Why We Wouldn’t Return to Siem Reap as a Family

When traveling as a family, we often seek destinations that strike the right balance between adventure, culture, and practicality. While Siem Reap, Cambodia, boasts incredible history and charm, our visit left us feeling that it wasn’t the best fit for families. Despite its highlights, Siem Reap didn’t quite meet our expectations, and we wouldn’t plan a return trip. Here’s why:

1. Limited Family-Focused Activities

Siem Reap is renowned for Angkor Wat and its ancient temples, but beyond these wonders, there isn’t much geared toward younger children. While the temples are awe-inspiring, they can quickly become repetitive and overwhelming for kids.

We struggled to find activities that could keep our 8-year-old engaged. There are few interactive museums, no large-scale family attractions, and limited spaces for creative play. If you’re looking for a destination with a mix of history and family fun, Siem Reap doesn’t offer much variety.

2. Challenging Logistics with Kids

Getting around Siem Reap was more stressful than we anticipated. Tuk-tuks are the main mode of transport, but their lack of seat belts and protection from the sun and rain made them less than ideal for traveling with a child.

Exploring the temples themselves was also tricky. Many involve steep stairs, uneven paths, and long walks, which can be exhausting for adults and overwhelming for younger travelers. Add the intense heat, and it became more of a chore than an adventure.

3. The Overwhelming Heat and Crowds

Cambodia’s tropical climate was another major challenge. The intense heat and humidity made even the simplest outings feel draining, especially for our child. Visiting the temples early in the morning helped to some extent, but the crowds often dampened the experience.

Angkor Wat, in particular, was incredibly busy during our visit. The sheer volume of tourists made it hard to enjoy the serene beauty of the temples, and navigating the crowds while managing a child added extra stress.

4. Expensive for What It Offers

One of the most surprising aspects of Siem Reap was how expensive it was, especially compared to other Southeast Asian destinations we’ve visited.

Entrance fees for Angkor Wat alone are significant—$37 per adult for a one-day pass and $18.50 for children—making it a pricey excursion for families. Restaurants, transportation, and even accommodation were also more expensive than expected, yet often didn’t deliver the quality we’d hoped for.

We’ve visited other destinations in Southeast Asia that offered better value for money and a wider range of family-friendly experiences, which made Siem Reap feel disproportionately costly.

5. Lack of Family-Friendly Dining Options

While Siem Reap has a vibrant food scene, it’s not particularly kid-friendly. Many restaurants cater to adult tastes, and we struggled to find menus that suited our 8-year-old’s preferences. Street food is a big part of the culture, but it didn’t always feel like a safe choice for a child.

The heat, mosquitoes, and limited air-conditioned dining spaces also made mealtime less enjoyable. For families looking for comfort and convenience, this was another area where Siem Reap fell short.

6. Accommodation Didn’t Meet Expectations

Even though we researched carefully, we found it hard to find accommodations that were truly family-friendly without stretching our budget. Many hotels were beautiful, but they lacked features like family pools or play areas that would have made downtime more enjoyable.

Given how much we relied on our accommodation to recharge after long days, this was a disappointment. For the price we paid, we expected more amenities to cater to families.

What We Did Enjoy

To be fair, there were some highlights. The temples of Angkor are breathtaking, and we loved learning about Cambodia’s rich history. The local people were incredibly warm and welcoming, and the cultural insights we gained were invaluable.

However, as a family, we struggled to find enough activities and comfort to make the trip truly enjoyable.

Would We Recommend Siem Reap?

Siem Reap is undoubtedly a must-see destination for history lovers and adult travelers, but for families with younger kids, it’s worth weighing the challenges against the rewards. The heat, crowds, limited activities, and high costs make it a difficult destination to fully enjoy as a family.

For us, Siem Reap will remain a one-time experience. We’ll treasure the memories of visiting Angkor Wat, but it’s not a place we’d revisit as a family.

Have you visited Siem Reap with your family? Did you find it worth the cost and effort? We’d love to hear your thoughts—share your experiences in the comments below!