inside you’ll find a number of historical and cultural sites that are of huge importance to the people of Cambodia. 

Hike Kulen Mountain 

Kulen Mountain definitely won’t be the highest mountain you’ve climbed, at just under 500 metres tall, but it’s considered by the locals to be the most sacred mountain in Cambodia. It’s a popular pilgrimage site for both Buddhists and Hindus who want to reach the ruined temples that sit atop the mountain. 

There are around 30 ruined temples at the top, but much of the land is yet to be de-mined, meaning a lot of them are out of bounds. 

The hike takes around 2-hours from the foot of the mountain, and offers spectacular views from the top. 

Cascada Kulen

If you’re after something a bit more relaxing, consider visiting Kulen Waterfall. It’s definitely the star of the show of the national park with it’s series of cascading waterfalls surrounded by lush forests. 

It’s a great place to admire nature, go for a swim or enjoy a picnic. 

And all the while, keep an eye out for wildlife. Phnom Kulen National Park is home to several species of monkeys, birds and other animals. 

Cómo visitar el Parque Nacional Phnom Kulen

Phnom Kulen National Park is a 1.5-2 hour drive from Siem Reap, which is best done in a car or minivan due to the dirt roads. It is possible in a tuk-tuk but the journey won’t be very comfortable and it might struggle. 

Recomendamos unirte a este tour de día completo que se encarga de toda la logística por ti. Durante el recorrido, visitarás la cascada Kulen, caminarás hasta el río de los 1000 lingas y visitarás el Buda reclinado. El tour cuesta $48 y dura de 8 a 9 horas. ¡Es un día completo de aventura!

#7 Toma una clase de cocina camboyana

Si quieres llevarte a casa un sabor de Camboya, ¿por qué no aprender a cocinar algunos de los platos tú mismo?

Este clase de cocina de 4 platos starts at the very beginning of the culinary journey — at the market. You’ll get a chance to learn about local fruit, vegetables and herbs before buying them to use later. 

Back in the kitchen of your local guide, they’ll teach you how to create dishes such as Fish Amok and Tom Yum. You’ll cook using tried-and-true Khmer cooking techniques. 

And after all your hard work, you can sit down and enjoy the fruits of your labour! 

Llévate a casa un sabor de Camboya y reserva esta clase de cocina Khmer tradicional por $20

#8 Visita el Museo de Minas Terrestres de Camboya

La Cambodia Landmine Museum is dedicated to educating visitors about the ongoing issue of landmines in Cambodia and the efforts to remove them. 

El museo fue fundado por Aki Ra, un antiguo niño soldado que fue obligado a colocar minas terrestres durante el régimen de los Jemeres Rojos, y que desde entonces ha dedicado su vida a retirar minas terrestres de Camboya.

The museum houses a collection of decommissioned landmines, bombs, and other explosive devices, as well as photographs, videos, and other exhibits that detail the history of landmines in Cambodia. It’s a sobering and educational experience. 

Entrance to the museum costs $5. 

#9 Aprende sobre los conflictos de Camboya en el Siem Reap War Museum

La historia de Camboya es fascinante pero oscura. El Siem Reap War Museum te dará una visión profunda de lo que ha pasado el país.

The museum focuses on the Cambodian Civil War which took place from 1970 to 1975, as well as the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979. 

A lo largo del recorrido encontrarás una colección de equipo militar, incluyendo tanques, armas y otros armamentos, así como fotografías y vídeos que documentan la historia del conflicto.

La entrada al museo cuesta $3 e incluye un guía gratuito si hay uno disponible.

#10 Observa una actuación de danza Apsara

Catching an Apsara dance performance before you leave Cambodia is something you need to see. And Siem Reap is full of places where you can watch a show. 

Apsara dancing is a classical Khmer dance that dates back to the Angkor period. This beautiful dance is typically performed in elaborate traditional costumes, including an impressive golden headdress. Every move is deliberate and elegant, exhibiting the most intricate of hand gestures and footwork. 

La Apsara Theatre is one of the best places to watch a show. They offer a dinner show every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday with the performance starting at 20:30. 

