Cambodia >> Travel Tips

Our Travel Tips

Tradition
When visiting temples (such as at Angkor Wat), wearing shorts is frowned upon. In fact, few men in Cambodia wear shorts unless they have a particular dirty job. It seems that it is considered that only lower class men wear shorts. However, this seems to be changing somewhat, perhaps due foreign influence. As with other Asian nations, foreigners are seen as strange anyway, so they can get away with a certain amount of odd behavior. Now not much notice is made of the way they dress, especially when exercising, jogging, or biking. However, good sturdy walking or hiking shoes are a must when visiting the historic temples. Sandals (not leather) are good for the rainy season. You can rinse the mud and other stuff off later! Traveling here in Asia can be exasperating at times, especially when people don’t understand you. However, you should always act respectful, and it will do you no good to raise your voice. Keep your cool, and as you may know, a smile will work wonders.

Note: If you visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh, you will need to wear clothes that cover your knees and shoulders.

Money
In the cities in Cambodia you can use credit cards or bank cards to withdraw cash from ATMs in US dollars. You can use US dollars anywhere in Cambodia, however small shops will not have change for large bills. The currency of Cambodia is the Riel. The exchange rate is approx. 4,150 Riel to 1US dollar. (please note that the exchange rate will fluctuate slightly) It is advisable to have a small amount of cash with you.

Visas
Visas for Cambodia are available on arrival at the Phnom Penh and Siem Reap International airports, and at any international border crossings. The fee for a tourist visa is US$20 per person. Note: You will need one passport size photo with the application. You may also obtain the visa by E-Visa.

Language
The vast majority of Cambodians speak the national language, Khmer, which is a language of the Mon-Khmer group, It is closely related to the language of the Hmong in Laos. Khmer is distantly related to Lao, Thai and to some Indonesian languages. It has borrowed words from Vietnamese, Chinese, Pali, French and English. The script is related to Devanagari and looks like Thai script at first glance. An increasing number of urban Cambodians speak English, especially young people, and some (mostly older) Cambodians can speak French. Although the grammar is quite straightforward, Khmer is a fairly difficult language for most English speakers to learn because of its pronunciation.

Internet Access
The internet is available almost every where in the cites, and can be very easily found big towns such as Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Battambang, and now even in small towns as well. The cost is between US$0.50 and US$1 an hour, and international phone calls are from US$0.10 to US$0.30 per minute at most internet shops. Most hotels and guesthouses offer free internet and/or WIFI for their guests.

What to Bring on your trip
Cambodia is a topical country, so it is very important to bring light clothing and sandals. It is also recommended to bring insect repellent, sun block, sun glasses and some kind of cap or hat.

How to get around on your own
In Cambodia, the 2 main forms of transportation are the moto (sometimes called motodup) and the tuk-tuk (a kind of moto rickshaw). Note: This is not to be confused with the ubiquitous 3-wheeled vehicle found in Thailand. The cost will depend on the distance traveled, but should be between US$1-US$2 for short distances. Don’t be afraid to bargain to get a price that you think is fair. Always establish the price before setting off. A good way to get around in smaller cities such as Siem Reap, is by bicycle. Bicycles can be rented from many guesthouses (some provide free use for guests), or from some travel agents.

Safety
Most towns and cities are safe to walk around in. But as with all traveling, the usual precautions should be taken, and common sense should dictate your actions. For example, it is not advisable to walk around with valuables. You can make use of the safe in your room, or deposit your importance documents, air tickets, passport, etc. in the hotel safety box. Be aware of who is around you, and do not leave items unattended. 

Food and Beverage
Food in Cambodia is generally safe in restaurants, and a meal in a local restaurants will cost from about $3 to $5 per meal. If you are adventurous, you will want to try some street food from the many vendors. Of course it is very cheap, but the hygiene may be questionable. Most Cambodian food is not spicy, but chili is always available for those who like it hot.