Territory capital · Cambodia
Banlungបានលុង
Give Banlung 2–3 nights: one for Yeak Laom lake and the waterfalls, one for a guided jungle or village day. Skip it if you only have a week in Cambodia.
Banlung is the small capital of Ratanakiri, in the far northeast of Cambodia, and the base for a volcanic crater lake, several waterfalls, Virachey National Park and the villages of a dozen ethnic minority groups. Roads here are now sealed, so the old two-day haul is a single long bus ride. There is no working airport, no train and no Grab: you move by motorbike, motodop or a hired car with a driver. Come for the landscape and the villages, not for comfort.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- avoid Jun–Oct (mud, washed-out tracks, some park areas closed)
- Airports
- PNH · REP
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Cambodia ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal; lookalike sites charge extra. Some nationalities can also get a visa on arrival.
- Cambodia ↗Angkor Wat and other active temples enforce a dress code: shoulders and knees covered, or you are turned away at the gate.
- Cambodia ↗US dollars are used for most tourist prices; carry clean, undamaged small notes and some riel for change under one dollar.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Banlung117 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Banlung, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?US dollars for hotels, tours and restaurants; riel (KHR, about 4,000 to the dollar) for change and small street purchases.Cambodia-wide
- SIM or eSIMSmart, Cellcard and Metfone sell tourist SIMs at the airports with passport registration; a week of data costs a few dollars.Cambodia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Cambodia-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Round up or leave US$1–2 where no service charge is added.Cambodia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/G. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Cambodia-wide
- SafetyRatanakiri is calm and the main risks are practical: unlit roads at night, motorbike crashes, malaria and cash running out.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, restaurants and at the Angkor ticket office and main temples; squat toilets with a hose or scoop on the road.Cambodia-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 118 fire · 119 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany shops close for Khmer New Year and Pchum Ben; government offices close all public holidays; Angkor temples open every day.Cambodia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPNH Phnom Penh (Techo International) (No flights to Banlung: the town airfield has no scheduled service.
- Getting aroundRent a 125cc semi-automatic motorbike for about US$5–7 a day, or a 250cc for about US$10…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or a can of beerUS$0.50–1.25
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup or a rice plateUS$1.50–3
- Museum or sight ticketWaterfall or lake entry2,000–8,000 riel
- Budget bedGuesthouse dorm or tent, a night, per personUS$3
- Mid-range bedDouble room, fan or air-con, a night, per roomUS$18
- High-end bedDouble room, fan or air-con, a night, per roomUS$35
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$25 · Mid US$45 · High US$90
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PNH Phnom Penh (Techo International) (No flights to Banlung: the town airfield has no scheduled service. Bus or private car onward, 8–10 h.) · REP Siem Reap (Useful if you are coming from Angkor; you still finish the trip by road via Stung Treng or Kratie.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Nov–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Aug (22 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Banlung: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
19 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
21 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
22 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
21 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Rent a 125cc semi-automatic motorbike for about US$5–7 a day, or a 250cc for about US$10; a car or 4x4 with a driver runs about US$30–50 a day and is the better choice for two or more people in the wet season. Motodops wait around the roundabout and market for short hops. Bicycles rent for about US$1 a day. Outside town almost nobody speaks English, so hire a guide for village visits.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Yeak Laom crater lake
goDoor to door: About 20 min each way
Motorbike or motodop, about 5 km (3.1 mi) east of townMotorbike or motodop, about 3.1 mi (5 km) east of town
Entry about 8,000 riel (US$2, 2019 rate: check). A 1-hour walking trail circles the water; go early, it is exposed by midday.
Cha Ong waterfall
goDoor to door: About 20 min each way
Motorbike on the waterfall road, about 7 km (4.3 mi) from townMotorbike on the waterfall road, about 4.3 mi (7 km) from town
About 18 m high with a hollow behind the fall you can walk into. Small entry fee, about 2,000 riel (check).
Ka Tieng waterfall
goDoor to door: About 30 min each way
Motorbike, further along the same road
About 10 m, with a pool for swimming; the Airavata elephant project has used this area. Pair it with Cha Ong in one morning.
