Hidden Gems Cambodia (5 Secret Places Locals Recommend)
Everyone knows Cambodia for the Angkor Wat temples, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap, but there is so much more that the country has to offer. For adventurous travelers, there are hidden treasures, off-the-map locations, and places the locals don’t advertise openly. These spots offer a unique experience that tourists miss; they offer a blend of history, beauty, and nature.
For those who enjoy exploring places that the locals love, your search ends here. Here are five of those locations.
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Koh Rong Sanloem - Lazy Beach
Koh Rong Sanloem is on the Gulf of Thailand. Locals are also fond of the island’s Lazy Beach. This beach has soft, golden sand, and the water is a clear turquoise which deepens in color to a deep blue, and at night the shore is lit with glowing plankton. Unlike the hustle and bustle of Sihanoukville, the beach is perfect if you are looking for a hidden Cambodia travel destination.
One of the most special things about Lazy Beach is the tranquility. Fishing boats are still seen coming back to the shore. The local community maintains and protects the beautiful natural balance of the island. The beautiful and serene palm trees will put you in tune with the slow pace of life that the coastal part of Cambodia provides. The silence, the stories of the locals, and the clear waters are the things that make Koh Rong Sanloem so special.
Banteay Chhmar Temple – Banteay Meanchey Province
Banteay Chhmar is one of the ancient temples of the Angkor era, situated in the province of Banteay Meanchey. It is one of the biggest with stone towers carved with faces and walls detailed with stories. Compared to Angkor Wat, which is overly crowded, this temple is sheltered and quiet, making it a perfect hidden spot for cultural tourists looking for such places in Cambodia.
The jungle around parts of the temple completes the mystique. There is such silence with only the wind and songs of the birds that it seems like the large tour groups are absent. Local villagers have told me that the temple was surrounded by an ancient Khmer history that was completely forgotten. For people looking to connect with the history of Cambodia in peace and solitude, Banteay Chhmar is one of the most powerful hidden treasures in Cambodia.
- Note: Banteay Meanchey, a local villager, was the first person to recommend Banteay Chhmar to me, stating, “This temple is older than memory itself, but only a few strangers come to see it.”
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Mondulkiri Province – Bou Sra Waterfall and Highland Villages
Mondulkiri is Cambodia’s eastern highland province. Bou Sra Waterfall and Highland villages are most famous for rolling green hills, cool weather, and vibrant ethnic culture. At its heart is Bou Sra Waterfall, one of the country’s most spectacular. The waterfall exhibits two mighty drops, and the forests surrounding it are dense and echo the sounds of the cascading water. Unlike Cambodia’s flat lowlands, Mondulkiri feels like another world. An undiscovered place, it is perfect for nature lovers.
The region is also home to the Bunong people, who live in small villages and receive guests with hospitality. I had the privilege of gaining first-hand insight into their traditions and sitting around the fire for the storytelling of their ancestors. Mondulkiri is also famous for its ethical elephant sanctuaries, where free elephants are not chained in the sanctuary. The combination of culture, nature, and nose-to-tail conservation provides a meaningful and hidden glimpse of the country for people visiting Mondulkiri.
- Note: I learned of Bou Sra when a Bunong elder welcomed me to his village and told me, “The waterfall is our pride; it gives life to our land.”
Kep - Tastes of the Sea and Neglected Villas
Kep is a small coastal town in southern Cambodia, and used to be a magnificent coastal getaway during the French colonial period. Even today, it is quieter than Kampot, but it conceals treasures that only a few adventurers discover. The crab market is exceptional, where the locals prepare and serve fresh crabs and Kampot pepper, a taste that captures the essence of coastal Cambodian cuisine.
Kep, of course, is more than just the cuisine. It is the French colonial history that also shaped the town. The deserted French colonial villas offer a view that is at the same time eerie and beautiful, and their crumbling walls whisper the stories of a once resplendent Kep. Unlike many coastal towns, it is refreshing to see that Kep has preserved its culinary heritage and its charming quietude. It is, therefore, no wonder that the town is considered one of the many hidden gems of Cambodia.
- Note: A crab seller at the Kep Market once told me, “Our pepper and crab are the soul of this town; taste them, and you’ll remember Kepep forever.”
Koh Trong Island – The Heart of the Mekong
Koh Trong is a small island in the Mekong River, located near the town of Kratie. The island is a perfect example of rural Cambodian life—wooden houses on stilts, children riding bicycles along dusty paths, and rice fields stretching to the horizon. Unlike big cities, there are no cars here, only bicycles and ox carts, making it one of the most authentic secret travel spots in Cambodia.
I stayed in a local homestay where the family welcomed me with kindness and simple home-cooked meals. Exploring the island by bike, I passed smiling villagers who waved at every stranger. Just across the river, boat rides take you to see Irrawaddy dolphins, a rare species found only in this part of the Mekong. Koh Trong is not just a hidden gem; it is a living story of Cambodia’s heartland.
- Note: A host family in Kratie told me about Koh Trong, saying, “Come to the island, and you will see how we truly live.”
What are the best hidden places in Cambodia
Some hidden places in Cambodia are Lazy Beach on Koh Rong Sanloem, the Banteay Chhmar Temple, Bou Sra Waterfall in Mondulkiri, the town of Kep, and Koh Trong on the Mekong River, and the rest of the gems are also uncrowded places and worth seeing.
Are Cambodia’s hidden gems safe to visit?
These hidden treasures are generally safe as well, especially and to a great extent, when the travelers are followed by and watched over by the local people, as they are very friendly. Carrying and following customs is highly recommended.
How many days do I need to explore hidden places in Cambodia?
10 to 14 days are perhaps the best, as this also includes the best-known attractions like Angkor Wat and the hidden places like Mondulkiri, Kep, and Koh Trong.
Why should I explore off the beaten paths in Cambodia?
The off-the-beaten-path places in Cambodia are hidden, which means they are uncrowded. Most of all, and the best, is the opportunity to meet and make communion and friends with the real society and people in the community, and the best part is the opportunity to meet and make friends with the people.
What is the best time to visit hidden gems in Cambodia?
The ideal time is between November and March during the dry season. The weather is cooler, the roads are more accessible, and the experience of touring hidden places in Cambodia is much more pleasurable.
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