One Of Asia's Most Affordable Countries To Visit In 2026 Boasts Scenic Beaches And Temples

Asia is filled with beautiful travel destinations. From volcanic national parks with otherworldly views in Indonesia to magnificent, paradise beaches in the Gulf of Thailand, the region is stuffed with bucket-list places to visit and unusual, beautiful tourist attractions. It is also one of the most affordable parts of the world to explore, with day-to-day costs far lower than in places like Europe or North America, and things like food, accommodation, and tourist experiences available for bargain prices.

One of Asia's most affordable countries is also one that often flies under the radar. Cambodia is a stunning country with beautiful Gulf of Thailand beaches, vibrant cities, and some of the most impressive ancient temples in the world. Yet, it is often overlooked in favor of its more popular and well-known neighbors. Cambodia was even named by travel eSim company Holafly as one of the cheapest Asian countries to visit in 2026. 

Cambodia is bordered by Thailand to the west, Laos to the north, and Vietnam to the east, with a southern coastline looking out over the Gulf of Thailand. Its main international airport is Phnom Penh Techo, a brand-new airport that has replaced the old Phnom Penh International Airport. Aspiring to be one of Southeast Asia's most sustainable airports, it is located 16 miles south of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. You can also enter Cambodia by land from Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand, although the border with Thailand can be tricky and is sometimes closed due to conflict between the two nations.

Most travelers come to Cambodia for two reasons: to experience the vibrant, exciting, and edgy capital of Phnom Penh, and to visit the stunning ancient temples of Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest religious complex in the world. Phnom Penh is one of the best places for budget travelers to splurge on a getaway in Southeast Asia, a bafflingly underrated city with booming nightlife, incredible food, and loads of fascinating culture, all available for a fraction of the cost of similar spots elsewhere. It also has a more somber side to it, and it is definitely worth visiting the grim, moving Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the equally shocking village of Choeung Ek, the infamous Killing Fields, for a deep dive into the darker history of Cambodia.

Angkor Wat deserves its spot as the most famous and most popular destination in Cambodia. This vast sprawl of crumbling Buddhist temples and soaring ancient ruins is breathtaking in its scale and beauty, and needs several days to do it justice. The central temple is unmissable, with its five huge towers looming over the rest of the complex, but there are plenty of others that are worth a visit. If you only have a short amount of time, the highlights include the stone faces of Bayon, the ruins of Ta Som covered in tree roots, and the atmospheric, moss-covered beauty of Ta Prohm, famous for featuring in the movie "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" starring Angelina Jolie.

While sun worshippers and beach lovers often head straight to Thailand's Koh Samui or Koh Phi Phi, Cambodia boasts some equally impressive stretches of sand, which are often less crowded and feel more relaxed and peaceful. Most travelers looking for a beach vacation in Cambodia head to Sihanoukville, the country's main coastal city. Ochheuteal and Otres Beaches stretch out from the center of town, meaning you can enjoy sun, surf, and sand, while staying close to the comforts of the city. For travelers on a budget, the small island of Koh Rong, just off the coast from Sihanoukville, is a gem, with gorgeous, empty beaches scattered all around the island, including Long Set Beach, Sok San Beach, and Saracen Bay on the neighboring islet of Koh Rong Samloem. 

Cambodia is also a wonderful place for adventure travelers and nature lovers to visit. The beautiful Tuek Chhou River, which winds its way through Bokor National Park, is an excellent place for kayaking and paddleboarding, and the national park itself boasts some stunning wildlife. Boat trips on the Mekong River offer the chance to see the rare and endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, while ornithologists will be blown over the array of bird species at the Prek Toal bird sanctuary.