Cambodia, where wonderful people, exciting culture, stunning landscapes, fine beaches, great cuisine, Southeast Asia’s largest natural lake, and of course Angkor – the 8th Wonder of the World, all await! Traveling anywhere in the world, you need to prepare for your journey before you depart, and also know what to expect when you arrive. Here’s some ideas from us to help you start planning…
VISAS:
Most nationalities will need a Visa to visit Cambodia. For this you’ll need a minimum of 6 months validity on your passport. Vietnamese and Singaporean nationals are exempt. Nationals of the Philippines and Malaysia are exempt for short stays up to 21 and 30 days.
For tourists, Visa on Arrival is the simplest way. At airports the standard cost for this is US $20. The same goes for overland crossings, however these can be busy and for US $25 you can request an express service ensuring you receive your Visa much quicker. You’ll need your passport, a passport sized photo and US $25 (please be aware some ‘added costs’ may be charged at overland entry points – often these are fabricated costs which you are not obliged to pay. Where border crossings are included in a NANCO itinerary we will ensure a smooth low cost entry into Cambodia at all entry points).
If you wish to apply beforehand, you can apply for an E-Visa online. However, feedback we’ve received on this process is that it is slow, complicated and time-consuming, and the website is often down.
If you wish to renew your Visa, you can do so in person in the capital Phnom Penh, or request one of the many travel agents in the main cities to take care of this for a small, fair fee. Extensions for longer periods of time are available.
INSURANCE:
When travelling to Cambodia you shall be responsible for obtaining your own insurance. NANCO s vehicles, drivers and guides have all the necessary insurance and licenses required for operation in the country, however 3rd party liability and health insurance must be the responsibility of the guest. Cambodia is one of the safest countries in the world in which to travel in all respects, but nevertheless it is wise to obtain comprehensive cover for the entire duration of your stay, including flights and cancellations, before you travel.
VACCINATIONS & HEALTHCARE:
Vaccinations: With regard to this subject, the best advice we can give you is to consult your local general practitioner or a specialist in the area of tropical diseases, and with plenty of time before your travel date. No vaccinations are mandatory to enter Cambodia, however generally you will be advised to take the necessary vaccinations or boosters against:
Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, Polio, Typhoid, Diphtheria, Tetanus & Tuberculosis.
Other vaccinations may be suggested also, and your GP or consultant will advise you depending on factors which may include: length of stay, which parts of Cambodia you will visit, and what activities you will do while here. Other vaccinations which might be advisable for Cambodia include:
Japanese Encephalitis, Rabies, Rubella.
Malaria and Dengue fever – Malaria risk is very low in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, but in other areas it can be higher with border areas and mountainous regions having the highest prevalence. Again, consult your doctor or specialist before you travel. Several courses of anti-malarials are available to short and long-term travelers. Dengue fever is transmitted only by mosquitoes present during the daytime. It is extremely rare to get Dengue Fever (like serious Flu, but not fatal), however there is no prevention. For both Malaria and Dengue Fever, the best thing to do is to try to avoid mosquito bites in the first place. Wear repellent or protective clothing, use coils or sprays in restaurants or hotel rooms.
Food and drink: If you drink bottled water and ice, and eat in reputable, hygienic outlets you should have no problems. However it is possible in the first day or two that as your body acclimatizes you may suffer from mild traveler’s diarrhea. This is not painful, but just an annoyance and is usually gone well within 24 hours.
Sickness: Hopefully you’ll never need to read this section twice, but if for any unforeseen reason you do fall ill there are chemists with western medicines in all the major (and some smaller) cities. There are international hospitals in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh; or if you need a specialist you can get treatment in Bangkok, Thailand.
WEATHER:
Cambodia is generally hot all year round, certainly in comparison to the majority of Europe and much of the United States. Located close to the equator it has a tropical climate which is categorized by two distinct seasons, wet and dry, like all the countries in the Southeast Asia region. However the seasons are subtly more complex, with temperatures ranging from low 20s to mid 30s Celsius.
November to February – This is the beginning of the ‘dry season’ and the coolest time of the year, with evenings sometimes quite fresh. Occasional rainfall is possible but unlikely and not prolonged.
March to May: The latter half of the dry season where temperatures can get very warm. Rain very unlikely. Probably the most ‘consistent’ period of weather in Cambodia.
