Information

General Information

• EDOTA Banteay Srei: Mr. Phoung Savon (Tel: +855 (0) 12 981932 / +855 (0) 69 358180)
• Email: edotabanteaysrei@gmail.com

Local Transport

Contact local transport suppliers in Banteay Srei to arrange a moto, tuk-tuk or private car or speak to your homestay about arranging a ride:

• Sean Saroeurn (Tel: +855 (0) 97 9412832 / +855 (0) 86 595402)
• Bun Nara (Tel: +855 (0) 10 253106)
• Oudom (Tel: +855 (0) 70 340231)

Fruit Farms

• Happy Dragon Farm (Tel: +855 (0) 77 932294/5)
• Dragon Farm (Tel: +855 (0) 12 618430 / +855 (0) 69 485575)

Boutique Homestays

• Mahendra Ecolodge (Tel: +855 (0) 12 429950)
• Villa Banteay Srei (Tel: +855 (0) 88 9888409)

Local Homestays

• Bayon Smile Homestays (Tel: +855 (0) 97 9412832 / +855 (0) 86 595402)
• Green Homestay (Tel: +855 (0) 98 251375 / +855 (0) 12 630327)
• Tbeng Village Homestays (Tel: +855 (0) 92 966047 / +855 (0) 96 4710141)

Sights

• Angkor Centre for the Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB; www.accb-cambodia.org)
• Banteay Srei Butterfly Centre (BBC; www.angkorbutterfly.com)
• Cambodia Landmine Museum (CLM; www.cambodialandminemuseum.org)

Local Restaurants

• Ancient Khmer Restaurant (Tel: +855 (0) 12 217266 / +855 (0) 88 6506006)
• Angkor Palm Restaurant (Tel: +855 (0) 12 232205)
• Borey Sovann Restaurant (Tel: +855 (0) 12 224115 / +855 (0) 12 842258)
• Nam Ben Chok Noodle Stalls (Tel: +855 (0) 12 410770 / +855 (0) 17 262618)
• Parvis Café (Tel: +855 (0) 87 217396 / +855 (0) 88 8830503)
• Rom Chong Angkor Restaurant (Tel: +855 (0) 12 766961 / +855 (0) 86 929396)
• Srey Kulen Restaurant (Tel: +855 (0) 77 704131 / +855 (0) 67 555520)

Banteay Srei Temple lies about 32km from Siem Reap town. Attractions in the district range from 15km (Preah Dak Village) to about 50km (Kbal Spean) from town and there are a variety of transport options available to visitors. Don't forget to factor in the weather to your planning, as Cambodia has three distinct seasons: the cool season (November-February), the hot season (March-May) and the wet season (June-October). Some forms of transport aren't really appropriate in the wet season months. Note that the tropical sun is strong all year round, so wear plenty of sunscreen, particularly if riding a bicycle or travelling by motorbike.

Walking

Banteay Srei is too far from Siem Reap to consider walking, but there are plenty of walks once in the district, including village and countryside walks to learn about local life and some jungle treks to holy mountains such as Kbal Spean and Phnom Kulen.

Bicycle

It is possible to cycle to Banteay Srei District for the day or for overnight stays. There are good quality imported mountain bikes available for rent in Siem Reap town, as well as Green e-bikes that include an electric battery if you are feeling tired in the heat. Bicycles are also available for rent from some homestays in the district, which is a convenient option for exploration under your own steam.

Motorbike

Motorbikes aren't officially available for rent to foreigners in Siem Reap. However, motos (motorbike taxis) are widely available for rent with a motodup (motorbike driver). Many of these drivers are knowledgeable and can also give you some background on the temples in Banteay Srei District, acting as an unofficial tour guide. It is possible that some of the homestay owners can provide a moto for travel between sights in Banteay Srei.

Remork-Moto (Tuk-Tuk)

A remork-moto is a motorbike with a canopied trailer attached to the back and is also known as a tuk-tuk by some travelers or a remork for short. These are the most popular form of transport for independent travelers and provide some protection from the elements. Some remork drivers can also act as unofficial tour guides and know the area well. There are a handful of remork-moto drivers who know the district and work with some of the homestays here.

Private Car

Private taxis or cars are available for hire through guesthouses, hotels and travel agents in Siem Reap. They are a useful option for a family or for those people who want a little more protection from the elements. Private cars can be used for transfers from Siem Reap to Banteay Srei or for a day of sightseeing in the district. Homestay owners may also be able to arrange a private car to explore the area.

Minibus

A minibus is a useful option for families or small groups of travelers exploring Banteay Srei District. Seating up to 10 people, a minibus is a cost-effective way to explore the area. Guesthouses, hotels and travel agents in Siem Reap can assist in arranging a minibus for one day or for a longer customized itinerary.

Cambodians are a conservative people and what’s acceptable back home may be inappropriate here

Dress Appropriately

While shorts and a singlet are acceptable clothing at the beach they are not suitable in the city or countryside, despite the heat of the day, so try to dress modestly. Upper arms and legs should be covered, especially at religious sites such as Banteay Srei temple.

Learn the correct gestures

Khmers greet one another with a sompiah, holding both hands together and bowing slightly. To show more respect, move your hands higher and bow lower. Keep your palm down when beckoning someone towards you.

Learn some of the language

Try to learn a few words of Khmer during your stay. The locals may laugh at your pronunciation, but they will respect you for trying and it may get you a better price when you're haggling for a bargain at the market. See the Khmer Language Glossary to get you started.

Remove your shoes

When entering a religious site or someone’s house (and many places of business), take off your shoes and leave them outside.

Use both hands

Use either your right hand or, better still, both hands if you’re passing something to someone. If you use your right hand, as a sign of respect touch your right elbow with your left hand at the same time.

DON'T LOSE IT

Don’t criticise others, even if they are in the wrong and especially not in public or they will ‘lose face’. Just smile through gritted teeth and offer a sompiah.

DON'T GIVE OUT SWEETS

Don’t give out sweets or candy to children as this will damage their teeth and encourages begging (and dependency) from a young age.

EAT WITH THE FAMILY

Do eat with the family if invited. It is customary to share the food from communal bowls and spoon it on to your rice. Leave a very small amount of food to show you are full or the rice will keep on coming.

ELECTRICITY ETIQUETTE

Check with a host family what time electricity is provided as it may not be 24 hours in rural areas. Do not leave electric lights on over night as electricity is expensive.

If you want to use a few words of Khmer to endear yourself to the locals and impress your friends, what better place to begin? Here are a few words and phrases to get you started:

• hello (formal) = chum ree-up soo-a
• hello (informal) = soo-a s’day
• how are you? = sok sa bai?
• excuse me = som dtoh
• I would like = k’nyom som...
• please = som
• thank you = or-kuhn
• the bill please = som ket loi
• chicken = sait mowan
• pork = sait jerook
• beef = sait gow
• fish = trei
• rice = bai
• fried = cha
• grilled = ang
• roasted = dot
• water = tuk sot
• ice = tuk kork
• beer = beer
• red wine = srah krohom
• white wine = srah sor
• cola = coca
• coffee (hot) = ka-fei (gdouw)
• coffee (iced) = ka-fei (tuk kork)
• tea = dtai
• milk = tuk duh goh
• butter = buuh
• lemon = kroit chhmar
• sugar = skor
• sugar cane juice = tuk umpow
• 1 = Moi
• 2 = Bee
• 3 = Bye
• 4 = Boon
• 5 = Bram
• 6 = Bram Moi
• 7 = Bram Bee
• 8 = Bram Bye
• 9 = Bram Boon
• 10 = Dop
• 100 = Roi
• 1000 = Poan