Cambodia - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 86

Khneas en route. Guesthouse reps will be keen to offer a
free ride into town, so it's a good idea to decide beforehand
where you want to stay; otherwise, there are plenty of
motos ($3) and tuk-tuks ($5). Boats leave from the port at
7am for Phnom Penh ($35) and at 8am for Battambang
($25). When the water level is really low (Feb-May) the
express boats for Phnom Penh moor some way out, and
you'll be taken out to them on a smaller craft. You'll need
to book your ticket at least a day ahead - two days ahead
March-Nov - when often just one boat runs on each
route. If you buy your ticket from a guesthouse or hotel, a
minibus will collect you, although this may mean setting
out as early as 5.30am; otherwise, you'll have to make
your own way to the port.
Destinations Battambang (daily; 6hr wet season, up to
8hr in the dry); Phnom Penh (daily; 5-6hr).

two buildings with twelve nicely furnished rooms, al l wit h
a/c and hot water, decorated in bold colours. Double $16
★

Golden Temple Villa Off Sivatha Blvd T 012 943459,
W goldentemplevilla.com. Hugely popular guesthouse in
lush gardens with a range of bright, colourfully decorated
rooms with a/c, hot water, DVD player and fridge. Compli-
mentary tea, coffee and bananas are available all day, and
a free 1hr massa ge is included. Good value - and booking
advised. Double $15
Ivy 2 Just off Pokambor Av T 012 380516, W ivy
-guesthouse.com. In a rustic old ivy-clad wooden house,
this is a Siem Reap guesthouse like they all used to be -
basic, but with bags of character. Downstairs is a laidback
café with bar and pool table, upstairs is a nice little
veranda, while accommodation is in a mix of simple fan
rooms (with cold water) and slig htly posher a/c rooms
(with hot water; from $10). Double $6
★

2

GETTING AROUND
The town is small enough to walk across from top to
bottom in not much more than 20min or so. There are also
plentiful motos and tuk-tuks (both $1/2 for shorter/longer
trips around the centre), plus bicycles for rental (from
$2/day) at numerous places.

Mandalay Inn Psakrom St T 063 761662,
W mandalayinn.com. Long-running Siem Reap stalwart,
and still the best cheapie in the city centre with a range
of comfortable fan and a/c rooms (from $16), all with hot
water and fridge. The super-helpful staff can arrange all
kinds of tours, and there's also a rooftop gy m, internet
access and a good little restaurant. Double $10
Shadow of Angkor Pokambor Av T 063 964774,
W shadowofangkor.com. Old-style Siem Reap guesthouse,
set upstairs in a lovely old colonial shophouse by the river,
with an attractive restaurant below. Rooms (all with a/c
and hot water) are a bit bare and basic for the price, but f or
location and atmosphere it can't be beaten. Double $15
Smiley's Taphul Rd T 012 686060, W smileyguesthouse
.com. From humble beginnings this guesthouse has
grown enormously, but remains one of Siem Reap's better
budget options. Rooms (optional a/c from $4; some with
hot water) are clean and bri ght, and there's a peaceful little
downstairs café. Double $8

INFORMATION AND TOURS
Tourist information There are three tourist o ces in
town, one in the southwest corner of the Royal Gardens,
one on Sivatha Boulevard near Psar Chas, and one on the
way to the temples. It's possible to hire government-
licensed temple guides here ($25/day), and also arrange a
car and driver (from $30/day). The useful Siem Reap Angkor
Visitors Guide , published three times a year and available
from some hotels, guesthouses and the tourist o ces,
contains detailed listings of places to stay, eat and drink; it's
also available online at W canbypublications.com.

ACCOMMODATION
Most budget accommodation is largely concentrated in
two areas: in and around Psar Chas, and in the various
streets running east of the river (particularly around St 20).
There's an excellent selection, and standards are high,
although equally prices are generally a bit higher than
elsewhere in Cambodia, with many places offering a/c
rooms only.

EAST OF THE RIVER
The Backpacker Hostel 7 Makara T 012 313239,
W angkorbackpacker.com. One of Siem Reap's cheapest
sleeps, with beds on top of the five-storey building under
a rooftop awning, like a semi-outdoor dorm. It's pretty
basic (and at the top of many steps), although the beds
the mselve s are comfortable, and come with nets. Dorm
$3 , double $10
★

Bou Savy Off Airport Rd T 063 964967, W bousavy
guesthouse.com. Excellent guesthouse - despite the
inconvenient location - particularly popular with
volunteers and long-staying guests thanks to its home-
from-home atmosphere. There's a mix of rooms (all
en-suite with hot water and fridge; a/c doubles from $18)
and the sociable little plant-strewn courtyard café is a nice
place t o ha ng. Advance bookings recommended. B&B.
Double $12

AROUND PSAR CHAS
Angkor Friendship Inn Psakrom St T 063 965197,
W angkorfriendshipinn.com. Friendly family-run guest-
house, popular with long-stay visitors, offering excellent-
value a/c rooms, all en-suite with hot water. There's also
a nice cou rtyard seating area plus small pool. B&B.
Double $16
Ei8ht Rooms Off Sivatha Blvd T 063 969788,
W ei8htrooms.com. Attractive guesthouse spread over