Cambodia Information
Cambodia Practical Information
The information about electricity, currency, health and safety, internet, business hour, public holidays, travelling with children and women, and so on.
Electricity
Electricity in Cambodia is 230V, with a frequency of 50 Hz, the following plugs are used:
Currency
Cambodia’s official currency is the riel (abbreviated “r”) written after the sum. The riel banknotes include 100r, 200r, 500r, 1000r, 2000r, 5000r, 10,000r, 20,000r, 50,000r and 100,000r. The US dollars are accepted everywhere and sometimes preferred. In the western region, the Thai baht (B) is also popular.
AMTs are only widely available in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Battambang and Sihanoukville. So you should bring cash in small notes which are clean, free from rips and tears.
Tipping
Tipping is not traditionally expected here, but in a poor country like Cambodia, it is highly encouraged. Consider tipping guides and drivers because the time they spend on the road with you mean being far away from their home and family.
It is also considered proper to make some donation when visiting a wat or temples, especially if a monk has shown you around. Most of these places have contribution boxes for this purpose.
Health & safety
Although no vaccinations are officially required for entering Cambodia, they are highly encouraged. Travelers are advised to check with their doctor or hospital regarding protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and B. Any special medications should be brought with as while traveling because there is no guarantee they will be available in Cambodia
Drink lots of water. Never drink tap water purified, bottled water is available everywhere with affordable price.
Since Cambodia has tropical climate, use insect repellent against mosquitoes and casual and light-weight clothing is the best. Also remember to bring hat, sunblock and sunscreen.
Telephone
Telephone connections to the rest of the world are widely available but can be expensive.
Pre-paid SIM cards are popular but require a valid passport to buy. A guest house or tuk-tuk drivers can also buy one for you.
The easiest way to make a local call in most urban areas is by heading to one of many small private booths on the kerbside. Many internet shops offer cheap international calls, and you can Skype for the price of an internet connection.
Internet access
Internet is widespread in Cambodia. Many hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and cafés also offer free wi-fi, especially in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap – the two main tourist cities.
Post office
Post in Cambodia is routed by air through Bangkok, making the service much more reliable than in the past. International postcards should arrive in 2 weeks, and in 1 week within Asia. Domestic rates are cheap, but international customs fees and rates can be high.
Business hours
The business hours are subjects to change throughout the year. The below are supposed to be in the high season:
Banks: 8am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday
Government offices: 7.30am to 11.30am and 2pm to 5pm Monday to Friday
Bars: 5pm to late night
Restaurants: 7am to 9pm
Shops 8am to 6pm daily
Public holiday
The festivals and holidays of Cambodia are subject to change every year based on the lunar calendar. During public holidays, all bank offices, ministries and embassies are closed, so you should plan carefully if visiting the country these days. The Cambodians also roll over holidays if they fall on weekend and take one or two day extra in major festivals.
International New Year’s Day: Jan 1
Victory Day: Jan 7
International Women’s Day: Mar 8
Khmer New Year: Apr 14-16
Visaka Bochea: April or May
Labor Day: May 1
Royal Ploughing Ceremony: May
King Sihamoni's Birthday: May 13-15
International Children's Day: Jun 1
Queen Mother's Birthday: Jun 18
Constitution Day: Sep 24
Pchum Ben Festival: Sep or Oct
King Father's Commemoration Day: Oct 15
Paris Peace Agreement Day: Oct 23
Independence Day: Nov 9
Water Festival: Oct or Nov
Human Rights Day: Dec 10
Traveling with children
The Cambodians love children so they can live it up here.
When it comes to care for babies, you can find almost everything you’ll need in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, but supplies dry up quickly elsewhere. Cot beds are available in international standard midrange and top-ends hotels.
Women travelers
In general, Cambodia is a pleasant place to travel. Women visitors are unlikely to be targeted by local men and will possibly find Khmer men to be courteous and polite. In spite of that, you should be careful, for your own safety, when walking or riding alone late at night or in the remote area, it’s best to come with a travel companion.
Khmer women dress fairly conservatively. Then you are advised to follow suit, especially when visiting temples or pagoda. Long-sleeved shirts and trousers or skirts are preferred.
Gay & lesbian travelers
While Cambodian culture is tolerant of homosexuality, the gay and lesbian scene here is unlike that in Thailand. The former King Norodom Sihanouk once supported equal rights for same-sex partners, which seems to encourage more open attitude among younger Cambodians. Both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have a few gay-friendly bars. Though there is little consideration over how traveling foreigners are related, it is prudent not to flaunt your sexuality. As with heterosexual couples, passionate public displays of affection are considered unacceptable.
Travelers with disabilities
Travelers with disabilities will need to do research before visiting Cambodia as the country presents considerable challenges, but they are not insurmountable. Some small guesthouses and hotels will not cater to travelers with disabilities, but the bigger and more established ones do. In Angkor Wat, some parts of the temples are inaccessible to wheelchair-bound visitors because of the irregular paving and simple the nature of the temples. In town and cities, sidewalks are usually heavily potholed and uneven. Good news is new buildings and top-end hotels, airports have ramps for wheelchair access.
The most important point for a successful trip to Cambodia if you are disabled is a lot of planning in advance. Useful organizations are Mobility International USA, Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation and Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality.
