Heads up: among the hyperlinks on this web site are affiliate hyperlinks. In the event you click on and make a reserving or buy, I’ll make a fee (at no additional price to you). I companion with corporations I personally use and the $$ goes in the direction of creating extra superior, free journey content material.
Questioning whether or not to go to Cambodia or Laos? Once I backpacked round Southeast Asia, I’d performed no analysis on both of those international locations, but they turned out to be two of my favourite locations within the area.
On the subject of evaluating Cambodia vs Laos, each provide completely different in their very own distinctive methods. On this detailed information I’ll look at how the 2 international locations examine by way of seashores, nightlife, meals, sights, pure magnificence, folks and transportation. Hopefully it will make it easier to make up your thoughts!
Cambodia vs Laos: Common Comparability
The obvious distinction between Cambodia and Laos is that Cambodia has seashores and islands, whereas Laos is landlocked. Nevertheless, Laos has a shocking, mountainous panorama, with spectacular limestone cliffs and the attractive Mekong River flowing all the best way down by way of the size of the nation.
Cambodia vs Laos: Seashores
The straightforward winner right here is Cambodia, since Laos doesn’t have any seashores.
Laos is bordered by Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, China and Myanmar, and is totally landlocked. It does, nonetheless, have the Mekong River, in addition to some actually lovely waterfalls, corresponding to Kuang Si Waterfall and Tat Sae Waterfalls. So in case you fancy swimming, there are positively some alternatives to try this – you simply received’t be capable of swim within the ocean.
Cambodia is residence to among the most lovely seashores I’ve ever seen. I used to be really actually stunned, and would charge them among the many greatest on the earth.
Many backpackers and vacationers go to the seaside city of Sihanoukville, which is positioned halfway up the coast within the southwestern a part of Cambodia. From right here you possibly can take a ship to the paradise islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem, that are residence to powdery white sands and turquoise waters which can be excellent for snorkeling.
Cambodia vs Laos: Panorama
Cambodia’s panorama is quite flat, so moreover the seashores and islands (that are attractive!), there’s not a lot to write down residence about. A part of the Mekong does run by way of the central japanese a part of Cambodia, and the Tonle Sap lake sits between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.
Laos, however, is residence to forest-covered mountains and spectacular karst landscapes with caverns and limestone pinnacles. A lot of the western border of Laos is demarcated by the Mekong River, and lots of the main cities and cities sit alongside it. The river has a really stress-free, tranquil vibe, and it’s nice for taking boat cruises.
Laos positively has the extra fascinating panorama out of the 2.
Cambodia vs Laos: Meals
Whereas Vietnamese and Thai meals are fairly well-known throughout Europe and North America, Cambodian and Lao delicacies are inclined to fly below the radar.
Cambodia’s meals incorporates parts of Indian, Chinese language and French delicacies, and contains loads of salads, soups, curries and stir frys. Fish and seafood characteristic closely in Cambodian dishes, because of the county’s abundance of water sources. Rice is a standard staple right here too, and is normally served as an accompaniment to each meal.
Common Cambodian dishes embrace:
- Amok – a coconut fish curry steamed in banana leaves.
- Kuy teav – noodle soup made with rice vermicelli and beef or pork bones.
- Nom banh chok – fermented noodles saturated with a lemongrass gravy and topped with greens.
- Lok lak – stir fried beef served with salad.
- Lap khmer – salad made with thinly sliced beef marinated in lime juice.
Laos delicacies can be pretty much like Cambodian delicacies, though it’s barely spicier and has its personal distinctive dishes. Sticky rice is integral to Lao delicacies and has turn into an vital a part of the nation’s tradition. Laos is thought for having the best sticky rice consumption per-capita on the earth and Lao folks typically check with themselves as luk khao niaow, which interprets as ‘youngsters or descendants of sticky rice’.
Well-known Lao dishes embrace:
- Larb – a must-try salad of minced meat flavored with mint, recent lime juice, scallions and cilantro. That is the nationwide dish of Laos.