June to November: This is the ‘rainy season’. Precipitation in the air is high and storms are frequent bringing with them rain. Rainfall can be very heavy (and quite exciting), but usually only lasts an hour or two, before brightening up again. Temperatures are warm around June, and usually cool down toward November. The air will be warm before rainfall and cooler afterwards.
CURRENCY AND MONEY ISSUES:
Dollars are the de facto currency and are used in all tourist establishments such as bars, restaurants, spas, hotels, travel and tour agencies etc. However the actual local currency of Cambodia is the ‘Riel’ – 4000 Riel = $1 USD, and this will be used for smaller transactions or change (there are no coins in Cambodia).
ATMS are in all the major cities and dispense US dollars (up to US $500 usually). If you plan to use your bankcard in Cambodia be sure to inform your bank before your departure and you will have no problem.
Hotels and banks change most Travelers Checks (regular bank checks are not used). Banks will change British Sterling, Euro, and Australian Dollars into US Dollars, as will most hotels in the 4 star category and above.
Money changers exist also, but rates might fluctuate significantly.
For long journeys or a few days off the beaten track it’s wise to take some cash with you to cover your stay.
You should always keep some small dollar notes and some Riel handy to buy everyday items like food, water and transport.
COSTS:
Costs of fights, hotels, transfers, guides and touring will of course be included in your NANCO itinerary, as will our choice of the best restaurants and other services if requested by you. And for costs of independent dining, transport and communications, we’ve included those previously here under the relevant section. However, other costs that might need to be considered include:
Medicines: In chemists medicines that we might use at home are available for around roughly the same price as we would pay at home, as they are imported. Local medicines will be available for significantly cheaper, but may not be genuine, and are probably best avoided if possible.
Shopping and souvenirs: Should you wish to prepare your own food, western supermarkets are available – again prices roughly equate to those we are used to in our home countries. Souvenirs are very reasonably priced in Cambodia; silk is a home-grown speciality, and beautiful jewellery and sculpture can also be bought all over the country very reasonably – be sure to barter, but don’t push too hard (see below).
Massage: Fantastic Khmer massages are available in the main towns and range from US 5$ for a ‘no-frills’ (but still surprisingly good) massage, up to several hundred dollars for extensive packages receiving the best in sumptuous treatments.
Entertainment: To socialize in the evenings is common in Cambodia, both for tourists and the locals, often seen together, owing of course to the friendly and welcoming nature of the locals. Drink prices range from a mere US $0.50 for a beer and increase depending on where you go and what you choose of course. Naturally, the same goes for eating out. And theatre, show, or club tickets will be considerably less than in the west. Generally speaking, enjoying your downtime is not a costly experience in Cambodia.
CLOTHING:
What clothing to bring will depend on where you will go, and for how long. Given the climate, you are never likely to be very cold, quite the contrary. But traveling itself can be cold (especially on aeroplanes for example!) and it can cool down a little in the evenings, so it’s worth bringing some warmer clothing. But we advise you don’t bring loads as it could likely end up being an unnecessary weight to carry around. That said, if you are planning to be in mountainous regions or sleep outdoors (trekking), we suggest some warmer clothing – we will advise you with your itinerary.
Cultural considerations do need to be taken into account also. In the cities, these days it’s certainly acceptable to wear modern western style clothing, and the (younger) locals will follow the same styles. However, in the countryside and in religious areas Cambodia is still quite conservative, so we recommend women try to keep shoulders and tops of legs covered. Shorts and T-shirt or a similar style for guys is fine on the whole; only in very rural areas would men need to cover their legs if visiting a pagoda. Angkor is obviously used to tourists, nevertheless it is still a ‘holy city’ and women must cover their shoulders in some temples.
FOOD AND DRINK:
Firstly, Cambodian food is wonderful, sharing many similarities with its famous culinary neighbor, Thailand.
As for food safety, preparation is perfectly hygienic in all tourist spots as a rule, even street food, but if you’re not sure about somewhere, following your instincts and avoiding them is the best you can do. Do not drink tap water; you can buy bottled water everywhere. Ice is usually safe, but again, exercise caution if unsure.
In all the major tourist destinations there is a wide range of fine restaurants offering international cuisine from across the globe; even in remote areas you will quite often stumble across an Italian owned Pizzeria or the like, and prices are very reasonable throughout Cambodia.
