Cambodia Travel Information

Capital city:	Phnom Penh (population 2,000,000)
Population:	15 million
Language:	Khmer
Currency:	KHR
Time zone:	(GMT+07:00) Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta
Electricity:	Type A (North American/Japanese 2-pin) Type C (European 2-pin)
Dialing code:	+855

Any time of the year is a good time to travel in Cambodia, with each season having its advantages. The climate in Cambodia is generally hot and humid throughout the year. Temperatures stay in the 30s most of the year, dropping back to the 20s at night. There are officially two seasons in Cambodia – wet and dry. During November to May you can expect dry conditions, while June to October will have wetter weather. The highland areas of Monodulkiri and Ratanakiri offer a cooler climate.

• December to February: Dry, comparatively cool. January is the “coolest” month and humid.
• March and April: Dry. Temperatures become progressively hotter. April is the hottest month of the year with average afternoon temperatures of 35°C (94°F). High humidity.
• May to November: Rainy season. September and October are the wettest. Cloudy and high humidity.

The Khmer culture has lasted for centuries, and is based on tradition, honouring ancestors, respecting elders and living a life of honesty, humility and kindness. Which is probably why Cambodians are known for being some of the most warm, hospitable and humble people in the world. Above all these qualities, Cambodians are known for their remarkable ability to get on with life after enduring the atrocities that ravaged the country in the 1970s.

As with other neighbouring nations like Thailand, the concept of “saving face” is important. Displaying control and keeping a peaceful nature in public is paramount, as is not losing your temper or ridiculing others.

Most Khmer people are Buddhist. Monks are highly regarded and respected in society, and religious festivals and ceremonies are important parts of daily life. When visiting Cambodia, expect to see orange-robed monks and many displays of faith – from people visiting large, elaborate temples to them praying over small, humble shrines.

Despite the infiltration of modern ideas and concepts, Khmer customs and traditions are kept alive with traditional dance, art, festivals and costume enduring alongside modern pop music and dance.

Rice and fish are the staple diet for most Cambodians. Local specialities include curries, a variety of soups, and traditional beef, pork and poultry dishes. The national dish is amok, which is fresh fish steamed with coconut, curry paste and lemongrass in a banana leaf. Fresh seafood is also available and is especially popular with visitors travelling to the coast. Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine are also common in Cambodia, as is a variety of western cuisine which can be found in abundance in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

Water is generally untreated and not safe to drink. Bottled water, fruit drinks, soft drinks, coffee and tea are all widely available and are safe to drink.

Things to try in Cambodia

1. Pork and rice

Served early mornings on street corners all over Cambodia, bai sach chrouk, or pork and rice, is one of the simplest and most delicious dishes the country has to offer. Thinly sliced pork is slow grilled over warm coals to bring out its natural sweetness. Sometimes the pork will be marinated in coconut milk or garlic — no two bai sach chrouks are ever exactly the same. The grilled pork is served over a hearty portion of broken rice, with a helping of freshly pickled cucumbers and daikon radish with plenty of ginger. On the side, you’ll often be given a bowl of chicken broth topped with scallions and fried onions.

2. Amok

Fish amok is a fish mousse with fresh coconut milk and kroeung, a type of Khmer curry paste made from lemongrass, turmeric root, garlic, shallots, galangal and fingerroot, or Chinese ginger. At upscale restaurants fish amok is steamed in a banana leaf, while more local places serve a boiled version that is more like a soupy fish curry than a mousse.

3. Khmer red curry

The dish features beef, chicken or fish, eggplant, green beans, potatoes, fresh coconut milk, lemongrass and kroeung. This delicious dish is usually served at special occasions in Cambodia such as weddings, family gatherings and religious holidays like Pchum Ben, or Ancestor’s Day, where Cambodians make the dish to share with monks in honor of the departed.

4. Khmer noodles

Nom banh chok is a beloved Cambodian dish, so much so that in English it’s called simply “Khmer noodles.” Nom banh chok is a typical breakfast food, and you’ll find it sold in the mornings by women carrying it on baskets hanging from a pole balanced on their shoulders. The dish consists of noodles laboriously pounded out of rice, topped with a fish-based green curry gravy made from lemongrass, turmeric root and kaffir lime. Fresh mint leaves, bean sprouts, green beans, banana flower, cucumbers and other greens are heaped on top. There is also a red curry version that’s usually reserved for ceremonial occasions and wedding festivities.