- Tam Mak Hoong – inexperienced papaya salad with garlic, tomatoes, chilli, palm sugar, lime juice and fish sauce.
- Lao sausage – a well-liked appetizer generally served with sticky rice and greens.
- Khao jee – baguette sandwich much like banh mi.
The meals could be very comparable in each Laos and Cambodia, so it’s laborious to select a transparent winner right here.
Cambodia vs Laos: Landmarks
You’ll be able to’t actually beat Cambodia for landmarks. The nation is residence to Angkor Wat – a sprawling temple advanced that holds the title of being the most important non secular construction on the earth. It was initially constructed as a Hindu temple devoted to the gods Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma, however was later remodeled right into a Buddhist temple on the finish of the twelfth century.
Angkor Wat is gorgeous at each dawn and sundown, and is nicely value visiting if you end up in Siem Reap. Cambodia can be residence to quite a few different temples and palaces, together with Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm, Angkor Thom and the Royal Palace.
On a extra somber be aware, the nation additionally has a number of darkish tourism websites, such because the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, the place guests can be taught concerning the brutal Khmer regime.
Laos additionally has a number of temples and pagodas, though none examine to the sheer measurement of Angkor Wat. Essentially the most notable landmark in Vientiane is Pha That Luang Vientiane – a historic gold stupa that stands over 44 meters excessive. Vientiane can be residence to the Patuxay Monument, a well-known arch and battle memorial that appears a bit just like the southeast Asian model of the Arc de Triomphe.
A big focus of temples could be discovered within the metropolis of Luang Prabang, which was the royal capital of Laos till 1975. Town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Web site, and is thought for its French colonial structure and laid-back vibe.
Cambodia vs Laos: Nightlife
On the subject of nightlife, Cambodia has rather more occurring than Laos does. The large cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are fairly quick paced and have a number of bars and eating places to maintain you entertained.
Sihanoukville is thought for being a little bit of a celebration city, and is residence to quite a few hostels together with The Large Simple and Monkey Republic. You’ll discover a respectable array of bars and eating places right here, and plenty of of them have Completely happy Hours. If you wish to spend a time out on the water, there are a variety of social gathering boats and booze cruises geared in the direction of vacationers who wish to let free.
Nightlife in Laos is rather more low-key. Sure you’ll nonetheless discover bars in cities like Vientiane and Luang Prabang, however the scene is rather more mellow. Luang Prabang really has a curfew of 11.30pm, when bars and companies should shut down. At this level, the one place left to social gathering is the Luang Prabang bowling alley, which I’ve written about right here.
On the subject of nightlife, Cambodia positively wins this one.
Cambodia vs Laos: Getting There
Most worldwide flights to Cambodia fly into Phnom Penh, whereas flights to Laos fly into Vientiane. Flights to Vientiane are typically dearer than Phnom Penh, and there are fewer flights per day.
In the event you’re flying to both of those international locations from the U.S. or Europe, you’ll normally have a stopover in Singapore, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur.
Working a fast seek for flights from London in Could, a flight to Vientiane prices roughly $1200 (£1000) round-trip, with as much as two stopovers. A flight from London to Phnom Penh on the identical dates prices roughly $1000 (£830) round-trip, with one stopover.
Flying to Vientiane is dearer, with extra stopovers and an extended flight length. So Cambodia is the simplest nation to get to.
Cambodia vs Laos: Visas
Laos Visas
Laos provides an eVisa for residents of many international locations, together with the UK and the U.S. Costs range from nation to nation, however for United States residents, the payment is $50. All you must do is fill out the appliance on-line, add any mandatory documentation, and pay the payment. Approval takes as much as 3 working days, and then you definitely simply have to print out your approval letter and take it with you. Don’t get ripped off by costly visa corporations – you possibly can merely apply by way of the official visa website here.
Visas on arrival are additionally out there at sure ports of entry, together with Luang Prabang Airport, Pakse Airport and Wattay Airport in Vientiane. You can even get visas on arrival on the border crossings from Thailand, Vietnam and China. Solely US {dollars} are accepted as fee and a passport-sized picture is required. The visa lets you keep in Laos for as much as 30 days.
