I received a couple of emails from fellow digital nomads about the cost of living in Siem Reap, Cambodia. These were timely messages as I stayed in this city with a friend for one month. I figured I’d share important factors to consider to help other lifestyle designers who bring their work with them.

Here’s a breakdown of what to expect when you plan to stay in Siem Reap.
Note: Expenses are based on a two-person budget. Prices may vary if you plan to go solo or if you want a little luxury.

Accommodation

Depending on the amenities and how far it is from the town center, the cost of a room per day ranges from 4 to 5 USD for one person. If you plan to stay longer, say for a month, you can negotiate with the owner and get a discount.

Fan Room for 2 with own bathroom and with WiFi

We were able to get a fan room with two beds and our own bathroom near the town center (Old Market, Angkor Night Market). The original price was 180 USD but we haggled and brought it down to 120. The room also came with WiFi signal. By the way, that’s 120 USD divided by 2 persons. This means that I only paid 60 USD for my share of the hostel. 60 USD or 2400 Php for a month in Cambodia is not bad at all!

Be advised that discounts may vary according to your haggling skills. Here are some of the places we’ve stayed that I recommend for their affordable accommodations.

villatany.com
victoryguesthouse.com

We met a few people in Cambodia and they told us that there are cheaper options. Maybe when we come back, we’ll check those places out.

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I had the pleasure of meeting readers on the road while in Cambodia. These were unexpected encounters and it was nice  that they spared their time even if they were tired from a long day of temple-hopping.

I wrote 20 articles about Siem Reap during my trip last year which has become a guide for Filipinos who want to know more information about this quaint city. But I didn’t expect that I would actually meet some readers while I’m here. Below are the stories of our chance meet-ups.

Tony & Denisse

with Tony & Denisse at the Kingdom of Cambodia border

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I was hanging out with newfound friends at one of the fish massage areas near the Angkor Night Market in Siem Reap. My friends tried the Doctor Fish Spa and were giggling so hard when the fishes ate the dead skin cells of their feet. I was laughing at their reactions when an old tourist couple dropped by to check what the commotion was all about.

old couple (center)

I dipped my hand in the water to show the couple how the fishes would gather around and attack. The man took out his big camera to take a photo of scenario.

“Very ticklish, you should try it!” I persuaded the lady but she just smiled back saying that they just wanted to look at the fishes.

slow and steady steps

When they left, I found out that the man was holding a cane. The lady was also there to support him as they continued their walk outside the market. Being curious, I followed them. Only then did I realize that they didn’t have a companion to guide them. They were exploring the area by themselves.

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A lot of people in this blog can see how 'crazy' I can get for the sake of having a unique photo taken. I slipped and hit my head on a rock in Bomod-ok falls in Sagada, I stood on top of the lighthouse in Capones Island in Zambales, I jumped off a cliff in Malapascua in Cebu. I even do headstands in different spots of the country and outside.

But sometimes the fun comes up at the expense of the structures of the places I've been. Let me count the ways.

Standing on Top of the Guisi Lighthouse in Guimaras Island

We were given a go signal to go on top of the lighthouse in Guisi, Guimaras. But I managed to really stay on top of a pedestal which looked dangerous if I fell.

This was an 18th century lighthouse and it's evident because of how rusted the metals looked. We were lucky enough to be given a go signal by the caretaker but I still persisted in climbing the topmost part. What if something happened to the lighthouse and it would fall off?

Photo Shots at the Temple Frames in Siem Reap, Cambodia

I had 'adventure' shots at the temple frames in Cambodia feeling all active just to have a few photos taken. I placed my feet on the sides to show that I could carry my weight without difficulty.

These temples are century-old buildings that are rich in history and I only thought about having snapshots taken for the sake of vanity.

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