Cambodia is often overshadowed by Thailand and Vietnam as a Southeast Asian travel destination. Long stays in Cambodia allow you to discover the ancient wonders of Angkor Wat and the tragedy of the Killing Fields at a slower pace.
Take a deep dive into a culture as old as time. Enjoy the frenetic energy of Phnom Penh, a city where historical and modern architecture sit side by side. Explore the city’s riverside palaces and temples or shop until you drop at one of its many markets and shopping malls.
Escape Phnom Penh and visit the fascinating floating communities of Tonle Sap or uncover the party scene on Pub Street in Siem Reap.
With friendly locals, affordable living, and flexible visa options, Cambodia is a fantastic choice for digital nomads and long-term travellers wanting to get the most out of a Cambodian slow travel adventure.
In this guide, we take a look at long stays in Cambodia from Phnom Penh and beyond.
Are Long Stays in Cambodia For You?
If you are drawn to rich culture, mouthwatering cuisine, and a slower pace of life that will stretch your travel dollar further, a long stay in Cambodia might just be perfect for you.
Spending more time in Cambodia not only allows you to visit the highlights but experience the country as more than just a tourist. You can settle in, find your favourite street food stall, and truly get to know the community around you.
During our long stay in Cambodia, we based ourselves in the capital city of Phnom Penh before taking to the road to explore other destinations in Cambodia.
Why Phnom Penh?
Over the years, we have enjoyed many long stays throughout Asia. Along the way, we have based ourselves in Chiang Mai Thailand, Penang Malaysia, and Da Nang Vietnam.
In Cambodia, we chose Phnom Penh as our long-stay base. Being a large city, it had all the essentials we needed to live daily life. On our doorstep were local and International eateries, modern shopping malls and supermarkets.
Phnom Penh is filled with character and history, affordable and introduces daily life in Cambodia without too much of a culture shock.
Phnom Penh Cambodia Overview
Phnom Penh sits on the junction of the Mekong, Tonle Sap and Bassac Rivers and is the capital of Cambodia. Known as the “Pearl of Asia,” the city has an interesting mix of Khmer splendour, French colonial charm and sleek modern skyscrapers.
Sitting side by side you will find golden temples, stylish shopping malls and buildings of historical significance.
Though expansive and often chaotic, Phnom Penh retains a relaxed lifestyle and welcoming local culture. With an affordable lifestyle and vibrant food scene, Phnom Penh should be considered for long stays in Cambodia.
While in Phnom Penh discover Cambodia’s tragic history with a visit to the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. For Khmer craftsmanship and a taste of royal life, the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are a must to visit.
Phnom Penh is also the gateway to Siem Reap and the splendour of Angkor Wat, a world-famous UNESCO World Heritage site.
Phnom Penh for Long Stays in Cambodia
Phnom Penh is an increasingly popular base for slow travellers, digital nomads, and expats seeking an affordable, culturally rich lifestyle in Southeast Asia.
The cost of living is low, with budget-friendly rent, cheap local food, and inexpensive transport. You will find that English is widely spoken in expat areas, and the city offers a mix of traditional markets and modern amenities.
Additionally, Phnom Penh has fast internet which is perfect for digital nomads and keeping in touch with family and friends at home.
Phnom Penh Cambodia Long Stay Information
Surprisingly, Phnom Penh is not often on the radar for long stays in Asia. Depending on what country you come from, Cambodia may offer a 30-day eVisa which will allow you plenty of time to soak up the history and culture of this incredible country.
Below we showcase information for long stays in Phnom Penh Cambodia.
Phnom Penh Cost of Living
Although we have seen an increase in the cost of living since our first visit, Phnom Penh is still a cheap option compared to its Western counterparts.
We found that transport, food and alcohol in Phnom Penh were cheaper than Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia.
Phnom Penh Accommodation
Your choice of Phnom Penh accommodation will depend on your length of stay in Cambodia, preferred location, budget and style of accommodation. There are a good selection of Phnom Penh hotels including the 5-star Novotel Phnom Penh BKK 1 Hotel.
Click here for Novotel Phnom Penh BKK 1 Hotel
Phnom Penh apartments range from luxury to budget residences. Most travellers visiting Phnom Penh will either stay in the BKK1 or Riverside areas of the city.
Click here for Phnom Penh Hotels & apartments
Phnom Penh Apartments
Renting an apartment in Phnom Penh is a good alternative for long stays in Cambodia. It allows you to learn about the culture and get a feel for day-to-day life living in Cambodia.
You can book a Phnom Penh apartment on hotel booking websites which usually include electricity, water and internet in the total price. If you are a first-time visitor to Phnom Penh this is a good option for apartment hunting as you know exactly what you are paying up front.
Click here for Phnom Penh apartments
Another option is to rent an apartment through a real estate or approaching apartment blocks independently and negotiating a price for your stay. These prices are often cheaper than hotel booking websites, but you may have to pay an additional security deposit which is normally refundable when you leave.