#11 Ve el trabajo de artistas locales en el Mercado Viejo

La Old Market (Phsar Chas) in Siem Reap is one of the oldest markets in the area, dating back to the French Colonial era. It’s a wonderful insight into the heart of Siem Reap. 

As you wander down the narrow alleyways, getting lost in the labyrinth of the market, you’ll discover local artist’s work, souvenirs and plenty of street food. The Old Market is one of the best places to try some delicious and cheap Khmer dishes. 

#12 Compra en el mercado nocturno

Si el Old Market no ha satisfecho tus antojos de un mercado asiático, también hay un mercado nocturno en Siem Reap. Angkor Night Market is an outdoor market that comes alive when the sun sets. 

Es difícil pasarlo por alto, ya que está iluminado con luces brillantes y coloridas, con tu camino a la entrada indicado por un puente llamativo

Over 200 bamboo huts offer a plethora of items. Unlike the Old Market, the stalls at the Night Market only offer products. You’ll find no fresh food like vegetables and fruits here. 

#13 Mima tu cuerpo con un masaje Khmer

¿Quieres darte un capricho después de un largo día de exploración? ¿Por qué no probar un masaje? Hay innumerables salones por toda la ciudad que ofrecen una amplia variedad de masajes: masajes relajantes con aceite, masajes deportivos, masajes Khmer tradicionales o tratamientos de spa completos.

We recommend trying a  traditional Khmer massage. The technique is said to lower blood pressure, lessen pain, ease muscle and joint tension, and increase alertness. A Khmer massage is similar to a Thai massage, but with a few differences. “Same, same but different,” as the Thai people would say.

Si te duelen los pies por explorar Angkor Wat todo el día, puedes conseguir un masaje de pies de 30 minutos por tan sólo $2.

#14 Elévate por la selva en una aventura en tirolina

Ever wondered what it feels like to be as free as a bird, soaring through the sky? Well, the Angkor Wat Zipline adventure gives you a pretty good idea of what it’s like. 

Over 5 hours, you’ll get to try out their 21 thrilling ziplines, walk across their sky bridges and test your abseiling skills, all whilst enjoying spectacular views of the jungle. 

Es una forma súper divertida de pasar un día en Siem Reap. Puedes reservar tu tour de aventura en tirolina en línea por $54.

#15 Explora el campo de Siem Reap en bicicleta

A veces, estar en una ciudad con ruido constante puede ser un poco abrumador. Un recorrido en bicicleta que te lleve por la campiña de Siem Reap es la manera perfecta de tomarte un descanso de esto.

This countryside bicycle tour starts bright and early, taking you through rice fields, to the local market, mushroom farms, Buddhist temples and much more. It’s an adventure packed day! And after all that cycling, you’re likely to get hungry, but don’t worry you’ll stop for fresh fruits and snacks along the way. 

With your knowledgeable local guide by your side, it’s a great chance to learn about a different side of Cambodia. 

Únete a este recorrido en bicicleta de 5 horas lleno de aventuras por $35.

#16 Súbete a una vespa en la campiña

If a bicycle just isn’t fast enough for you, there’s the option to do a very similar tour on a vespa instead. You’ll be able to cover more ground and you don’t have to be able to drive a vespa yourself, you get your own personal driver. 

All you have to do is enjoy the views and the experience. 

La recorrido en vespa por la campiña lasts for 5 hours and costs $40. 

#17 Únete a un tour en ATV

Two wheels might not be enough for some people, so there’s a third option to explore Siem Reap’s countryside, by ATV. 

This is the ultimate speed and adventure option. You can choose from a number of different tours, starting from 1-hour for $33 to 3 hours for $88. 

Reserva tu Tour en ATV for an injection of adrenaline, starting from $33. 

Resumiendo

Ahora que has elegido las mejores cosas que hacer en Siem Reap, es hora de empezar a tachar esa lista de deseos. ¿No sabes cómo planificar tu viaje? Nuestro guía de Siem Reap is here to help! You'll find out how long to stay in Siem Reap, where to eat, how to get around and more. Happy planning!