Cambodia, Off The Grid & Temple Oasis

Islands, temples and travel mates from beginning to end is the best way to describe my time in Cambodia. During my 7 days in Cambodia I managed to experience the rare feeling of being off the grid and getting templed out. It’s why the title of this article, “Cambodia, Off The Grid & Temple Oasis | felt so fitting after my time in Cambodia.

My Cambodian adventure began on the island of Koh Rong Samloem, where an unexpected trek with my #LifeinaBag led to unforgettable friendships and a true off-the-grid experience at Mad Monkey. After enjoying island life, I headed to Siem Reap to explore the iconic temples of Angkor Wat and dive into the local scene with my new travel crew. My best memories? The people I shared it with.

Use this guide to create your own memories and find your own crew to discover this oasis.

Cambodia, Off The Grid & Temple Oasis Table Of Contents

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Cambodia Tips Before You Travel

See below my list of tips to make your Cambodia, off the grid & temple oasis one to remember.

Ferry Tips for Koh Rong Samloem

Round trip ferries from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Samloem are $20, but ensure you confirm the arrival and departure pier as they may change due to weather and the ferry company. If you can avoid a 40-minute trek, I highly recommend it.

Mad Monkey Koh Rong Samloem: Cash is King

Bring cash when staying at Mad Monkey Koh Rong Samloem, as there’s no Wi-Fi, no credit card payments, and no ATMs on the island. The hostel operates on a tab system. If short on cash, they offer a loan system where they hold your passport as insurance, and you repay the loan (plus 10%) in Sihanoukville.

Currency and Pricing in Cambodia

The U.S. dollar is widely used in Cambodia. While prices are still relatively cheap, they are higher compared to other Southeast Asian countries. Meals range from $6 to $20, depending on whether you indulge in appetizers and happy hour drinks.

Bus or Flight? Travel Options from Sihanoukville to Siem Reap

If you have time, buses from Sihanoukville to Siem Reap are a budget-friendly option, with a direct ride taking 12-14 hours. Stopping in Kampot and Phnom Penh is highly recommended. Alternatively, a 45-minute flight costs $50-$70. Sleeper buses are another option, but make sure to research for safety concerns.

Sunrise vs. Sunset at Angkor Wat: A Reality Check

Angkor Wat sunrise and sunset may not match the Google images, but the sunrise is still worth it for fewer crowds and cooler temperatures. It’s best to head back to the city by lunch to relax or enjoy the rest of your day.

Don’t Forget Your Angkor Wat Guidebook

Angkor Wat lacks informational signage, so bring a guidebook to enhance your experience. If you forget one, street vendors sell them for around $10 right outside the temples.

Arriving Early for Sunset at Angkor Wat

If you plan on watching the sunset at Angkor Wat, get there by 16:00 (4 p.m.). The best viewing spot is on top of a temple, and only 300 people are allowed up at a time. Arriving late may mean standing in line and missing out.

Tuk Tuk: The Best Way to Explore Angkor Wat

Renting a tuk tuk for the day is the most convenient way to travel between temples. Prices range from $20 to $30, with the higher rate typically including a sunrise tour.

Koh Rong Samloem – Stop 1

My first stop in Cambodia was Koh Rong Samloem an island about an hour away via speed ferry from Sihanoukville. I mistakenly purchased a ferry ticket from a speed ferry company that left me on the opposite pier that I should have been on to get the Mad Monkey ferry which picks up guests to take them to the private part of the Island just for Mad Monkey. This resulted in a 40 minute trek of the island with my 14Kg (30 Lbs) #LifeinaBag which was definitely a work out and while it was the longest I’ve trekked my #LifeinaBag during this whole trip, I wasn’t completely upset as I could always use a good workout and a plus if I don’t have to go to a gym to find it.

As I waited for the ferry in the correct pier I met David, Ronni, Kyle and Alex who were also going to Mad Money. Little did we know then that we would become each others Cambodian travel mates. None of us knew what to expect. I for one had no idea as I didn’t do much research and based my Cambodia trip off recommendations from one of my friends who had been here earlier this year. I was sold by his pictures and snaps so anywhere he recommended was going to get on my list especially what he called, “his favorite hostel.”

With little to almost no battery and knowing it was my dad’s birthday I made my final video message to wish him a happy birthday before boarding the Mad Monkey Ferry and going off the grid. As I mentioned Mad Monkey Koh Rong Samloem has no Wi-Fi and Cellular and data signal is almost nonexistent. The idea is that you spend your days in this island enjoying everybody else’s company, going snorkeling, spending time in the beach, grabbing meals, hanging out in the lounge, participating in night activities (who got 3rd place in limbo and whose team won 1st place in human statue creation???? This girl!), having a bucket or two of your poison of choice, working out in their Fred Flinstone style gym which I can proudly say I actually used and one of my favorite activities swimming at midnight with the plankton lighting up the water around us.

It felt refreshing to be off the grid. It’s an amazing feeling to not have to carry your phone or bother with thinking if somebody replied back to your message or how many likes did my picture get etc. This hostel did not disappoint so if you truly want to relax and live the island life this is the place to do it.

Siem Reap – Stop 2

The second stop in Cambodia was Siem Reap where checking out the temples in Angkor Wat is the highlight of the city and while I’m sure there must be more my travel mates and I wouldn’t know. Angkor Wat offers 3 type of tickets, 1 day, 3 day or 7 day. We opted for the 3 day knowing we would only do 2 days but felt aside from shopping and spas not much else was in Siem Reap and figured we could take our time checking out the temples. The temples are breathtaking, each unique and pretty marvelous to see how well in shape they are but at a certain point you will get templed out aka be over looking at temples. Aside from temples while in Siem Reap we did see the famous Pub Street to check out the night scene, put our haggling skills to the tests in the markets and checked out a variety of dinner spots from Cambodian to even Indian.

As with every adventure, it’s really who you get to experience your adventure that makes it all worthwhile and I couldn’t of asked for a better group to see Cambodia, Off The Grid & Temple Oasis. To my mates, was fun to get off the grid and get templed out together. Thanks for the memories!