It was our first visit to Cambodia and I did a ton of research – in this vegan travel guide to Siem Reap, you’ll find all the info you need on dining options, places to stay and some things to do in town! Start planning your 2025 trip to Cambodia 🙂
On our very first visit to Siem Reap, Cambodia (definitely not the last!), we stayed for 4 days. This was too short in my opinion, as Siem Reap turned out to be a lovely town to spend some time in.
Note: this is only a travel guide to Siem Reap and not Angkor Wat, as that requires a separate detailed blog post.
Introduction
Once a little riverside village, Siem Reap has transformed into a bustling tourist hub and is the main gateway to the magnificent temples of Angkor, a UNESCO World Heritage site – one of the world’s most remarkable ancient cities.
Located in northwest Cambodia, Siem Reap attracts millions each year, eager to explore the wonders of Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm, among other temples.
Siem Reap is more than just a stopover for temple tours. The city itself is brimming with things to do, cultural experiences, night markets and local artisan shops, making it worth at least 3-4 days of your time.
However, with a bit more time—say, a week—you’ll discover more of Siem Reap’s authentic charm.
I’m happy to report that there are several vegan accommodations in Cambodia – SUNDAYS, Sacred Lotus Hostel, YK Art House in Phnom Penh, Cambodhi Guesthouse in Kampot. Siem Reap has some vegan-friendly hotels as well – I will share in this post on where we stayed and other suggestions.
Practical info and travel tips
Languages: the primary language spoken is Khmer (also known as Cambodian), which is the official language of the country. Due to Cambodia’s history as a French colony, French was widely spoken among older generations – it’s less common now but used in certain sectors. English is popular in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh – people working in hospitality and tourism speak English. Signs and menus in tourist areas are often available in English.
Currency: Cambodian Riel (KHR), but US dollars are widely accepted – there’s no need to exchange too much local currency and carry around a stack of notes. As of recent exchange rates, 1 USD is approx. 4,100 Riels.
However, keep some for tuk-tuks and small vendors, they may accept a rounded off sum in USD and often return change in Riels.
Visa: Tourists from most countries need a visa to Cambodia. I suggest you apply for it online, a week before you travel. It costs 36 USD. You will usually receive the visa within 3 working days. Visa on arrival is also possible but the queue is longer.
Cambodia Visa application: evisa.gov.kh
When to visit Siem Reap:
I would advise visiting Cambodia during the dry season – November to March. This is also the tourist season. It was a hot 35+ degrees daily, but less humid when we visited in March. No mosquitos really, and around mango season, yum! Frequent heavy rains can wreak havoc on travel plans during the monsoon – May to September – so be prepared with waterproof packing if you travel then.
Food and drink:
If you’re plant based, you’re generally safe, but avoid uncooked vegetables. Street food at your own risk – we did not try any, and unfortunately, a lot of it is animal based. The tap water is not safe to drink and you must use filtered/bottled water. Carry a reusable bottle as your hotel may provide filtered water.
Local transport and communication:
I recommend getting a local SIM card with internet while you are here (e.g. Cellcard or Metfone). It is really needed, there is no WiFi in many areas.
Download Grab app in Cambodia for tuk-tuks and taxis, add your card/payment info, so the payment is done automatically via the app after each trip is completed. Carry a Universal plug adapter or Type A, C, G outlets.
Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance is essential – purchase a plan before your trip and make sure it covers damages and medical costs for the entire duration of your trip. I bought mine for Cambodia from SafetyWing <- affiliate link to purchase yours : )
Getting to and around Siem Reap
We arrived to Cambodia from Singapore (Jetstar and AirAsia flights daily) and landed at the capital city of Phnom Penh, where we spent a couple of days. From there, we travelled to Siem Reap via bus. I have a detailed post on this already, and you might want to check it out:
How to get from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap – Giant Ibis bus review.
There is a new international airport in Siem Reap, and many tourists fly here directly. Note: The airport is about an hour out of town, 37 km away. Taxis cost about 25 USD ($).
Within town, we used the common mode of transport, tuk-tuk! Grab has made it easy and you don’t need to deal with cash, and avoid confusion and haggling. The rates are 1-4$ per trip.
Getting around the town centre is possible on foot as well, and it’s a safe area in my experience!
Where to Stay in Siem Reap
Where would you stay:
A king room in a community run local, sustainable hotel
or
A glamping tent in a luxury resort, that’s 4 times the price?
This was a choice we had to make when booking our stay in Siem Reap. I went with something a little less luxurious, but full of local charm and spirit; value for money, and a top location.
