Customer Reviews

The Rough Guide to Cambodia

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I used this book while traveling through Cambodia this past summer. It was very helpful and has all the information one might need. I also like the format more than LP. I thought it was a bit easier to read.

One down side to the book were the prices it listed. Almost everything was cheaper than quoted. (This of course made me a happy traveler) I guess this isnt the books fault though.

The sections on Siem Reap & the temples at Ankor were good enough. However, it is really worth it to pick up one of the special temple guide books available at the market in town. They cost between $1-2 depending on how well you bargain.

In late 2002 I got this book and with a couple of friends toured Siem Riep to Phnom Penh and then Phnom Penh to Banlung and back again on motorcycle. The Rough Guide was great for most major areas, with plenty of background information, reasonable maps and enough hotel selections listed. I found I reached for it over the LP Guide -- which, by the way, you can buy photocopy versions of it in Phnom Penh or Siem Riep (Angkor Wat area) for about $5. Rough Guide also gave a good warning of what to expect in Poipet, the border crossing town with Thailand that I would have to rate as the worst town I have ever been in but also plenty exciting. Last, there is one book that is better than this one if you will be spending more time touring Cambodia and, sadly, like my copy of it -- I lost it! It is geared toward self-guided motorcycle touring of Cambodia and Amazon did carry it before. I have to keep searching the site more closely, I guess. The maps, level of detail and writing style in that book was amazing. Along with it's section on the "Highway of Death" -- a muddy trail through logging country in eastern Cambodia. Buy this book and enjoy Cambodia. The country and the people are unforgettable and fantastic.

Like other rough guides, it 'tell's it as it is.'
The chapters on Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville were accurate and up to date (the maps and restaurant reviews were good.
The safety tips and health advice were also very helpful e.g. avoiding land mines!!! It was honest and gave a balanced view of the country.

Read this book before you go there- or you may be in for a shock!!