If you are looking for fun and excitement in a tropical setting and you are gay, gay travel to Cambodia has become more affordable to all travelers no matter what your orientation is. Political upheaval and war was once a part of daily life in Cambodia. Not the country has become a vacation destination because of a gay tolerant government.
After decades of genocide and terror that killed more than three million souls, Cambodia, nestled in between the countries of Thailand and Vietnam, has become stable and has become the mecca of tourist destinations. You and your partner will find many tourist spots like the beautiful temple of Angkor Wat, the untouched nature of Batambang, or the exciting nightlife of Phnom Penh. The people are friendly and you can enjoy the gay lifestyle without prejudice or scrutiny.
Flying into Cambodia is easier than ever. The recent expansion of the international airport and the domestic flights between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh has made getting into and around the nation a pleasant experience. The Cambodian currency, the Riel, is stable and is now trading at about 4000 Riel to a single US Dollar. This makes it easier to pay for the hotels and restaurants who have reached a new level of cleanliness in the past decades. Remember it is a tropical latitude, so dress appropriately.
Homosexuality is legal in Cambodia. This is a policy that many third world countries do not recognize. Restaurants, bars, and hotels have opened their doors to the gay lifestyle and embrace it. If you want to check out the gay hot spots in Cambodia, a simple word search on your favorite search engine will give you a plethora of choices for partying and having fun.
Cambodia does not recognize same sex marriages. The Buddhist influence in the country limits judgement and reduces homophobic tendencies toward gay tourists. Most of the time, gay people are seen as an oddity and people will just watch you from a far. Other Muslim and Christian countries that are nearby are not as lenient. Those cultures do not allow an open mind.
Since 2004 there have been a gay pride parade and festival in Phnom Penh that has become more and more popular each year. Thousands descend on the capital to be part of the festival or just to watch the festivities from the gay participates.
A gay friendly atmosphere can be found no matter what part of Cambodia you visit. You can just sit back and relax and be yourself. From the naughty district of Phnom Penh to the country villages you can find almost anywhere, same sex exploits are happening everywhere. There is a drawback though. Over a million men and prostitutes are walking around with the HIV virus and most will perform services without warning you of their condition. Not only are there a million reported cases, there may be even more cases unreported.
Pick Cambodia for you next vacation destination either with your partner or as a self-exploration adventure. Gay travel to Cambodia offers some great deals and with a little planning, you can have the vacation of a lifetime. You will find Cambodia a true gay vacation destination that you will have a hard time forgetting.
Howie Holben gay trips to Cambodia help. He is the caretaker of Spirit Journeys, a gay travel group. Spirit Journeys suggests spiritual gay tours world wide.