Siem Reap with Kids – Family Travel Guide 2025

If you are planning to visit Siem Reap with kids in 2025, this in-depth travel guide will tell you everything that you need to know to plan and prepare for your trip.

Cambodia is outside many people’s comfort zones, even if they don’t have kids, so taking a little time to research, plan, and prepare for your trip is essential. We have designed this article to be a one-stop, in-depth guide to help you prepare every aspect of your trip to Siem Reap with kids.

We have included information and advice about activities, food, accommodation, prices, transportation, and much more. There really are some important things that you need to know before you visit Siem Reap with kids. This article is designed to save you stress and problems, maximizing the chance of an amazing family experience in Siem Reap.

We have lived in Siem Reap, and we have also traveled Cambodia extensively with our own kids. So, we have a lot of inside knowledge, experience, and top tips to help you plan your own family adventures in Siem Reap.

Looking for a place to stay? Don’t miss these fantastic family hotels in Siem Reap

Learn more – Don’t miss this in-depth guide – the best things to do in Siem Reap with kids

Is it worth visiting Siem Reap with kids?

Yes, in our opinion, it is definitely worth visiting Siem Reap with kids. We have visited several times with our own kids, and we have always had an amazing time. Siem Reap is a very unique destination. It is packed with adventure, beauty, culture, and epic experiences that will leave a deep and lasting impression on your kids.

Siem Reap really has a lot to offer different families. For example, if you are traveling with active and intrepid teenagers, you may want to get off the beaten tracks and find some ways to help out in the rural villages around Siem Reap. If you are educating your kids on the road, you will definitely be interested in the rich culture and heritage of Angkor Wat. There are many lesser-visited temples where you can connect with the unique culture and history. Siem Reap also has something to offer for families with younger kids. There are some fascinating markets around Siem Reap, and you can even find an indoor soft play space in town. Whether you are planning an active adventurous trip or you want a slower and more relaxing family, Siem Reap does have something for everyone.

Cambodia is one of the most challenging countries to travel in Southeast Asia, so we are not pretending that it is an easy trip. In this article, we will help equip and inform you to prepare for your trip so you know what to expect. Preparation is everything when it comes to family travel in a challenging destination like Siem Reap.

What are the best activities in Siem Reap for kids?

What is the best way to get around in Siem Reap with kids?

Don’t miss our full guide – The best ways to get around in Siem Reap

If you are planning to explore Siem Reap, you will need to have a transportation plan that is suitable for your itinerary. However, if you are traveling around Siem Reap with kids, your transport options will be fairly limited. There is no public transport system in Siem Reap, and car taxis are very rare. Your main and best option for traveling around is to take a tuk-tuk. This is a small wagon pulled by a motorbike, and it is a fun, convenient, and affordable way to explore Siem Reap with kids.

The good news is it is relatively easy to take a tuk-tuk in Siem Reap. There are plenty of drivers waiting around, and they generally speak a very good level of English and have an excellent knowledge of the local attractions. All you need to do is find a driver and agree on the price. You will probably need to barter to get a fair price. However, if you are not familiar with Cambodia, it can be hard to get a grip on fair prices. Here are some examples of reasonable prices for common routes in Siem Reap:

• A short journey around Siem Reap (1km – 3km): $1 – $2.
• A medium-length half-day journey with an hour or two waiting: $8 – $10.
• A long full-day journey (for example, exploring Angkor Wat): $15 – $20.

Drivers will often try to charge a lot more than this. They may claim that it costs more because you have kids. This is not correct. The price in Siem Reap is for the tuk-tuk (which can normally take up to 4 – 5 people). It is important to be firm and stick to your price. Remember, you can always walk on; in some cases, you may wish to pay your driver more. We recommend agreeing to a fair price, and if they do a good job, give them a generous tip at the end of the day. This creates a culture of fair pricing and gratitude.

Don’t miss our Full guide to taking a tuk tuk in Cambodia

What are the best places to stay in Siem Reap for families?