Pre-departure checklist / before you go / during the journey (some emergency)
Electricity
Electricity in Cambodia is 230V, with a frequency of 50 Hz, the following plugs are used:
Currency
Cambodia’s official currency is the riel (abbreviated “r”) written after the sum. The riel banknotes include 100r, 200r, 500r, 1000r, 2000r, 5000r, 10,000r, 20,000r, 50,000r and 100,000r. The US dollars are accepted everywhere and sometimes preferred. In the western region, the Thai baht (B) is also popular.
AMTs are only widely available in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Battambang and Sihanoukville. So you should bring cash in small notes which are clean, free from rips and tears.
Tipping
Tipping is not traditionally expected here, but in a poor country like Cambodia, it is highly encouraged. Consider tipping guides and drivers because the time they spend on the road with you mean being far away from their home and family.
It is also considered proper to make some donation when visiting a wat or temples, especially if a monk has shown you around. Most of these places have contribution boxes for this purpose.
Health & safety
Although no vaccinations are officially required for entering Cambodia, they are highly encouraged. Travelers are advised to check with their doctor or hospital regarding protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and B. Any special medications should be brought with as while traveling because there is no guarantee they will be available in Cambodia
Drink lots of water. Never drink tap water purified, bottled water is available everywhere with affordable price.
Since Cambodia has tropical climate, use insect repellent against mosquitoes and casual and light-weight clothing is the best. Also remember to bring hat, sunblock and sunscreen.
Telephone
Telephone connections to the rest of the world are widely available but can be expensive.
Pre-paid SIM cards are popular but require a valid passport to buy. A guest house or tuk-tuk drivers can also buy one for you.
The easiest way to make a local call in most urban areas is by heading to one of many small private booths on the kerbside. Many internet shops offer cheap international calls, and you can Skype for the price of an internet connection.
Internet access
Internet is widespread in Cambodia. Many hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and cafés also offer free wi-fi, especially in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap – the two main tourist cities.
Post office
Post in Cambodia is routed by air through Bangkok, making the service much more reliable than in the past. International postcards should arrive in 2 weeks, and in 1 week within Asia. Domestic rates are cheap, but international customs fees and rates can be high.
Business hours
The business hours are subjects to change throughout the year. The below are supposed to be in the high season:
Banks: 8am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday
Government offices: 7.30am to 11.30am and 2pm to 5pm Monday to Friday
Bars: 5pm to late night
Restaurants: 7am to 9pm
Shops 8am to 6pm daily
Public holiday
The festivals and holidays of Cambodia are subject to change every year based on the lunar calendar. During public holidays, all bank offices, ministries and embassies are closed, so you should plan carefully if visiting the country these days. The Cambodians also roll over holidays if they fall on weekend and take one or two day extra in major festivals.
International New Year’s Day: Jan 1
Victory Day: Jan 7
International Women’s Day: Mar 8
Khmer New Year: Apr 14-16
Visaka Bochea: April or May
Labor Day: May 1
Royal Ploughing Ceremony: May
King Sihamoni's Birthday: May 13-15
International Children's Day: Jun 1
Queen Mother's Birthday: Jun 18
Constitution Day: Sep 24
Pchum Ben Festival: Sep or Oct
King Father's Commemoration Day: Oct 15
Paris Peace Agreement Day: Oct 23
Independence Day: Nov 9
Water Festival: Oct or Nov
Human Rights Day: Dec 10
Traveling with children
The Cambodians love children so they can live it up here.
When it comes to care for babies, you can find almost everything you’ll need in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, but supplies dry up quickly elsewhere. Cot beds are available in international standard midrange and top-ends hotels.
Women travelers
In general, Cambodia is a pleasant place to travel. Women visitors are unlikely to be targeted by local men and will possibly find Khmer men to be courteous and polite. In spite of that, you should be careful, for your own safety, when walking or riding alone late at night or in the remote area, it’s best to come with a travel companion.
Khmer women dress fairly conservatively. Then you are advised to follow suit, especially when visiting temples or pagoda. Long-sleeved shirts and trousers or skirts are preferred.
Gay & lesbian travelers
While Cambodian culture is tolerant of homosexuality, the gay and lesbian scene here is unlike that in Thailand. The former King Norodom Sihanouk once supported equal rights for same-sex partners, which seems to encourage more open attitude among younger Cambodians. Both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have a few gay-friendly bars. Though there is little consideration over how traveling foreigners are related, it is prudent not to flaunt your sexuality. As with heterosexual couples, passionate public displays of affection are considered unacceptable.
Travelers with disabilities
Travelers with disabilities will need to do research before visiting Cambodia as the country presents considerable challenges, but they are not insurmountable. Some small guesthouses and hotels will not cater to travelers with disabilities, but the bigger and more established ones do. In Angkor Wat, some parts of the temples are inaccessible to wheelchair-bound visitors because of the irregular paving and simple the nature of the temples. In town and cities, sidewalks are usually heavily potholed and uneven. Good news is new buildings and top-end hotels, airports have ramps for wheelchair access.
The most important point for a successful trip to Cambodia if you are disabled is a lot of planning in advance. Useful organizations are Mobility International USA, Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation and Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality.
Pre-departure checklist / before you go / during the journey (some emergency)
- Travel insurance
- Passport with at least six months validity from date of entry and photocopy
- Visa or a passport-sized photo and fee
- Vaccinations
- All relevant tickets
- Lightweight clothing
- Long-sleeved shirts and trousers
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- First aid kit
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