Kingdom of Cambodia   Cambodia Travel Tips
 

AIRPORT TAX

USD 25        per outgoing international passenger for flights from Phnom Penh
USD 25        per outgoing international passenger for flights from Siem Reap
USD 06        per outgoing domestic passenger for flights from Phnom Penh
USD 06        per outgoing domestic passenger for flights from all other domestic airports

ANGKOR COMPLEX

A passport-sized photo must be attached to multiple day entrance passes to the Angkor complex (2-3 days pass and one-week pass). Visitors can have their picture taken at the entrance checkpoint at no charge, however we recommend that all visitors bring along a photo prior to arriving in Siem Reap Cambodia.

BIBLIOGRAPHY / REFERENCES

Cambodia	3rd Edition 2000, Lonely Planet, Nick Ray
Cambodia Handbook	2nd Edition 2000, Footprint Handbook, John Colet & Joshua Eliot
Siem Reap Pagodas	2000, Ray Zepp assisted by KEAP
Angkor	1999, Odyssey, Dawn Rooney
Ancient Angkor	1999, River Books Guides, Richard Freeman & Claude Jacques
Cambodge - Laos	1998-1999, Guides Arthaud
Cambodia	1998, Horizons Travel Guides, Roland Neveu, John Ogden
L’empire des rois Khmers	Decouvertes Gallimard (310), Thierry Zephir
Angkor, la foret de pierre	Decouvertes Gallimard (64), Bruno Dagens
Khmer Art	1997, Asa Editions, Madeleine Giteau, Danielle Gueret

 

CLIMATE

Cambodia can be visited throughout the year. However those planning to travel extensively by road should avoid the last two
months of the rainy season when some countryside roads may be impassable. The climate is tropical and distinguished by three major seasons. The most pleasant season is the dry season from November to March during which temperatures are cooler (average 20-28 c). The hot season lasts from April to May (average temperatures 30-35 c) and from June to early October is the rainy season, which we here like to call the Green Season, during which temperatures are relatively cool (average 25-30 c). At this time of year it rarely rains in the morning: most precipitation comes in the afternoon and even then sporadically. Rainfall varies considerably from area to area. Whereas the seaward slopes of the south-west highlands (Kompong Som and Kampot provinces) receive more than 5,000 mm of rain per annum, the central lowlands average only about
1,400 mm.

CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE

The local currency is the Riel, however, in Phnom Penh and most major tourist destinations, almost all goods and services are
calculated and paid for in the US currency. The rate of exchange (at time of printing) is approximately 4,000.- Riels to one U.S. Dollar.Credit cards, traveler’s checks and currencies other than U.S. Dollars are accepted only at a few places such as major hotels, at some foreigner-owned restaurants and at some souvenir shops. It is best to carry U.S. Dollars in small denominations.

CUSTOMS AND FORMALITIES

Regulations are relaxed and simple formalities should be observed when entering the country. Every traveler has to complete a
customs declaration form during the arrival flight and must submit it on arrival. Any amount of foreign currency can be brought into Cambodia, but the amount of Cambodian currency must not exceed 100.000
Riels per person. Tourist and non-resident carrying over USD 10.000 in cash or its equivalent must declare so in order to ensure
they will be allowed to exit the country with that amount. Our representative will meet travelers at the exit of the airport building, after airport immigration and customs control  points have been passed. For easy recognition, our representative will display a our sign with the names of the guests or group.  It also will be this representative who will be in possession of tickets for ongoing flights of the clients.  Should clients have bought international tickets with us they will receive them on their departure day.

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS

Siem Reap Airways International operates flights between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap with ATR72 and accepts 20kg luggage. 
There is at the moment only one more airline operating in Cambodia, PMT Air with flights between Phnom Penh and Banlung
(Rattanakiri) by Antonov 24.