1 Garden Village Guest House

This is one of the best options if you are hoping to be in Siem Reap and looking for a budget place to stay with kids. Garden Village is a relatively large guest house with a restaurant and bar on site. They also have an outdoor swimming pool and a sandy volleyball pitch. Garden Village is very close to several small supermarkets and is also opposite the Temple Design Bar and Restaurant. There are plenty of tuk-tuk drivers in the area, so it is very easy to arrange transportation around here. This area is a real hub, and Garden Village also has some excellent clean and comfortable family-friendly accommodation for great prices.

2 The Moon Residence & Spa

This is a small secluded hidden gem situated in the heart of Siem Reap (just 5 minutes from the Old Market). This mid-range hotel offers very stylish, luxurious, and comfortable accommodation. The hotel is surrounded by trees and tropical foliage, creating a peaceful sanctuary in the heart of Siem Reap. It also has an outdoor swimming pool. They also have a spacious and stylish connecting family room that can comfortably sleep up to 4 people. The room has a trendy Asian interior design theme and a large bathtub. The Moon Residence offers a very comfortable stay and great value for money.

3 Central Suite Residence

If you are looking for a luxurious Siem Reap hotel with kids, then we highly recommend Central Suite Residence. This unique hotel has a traditional Cambodian interior design theme with contemporary touches. It also has a very spacious and impressive family suite, which can comfortably sleep up to 4 people. It has a beautiful unique open plan interior design scene. This beautiful hotel has excellent facilities, including an on-site bar and restaurant and an outdoor swimming pool. It is also a very short walk from Pub Street. There are plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants nearby, and it is very easy to find tuk-tuks. So if you are looking to splash out in Siem Reap, definitely check out Central Suite Residence.

What are the challenges of exploring Siem Reap with kids?

If you are planning to explore Siem Reap with kids, you will encounter some big challenges. Firstly, Cambodia has a hot tropical climate. During the dry season, it can be intensely sunny and hot during the days, and during the rainy season, it is often warm and humid. You can also experience intensive thunderstorms, and some areas around Siem Reap are liable to flooding.

It is important to be prepared for the climate. We recommend that you consider sun protection, including sunglasses, sun hats, high-factor sun cream, and a travel umbrella, which can also be useful. We have also found it very useful to keep our valuable items in a dry sack; this keeps them safe from pickpockets and sudden tropical downpours.

The hot climate also brings along unwanted insects and creepy crawlies. These can make their way into your room, so if you are squeamish, you need to be prepared for unwelcome visitors from time to time. Moreover, there are also plenty of mosquitoes around in Cambodia, and we do recommend using mosquito repellent, especially during the cooler hours of the day.

Cambodia is also a developing country, and Siem Reap is prone to experiencing power cuts. Some hotels and guest houses have their own generators, so they can keep the power running during power cuts. However, if the power goes off in the night and your hotel does not have a generator, your room can get pretty hot and unpleasant very quickly.

Although Cambodia is a developing country, prices for some products can be relatively high compared to other countries in the region (such as Thailand). So, if you are trying to travel Cambodia on a low budget with kids, you may find Siem Reap relatively expensive.

How do you find kid-friendly food in Siem Reap?

If you are staying in the Siem Reap town center, there is a wide range of food available. Local Cambodian food is not very kid-friendly, and if you buy street food around Siem Reap, it may not be very hygienic. So, we do not recommend jumping straight into eating lots of street food with kids. There are cafes and restaurants around serving local and international dishes. Here are some examples of kid-friendly food that you can find in Siem Reap:

• Pancakes: Many cafes, guest houses, and restaurants serve pancakes, and this is a great option for breakfast with kids.
• Yogurt and muesli: Many cafes and guest houses in Siem Reap have yogurt and muesli on the menu.
• Continental breakfast: In Siem Reap, you can normally find plenty of places offering a continental breakfast, including eggs, bread, jam, and sausages.
• Baguettes: You can often find plenty of street-side stores selling baguettes for $1, including fillings such as cheese, jam, Nutella, or pickled salads.
• Waffles: You may occasionally see people selling fresh waffles on the street side; these are normally great value for money.
• Western food: There are plenty of cafes and restaurants in Siem Reap serving a range of Western food such as pizzas, pasta, and burgers.
• Fruit: You can also find lots of markets selling a range of fresh fruits in Siem Reap; bananas, oranges, and jackfruit are all common in Siem Reap.