The Templation (luxury resort in question) is already reviewed plenty of times – other bloggers beat me to it. Most receive a gifted stay to do a review. In reality, these resorts are not affordable to most travellers. I’ll miss the private pool and instagrammable floating breakfast though. Oh well, I never planned on becoming an Instagram influencer anyway.
People By The Community
Road to Angkor Wat, Preah Sihanouk Ave, Krong Siem Reap 17252
People By The Community, as it’s now called, is a community run oasis on the path to Angkor Wat – one of the few hotels close to the temple complex. Located on the road to Angkor – lined with large trees shading the path, giving travellers some pleasant breeze on the way to the temple complex, where playful monkeys run about..
Features and facilities:
- Traditional Cambodian interiors, serene, spacious room, rooftop pool area, bar & restaurant and the kindest staff. There were some communication issues, as some didn’t understand English well, being trainees. I understand it’s a community of locals running this place, and they provide meaningful jobs to local women and men.
- Eco-friendly philosophy, filtered water refill stations, use local food ingredients (it would be great if they work on the vegan menu). Their restaurant does have vegan options, but the labelling on menu is not accurate. While ordering, we weren’t sure if they understood dietary requirements.
Room Rate: USD 40 per night for a Luxury King Room, including breakfast and afternoon tea! We received a free upgrade via Booking.com:
We requested vegan breakfast beforehand, but only got fruit, juice, coffee/tea, coconut milk. As we were in a hurry at breakfast (heading to the temples), there was no time to explain to them about vegan options.
Everything about our stay was otherwise perfect, we would absolutely stay here again, and recommend it – especially if you’re looking to explore the temples. It’s only 10 minutes by tuk-tuk that can be arranged by the hotel.
Book People by the Community on Booking.com*
Other vegan-friendly accommodation in Siem Reap
- Babel Guest House – simple but elegant rooms in Wat Bo area, Eco shop and restaurant on site. Room rates from 25 USD per night.
- Grange Siem Reap – a newly established boutique hotel, Cambodian hospitality and luxurious facilities. Their restaurant has a vegan dishes. Double rooms at 35 – 80 USD per night.
- Baby Elephant Boutique Hotel – an eco-friendly hotel downtown, pool, spa and yoga centre on-site and restaurant with vegan options. Double rooms at 20 – 40 USD per night.
- The Nature – a green stay a bit outside town. Vegan breakfast option on request. Double rooms at around 40 USD per night.
- Navutu Dreams Resort – an eco wellness retreat outside town centre. Family Suites from 80 USD per night. Their restaurant caters to vegans!
Luxury & 5 star resorts
- Golden Temple Retreat – a luxury hotel in Wat Damnak village area.
- Heritage Suites Hotel – suites with private pools from 180 USD per night.
- Eightfold Urban Resort – 5 star facility downtown with pool access suites.
- Mane Colonial Classic – colonial style luxury on the road to Angkor. Honeymoon suites at 100 USD per night.
- Sarai Resort & Spa – world-class resort & spa downtown.
Use these affiliate links to make your bookings* You may find good rates and discounts on Bookingdotcom, but always check official hotel websites if available, for better rates.
If you’re dreaming of staying in a villa with a private pool, there are plenty of choices – use this search box to browse more accommodation in Siem Reap:
*affiliate links take you to the booking website – you can book hotels via these links at no extra costs. The commission I receive when you book helps support this blog, thank you!
Vegan in Siem Reap
Siem Reap is probably the most vegan-friendly town in all of Cambodia, and we didn’t have much trouble finding good food. We often ate meals at our hotel, as mentioned earlier, their restaurant has dishes such as Khmer vegetable curry, soups & salads, Khmer banana dessert and sweet rice dumpling.
While Cambodians follow Theravāda Buddhism, the practice does not strictly require vegetarianism, and meat remains a common part of the diet. However, monks and some laypeople may observe vegetarianism during religious occasions.
Cambodia offers an abundance of fresh produce, fruits, and vegetable-based dishes, but watch out for shrimp paste or fish sauce as seasoning.
Resources
Vegan Cambodia Facebook Group: a community of vegans and travellers in Cambodia sharing info on vegan dining and other tips.
Cambodian vegan card: movetocambodia.com has put together a vegan information card in Khmer for vegetarians and vegans to take to restaurants. Download, save or print out for your trip!
