INSURANCE
Medical facilities in Cambodia are rather limited and it is essential to take out good medical insurance before traveling. Your insurance should cover repatriation by air from Cambodia (to Bangkok or Singapore in most cases), which is unfortunately sometimes necessary either by scheduled flight or by chartering a special flight. For adventurous excursions such as cycling, you will be asked for an insurance certificate. In Siem Reap, the Royal Angkor International Hospital (affiliated with the Bangkok Hospital Medical Center) is the best choice, as is the SOS International Clinic in Phnom Penh.
CLIMATE
Cambodia has two distinct seasons: the rainy season from June to October and the dry season from November to May. Traveling during the rainy season has its advantages, such as taking beautiful pictures of the water-filled temple moat in Siem Reap. It usually rains in the afternoon for 2 to 3 hours.
The dry season can be very dusty, but walking in the jungle around this time is much easier in this season. The temperature is relatively stable throughout the year at 30 to 35°C during the day, although November to January often offers cooler temperatures.
AIRLINES - International:
The following airlines currently operate in Cambodia: Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Air Asia, Air France, Asiana Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cebu Airways, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Dragon Air, EVA Air, Jetstar Asia, Korean Air, Lao Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Shanghai Airlines, Silk Air, Tiger Airways and Vietnam Airlines. Cambodia Angkor Air offers international flights to Saigon, Hanoi, Bangkok, and Guangzhou and has further expansion plans in the region. - Domestic: Cambodia Angkor Air is currently the only airline offering domestic flights in Cambodia to the country's three main airports (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville). Cambodia Angkor Air (Code K6), uses French-Italian ATR turboprop aircraft which are well adapted to local conditions, airports and distances. The interior of the aircraft has 70 seats (ATR 72) in rows of 4 seats with a central aisle. Entry and exit are at the rear of the aircraft. The configuration of the first class is standard.
CURRENCY
The currency of Cambodia is called Riel. There is no need to change your currency into Riel as the US dollar is preferred and accepted everywhere. Please note that torn, damaged or old bills will not be accepted. ATMs, providing US dollars, are now present in the main cities of the country and, of course, in abundance in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 3pm and on Saturday mornings until 12pm. In major cities, there are currency exchange offices and most hotels also exchange US dollars. However, for other currencies, the exchange can only be done at the bank. Vacation vouchers can be exchanged at banks and some hotels, but are difficult to exchange outside the major cities. Visa and MasterCard are now accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Nevertheless, cash is still the most common and convenient form of payment in Cambodia. Remember to carry some with you at all times. If you are traveling in a tuk-tuk, make sure you have cash and change as the drivers usually do not carry much money.
ENTERTAINMENT
Western-style entertainment is easy in Cambodia. Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are full of good restaurants and offer a wide choice of bars and some nightclubs. In the rest of the country, entertainment is in its infancy, but restaurants and bars designed to accommodate tourists can be found in most tourist locations in Cambodia.
DRINKING WATER
Tap water is not recommended, but bottled mineral water is safe and available everywhere. All hotels provide one bottle of mineral water per person in the room. Ice cubes in your drinks are usually okay in hotels and mid-range restaurants, but are best avoided in street stalls or rural areas. Some minor digestive problems are always possible when traveling to exotic countries. Bring your usual anti-diarrhea medication.
ELECTRICITY
Cambodia uses 220V and a mix of flat 2-pin, round 2-pin and 3-pin plugs. It is recommended to bring a universal adapter. Power outages do occur occasionally, but most hotels have their own generators.
TIME ZONE
Cambodian time is +7h GMT and does not change throughout the year.
OPENING HOURS
Offices are generally open Monday to Friday from 7:30am or 8am to 5pm and often close for lunch between 12pm and 2pm. Stores open early and close between 6pm and 10pm. Most stores are open 7 days a week.
INTERNET
The Internet is widely available in all major cities in Cambodia. In Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, there are many Internet cafes to keep in touch with family and friends, although most hotels, cafes and restaurants also offer free Wi-Fi. Even in more remote areas, many hotels offer Internet access.