There are also plenty of convenience stores around Siem Reap; they sell a good range of snacks and treats, including things like bread, chocolate, cakes, biscuits, crisps, and a range of drinks.

We also want to give a shout out to Angkor Tacos on Sok San Road. They serve delicious freshly made tacos ($1.50 – $3). The couple who run Angkor Tacos are very friendly and lovely. So support a local business and eat some tacos!

What things can you buy in Siem Reap?

Siem Reap is a relatively developed town with a wide range of shops and market stores. You can find large supermarkets that sell an excellent range of food and drinks. There are also lots of convenience stores around selling food, snacks, and drinks. Supermarkets and convenience stores also sell products like nappies, wet wipes, and baby milk. Alternatively, there are a couple of specialist baby stores situated in Siem Reap. These shops sell an excellent range of baby products, including milk bottles, formula, baby toys, and baby clothing.

There are also several large markets in Siem Reap. The Old Market, situated close to the river, is open throughout the day, and you can buy fresh fruit, veggies, and local food. They also have an extensive section selling practical stuff, including homeware, hardware, and outdoor clothing. The night markets in Siem Reap open in the evening and sell a wide range of clothing, including kids’ clothes, art, craft, and gifts. You can find plenty of kid-friendly products in the market.

Top tip: If you’re planning to visit a night market with kids, speak to your kids about their expectations. If they get too excited about buying something, the market seller may try to charge a higher price. So, we do not recommend taking an excited child around the market when you are trying to barter with the local vendors.

What are the amenities like for families in Siem Reap?

The amenities in Siem Reap are relatively limited and very basic. For example, if you’re traveling with a baby or a toddler, it is very rare to find baby changing rooms. We recommend traveling with a compact baby changing mat. Cafes and restaurants rarely have a baby chair, so you will need to be prepared to hold your baby during meals. It is also rare to find kids’ play parks and kid-friendly attractions.

You may also be wondering about how to do laundry in Siem Reap. The good news is that laundry is relatively easy and cheap. Most guest houses and hotels offer a laundry service; it normally costs $1 per kilogram, and your laundry will be returned clean, dry, and folded one day later. For an average family, it is likely to cost around $3 – $5 for a load of laundry. Most of your clothing is likely to be small and relatively light in this hot climate.

In terms of water, you will generally need to rely on buying water bottles to keep your family going. It normally costs 3,000 Reil – 4,000 Reil ($0.75 – $1) for a 1.5-liter bottle of water. You can buy water all over the place in Siem Reap (it will be more expensive in Angkor Wat!). If you are staying a little longer, we recommend buying a larger water bottle and using this to top up your own bottle; this will reduce the amount of plastic waste you produce. This is also a cheaper solution, as large 5 – 10-liter bottles are much cheaper per liter.

How do you prepare for a trip to Siem Reap with kids?

Prior preparation and planning are very important if you are planning to visit Siem Reap with kids. We recommend spending some time working out exactly what you want to do and when you will do it. You will also need to consider your transportation around Siem Reap. If possible, try to book your hotel in advance. You will always be able to find accommodation in Siem Reap, even if you are leaving it to the last minute. However, the best hotels often get booked up quite early, so book as early as possible. We recommend having some offline maps available on your phone for the destinations you hope to visit during your trip.

It is also important to have some clean and undamaged dollar bills for your arrival. We recommend arriving with sufficient funds for your first day or two; this will give you time to find a cash machine before you run out of money. Once you have sorted out your flights and accommodation, it is important to buy a good travel insurance policy that covers you and your entire family throughout the duration of your trip. Make sure that your policy includes travel in Cambodia and also includes medical repatriation cover if required. (This covers you for those extremely expensive nightmare situations where you need to be repatriated to your home country in the event of a medical emergency.)

