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After years of being closed to tourism due to the health crisis, Southeast Asia re-emerged this year as one of the trendiest and most sought-after destinations among Westerners.
From the nightlife hotspots of Phuket and Pattaya in Thailand to the up-and-coming coastal resort of Mui Ne in Vietnam, Americans and Europeans alike are flocking to the subcontinent for a tropical vacation that won’t break the bank.
Traditional tourist hotspots aside, this lesser-known, equally incredible and ridiculously cheap country has also exploded in popularity lately, and it could be gearing up for a historic 2024 now that it’s just been confirmed as the home to the 8th wonder of the world:
Here’s why Cambodia should be on your 2024 bucket list
Often forgotten in the bigger picture, the kingdom of Cambodia is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to the crowded beach areas of Indonesia and Thailand as they reach new peaks of overtourism.
It is bordered by Thailand to the northeast, landlocked Laos to the north, Vietnam to the east and borders the Gulf of Thailand, which provides the only access to the sea. It is one of the oldest traditional states in Southeast Asia.
Cambodia has retain its own character at least since the 9th century, when the Khmer Empire was formed, although it would later come under French influence after colonization attempts in the 19th century.
Although Cambodians as a group share a unique set of traits that set them apart from their immediate neighbors, whether it be their Indian-influenced, flavorful cuisine or the predominantly Buddhist demographics, they have also absorbed Western culture to some extent.
Colonial heritage and ancient ruins
The decades under European control resulted in the makeover of many settlements in then largely rural Cambodia, including the capital Phnom Penh, renovated with French-style buildings, wide boulevards and an abundance of green spaces.
Still, Phnom Penh remained very much the cultural heart of Cambodia, something foreign powers could not erase: it was founded as early as 1372 and has an impressive selection of ancient temples, imperial palaces and historical ruins dating back to the Khmer Empire.
Siem Reapa resort town in the northwest region, is yet another major point of interest for visiting Americans, as it is home to some of the Khmer Kingdom’s most impressive stone buildings, including Angkor Watwhich is on the Cambodian flag.
Angkor Wat just got the award unofficial title of the Eighth Wonder of the World, defeating the ruins of Pompeii in Italy to claim this position.
The rediscovery of this UNESCO World Heritage complex is one of the main reasons why tourists return massively to Cambodia lately, such as it is the largest religious monument in the world and a huge fortress built with purpose and precision.
It was composed by the 12th century King Suryavarman II and dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, with five perfectly symmetrical lotus-shaped towers representing Mount Meru, the ‘Olympus’ of the Hindu and Buddhist gods.
Beautiful unspoilt coastal areas
On the Cambodian coast, the main destinations to visit are Sihanoukville, a small, relaxed town on a peninsula stretching into the Gulf of Thailand, bordered by a long, thin sandy beach, and Ko Rongan island close to the mainland.
Full of sandy coves and dense stretches of jungle and surrounded by a colorful coral reef, this hidden gem of an island is one of the last truly untouched nature reserves in Southeast Asia and a new favorite in the adventurous backpacker community.
There’s a party beach at Police Beach, a small zoo in the south of the island, and the landmark High Point Rope Park, which is full of suspension bridges.
Tourists can also walk across rope crossings and a zipline through the green landscape below.
One of the cheapest tropical getaways in Asia
With all this to offer, crowd-free beaches, ancient towns and beautiful nature trails, you would think Cambodia would be teeming with tourists from all over the world, but in reality it is. one of the least visited countries in Southeast Asia.
While neighboring countries routinely welcome tens of millions, Cambodia received a record 6.6 million tourists in 2019. This year, even though the country is in recovery from the pandemic, it still barely reached the 3 millionth point.
This means it remains largely protected from the downsides of gentrification and overtourism, and prices can be much lower and much more attractive than those in Thailand, Bali or any other regional sunny spot – which are already incredibly cheap compared to Western standards .
The beachfront Scarlet Sails Villa, located on a scenic, picturesque beach on the island of Koh Rong, costs just $63 per night to book in December, while the luxurious Plantation Urban Resort & Spa, in the wooded Daun Pehn neighborhood of the capital region, nightly rates start at $97.
If you’re on a stricter budget, you can go even cheaper: the House Boutique Eco Hotel in central Phnom Penh costs $24 to book, and non-luxury but fairly comfortable rooms at Le Casablanca Hotel are available for just $14 on Booking.com.
Whether you’re on a luxury vacation or just hoping to find a decent place to sleep while you explore during the day, prices in Cambodia won’t have a major impact on your wallet.
On average, travelers spentt$16 per day for meals if you’re traveling across the country, $45 per night for accommodation and a negligible $7.41 for transportation.
In total, a not-too-economical one-week trip to Cambodia costs $865, making it one of the cheapest tropical destinations not only in Southeast Asia, but in the entire world.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