FESTIVALS & CEREMONIES

FOOD

Khmer cuisine is closely related to those in neighboring Thailand and Laos, although it is not as spicy. Curries, stir-fried vegetables, rice, noodles and soups are staples of the Khmer diet. Fresh river fish and shellfish are both abundant and delicious. Western food is provided only in the major cities although other Asian dishes are widely available. Cambodia is well known in the region for its  Prahok, a strong, fermented fish paste used in a variety of traditional dishes. Tap water should never be drunk. Bottled mineral water and bottled drinking water are available in all reputable hotels and restaurants. Similarly, salad and fruit served at these establishments are safe. All our tours are based on full board arrangements. For full-day excursions, picnic lunch can be provided if no adequate restaurants
are available. 

GENERAL ADVICE ON TRAVELLING IN CAMBODIA

Official name:	Kingdom of Cambodia
Area:	181,035 square kilometers
Monarch:	HM Preah Borom Moneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia
Ethnic Groups:	Khmers 90%, Chams (Khmer Islam), Hilltribes, Chinese, Vietnamese
Population:	13 million
Religion:	Theravada Buddhism: official religion; Islam (500,000); Christianity (60,000)
Provinces:	23

General Advice:

Drink lots of water. Purified, bottled water is available everywhere.  Never drink tap water. Use an insect repellent against mosquitoes. It is the only way to be sure of protection against mosquito-borne diseases. Since Cambodia has a hot and humid tropical climate, casual and lightweight clothing is best. Clothing made from natural fibers
is the best option. A jacket might be needed on cool winter evenings or in hotels and restaurants using excessive air-conditioning. A hat and high-factor sun block is advisable as protection against the hot sun when sightseeing outdoors.  When visiting temples or pagodas, including those of the Angkor complex, shorts and T-shirts are acceptable. Shoes ( as well as hats) are generally removed at the entrance to pagodas. For visits to the Silver Pagoda, which is within the Royal Palace grounds, visitors are asked to dress more forally. Gentlemen are required to wear long trousers and ladies should wear long trousers or long skirts. 

Color standard film (such as Kodak, Konika or Fuji), slide film and video film and camera batteries are widely available. Photos are inexpensive to process in the country. Any specialized photo or video equipment should be brought with you. Photography and video in airports, railway stations and near any military installations is forbidden and discretion should be used when photographing people, particularly monks and those in hill tribes.  

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Although no vaccinations are officially required for entry to Cambodia, they are highly encouraged. Visitors are advised to check with their doctor or a travel immunization clinic regarding protection against malaria, Japanese Encephalitis, typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis  A and B. Any essential medications should be brought with you as there is no guarantee that they will be available in Cambodia.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

Direct flights to Phnom Penh are available from Bangkok, Guangzhou, Beijing, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur,  Singapore, Shanghai, Taipei and Vientiane. Airlines currently serving Phnom Penh are Dragonair, Lao Aviation, Bangkok Airways, Eva Air, Malaysia Airlines, Silk Air, Shanghai Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Thai Airways International and Vietnam Airlines. Direct flights to Siem Reap are available from Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore and Vientiane.  Airlines currently serving Siem Reap are Bangkok Airways, Vietnam Airlines, Silkair, Malaysia Airlines and Lao Aviation.

INTERNET

Cambodia is beginning to join the global computer age and a few Internet-service providers are currently operating in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.  Several Cyber Cafes operate in Phnom Penh and in Siem Reap.
Following are Internet addresses, which access relevant information on Cambodia: 

http://www.cambodia-web.net
http://www.cambodia-online.com
http://www.travel.state.gov/cambodia.html
http://www.embassy.org/cambodia
http://www.newspapers.com.kh/PhnomPenhPost
http://www.cambodia.org

LANGUAGE

Khmer is the official language. It is inherited from the Mon-Khmer family and enriched by the Indian Pali and the Sanskrit languages. There are various dialects spoken in areas outside Phnom Penh. English is the second language, followed by French, even though they are not widely spoken except in the capital.

LOCAL TIME

Cambodia runs at GMT +7 hours, the same time zone as its neighbors Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.

