What To Wear In Cambodia: Packing List For Women

What To Wear In Cambodia?

When thinking about what to wear in Cambodia, think of your average summer holiday outfits.

I’ll be the first to admit that I can’t handle the heat, and I spent most of my time backpacking around Cambodia wearing dresses or shorts and cropped tops.

Yes, you can wear shorts in Cambodia, especially on the islands nobody will bat an eye. 

At the same time, it is appreciated that you don’t wear a bikini outside of the beach or a pool. 

You’ll quickly notice that despite the heat and humidity, Cambodians dress very modestly – wearing mostly long pants and long sleeves. 

You’ll rarely see a local wearing shorts or a tank top. When I asked about it, I was told it was to keep their skin light as the sun is very strong. 

However, Cambodians are not that conservative, and younger generations are usually wearing similar outfits to tourists. 

Temples And Memorial Sites

While you can generally wear whatever you want in Cambodia, you should dress respectfully when visiting temples, memorial sites, and the Royal Palace. 

The modest dress code for Cambodian temples and memorial sites requires you to have your knees and shoulders covered. Also, cropped tops are not a way to bend this rule.

I suggest you wear a midi dress or skirt, with a light short-sleeved top. Alternatively, you can also wear long, flowy pants. 

The sun is strong even during the rainy season in Cambodia, so you’ll want your shoulders covered either way!

There will be dress code signs in temples, but they doesn’t really enforce the dress code apart from the Royal Palace.

Since visiting the Royal Palace is one of the reasons to visit Phnom Penh, wear an appropriate outfit. 

I saw tourists wearing shorts at the Genocide Memorial in Phnom Penh, but the tour I joined specifically asked us to cover up before entering. 

When I was visiting Siem Reap, I was looking at the temple from outside as I was wearing shorts and a cropped top, but the monk invited me to visit regardless.

Some places will be more strict than others, but it is important to be respectful of local customs.

What To Wear To Angkor Wat?

Before visiting Angkor Wat you should know that this UNESCO World Heritage site is also a religious site.

Angkor Wat dress code is similar to that of other temples in Cambodia. 

You will need to cover your knees and shoulders while exploring the ruins. 

I suggest a midi dress with sleeves or long flowy pants. You can wear a top with short sleeves, or a cropped toped and flowy shirt over it. 

Bright colors and patterns look really good in photos if that’s something you care about.

As you can see from my photos, I wasn’t going for style here as I was out of photogenic short-sleeved tops.

Regarding footwear, you can really wear whatever you want. 

If you’re cycling to the temples you’ll probably want to wear sneakers, but otherwise, sandals are fine.

I wouldn’t really wear flip-flops as the ground is quite uneven, and you’ll walk in the grass a lot.

How strict is the Angkor Wat dress code?

It depends, the tour guide on the tour I took asked people if they had appropriate clothes before getting on the bus.

However, I’ve seen people walking around Angkor temples without adhering to the dress code.

Still, you never know when will they start enforcing the rules and you don’t want to be forced to buy an overpriced scarf to cover yourself in front of the temples. 

Cambodia Packing List For Women

This packing list is for spending 2 weeks exploring Cambodia, as most people spend about 2 weeks in the country. 

If you’re spending 3 weeks in Cambodia or more, I’d still pack this amount of items as it is cheap and easy to wash your clothes when you’re in the country!

Before packing for Cambodia, you’ll need a backpack, and I suggest going for a 40-50L backpack. You really don’t need more than that.

Theoretically, you could also go for a cabin-sized suitcase, but I’d advise against that.

You’ll struggle dragging a suitcase on unpaved roads or trying to avoid traffic on non-existing sidewalks. 

I also highly recommend getting packing cubes. That way you can separate your tops, bottoms, underwear, etc. so you know exactly where everything is.

You don’t exactly need packing cubes, but they made my life so much easier while backpacking in Cambodia!

Clothes To Wear In Cambodia

When choosing clothes to pack for Cambodia, it’s important to keep in mind that light and breathable options are key.

Here’s how to dress in Cambodia!

Remember, the key is to pack light and breathable clothes that cover your shoulders and knees for temple visits.

Temple hopping is one of the main reasons to visit Cambodia, so pack an appropriate outfit. 

You don’t need as many clothes as you think. Laundry services are readily available and inexpensive.

What Not To Wear In Cambodia?

If you’re worried about what should you not wear in Cambodia, don’t be. You can wear literally anything in Cambodia, within reason. 

Don’t wear revealing clothing and clothes that don’t cover your knees and shoulders for visiting temples, the Royal Palace, and Genocide Memorial Sites. 

You shouldn’t walk around in a bikini outside beaches and pools, despite the hot weather in Cambodia. 

I can’t think of a reason you’d need high heels. Leave them at home.

Be smarter than me and don’t bring white jean shorts. They will get dirty the first day and no laundry will be able to make it white again.

The same goes for white shoes unless you’re willing to part ways with them after the trip.

Also, don’t pack skinny jeans. It’s too hot and humid for that, and I don’t understand how do locals do it.

I always go for solid shampoo and body wash when traveling long-term. They last longer than the 100ml travel version, and they are way lighter to carry than full-sized products.

Some little things to remember are a razor, hair brush, tweezers, and a nail file. You might not need them, but it is such a pain if you forget them!

Don’t forget to pack your face sunscreen if you’re particular about the brands you use. But don’t worry, if you forget it I’ve seen some European pharmacy brands in Cambodian pharmacies too!

Mosquito repellent is a must, but I suggest you buy it in Cambodia. It is better formulated for local mosquitos.

Finally, don’t pack too much makeup. I literally didn’t use any during my time in Cambodia as it was so humid. 

Other Things To Pack For Cambodia

Now that your clothes and cosmetics are sorted out, what else do you need on your packing list for Cambodia?

Other things you might need:

• Laptop – if you’re working while traveling
• Headlamp – I saw some people using them for Angkor Wat sunrise

Things To Buy In Cambodia

If you’re wondering do you need to buy everything before coming, or can you buy some of these things in Cambodia, you can buy most things there, but I didn’t have much luck.

Cambodia uses two currencies, so you’ll see prices in US dollars and Cambodian Riels.

These are the things I would NOT wait to buy in Cambodia:

• Face cream
• Sunscreen
• Electronics
• Shoes

My face cream ran out after 2 months in Southeast Asia, and finding cosmetics in Cambodia was a struggle.

They sell Asian brand face creams in bizarre 10ml packaging, or extremely overpriced brands like Nivea or Garnier. 

Sunscreen is quite pricey in Cambodia, also there’s not much choice. In case of emergency, you might find brands like La Roche Posay (my favorite face sunscreen) in a pharmacy.

I don’t really trust night market electronics, and the brand stuff in stores was very pricey.

As for shoes, I guess you can get flip-flops there. However, most shoes you see in stores are fake. 

A friend backpacking Southeast Asia for 6 months said that she gets new ones every month as they fall apart. 

These things you don’t need to pack and can buy in Cambodia:

• Mosquito repellent 
• Temple pants
• Body wash/shampoo
• SIM card

I would 100% buy mosquito repellent in Cambodia. They are cheap and efficient.

Don’t spend too much money on buying linen pants at home like I did, as you can find temple pants all over Cambodia for 5-10$. 

No, they are not 2$ anymore, Cambodia is cheap, but not that cheap.

If you run out of body wash or shampoo, you can easily find it in every 7-Eleven store. 

I suggest you get a local SIM when you get to the country, and you can use it to order Grab in Cambodia during your travels.