LANGUAGE
The national language of Cambodia is Khmer and unlike the other languages of the region, it is not a tonal language. Its alphabet originated in southern India. As in other former French colonies, the older, educated generation often speaks French very well while the younger generation prefers English. With the exception of large cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap,
In Battambang and also on the southern coast of Cambodia, most people speak only Khmer although it is often possible to find someone with some English.
FOOD
Like in many Asian countries, the staple of the Cambodian diet is rice. It is usually served with salted or dried fish, chicken, beef or pork. Fresh fish often comes from the Tonle Sap Lake and is eaten with a spicy peanut sauce called tuk trey. The most famous dishes are sam chruk: glutinous rice rolled and stuffed with soybeans and minced pork and amok: a boneless fish soup flavored with coconut milk and spices. In Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, Western dishes are widely offered and more and more in the provinces.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Standard quality film is available in Cambodia, but professional quality film (such as slides) is very difficult to find and it is best to bring your own. In cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, your digital photos can easily be downloaded and burned to DVD in case you run out of memory. You will also find extra memory cards for purchase in the larger cities, but they may not be original.
TIPS
Tipping is not customary in Cambodia, but it is always appreciated in this country where the average annual income is much lower than in Western countries. It is customary to tip tour guides and drivers at the end of the trip. Baggage handlers in hotels may also be tipped. Do not be bribed by a guide who asks for more than you originally planned to give. You have the freedom to decide who you give to, when and how much, and the amount should be based on the service received.
RELIGION
Buddhism is the dominant religion in Cambodia representing 90 to 95% of the population. Islam is practiced by a small percentage, mainly by the Cham community residing near the Vietnamese border and Christianity and Hinduism are religions represented by less than 1% of the Cambodian population.
HEALTH
No vaccinations are required, except for yellow fever if you come from an area where the disease is present. However, visitors should be vaccinated against typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A and B, tetanus and polio. Malaria and dengue fever are present in some parts of Cambodia and it is advisable to take precautions, especially if you are traveling off the beaten track. Please consult your regular doctor or a doctor specializing in tropical diseases before traveling.
SAFETY
Despite its turbulent history, Cambodia is a safe country to visit. All tourist areas have been cleared of mines and only a small portion of the more remote areas need to be secured. In general, never leave your belongings unattended and keep an eye on your cameras and purses.
SHOPPING
Cambodian handicrafts include silks, wood carvings, rattan weaving, handmade paper and the traditional Cambodian scarf, krama. The local markets in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are the best places to shop. Dozens of charity stores where you can also buy souvenirs while supporting a worthy cause are located throughout the country. Ask your guide for more information.
AIRPORT TAX
The departure tax is included in the price of the ticket for domestic and international flights.
PHONE
If you have a cell phone subscription with international coverage, you can use your usual cell phone for national and international calls. Be sure to check with your carrier for international charges before using it, as this can be expensive. It is quite easy to get a SIM/Micro SIM card when you arrive in Cambodia and these cards cost only a few dollars. Alternatively, you can make calls in Internet cafes via Skype, which is the cheapest way to make calls from Cambodia to other countries.
DRESS CODE
Light and comfortable clothes made of natural fabrics like cotton are the most appropriate for traveling in Cambodia. The dress code is fairly casual as in most tropical regions, but it is advisable to cover your arms and legs at night against insect bites. A light raincoat and an umbrella can be useful during the rainy season, and the umbrella can also be used to protect you from the sun. Shoes (and socks) must be removed before entering any religious building or private home.
VISAS
Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at international airports (Siem Reap and Phnom Penh) without prior registration. These visas on arrival are valid for 30 days, with a single entry into the country and cost 30 USD. A passport photo is required for this visa. Immigration at Siem Reap and Phnom Penh airports can take this photo on arrival for 2 USD per person. We suggest that you bring a photo to ensure a quicker passage through immigration.
Electronic visas are now available through the Immigration Department website with a 3 day processing time. A scanned copy of your passport and $37 paid by credit card are required to obtain this visa which the traveler receives by email, must print and bring to the immigration department upon arrival. https://www.evisa.gov.kh
Most border crossings accept electronic visa but it is recommended to check with the government. Obtaining visas is possible at the Thai/Cambodian/Vietnamese/Laos border checkpoints, but scams are common due to the low income of the border staff. It is therefore preferable to apply for your visa in advance in your country of origin or through an electronic visa.