OPENING HOURS OF MUSEUMS IN PHNOM PENH

* Toul Sleng Genocide Museum:  Open every day from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm. Visitors are not admitted after 5.00 pm.
* National Museum:  Open every day from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. Visitors are not admitted after 4.45 pm.
* Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda: Open every day from 8.00 am to 11.00 am (closed to new visitors at 10.45 am) and from 
2.00 pm to 5.00 pm (closed to new visitors at 4.45 pm), except when His Royal Highness King Preah Borom Moneath
Norodom Sihamoni conducts religious ceremonies at the Silver Pagoda or Royal rituals at the Royal Palace, then one
 of the two compounds will be closed.  During the Water Festival, open only in the mornings.

PASSPORT AND VISAS

Immigration formalities are quicker when travelers already possess their visa. However, Cambodia has very liberal visa regulations.For USD 20.- all travelers can obtain a tourist visa valid for 30 days upon arrival at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports, in Aranyaprathet (Poipet border crossing), at the Bavet / Moc Bai border crossing coming from Ho Chi Minh City, at Kaom Samnor Mekong River crossing point between Vietnam and Cambodia, at Trat (Hat Lek border crossing) coming from Thailand, at the border crossing of Pailin (Battambang province), also in the Battambang province at the border crossing opposite Ban Laem and at O’Smach in the Anlong Veng district in Odor Mean Chey province. A passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the visit and three passport photos are needed. For travelers joining a ourCambodia tour departing from Bangkok, visas can be arranged there within two working days. Every traveler has to  complete an immigration and a customs form during the arrival flight or upon arrival. Visitors arriving overland from Laos (Veun Kham border crossing, not official yet) must obtain a visa prior to reaching the Cambodian border.

POST & COMMUNICATION

Post is now routed by air through Bangkok, which makes sending mail and parcels from Cambodia much more reliable than in the past.  Most hotels have IDD lines, but calls and faxes are very expensive with the average cost of a call to Australia, Europe and USA approximately  USD 7.- per minute. Public phones that use pre-paid phone cards are common in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Phone cards can be purchased at the post office, most hotels and supermarkets.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS YEAR

1st January	International New Year
7th January	7th January Day
8th March	International Women’s Day
13-16th April	Cambodian New Year
1st May	International Labour Day
10th May	Visaka Bochea Day
14th May	Royal Ploughing Ceremony
1st June	International Children’s Day
18th June	Queen's Birthday
21st September	Pchum Ben Day
24th September	Constitution Day
23rd October	Paris Peace Agreement Day
30-31 October	King's Birthday
3rd -5th November	Water Festival, Moon Feestival
10th December	UN Human Rights Day
25th December	Christmas Day

 

SECURITY NOTICE

After years of political and social upheaval, Cambodia now enjoys relative stability. Continuing efforts are made to reconstruct the
country from decades of war, to upgrade the infrastructure (roads, bridges, airports etc) and to ensure security. Cambodia is now once again safe for travel.

SHOPPING

There are a wide variety of items available for purchase in Cambodia. The country was once well known for its superior silk weaving, metal work and woodcarving. After decades of neglect, many of these arts are being revived. Visitors can find silver items, jewelry, gems, colorful cloth for sarong and hols (variegated silks), wood carving, paper maché masks, stone copies of ancient Khmer art, brass and bronze figurines and oil paintings in the different markets and shops on main avenues. The traditional clothing for both men and women is the krama, a long, narrow checked silk or cotton cloth available in most markets and shops. Jewelry is generally not up to international standards for design and workmanship and buyers should use caution when purchasing gold and gems, many gems are fake and we recommend not to follow anybody’s recommendations. The export of antiques is subject to approval of the Ministry of Culture. Bargaining is essential for all souvenirs shopping, if travelers are to obtain reasonable prices. 

TIPPING

Tipping is not obligatory in Cambodia, but is nonetheless widely practiced in hotels and restaurants in addition to the service charges shown on bills. (Porters, 1,000 Riels per bag.)