Virachey National Park
overnightDoor to door: 1–3 days
Guided trek arranged through the park office or a tour shop in town
Ranger and community guides only; parts of the park are inaccessible in the wet season.
Door to door: 5–6 h
Minibus about 08:00, or the afternoon bus about 13:00Minibus about 8:00 AM, or the afternoon bus about 1:00 PM
About US$8. The minibus seats four across a three-seat row, so it can be tight.
Stung Treng
goDoor to door: 3–5 h
Bus or minivan, later departures
The usual first leg if you are heading on to Laos or back to Phnom Penh.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Around Kan Siang lake
Guesthouses and the top lodge overlook the water, 10–15 min walk from the market; quiet at night.
Town centre and the roundabout
Walk to the market, banks and most restaurants; motodops wait here and tour shops are on the same block.
Highway strip west of the roundabout
Budget rooms, bike rental and a couple of bars; handy if you leave early by bus.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- US$20–35 excl. bed
- Mid
- US$35–60 excl. bed
- High
- US$60+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, fan or air-con1 × 3 nights × US$18 | US$54 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × US$45 | US$270 |
| Motorbike rental, one day2 × US$6 | US$12 |
| Car or 4x4 with driver, one day1 × US$40 | US$40 |
| Guided village or jungle day2 × US$25 | US$50 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$10 | US$20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$45 |
| Trip total≈ US$82 per person per day, bed included | US$491 |
2026 estimate in US dollars, the usual currency here; long-distance buses and guided treks excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or a can of beer | US$0.50–1.25 |
| Noodle soup or a rice plate | US$1.50–3 |
| Western main in a guesthouse restaurant | US$3–5 |
| Motodop hop across town | US$1–2 |
| Motorbike rental, 125cc, one day | US$5–7 |
| Car with driver, one day | US$30–50 |
| Waterfall or lake entry | 2,000–8,000 riel |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Village ceremonies can close a village to outsiders: fresh leaves hung at the gate mean do not enter.
- Ask before photographing people or village sites; fines are possible and some places are taboo.
- Do not eat forest meat: it drives poaching.
- Carry enough cash. Acleda is the main bank and its ATM is unreliable; cards are accepted in few places.
- The Vietnam border at O Yadaw/Le Thanh does not accept Vietnam eVisas: you need a physical visa or visa-free entry.
- Malaria is present in Ratanakiri; talk to a travel clinic before you go.
- Roads north of Kratie can still be rough in the wet season; check conditions before an overland leg.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Fire
- 118
- Ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Banlungបានលុង
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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សូមជូនខ្ញុំទៅអាសយដ្ឋាននេះPlease take me to this address
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire118
- Ambulance119
Embassy
No embassies in Banlung; most are in Phnom Penh. The US embassy is in Phnom Penh (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Banlung → Phnom Penh, big bus: about US$10, 8–10 h, departs 06:00–07:30about US$10, 8–10 h, departs 6:00 AM–7:30 AM
- Banlung → Kratie, minibus: about US$8, 5–6 h
- Private car, Phnom Penh → Banlung: about US$120, 8–10 h with breaks
Say or show
- សួស្តី — Hello (suostei)
- អរគុណ — Thank you (aw kohn)
- ថ្លៃប៉ុន្មាន? — How much is it? (thlai ponman)
- ថ្លៃពេក — Too expensive (thlai pek)
- បង្គន់នៅឯណា? — Where is the toilet? (bongkon nov ae na)
- ខ្ញុំមិនយល់ទេ — I do not understand (khnhom min yol te)
Carry small US dollar notes and riel for change; the riel trades at about 4,000–4,100 to the dollar.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Banlung. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Mar · avoid Jun–Oct (mud, washed-out tracks, some park areas closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 7 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for the Phnom Penh and Siem Reap arrivals: last bus times, private-car fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: the roundabout and market, Kan Siang lake, the waterfall road, Yeak Laom.
- Place pages with verified entry fees and cutoffs (Yeak Laom, Cha Ong, Ka Tieng, Virachey) and eat pages with last orders.
- Wet-season and border-day fixtures so gates A–D can go green.