Cambodia is located at the southern portion of the Southeast Asian Indochinese peninsula. The country is bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the northeast, Vietnam to the east, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. It wasn’t long ago when the Kingdom of Cambodia was in complete turmoil. 25% of the population was wiped out by the Khmer Rouge regime in a mass genocide. The country has since improved and travelers from all over the world are making it a top priority to visit the magnificent temples and monuments around the Angkor region. Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world and is the designated World Heritage site by UNESCO. Don’t miss this magical country filled with history across the lands and spectacular beaches & islands in the south. 

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

CAMBODIA VISA

U.S. Citizens visiting Cambodia are required to have a visa before visiting the country. Passports must be valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond their stay in Vietnam. You can apply for a single-entry 1 month/30 days e-visa online at an official government website by visiting Kingdom of Cambodia eVisa. Visitors can also obtain a visa on arrival at airports in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and all major border crossing. You will need to provide 2 passport photos or pay a small fee. The US dollars is the only currency accepted for processing visas at arrival.

WEATHER

Cambodia has a tropical climate with a wet and dry season dependent on monsoons.

Southwest Monsoon (June – October): The country will experience heavy rain with temperatures starting to cool down.

Northwest Monsoon (November – May): The dry season is the best time to visit. November – February is cooler while March – May being much hotter.

MONEY EXCHANGE

Cambodia’s main currency is the Cambodian Riel. At the time of writing the current exchange rate is 4,101 KHR/USD. Although the riel is the official currency, the US dollar is widely accepted and it is recommended you do not take out riels as it is a non convertible currency. You may receive small denominations of riels as change but you will be stuck with it when you leave. Consider donating it or it’ll just be souvenir.

If you must, you can find money exchanges in the airport and across the city. International ATMs will provide you with the best exchange rate but you will get charged ATM plus any additional bank fees. I highly recommend opening a checking account with a bank that waives all ATM transaction fees before you travel abroad. You could easily save hundreds of dollars.

Cash is the most common form of payment in Cambodia. Up-to-date hotels, large retail stores and modern restaurants may accept credit card but most shops are cash only.

ELECTRICAL SOCKET TYPE

The power sockets are mainly type A (2 flat parallel pins), type C (2 round pins), and type G (3 flat pins). The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. If you are coming from the U.S then chances are your current plugs will work with Type A sockets assuming your adapter has an automatic voltage converter (please take the extra precaution and check). Most laptop and cellphone chargers are dual voltage but you will need a voltage converter for appliances such as hair straighteners. 

CELL PHONE DATA & INTERNET

If you have an unlocked cell phone then you can purchase a SIM card at the airport or in the city that includes internet data, local calls and text depending on your needs. You can also rent and share a pocket Wifi if you have multiple people in your group.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel insurance is not required but highly encouraged when traveling to a foreign country. Cambodia is home to many physical activities including exploring large ancient ruins with steep stairs, hiking mountainous terrains, and water sport activities in the south. On top of that, different climate conditions, insect bites, or trying new types of food can cause one to get seriously ill. Unforeseen accidents do happen and expenses can add up and ruin your trip. The most popular insurance for all types of travelers is World Nomads. Their policies are created specifically with travelers in mind. It doesn’t hurt to Get a Free Quote and decide from there.

TRANSPORTATION

There are multiple transportation options when it comes to getting around Cambodia. Here are the most common for travelers and will vary between cities and islands.

Tuk-Tuk:  These tuk-tuks are slightly different than Thailand’s. It consists of a two-wheeled carriage attached to a motorbike. You can get these by flagging them down or booking in advance. Make sure to negotiate an agreed price beforehand.

Motordups (motorbike taxi): These are motorcycles that can carry two people comfortably. Getting one of these works the same way as getting a tuk-tuk.

Taxis: Always make sure to ask your driver to switch on the meter. Some deliberately neglect to do so resulting in customers usually paying a higher lump sum fare.

Grab: Working exactly the same as the Uber app. This is the safest way to get around in cities as the price is set at booking and you can pay by credit/debit card on file or by cash.

Hire a driver: The most expensive but luxurious option is hiring a driver for a day. The driver will take you to where ever you want at an agreed price for the day. You can even hire a tuk-tuk driver!

Rent a motorbike/scooter: This is by far my favorite method for getting around. On top of freedom and flexibility, it really allows you to live in the scene and venture off the beaten track.The cost ranges from 5-10 USD plus gas per day and can come out to be cheaper than public transportation depending on usage.

LANGUAGE

Khmer is the main language with various dialects according to region. Most people understand and speak English in the main cities and tourist areas but it is good to brush up on the local language to enhance your experience.

CAMBODIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS

Most visitors planning to arrive internationally choose between the following two airports. 

Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) is the airport serving Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.

Siem Reap International Airport (REP) is the airport serving Siem Reap, where Angkor is located.

Once at the airport, I highly recommend first time travelers to Cambodia to setup the Grab app on their phones. It is similar to Uber and is the safest way to not get scammed by taxi services. Pricing is competitive and you can occasionally find discount codes advertised on banners around the airport. Hotels sometimes arrange transportation for free so double check on that. You can also flag a taxi or tuk-tuk.

PLACES TO VISIT IN CAMBODIA

Keep checking back for upcoming travel guides & blogs for Siem Reap!