Siem Reap with kids – essential packing list

This is not designed to be a comprehensive packing list. Every family will have their own unique and personal packing list; however, we wanted to share some ideas of essential items to bring along. We have focused on things you may miss when you are packing for your trip to Siem Reap with kids.

• Sunscreen (SPF 50) – You can buy sunscreen in Cambodia, but it is very expensive.
• Sun hats and sunglasses.
• A small travel umbrella.
• A small day bag for day trips around Siem Reap.
• A dry sack to keep your valuables safe and dry – You can get sudden tropical downpours in Cambodia.
• Clean new dollar bills for your arrival.
• A good international bank card (and a backup card).
• Mosquito repellent.
• One warm layer for the evening or air-conditioned buildings.
• Swimming stuff and travel towel.
• Toiletries and any medication you need for your trip.
• Loose, light-fitting clothing.
• Wet wipes (This is useful even if you are not traveling with a baby; Cambodia can be a dirty, dusty country, and it can be nice to freshen up with a wet wipe from time to time).
• A head torch (Siem Reap experiences power cuts in the evening and at night; sometimes it is helpful to have a head torch).
• Tech travel adapters and charger cables.

Is it safe to travel to Siem Reap with kids?

Yes, it is relatively safe to travel to Siem Reap with kids. Any travel comes with inherent risks, and it is always important to research and evaluate the risks carefully and make sure that you are taking precautions to protect yourself and your family when you are traveling. Cambodia is relatively stable politically; however, we do recommend that you keep an eye on the latest information. We have found the information on the UK FCO website to be relevant, helpful, and up-to-date. Never travel against the advice of your consulate because this can invalidate your travel insurance.

Here are some of the more common and prominent risks if you’re traveling around Siem Reap with kids. Firstly, be aware that many hotels and guest houses have outdoor swimming pools. If your kids are not swimmers, make sure that you supervise them carefully. The roads in Cambodia can be fairly crowded and intense; it is important to cross carefully as pedestrians don’t necessarily have a right of way here. As a tropical country, there is also a risk of encountering dangerous animals such as snakes. Always take care, especially if you are exploring wild areas.

There is a risk of dengue fever and malaria, especially in rural areas. We also recommend making sure that you and your family have a full set of up-to-date travel vaccinations. Speak to your GP or a travel clinic to get more advice about illness and disease in Cambodia. You can also find a lot of up-to-date travel health information on the NaTHNaC Website.

All of this may sound off-putting; keep in mind that Cambodia is a popular tourist country, and many travelers have safe and amazing trips to Siem Reap throughout the year.

Poverty & Family Travel in Siem Reap

Don’t miss our article on Ethical Volunteering in Siem Reap

Cambodia is also a very poor country, and you and your family will come face-to-face with a lot of intense poverty both in Siem Reap and in the surrounding areas. It is important to be prepared for this and be ready to help your children understand the poverty in the region.

Exploring Siem Reap with your kids is a great way to teach your children about the complexities and nuances of ethical charity work in a developing country. If you have time, you could find ways to help out and volunteer to support poor families in and around Siem Reap.

For example, we recommend talking to your children about the street children they will see in Siem Reap. If your kids are older, they may be able to understand issues such as organized begging and trafficking. If your children are younger, you could talk to them about ways to meet immediate needs. Here are a few practical ways that you could help out with your kids in Siem Reap:

• Buy some hot, fresh street food and give it out to the street kids – In our experience, the street kids really appreciate hot, fresh food because it cannot be returned (if you buy them something that is packaged, they may not be allowed to it – there is normally an adult or older kid watching them and checking).
• Buy them an ice cream and open it before you give it to them.
• Buy the kids some fresh fruit (again, try to open or cut it before you give it to the kids).

Seeing street kids can feel unfamiliar and intimidating at first; it is important to be friendly and confident. The street kids in Cambodia are actually very kind and friendly, and they enjoy talking to people. This is a great way to break down barriers and model healthy interactions to your children.