As you possibly can see, each international locations have eVisas and are very simple to go to. The Cambodia eVisa is simply barely cheaper for People, however each have the identical utility course of and turnaround time.
Cambodia Visas
Cambodia additionally provides an eVisa, which you’ll be able to pay for utilizing the official government visa website. The method is fairly comparable – simply fill out the net kind, pay the fee utilizing your bank card, then obtain the eVisa certificates. The processing time can be 3 enterprise days, but it surely’s barely cheaper, costing $30 + $6 processing cost. Just like the Laos visa, the Cambodia visa is legitimate for a keep of as much as 30 days.
Vacationers from most international locations may also get a visa on arrival at airports and border crossings. In the event you arrive by air, they’ll normally provide the kind to finish on the aircraft. The payment is $30, and have to be paid in USD.
Cambodia vs Laos: Transportation
Transportation in Cambodia
I discovered getting round Cambodia to be very easy. Cambodia has a well-trodden vacationer route and there are vacationer buses that go between the principle locations like Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. The buses are low cost and comfy, though the journey time is clearly longer than in case you journey by aircraft. Common corporations embrace Giant Ibis and Mekong Express.
In the event you’re touring between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, the quickest approach to journey is by air, with a journey time of only one hour. Angkor Air, Bassaka Air, and Cambodia Bayon Airways all provide direct flights between these two cities. Count on to pay round $130-$140) one-way. You’ll be able to verify costs utilizing Google Flights.
In the event you’re touring in a bunch of three folks or extra, then it would make extra sense to rent a non-public driver by way of a web site like GetYourGuide or Viator. The drivers normally converse good English and can even cease off at numerous sights alongside the best way.
There are additionally boats that go between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap and Battambang. It’s not essentially the most snug approach to journey, and the boat is sluggish transferring, but it surely’s a good way to see native life on Tonle Sap Lake.
When you’re within the large cities, the easiest way to get round is by tuk-tuk.
Transportation in Laos
There are two home carriers in Laos – Lao Airways (nationwide service) and Lao Skyway (price range). If you wish to fly between Vientiane and Luang Prabang, the flight takes round 40 minutes and prices anyplace from $21 to $152. That is clearly the quickest and best approach to get between the 2 cities.
On the subject of utilizing floor transportation inside Laos, journey could be sluggish. Be ready to spend a full day getting from A to B, or you possibly can take the VIP night time bus and get monetary savings on one night time’s lodging. Some routes even have shared minivans that may take you from A to B.
For a novel expertise, you may as well take a ship alongside the Mekong River, which runs all over Laos. Nevertheless bear in mind, boat journey on the Mekong could be very sluggish, and the boats aren’t normally air-conditioned.
Inside cities, the easiest way to get round is by renting a bicycle or hopping in a tuk tuk. The UNESCO World Heritage metropolis of Luang Prabang could be very walkable, and you may see many of the temples and sights on-foot.
If you wish to go to Luang Prabang’s waterfalls, there are many excursions you possibly can e book by way of GetYourGuide. Reserving a tour means all of your transportation is taken care of, and also you’ll be capable of discover areas which can be unreachable by public transportation.
On the subject of transportation in Laos vs Cambodia, I’d say Cambodia wins on this one. The nation is mostly extra in style with vacationers, so there’s a bit extra of a vacationer infrastructure.
Last Verdict
So which has the sting? Laos or Cambodia?
In the event you love seashores, nightlife and fast-paced cities, then go together with Cambodia. The islands are completely gorgeous and the nation has a number of sights to maintain you occupied. I discovered Cambodia very simple to journey round and the folks have been very pleasant, so I’d positively return in a heartbeat.
In the event you’re searching for tranquility, and luxurious, mountain surroundings, then e book a visit to Laos. Luang Prabang is turning into more and more in style with luxurious vacationers, and is residence to quite a few eco-lodges and 5-star accommodations, that are primarily concentrated in Luang Prabang.
