Activities in Siem Reap

Updated 01 June 2026

For many long-term foreign residents, Siem Reap offers far more than temples and tourism. Over the past decade the city has developed a surprisingly broad social and recreational ecosystem, supported by a sizeable expatriate population, growing middle class and expanding hospitality sector. Foreign residents can now access everything from birdwatching expeditions and amateur sports leagues to dance classes, volunteering projects, gardening groups and weekend adventure travel.

The city’s relatively compact size also makes it easy for newcomers to integrate into existing social circles. Facebook groups remain one of the main ways residents discover activities, arrange meet-ups and share recommendations.

Birding and Nature Activities

Birdwatching has become one of the more established specialist hobbies among long-term residents. The wetlands, flooded forests and Tonlé Sap ecosystem around Siem Reap attract both serious ornithologists and casual birders.

Birdwatchers can explore the rich wetlands of Tonlé Sap and the nearby Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary

One of the best-known operators is Sam Veasna Conservation Tours, which organises birding expeditions to see species such as the giant ibis, white-shouldered ibis and sarus crane. The company also works closely with conservation projects and rural communities.

Popular birding areas include the Ang Trapeang Thmor Sarus Crane Reserve, Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary and the flooded forests surrounding Tonlé Sap Lake. Many residents also take informal sunrise photography and birdwatching trips around the Angkor Archaeological Park.

Facebook groups such as “Birding Cambodia” and broader expat groups in Siem Reap frequently organise shared transport for wildlife excursions.

Hiking, Cycling and Outdoor Exploration

Although Cambodia is not traditionally viewed as a hiking destination, Siem Reap residents increasingly participate in countryside walks, temple trail hikes and cycling tours.

Weekend cycling groups are particularly active during the cooler months between November and February. Routes commonly include rural villages, rice paddies and hidden temple complexes outside the main Angkor circuit.

Operators such as Vespa Adventures and several local mountain bike companies also offer countryside and off-road experiences that many foreign residents later repeat independently.

More adventurous residents often organise trips to the Cardamom Mountains, Kulen Mountain, Kampot and Mondulkiri for trekking and camping weekends.

Informal hiking meet-ups are commonly advertised through Facebook groups including “Siem Reap Expats and Locals”.

Amateur Archaeology and History

Living beside the world-famous Angkor Wat complex naturally attracts residents with an interest in archaeology, history and Khmer civilisation.

While formal archaeological digs are generally restricted to authorised institutions, many residents attend lectures, heritage walks and conservation talks organised by museums and cultural organisations.

APSARA National Authority periodically hosts heritage-related events and exhibitions, while the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity combines wildlife conservation with educational outreach.

The Angkor National Museum is another regular venue for history enthusiasts, while many expatriates also join photography and temple exploration groups focused on lesser-known archaeological sites.

Fishing and Boating Activities

Fishing remains popular among both Cambodian and foreign residents. The Tonlé Sap region offers opportunities for guided freshwater fishing trips, particularly during the high-water season.

Several local guides arrange day trips targeting snakehead fish, catfish and other freshwater species. More casual fishing can also be found around private lakes and countryside ponds.

Boating activities have expanded steadily in recent years. Residents frequently arrange kayaking, paddleboarding and sunset cruises on Tonlé Sap Lake, while some weekend travellers head south to Kampot, Kep or Sihanoukville for sailing and coastal boating.

Kayaking groups occasionally organise eco-tours through flooded forests and floating villages.

Cooking Classes and Food Culture

Cooking is one of the easiest ways for long-term residents to integrate socially. Khmer cuisine classes are extremely popular among expatriates and retirees.

Schools including Lily’s Secret Garden Cooking Class and Le Tigre de Papier Cooking School offer regular classes that often become informal social gatherings for foreign residents.

Residents interested in broader culinary activities also participate in wine tastings, craft beer gatherings, barbecue clubs and international supper evenings organised through local Facebook groups.

The city’s large international population means there are also regular meet-ups centred around French, Italian, Japanese, Korean and vegetarian cuisine.

Gardening and Sustainable Living

Gardening has become increasingly popular among retirees and long-term villa residents. Many foreign residents maintain tropical gardens, herb patches and small-scale vegetable plots.

A number of local nurseries around Siem Reap sell imported plants, fruit trees and landscaping supplies. Informal gardening communities exchange advice on tropical growing conditions, composting and organic pest control.

There is also growing interest in sustainable living, hydroponics and small-scale farming projects. Several eco-farms around Siem Reap welcome volunteers and visitors interested in permaculture and regenerative agriculture.

Dance, Music and Social Evenings

Dance classes and music gatherings provide some of the city’s most accessible social activities for newcomers.

Latin dance nights, salsa classes and bachata events are regularly held at bars and restaurants across the city. Khmer traditional dance workshops are also occasionally available through arts organisations.

Live music has expanded significantly in recent years, with venues hosting jazz nights, acoustic sessions and international DJs. Open mic nights are common and attract both Cambodian and foreign performers.

There are a growing number of pub quizzes that are held on regular evenings in the city: examples are those at Pomme and the Welsh Consulate bars.

