Visiting Siem Reap with a Baby
Thinking of traveling abroad with a baby for the first time? First-time mom Gosia Kurowska shares her itinerary for an enjoyable visit to Cambodia where you can explore Siem Reap, visit the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, and fit in naptime for the little one too.
By Gosia Kurowska
Siem Reap, home to the world-famous temples of Angkor Wat. This is a place you must see, and it’s just a short distance away from Thailand!
But is it doable with a baby, you might wonder? I had the same question on my mind before I booked our trip to Siem Reap - my daughter, Cleo, was 6 months old at that time.
Looking back at it now, I’d go back anytime. We had a great time and I’d absolutely recommend it as a baby-friendly trip if you’re looking for a break from Bangkok.
Here are my seven tips to enjoy Siem Reap to the fullest with a family.
How long to go for?
I’ve learned that when traveling with a baby, you want to take it easy. Either you go for a shorter time and pick only one or two sightseeing activities, or you go for a longer period with enough time to rest in-between.
We spent one whole week in Siem Reap. This gave us plenty of time to explore Angkor Wat (which is huge), see a bit of the city, and most of all: relax! Any stay between three days and a week in Siem Reap is ideal.
Where to stay?
Since having a baby, I attach way more important to the accommodation. You’re unavoidably more tied to your hotel when your baby naps - so the right pick is everything. Try to pick a room with garden or pool access so you can enjoy the sun during naptime.
One great benefit of traveling in Cambodia is that accommodation is relatively cheap, so you can treat yourself to some luxury without breaking the bank. Two resorts I can highly recommend in Siem Reap are “Navutu Dreams Resort” and “Templation”.
What to pack and what to forget? 
As you live in Bangkok, you’re accustomed to what you and baby need in this kind of climate. Apart from your usual baby essentials, I’d advise to pack/forget these specific items:
-A carrier. Exploring Angkor Wat and hopping in and out of remorques (the Cambodian tuk-tuks) is much easier with baby on you. No need to pack your stroller!
- No need for a travel cot either, as it’s easy to book a hotel that provides one (the two places mentioned above do so).
- Your usual sun & mosquito protection items.
- I always pack several muslin blankets as they’re multifunctional: you can use them as a blanket in air-conditioned spaces, nursing cover, or playmat.
There’s no need to overdo it though. Bring what you think is essential or hard to find. Siem Reap has convenience stores and pharmacies if needed.
Can we visit Angkor Wat with a baby?
While in Siem Reap, it would be a shame not to visit the stunning temples of Angkor Wat.
Sure, it’s trickier with a baby, but it’s possible. Keep in mind that Angkor Wat is big: the archeological park stretches over 400 square kilometers and has more than 1000 temples. If you have a baby on board, don’t be overly ambitious and pick just a few temples to visit. We used the time in between naps to go temple hopping, two days in a row. This way we got to do enough sightseeing, without dragging along a cranky baby.
Another recommendation is to hire a private driver to maximize your comfort and flexibility. Skip the tuk-tuk or tour bus if you have a baby. Cleo wasn’t too fond of long hot walks, so we were happy we had a place to cool down in between two temples. The car is also a comfortable place to feed your baby or put him/her down for a little nap. We enjoyed driving through the impressive site and asked our driver to stop whenever we spotted a temple in the shade. Don’t forget a carrier and an umbrella, and be sure to cover up (just as in Thailand, legs and shoulders need to be covered at temples).
What to see apart from Angkor Wat?
Siem Reap is a lovely little town, especially coming from a metropole like Bangkok. Take a remorque downtown - it’s an activity in itself when you have a baby! It’s breezy and it goes slow enough to look around. Once we got off the remorque, we enjoyed just strolling around. One of our favorite areas was Kandal Village, which has lots of cute shops and coffee bars. We loved The Little Red Fox Espresso, Crane and Shop 767.
If you’d like to do some shopping, the “Made in Cambodia” market is great for fashion and crafts. You have the chance to meet and support local artisans and artists.
Enjoy the smiles
I don’t think anyone loves babies more than Southeast Asians. And if it’s a little farang, he or she will get even more attention. Your baby is surrounded by lots of smiles in Bangkok, and it will be no different in Cambodia. In restaurants the staff will often offer to look after your little one - if you’re comfortable with that, you can enjoy a free babysitting service.
If you’re looking for a little break and appreciate some historical sightseeing, Siem Reap is your place to go.
About the author
Gosia has always had a passion for fashion. She worked in media and as a speechwriter in Brussels but moving abroad inspired her to launch a fashion blog. On Treasurista.com she discovers local designers and hidden shopping gems in Bangkok. Connect with Gosia on Instagram @treasurista_ if you want to stay tuned!
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