Khmer specialities include Lok Lak, Amok and Nem – be sure to try them all if you can!
TRANSPORT:
Transport around Cambodia is rapidly improving, and for journeys between destinations if not flying we will guarantee a modern car, van, bus or boat, stringently checked for safety. For shorter journeys in and around town you have the luxury of either motodops (motorcycle taxis, 1 or 2 people) or tuktuks (motorcycle taxis with attached carriage, 4 people). Great fun and a true authentic experience, however you may see entire Cambodian families crammed onto motorbikes or into tuktuks, which we do not advise!
Motodops cost around $0.50 – 2 and tuktuks $2 – 4 for trips around town (irrespective of no of passengers!)
CULTURE AND ETIQUETTE:
Cambodia has a rich culture which extends back to the Angkorian era and beyond. Khmers are some of the friendliest and most welcoming of any people on the planet, and if you respect their cultural traditions you will not only have a great time, but the locals will love you for it. Here are a few pointers:
Losing face: Like many Asian cultures, it’s shameful to ‘lose face’. To avoid this happening to you and others, avoid embarrassing or belittling anybody, and avoid confrontation at all costs. Disputes (which are extremely rare) are best resolved by smiling and staying calm.
Religion: Cambodia is a Buddhist country, and colourful, smiling monks and ornate pagodas decorate every tiny corner of the country. Buddhists place a great deal of emphasis on karma – do good to others and good will come to you, and re-incarnation – everything in this life is preparation for the next. Bear in mind these principles govern the way of life here. Women are also forbidden to touch monks.
Greeting: In Cambodia the ‘sompoah’ is the traditional custom used to greet people. In the fast paced cities this is not always essential, however in religious sites and rural Cambodia the sompoah will be greatly received. As a sign of kindness and respect, clasp your hands together as though clapping, and raise them to your face with the tips of your fingers touching your nose.
Do’s and don’ts: Older people are very well respected in society - if you see an older person seated do not walk directly in front of them as it is disrespectful. Do not point the soles of your feet at anybody, this is also disrespectful as the feet are considered dirty and the lowest spiritual point of the body. Do not touch the heads of children as this is considered impolite also, and remove shoes when entering any building. Do smile, do have fun, do go with the flow every once in while, and of course, do let the locals eagerly practice their English with you and you might just reach cultural enlightenment.
SAFETY AND SECURITY:
Cambodia is generally an extremely safe country to travel in which has a very low crime rate, but for peace of mind you should bear the following small things in mind:
Traffic: Be aware that traffic in Cambodia, like everywhere in Southeast Asia, is hectic. People drive on the right hand side, and are not always considerate of innocent pedestrians - be careful when crossing roads.
Security: Bag snatchings have occurred in Phnom Penh, but they are rare. Physical abuse is extremely unheard of anywhere else in Cambodia. Like any foreign land, until you are in the know about each place, just follow your instincts and do not stray into unknown areas or avoid walking alone at night and you will no doubt be perfectly safe.
COMMUNICATIONS:
If you have an unlocked phone, SIM cards are very cheap costing just a few dollars and calls are extremely cheap, even internationally with most networks. They can be bought from one of the many mobile communications shops in town.
Internet cafes are available throughout Cambodia and are also very cheap around $0.75 / hour for email and Skype, and they usually have international phone booths also (these can be quite expensive, around US $1 / hour for overseas calls).
Nearly all hotels and guesthouses have wifi and/or computers with internet.
TIPPING:
Tipping is a personal choice. It’s certainly not customary, nor is it necessarily expected. That said, we believe it’s fair to tip good service, bearing in mind that what is a small tip for us is usually a large amount of money for the locals.
Tuktuk drivers, restaurant staff, guides, drivers and anyone else you feel deserves it will always welcome tips.
BARGAINING:
When in markets, generally you want to bargain the price you are first quoted down a little. For example if a scarf is said to be 5 dollars, something like 3.50 / 4 dollars is probably a fair price for both parties. Haggling is usually entertaining for both parties, however don’t push too hard, even if you are the most persuasive character, as it’s likely the prices quoted are already cheap and not making the seller much profit. Similarly, bargaining with tuktuks and motos is expected too, but do so within reason.
For any other enquiries please contact us and our team will be more than happy to help.