Residents frequently use Facebook groups such as “Siem Reap Events and Activities” to find concerts, pub quizzes and themed social evenings.

Golf, Tennis and Racquet Sports

Golf is particularly well developed in Siem Reap. Courses include Angkor Golf Resort, designed by Nick Faldo, and Phokeethra Country Club. Both attract resident leagues and visiting international players.

Tennis has also grown steadily, with private clubs and hotels offering courts and coaching. Informal doubles groups are often organised through expatriate social media groups.

Padel is a newer but rapidly growing activity among younger expatriates and business owners. New courts and social tournaments have emerged over the past two years.

Football, badminton and volleyball are also extremely popular. Several mixed expatriate and Cambodian football groups organise weekly games, while indoor badminton is widely available and inexpensive.

Gyms, yoga studios and Pilates centres have multiplied in recent years, giving residents access to structured fitness communities.

Water Sports and Adventure Activities

Tonlé Sap provides opportunities for recreational fishing, birdwatching and boat excursions

Although Siem Reap is inland, water-based recreation remains accessible. Tonlé Sap excursions, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are increasingly common weekend activities.

More adventurous residents frequently organise trips to Cambodia’s southern coast for scuba diving, kitesurfing and sailing. Cheap domestic transport links make weekend escapes relatively easy.

Motorbike touring is another major pastime among long-term residents, with organised groups regularly travelling to Battambang, Kampot, Mondulkiri and until recently, the Thai border regions.

Drama, Arts and Creative Communities

The city has a vibrant creative scene supported by NGOs, galleries and performance venues.

Phare Ponleu Selpak and Phare, The Cambodian Circus remain central to the local arts community, combining theatre, circus arts and social development programmes.

Foreign residents regularly participate in photography clubs, writers’ groups and amateur theatre productions. Workshops in painting, pottery and traditional Khmer arts are also available.

Several cafés function as informal co-working and creative networking hubs where long-term residents naturally meet.

Volunteering and Charity Work

Volunteering remains one of the strongest ways for foreign residents to integrate into local society.

Well-known organisations include Human and Hope Association, which focuses on education and community development in Siem Reap.

Other active organisations include PEPY Empowering Youth and Cambodian Children’s Fund.

Animal welfare charities also attract long-term volunteers, particularly among retirees and remote workers.

Many expatriates additionally assist local schools with conversational English, mentoring and business training.

Caving, Adventure Travel and Weekend Escapes

Caving opportunities inside Cambodia itself are limited compared with neighbouring Laos or Vietnam, but adventurous residents frequently organise regional trips.

Closer to Siem Reap, Phnom Kulen National Park provides waterfalls, jungle walks and exploration opportunities, while Battambang offers bamboo train excursions and nearby cave systems.

Long-term residents also commonly travel to Thailand and Vietnam for extended hiking, diving and mountaineering holidays due to Siem Reap’s relatively central regional location.

Scuba, Swimming and Pool-Based Activities

Swimming is one of the more popular year-round recreational activities for long-term residents in Siem Reap, particularly because of the city’s hot climate and the large number of hotel and resort pools that offer day passes or memberships. Over time, a small but active community has developed around lap swimming, aquatic fitness, children’s swim training and casual social pool gatherings.

Several foreign residents use hotel pools for regular fitness swimming and informal exercise groups. Larger pools suitable for lap swimming can be found at places such as Navutu Dreams Resort & Wellness Retreat, Royal Sports Club Siem Reap and the pools at Royal Angkor Resort, which local residents frequently recommend for exercise swimming.

A growing number of residents also participate in aqua aerobics and low-impact aquatic fitness sessions, particularly retirees and rehabilitation-focused residents seeking gentler exercise in the tropical climate. Informal aquatic exercise coaching and private sessions are sometimes advertised through local expatriate Facebook communities.

Swimming lessons for both adults and children are increasingly available. One of the better-known local swim training organisations is Survival Swim Club, which offers water-safety instruction, beginner swimming lessons and specialised programmes including autism-friendly swimming classes. The club teaches both Khmer and English-speaking students and has become popular with both local and expatriate families.

Several residents also use resort pools as part of broader wellness routines that combine yoga, swimming and spa activities. Resorts such as Navutu Dreams Resort & Wellness Retreat and Mahalaya Wellness & Spa market themselves toward wellness-oriented long-term visitors and digital nomads seeking regular exercise and social interaction.

For families and more social aquatic activities, water parks and leisure pools have expanded around Siem Reap in recent years. Facilities such as Blue Water Park and Water Park Khnar Siem Reap attract both Cambodian families and expatriates, particularly during weekends and school holidays.

Scuba diving itself is not centred in Siem Reap because Cambodia’s main dive locations are on the southern coast around Koh Rong and Sihanoukville. However, some residents undertake pool-based dive training and certification theory work in Siem Reap before travelling south for open-water certification dives.

Facebook groups remain one of the best ways to locate regular lap-swimming partners, aqua fitness sessions and family-friendly pool venues. Questions about monthly pool passes, swim coaching and fitness swimming are commonly discussed in Cambodia expatriate forums and Siem Reap resident groups.