Scams at Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is the most famous of the temples inside a reasonably large national park. All are worth visiting.... but unless you're a determined hiker, you're going to need some transport.
Tuk-tuk Scams
There will be plenty of tuk-tuk drivers offering to take you the 5kms to the temples park, and the price will be reasonable or even cheap. Mostly the drivers are friendly and helpful and will wait patiently for as long as it takes you to soak up the splendour of the temples, and be there to take you back to your accommodation.
But once in a while a visitor may come across one of the few drivers who's crossed over to the dark side, and is out to scam you. Typically it works like this: You've paid your park entrance fee of about $20 and you're committed to going. The tuk-tuk fee will suddenly rise. There are reports of $15 fees jumping to $85! These guys strike a hard bargain and you're at their mercy, especially if you've set off early to try to get photographs of sunrise at the temples and you can see the fabulous light disappearing before your eyes. Who knows if you'll ever be back this way - the urge to pay up is almost irresistable.
If you are a really good haggler and get your driver down to a ridiculously low price he may abandon you half-way through the deal because he's negotiated a better deal with another visitor. Has he scammed you out of your measly deposit, or were you a bit too harsh? Try to be fair with the prices you negotiate.
How to avoid arguments:
- Get agreement on the price (maybe even write it down)..
- Organise reliable transport or a guide through your accommodation - they'll know the good ones.
- Ask around other travellers and see if they can recommend a reliable service.
Vendors at the Temples
Outside the temples the vendors selling food and water will tell you there's nothing available inside. They'll say just about anything to make a sale. Of course there are plenty more vendors inside... all spruiking as ferociously as the ones outside, and they tend to be cheaper too.
Don't pay $20 for the temple map (and the $5 they haggle down to is still pricey). You can get the same map inside the temple, or in town, for $1.
Check with other travellers who've already spent a day or two here to work out the going rate for everything.
Tips for Staying near Angkor Wat
Siem Reap is the town closest to Angkor Wat and where most travellers stay. If you've made it through Cambodia as far as this you've probably seen it all before, plus the town can be a little more laid-back than other Southeast Asian destinations.
Some tourists complain abut the persistence and relentlessness of the touts and vendors, but that probably says more about the individual tourist than the location - there are a lot worse places. If you're a seasoned Nomad you won't have any trouble.
Pub Street
This is where many visitors go to relax after a hard day ooohing and ahhing at temples. The beer's cheap, the food is good and there's a relaxed atmosphere. The greatest danger here - and it's pretty low on the scale - is maybe you let your guard down and forget to keep a close eye on your belongings, providing an opportunity for someone with light fingers. Keep your belongings secure.
Old market
A great experience, just be aware of the usual pickpocketing and petty thievery. If you go in here wearing khakis and a photographer's vest fulll of gadgets you will draw attention, some of it unwanted.
