Digital Nomad Guide to Siem Reap, Cambodia
Thinking of setting up your laptop in Cambodia? Siem Reap might just surprise you.
When we decided to spend a few weeks in Cambodia, we weren’t expecting to fall in love with this little town. But after two weeks in Siem Reap, it quickly made its way into our “would totally go back” list.
Here’s a full guide based on our experience working remotely from Siem Reap – plus some tips we wish we knew before going.
Why Choose Siem Reap as a Digital Nomad Base?
Let’s be honest – most digital nomads don’t put Siem Reap at the top of their list. It’s known more for temples than coworking spaces. But that’s actually what makes it great.
We chose it because we wanted to explore Cambodia while still keeping our work schedule on track. Siem Reap is a small, laid-back town but still packed with things to do and places to eat. There’s also something refreshing about being in a place that’s not overly “digital nomad-ified” (yet).
Is Siem Reap Good for Digital Nomads in 2025?
Yes, 100%. Internet is solid, cost of living is low, and there are plenty of cafes and coworking spots.
If you’re looking for a relaxed base with decent infrastructure and a good balance of work and adventure – Siem Reap delivers.
How Long Should You Stay?
We stayed for two weeks, and honestly, it wasn’t enough. There’s a surprising amount to explore in and around the city – from Angkor Wat to floating villages to pottery workshops.
If you’re combining work and travel, a month would be a sweet spot.
How to Get to Siem Reap
We flew directly to Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport, which is the new airport outside the city.
🚨 Heads up: The airport is far from the center – a tuk tuk may seem like a fun idea, but it takes longer and gets super windy (not great after a long flight). Stick to a taxi or ride service.
On the way out, we took a bus to Phon Penh.
Google Maps:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Siem+Reap+Angkor+International+Airport/@13.4090095,103.7041894,15z
Visa for Cambodia
We entered on a 30-day tourist e-visa, which we applied for in advance. It was super simple and made the airport process smooth. There isn’t an official digital nomad visa yet, but this works fine for short stays.
Cost of Living in Siem Reap
Here’s a breakdown of what we spent or saw around town:
🏡 Accommodation & Co-Living
| Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel (2 people) | $30 – $50 / night | Wide range, many with nice shared spaces or cafés |
| Co-living | ~$800 / month | Includes coworking + gym (near Siem Reap House) |
| Guesthouse/Hostel | $10 – $25 / night | Hostels tend to be more social/party-focused |
🍜 Food & Drinks
| Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Local meals | $3 – $5 |
| Western meals | $7 – $15 |
| Coffee | $2 – $4 |
| Fresh juice | $1 – $2 |
| Beer | $0.50 – $1 |
| Cheesecake | ~$3 |
🧘♀️ Wellness & Workspace
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Massage (1 hr) | $8 – $10 |
| Coworking (day) | ~$5 |
| Gym access | $1 – $5 |
🚲 Transport & Connectivity
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuk tuk (around town) | $1 – $2 |
| Bike rental | $3 – $5 / day |
| SIM card (100GB) | $15 |
Compared to Chiang Mai, Bali, or even Hoi An – Siem Reap felt cheaper across the board.
Internet & Workspaces
Is Wi-Fi Reliable?
Yes! We had no major issues. Every café has Wi-Fi, and the coworking spaces had great speeds (even for video calls).
🧑💻 Best Coworking Spaces
- Siem Reap House
Siem reap house coworking A sleek, modern coworking spot with two floors, phone booths, and meeting rooms.
- Day pass: $5 (includes a drink)
- Free café area if you don’t need a focused work zone
- Outdoor seating available
📍Google Maps:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Siem+Reap+House/@13.3523585,103.8535764,17z - Footprint Café
A chilled café with a free coworking space upstairs. It has one phone booth and a small meeting room.- Great coffee and food
- Friendly staff
- Small outdoor terrace overlooking the street
📍Google Maps:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Footprint+Cafe/@13.3565116,103.8605637,17z
⚠️ Don’t trust Google on this one:
1961 Coworking Space is no longer a coworking space – it’s just a regular café and not great for getting work done.
☕ Laptop-Friendly Cafés
You’ll see people working on laptops in almost any café. Just keep in mind that many are open-air and can get noisy if you’re taking calls.
Our picks:
- Footprint Café (Google Maps)
- Biolab Café (https://www.google.com/maps/place/BioLAB+Coffee/@13.3557198,103.8607195,17z)
- Asagohan Japanese Café (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Asagohan+Japanese+Cafe/@13.3592749,103.8606642,17z)
💪 Gyms in Siem Reap
If you like to squeeze in a workout between Zoom calls, here are two great gym options:
- Angkor Fitness
- Located right in the city center
- Big gym with cardio upstairs, machines + weights downstairs
- Crossfit-style zone with sled turf and pull-up bars
- Changing rooms were a bit meh (not very clean)
- $5/day, includes towels
📍Google Maps:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Angkor+Fitness/@13.3568258,103.8603094,17z
- Bulldogs Fitness
- Brand new gym next to Siem Reap House
- Smaller, but has all basics: barbells, sled, rower, AB bike
- Super clean and modern
- $5/day
📍Google Maps:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bulldogs+Fitness/@13.3523012,103.8544636,17z
Accommodation Options
There’s no shortage of places to stay – from budget guesthouses to boutique hotels and co-living setups.
If you’re staying longer, consider booking a guesthouse with a café or lounge area for easy workspace access.
🏘️ Best Areas to Stay
- Wat Bo Area (East River Bank):
Our top pick. It’s quiet, walkable, and near tons of cafés and restaurants. - West Side (near Siem Reap House):
A bit more chilled and residential – good if you want to be near coworking spaces.
Getting Around
- Tuk tuks are your best bet – easy, cheap, and bookable via Grab
- Bike/scooter rentals available if you want more freedom
- Walking is doable in the cooler parts of the day
Do you need a license to rent a scooter?
A regular driver’s license from your home country is usually fine.
Safety & Practical Tips
- Is it safe?
Yes. We had zero issues and always felt safe. Locals are super friendly. - Biggest challenges?
It’s a small town – great for a few weeks, but might get repetitive long-term. Cleanliness varies in some areas.
If you’re looking for a slower-paced, budget-friendly base with good food, friendly people, and a dash of adventure – Siem Reap is a solid pick.
Whether you’re temple-hopping after work, sipping $3 smoothies, or catching up on emails at a café with a view – it’s easy to find your rhythm here.
I love the airport buzz, planes and most of all – the feeling when you discover or experience something new. Together with Anna, we launched our gift voucher platform Ithara.ae. Photos are usually taken with Canon EOS 4000D, my Huawei Honor phone and DJI Mavic Pro.