Abillion: mobile app with a primary function to help users discover vegan-friendly products, restaurants and brands worldwide, while contributing to social causes. Join me with invite code VEGANHAVEN
In Siem Reap, we found 8+ spots with good vegan options. Here’s the list:
Restaurants
1- HeyBong – vegan restaurant offering healthy dishes plus comfort food. Great space with a bar, located in a residential area. We had the chickn burger, avo toast and an iced coffee. 5/5! website
2- Peace Cafe + Fairtrade shop – Asian vegetarian cuisine with mainly vegan dishes, located on River Road, in a lovely oasis. Find their souvenir shop selling local fairtrade items! They also hold community wellness events. website
3- New Leaf Eatery – a few minutes walk from Pub Street, you will find this brunch and dinner restaurant that has a few contemporary vegan options such as Beyond Meat burgers. Check the menu on their website
4- Elia Greek Kitchen – also located by pub street! We ended up here as New Leaf had closed kitchen and found some vegan Mediterranean food – dolmades, zucchini fritters, vegan gyros with falafel and hummus. 3/5 taste. website
5- Street Three Eatery – brunch spot with outdoor seating in Wat Damnak area, offers some vegan food. googlemaps
6- Mex’d Up bar – located near the Siem Reap Night Arts Market by the river, this Mexican fusion spot has vegan options with jackfruit and tofu. googlemaps
7- Kebab & Falafel Time – a good spot to grab a falafel wrap, burrito, hummus platter! googlemaps
8- The Source Café – brunch with healthy options such as avo toast and smoothie bowls available. They also offer plant-based milk beverages. googlemaps
9- Banlle – a vegetarian restaurant offering Cambodia, Vietnamese and Thai vegan food, noodle soups, wraps and tofu dishes. googlemaps
10- HAVEN– a culinary school plus restaurant with plenty of plant-based options. Can’t believe we missed this spot! They were closed at the time we could go there. Details: havencambodia
Other options:
- Poké Me Siem Reap – a delivery service in Siem Reap, with vegan bowl options, weekly menu. Place an order via messenger: facebook
- Green Market – food stalls with some vegan options, next to pub street.
- Little Red Fox – a hip cafe in town centre with plant milk options.
- Kang Le Restaurant – a neat little store/restaurant offering some veggie food and vegan products, outside town centre. googlemaps
- Paris Bakery – heard they have vegan croissants here!
- Indian restaurants – there are several Indian restaurants in Siem Reap, and we tried one near pub street, which offered dosas.. it was OK. Restauraunt suggestion for South Indian vegan food: Vanakkam
While touring the temples, the options are limited, and I guess everyone should carry some snacks and refreshments for the day as there aren’t many restaurants around Angkor Wat. We stopped by one spot where all we could get is a plate of fruit!
Things To Do in Siem Reap
Siem Reap offers much more beyond Angkor Wat! It’s a lively tourism oriented town – Pub Street is a buzzing hub where you can enjoy everything from street food to chic cafes, and nightlife. For local shopping, the Riverside Market or Old Market is a place to purchase local crafts, souvenirs, and spices.
Make sure to take in the surrounding countryside—Siem Reap is surrounded by lush rice paddies and villages that offer a glimpse into rural Cambodian life.
Don’t miss out on an Apsara Theatrical Dance performance, which showcase classical Khmer dance with beautifully choreographed moves and costumes. Or how about a night at Phare Circus – acrobatics performance (no animals used)!
Festivals: The River Festival is held in late February or early March, to celebrate Cambodia’s rivers, which are vital for the country’s ecosystem and livelihoods. The lively event features water-based activities, traditional music and cultural exhibitions. In 2024, it was held in Siem Reap and we saw the river lit up with decorations. Other important festivals are the Khmer New Year (mid-April), and the Water Festival (November).
Angkor Wat
Need I even mention.. The sprawling temple complex is an architectural masterpiece, with intricate carvings and tows that transport you to the days of the Khmer Empire. Built during the early 12th century, during the reign of the Hindu King Suryavarman II.
Purchase the entry pass from the ticket office after 4:30 PM on the day you arrive, and you get free entry to the temples that evening already!
1 day pass $37; 3 day pass $62; 7 day pass $72
Hire a tuk-tuk guide, feel the cooling breeze as you enter ancient gateways.. It typically costs around 15–25 USD for the day. Bikes are also available for rent, for a more adventurous experience. I wanted to, but decided that it was too much in the heat.
Keep plenty of water and snacks, there aren’t many restaurants or vegan options around the temples. I suggest starting early, at sunrise on Day 1 and finishing by the afternoon. You can also take a break and get back to you hotel in the middle of the day to avoid the heat.
The Small Circuit tour covers the main temple complexes: Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm.
Banteay Srei, is another important temple; about an hours drive from Siem Reap.
