Post by Doug on Nov 12, 2013 22:12:16 GMT
Helpful Tip Whenever you check in get a card from your place so you can always get back .
Money and Free ATM's Canadia Bank does not charge a fee and there is one close to Pub Street.You do not need to convert dollars to Riels as that is what ATM's give you,the rate is 4000 to a dollar. Also this is kind of hassle as the ATM's like to give $100 bills, try and break at the hotel, or a busy bar on Pub Street as most places will not have change.It is best to keep as many small bills as possible because even a $ 10 can sometimes be a problem at a small place.
Scams When you walk towards pub street a small child carrying a baby will tell you they do not want money but formula for the baby. Do not buy any as all they do is take the formula back to the store and split it 50/50 with the owner and they charge around $25 for a $5 dollar formula.The mini mart under the X club on the corner is the one supporting this scam and I doubt the children make much money and are just pawns so please Boycott that mini mart and tell others as well.
Sort of Scam On Arrival by bus Just be aware that every company will drop you off in a different place, unless you paid for the Taxi service. This means if you are coming by a bus or van and even though they told you they would drop at your hotel they lied. Wherever they drop you off and I have been to Siem Reap 5 or 6 times and it has never been the same, there will be a bunch of Tuk Tuk drivers wanting to take you to a hotel and say it is free, usually . They will try and take you to a different hotel where they get a kick back as well as convince you to use them to go to Angkor Wat the next day.If you already have a reservation be firm and demand to go to your hotel and usually pay 3 to 5 dollars and again this depends where they drop you .If you have no idea where to stay you can check out their hotels as one time I stayed at one and it was reasonable , so just ask the price or tell them what you want to pay beforehand also make sure you are near Pub Street as it is most active area of town.
Restaurants
The golden Temple Villa does a happy hr nightly starting at 4:30 pm you can get an excellent meal for $ 2 to 3 $ also get free coffee and bananas
www.goldentemplevilla.com/location
Khmer Taste offers 2 eggs, baguette and butter and jam for $1 also offers noodles and soups for 1$
www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g297390-d2669965-Reviews-Khmer_Taste-Siem_Reap_Siem_Reap_Province.html
Most Popular Hostels
Garden Village rates starting from $ 1 if you don't mind sleeping on a patio the website only allows room booking but you can also get dorm rooms and what is called Khmer dorm rooms when you arrive .
www.gardenvillageguesthouse.com/
The mad Monkey is very popular and fills up quick budget dorm rooms start at $5
www.madmonkeyhostels.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=109:about-the-mad-monkey-hostel-siem-reap&catid=21:mad-monkey-siem-reap&Itemid=122
Hotel I have stayed at this place several times and a fan room is $7 I think A/C is $15 close to pub street nice family. www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g297390-d483419-Reviews-Mandalay_Inn-Siem_Reap_Siem_Reap_Province.html
Money and Free ATM's Canadia Bank does not charge a fee and there is one close to Pub Street.You do not need to convert dollars to Riels as that is what ATM's give you,the rate is 4000 to a dollar. Also this is kind of hassle as the ATM's like to give $100 bills, try and break at the hotel, or a busy bar on Pub Street as most places will not have change.It is best to keep as many small bills as possible because even a $ 10 can sometimes be a problem at a small place.
Scams When you walk towards pub street a small child carrying a baby will tell you they do not want money but formula for the baby. Do not buy any as all they do is take the formula back to the store and split it 50/50 with the owner and they charge around $25 for a $5 dollar formula.The mini mart under the X club on the corner is the one supporting this scam and I doubt the children make much money and are just pawns so please Boycott that mini mart and tell others as well.
Sort of Scam On Arrival by bus Just be aware that every company will drop you off in a different place, unless you paid for the Taxi service. This means if you are coming by a bus or van and even though they told you they would drop at your hotel they lied. Wherever they drop you off and I have been to Siem Reap 5 or 6 times and it has never been the same, there will be a bunch of Tuk Tuk drivers wanting to take you to a hotel and say it is free, usually . They will try and take you to a different hotel where they get a kick back as well as convince you to use them to go to Angkor Wat the next day.If you already have a reservation be firm and demand to go to your hotel and usually pay 3 to 5 dollars and again this depends where they drop you .If you have no idea where to stay you can check out their hotels as one time I stayed at one and it was reasonable , so just ask the price or tell them what you want to pay beforehand also make sure you are near Pub Street as it is most active area of town.
Restaurants
The golden Temple Villa does a happy hr nightly starting at 4:30 pm you can get an excellent meal for $ 2 to 3 $ also get free coffee and bananas
www.goldentemplevilla.com/location
Khmer Taste offers 2 eggs, baguette and butter and jam for $1 also offers noodles and soups for 1$
www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g297390-d2669965-Reviews-Khmer_Taste-Siem_Reap_Siem_Reap_Province.html
Most Popular Hostels
Garden Village rates starting from $ 1 if you don't mind sleeping on a patio the website only allows room booking but you can also get dorm rooms and what is called Khmer dorm rooms when you arrive .
www.gardenvillageguesthouse.com/
The mad Monkey is very popular and fills up quick budget dorm rooms start at $5
www.madmonkeyhostels.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=109:about-the-mad-monkey-hostel-siem-reap&catid=21:mad-monkey-siem-reap&Itemid=122
Hotel I have stayed at this place several times and a fan room is $7 I think A/C is $15 close to pub street nice family. www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g297390-d483419-Reviews-Mandalay_Inn-Siem_Reap_Siem_Reap_Province.html