Packing list for Cambodia - Life of a Passion

What things must you bring along when traveling to Cambodia? Here’s my packing list for Cambodia to help you pack!

The following things must be on the top of your packing list!

Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months and must obtain one blank page.
Visa: You can get a visa on arrival or you can get it online to avoid waiting in line. If you do it online, make sure to have two copies of your visa. Apply here. It costs $35.
Vaccinations: Check your vaccinations, this is very important!
Malaria pills: Not needed in Siem Reap!
Travel insurance: Because I’m still depending on my parents, I am fully covered for having an accident or disease while traveling. Be sure to have insurance, it might come in handy!

Your backpack is also an important item on your packing list. Do you want a backpack or luggage?

Backpack: Invest in a good backpack (or luggage, but the roads are not made for luggages). I have an Osprey backpack of 40L. This one is perfect for a two-week trip, but it was just a bit small for a 3-week trip (I managed by rolling my clothes). So maybe buy the 50L backpack if you plan on going away for more than 2 weeks. Also, bring along a day backpack. It comes in handy for your camera equipment, a bottle of water and other stuff.
Packing cubes: Bring packing cubes! This has been so easy for me! I have the compression packing cubes from Osprey. They are so easy to use and I can put in 14 pieces of clothing per bag (how? roll them!).

Okay so this one is actually the most important thing on my packing list now since I had Salmonella.

Mosquito Repellent and Sunscreen: This is a must.
- Warning: The sunscreens in Asia have a whitening product in them, so don’t buy them in Asia!
- Sad fact: Kimberly got stung even when she sprayed mosquito repellent.
First aid kit: Bandages will most definitely come in handy!
Diarrhea tablets: Just in case 😉
Hand Sanitizer: I used this every time I used a public bathroom or right before dinner, comes in handy.
Quick drying towel: Invention of the year! Put your wet towel on a chair and it’s dry in an hour. It’s also not that thick as a normal towel, so it’s easy to pack.
Wet wipes: I always bring my wet wipes on my holidays. If you’re in a public toilet that’s dirty or where there is no toilet paper, wet wipes are a blessing.
Small bottles: I always pack small, reusable bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash. You save space and weight!
Lip balm: During the flight, my lips become very dry. I always pack my Butter cream lip balm and my lips are soft in no time!

I don’t think anyone would forget to put these items on their packing list.

Clothes: You’ll be sweating, so try to pack linen clothing.
Sweater: Sometimes I find myself shivering in the airplane from the cold, that’s why I always pack my sweater. You can also use it as a pillow.
Travel pillow: I have a neck pillow that comes in handy for those long flights.
Washing powder: Washing time! If you pack light, then you must also wash your clothes from time to time. You can do it in a shop or do it yourself.
- Tip: You can also wash your clothes with shampoo.
Rain jacket (foldable): This is so handy! You can hang it to your purse and have the purse filled with an umbrella and wallet.
- Tip: when folded, it can be used as a pillow!

Camera and GoPro: Pack those babies for having HD photos and videos.
Chargers: Europeans are lucky because we don’t need a plug adapter!
Cambodian SIM card: You can buy a SIM card at the airport for having wifi during the day.
Powerbank: Bring along a power bank! Our bedroom had almost no sockets (4 in total), so sometimes I had to charge my phone with the power bank.
Waterproof bag: I used a waterproof bag to put my power bank, smartphone, and chargers in. Everything is in one little bag, easy to find and protected from water, sunscreen, …
- Warning: Not protected from thieves 😉