- Angkor Zipline -> an activity to consider if you’re still feeling adventurous after exploring the temples. Tickets: website
- Hot Air Balloon -> rides are affordable, about 20$ for 30 minutes for a view over Angkor Wat. A couple of tour companies offer sunrise and sunset tours e.g. Angkor Balloon, Cambodia Balloon Adventures. There was one company operating while we were there, and they didn’t seem to float high enough for us to consider taking one.
Buddist temples
Siem Reap is rich in Buddhist heritage, and while the Angkor Wat is the main draw, the town is also home to remarkable Buddhist temples. Wat Preah Prom Rath is one of the most beautiful and well-maintained temples in town, with colorful murals, and a giant reclining Buddha. It is located near the Siem Reap River in the town center.
Wat Bo Pagoda dates back to the 18th century. It is renowned for murals depicting the life of Buddha and traditional Cambodian life. Wat Damnak is also found within walking distance, south of the Royal Gardens, and is another must-see. The entry is based on donations.
Museums
Angkor National Museum showcases artefacts from the temples, but note that the National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh is the one that actually houses most of the important artefacts. In Siem Reap, we ran out of time to visit any museums but the Archaeological museum was on our list!
The Cambodian Landmine Museum is located on the way to Banteay Srey. As a result of decades of wars, including the horrific Khmer Rouge regime, and American and Vietnamese occupations, there were millions of undetonated landmines spread across the country. Plenty are still active, due to which hundreds of civilians are injured or killed every day. Stop by the museum for a deeper understanding of this dark chapter in Cambodia’s history, and hear stories of resilience from the local community.
At APOPO Visitor Centre in Siem Reap, find out about the hero rats that save lives! They are trained to sniff out landmines, and are not heavy enough to set them off. You can take part in a guided tour (10$): website
Massage
Everyone suggests a massage when in Cambodia as it’s widely availaible and affordable. Traditional Khmer Massage is influenced by Ayurvedic and Thai traditions, and focuses on pressure points, stretching, and relaxation.
I definitely do not recommend going for any place that offers cheap massages, as you should know – human trafficking is a major concern in Cambodia and many establishments trap women and workers in exploitative labour. Please avoid any place that offer ‘5$ massages’, choose reputable and ethical spas that pay fair wages to employees. We got a traditional Khmer massage arranged by our hotel by trained therapists (cost 35$).
Sunset Viewpoint
The day before you explore the temples, how about start with a 15-20 minute hike to Phnom Bakheng Temple and view the sunset over Angkor Wat? This is the most popular sunset point for a reason. Our tuk-tuk guide took us here on the first evening, after the Angkor Ticket office. Phnom Bakheng is located at this highest point, with views to the West and East Baray, and Angkor Wat on the way up.
Visit an Elephant Sanctuary
A highlight of our trip was a visit to Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary. Located in northern Cambodia (a 4-hour drive from Siem Reap), it is an elephant rehabilitation centre. They rescue senior, disabled or injured elephants from cruel situations such as captivity in circuses/zoos, labour.
There are a few hundreds of wild elephants left in Cambodia. Conservation efforts aim to stabilize and grow the population by reducing human-elephant conflict, and anti-poaching initiatives. Recent reports indicate signs of recovery, but threats like habitat loss and poaching still exist.
CWS have 3 Asian elephants Diploh (50 years, retired from logging work), SarahMia (32 years) and Kaavan (35 years), rescued from a zoo in Pakistan). Watch them in their own spaces, as they eat a bunch of sugarcane, melons and banana stem! The sanctuary also houses rescued monkeys, gibbons and dogs.
We enjoyed a lovely vegan buffet lunch (food served here is vegan, in line with values of respecting animals as individuals). The kitchen team made absolute great dishes like Khmer curry with tofu, fried broccoli and noodles.
They accept long term volunteers! Info on volunteering at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary: elephantnaturepark.org/enp/visit-volunteer
Full video of the experience coming soon!
Visit a Floating Village
If you are in Cambodia around the wet season, taking a day trip to see any one of the floating villages on the Tonle Sap would be a travel highlight. The Tonle Sap is a large lake, near Siem Reap, where you find these traditional water villages.
Browse and book tours and activities in Siem Reap via GetYourGuide:
Siem Reap Vegan Travel Guide!
Hope this guide was of help –
Go visit Siem Reap and Cambodia (honestly, do not listen to the YouTubers that post clickbait videos on getting scammed in Cambodia..). If you are a smart traveller, and plan well (read this blog 😉 ) then you will have a great, enriching travel experience in this country.
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