Two million tourists visit the Angkor Wat each year. The spectacular UNESCO complex is the symbol of Cambodia and the largest religious monument in the world. But there’s far more to this incredible, unspoilt nation than Angkor.
Here’s our gap year pros and cons:
Pros:
Cambodia is home to phenomenal temple complexes.
It has fascinating historical colonial towns.
The south has spectacular unspoilt beaches.
You can enjoy low living costs.
Outside Siem Reap, Cambodia has few tourists and it’s easy to have an authentic experience.
There’s a high demand for English teachers
Cons:
The country’s infrastructure is poor.
WiFi is bad outside of main cities and on the islands.
Cambodian healthcare is well below Western standards.
The country has a high road traffic accident rate.
Landmines still exist in remote areas. Keep to the main paths when exploring little visited temple areas.
Sexual assault has occurred in the Pub St area of Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.
Drink spiking can take place in bars frequented by tourists.
Penalties for possession of drugs, including Class C, are severe.