Additional costs will include water, electricity, and internet, the usage will be calculated on a time frame that suits the landlord. During our stays we have found the utility prices to be reasonable and affordable.
Most apartments should have a stove top and microwave, sitting area, dining table and bed. If you are renting independently make sure to check for appliances and cooking utensils on first inspection.
Best Area to Stay in Phnom Penh
Popular areas to stay in Phnom Penh are BKK1 and Riverside. Both have a vastly different ambience, BKK1 has a quieter expat vibe, and Riverside is party central filled with bars and nightlife.
Phnom Penh Food Scene
No trip to Cambodia would be complete without trying local delicacies such as fish amok and beef lok lak. Though spicy, you will find that these Khmer dishes have a more delicate flavour balance than its Thai counterparts.
As with most large cities, Phnom Penh has a lively local and International food scene. Along with street food carts there are a multitude of small restaurants serving a mix of both Western and local dishes.
If you are looking for fine dining, Phnom Penh has a good selection of elegantly appointed restaurants to suit your needs.
Phnom Penh Shopping
Phnom Penh has an extraordinary selection of shopping options. Stylish boutiques, modern shopping malls and the excitement of the Central and Russian Markets all await when you take a trip to Phnom Penh.
Across the city you will find a collection of small convenience stores selling personal items, groceries and alcohol. For the long-term traveller missing groceries from home, head straight to your closest Super Duper, a fabulous little supermarket that will satisfy your cravings.
Aeon Mall Phnom Penh is the perfect place to keep cool on a hot day. This massive shopping mall houses a supermarket, food court and a host of International and local shopping brands.
Phnom Penh Transport
Phnom Penh has all forms of transport including buses and taxis. By far the most popular forms of transport are tuk tuk and Grab taxi which is a ride share company like Uber.
During our stay we preferred to take Grab taxi as it is cheap, and you know the price of the fare before you begin your journey. We also have our credit card linked to the Grab App to stop any quibbling over change once we arrive at our destination.
Getting Around Cambodia
There are a variety of bus companies that will take you from Phnom Penh to the popular Cambodian destinations of Siem Reap, Kampot, Battambang, Kep and Sihanoukville.
We chose to take a Giant Ibis bus service from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and had a pleasant journey. We can highly recommend the Giant ibis bus company, we found them to be clean and reliable.
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The easiest and most comfortable transport option for travel around Cambodia is to take direct door to door private transfers between your chosen destinations.
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If your time in Cambodia is limited, you can take a direct flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor Wat.
Cambodia Currency
Cambodia embraces two currencies, the US dollar and Cambodian Riel. Most businesses will want to be paid in USD, and you will be given change in Cambodian Riel. The USD must be in pristine condition, or it will not be accepted.
During our stay we went to the bank to exchange Australian dollars and found that they wanted the Australian dollars to be in perfect condition as well. You will find ATM’s everywhere within the tourist areas.
We use and recommend the Wise debit card for international travel
Cambodia Visas
Your length of stay in Cambodia will depend on the visa entry requirements of your home country and your travel time frame.
For Australians Cambodia offers a 30-day single entry eVisa. This gives you plenty of time to explore this fascinating country.
Click here for Cambodia Visa information for your country
Phnom Penh Weather
Phnom Penh Cambodia has a hot, humid tropical heat which is split into a dry and monsoon wet season. The best time to visit Cambodia is during the dry season between November and February.
Dry Season – November to April
Average Temperatures – 30C to 35C (86F to 95F)
During dry season Phnom Penh comes alive with tourists wanting to visit the nearby Killing Fields and notorious S-21 Prison. You will find that December through to February is the coolest and most comfortable months to visit.
Dry season coincides with the Bon Om Touk Water Festival in November and Chaul Chnam Thmey (Khmer New Year) in April.
Wet Season – May to October
Average Temperatures – 28C to 33C (82F to 91F)
If you plan to visit Phnom Penh during wet season, be prepared for heavy afternoon and evening downpours, especially during the months between July and September.
Phnom Penh Cambodia Health & Safety
Be careful walking around Phnom Penh as footpaths can be uneven or non-existent. Traffic is often tightly squeezed along the edges of the road giving you little space to walk. Be aware that motorbikes and cars can scoot by at any moment.
Be aware of scams and pickpocketing especially along the Riverside Promenade path and surrounding area. It is advisable to take out travel insurance before you leave your home country.
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Last Words on Long Stays in Cambodia: Phnom Penh and Beyond
Long stays in Cambodia are perfect for anyone considering a slow travel lifestyle. Whether you plan to stay in Phnom Penh or explore further afield, you will find a country which is affordable and has warm, friendly locals more than happy to share their distinctive history and culture.
If you are looking for a laid back long stay base in Southeast Asia, Cambodia should be put on your list of places to visit.
Have you had a long stay in Cambodia? Feel free to leave a comment we would love to hear from you.