5. Bread

A remnant of Cambodia’s French-colonial past, fresh, crunchy breads are sold from street stalls and at markets – and make a great, low-cost breakfast or snack.

6. Tropical Fruit

Jackfruit, mangoes, bananas, pineapple, dragon fruit and watermelon are all plentiful in Cambodian. Get a street vendor to mix up a fresh juice or smoothie for a refreshing treat.

Cambodia’s national language is Khmer, which is also referred to as Cambodian. English is the first language among young students, while French is still spoken by some of the older generation. Chinese and Vietnamese are also widely spoken in urban areas and Thai is quite well understood in Western Cambodia.

Cambodia’s official religion is Theravada Buddhism. It was introduced in Cambodia in the 12th century. It is enhanced by traditional animist beliefs and Brahmanist practices long imported from India to form a very Cambodian fusion religion. There are also 500,000 muslims, mostly of Cham origin.

Occupying an area of approximately 181,000 sq km, Cambodia is bordered to the north and west by Laos and Thailand, to the east by Vietnam, and to the south by the Gulf of Thailand. Its shape is an almost-square polygon, with Kompong Thom province as its centre. It extends 440 kilometers wide from the north to south and 560 kilometerslong from the east to west. Among the 10 member countries of the Association of South-east Asia Nations (ASEAN), Cambodia ranks eighth in land size and seventh in population. It geographical location makes Cambodia as easily accessible Ecotourism destination for the traders in neighboring countries and other parts of the world. The country is situated geographically between the 10th and 15th parallels of northern latitude and the 102nd and 108th parallels of the eastern longitude.

Cambodia’s surface is deep and plain at the center. It’s surrounded by mountains and plateaus, which are the wind-breakers. In the south-western part lies the coastal area.

Markets are plentiful in Cambodia – from the large markets like the Central and Russian Markets in Phnom Penh, to the smaller, local markets in regional areas. As with most markets in Asia, bargaining for a good price is commonplace.

It’s also a good idea to check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are able to bring certain items back into your home country. Australia and New Zealand generally have strict quarantine laws.

Things to buy in Cambodia

1. Silver Jewellery

2. Stone and Wood Carvings

3. Traditional Cambodian Scarves (known as ‘Kramas’)

4. Hand-Woven Baskets

5. Silk Clothing and Sarongs

It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. No vaccinations are required for entry into Cambodia. However, it is recommended that all visitors be innoculated against typhoid, tetanus, and hepatitis A and B. It is not wise to drink tap water. Prescription drugs are easily obtainable in urban areas. Precautions against malaria, such as doxycycline or larium, are not necessary for Phnom Penh or Siem Reap and other urban areas, but are recommended when visiting remoter provinces. Travellers should consult their doctor or travel centre before leaving for Cambodia.We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that sometimes we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our tour leader’s are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. In Asia pharmacies tend to stock the same western drugs as you get at home but they are usually produced locally so please bring the full drug name with you when trying to purchase a prescription drug. When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical and Culture Shock ratings for trip specific information.

MD Travel Health

Go to: http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/destinations/asia/cambodia.php

National Malaria Center

Go to: http://www.cnm.gov.kh/index.php?action=ID81

Please note, due to the nature of travel in Asia, a backpack is more more suited to this trip than a suitcase. There may be a weight restriction for the internal flight on this tour. Each passenger is allowed to carry one checked bag with a maximum weight of 15 kg (33lbs). Additional bags or excess weight charges may apply. These charges are the responsibility of the passengers.

Citizens from Canada and the US require a valid passport and a visa. Citizens of other nations should check with their nearest Cambodian Embassy for entry requirements. You must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the conclusion of your trip in order to enter Cambodia.

Visa to Cambodia is easier to obtain now, you could apply for the visa at the arrival airports and all land border crossings. *Staff may try to charge more at some land border crossings: hold out for the official price, particularly at major crossings, but don’t be upset if you have to pay US$1-2 extra. Click here more the details

There are no required vaccinations in Cambodia, although tetanus, typhoid, and anti-hepatitis vaccines are commonly recommended. There is malaria in parts of Cambodia and preventative measures are up to the discretion of travellers. We advise you to contact your nearest travel clinic for information on health requirements, as this information changes frequently. A good website for current information is The Centre for Disease Control.

Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.

Credit cards are usually accepted by modern hotels, restaurants and medium-large shops in tourist areas. Smaller shops, cafes, market stalls and places in remote areas probably won’t have facilities that support credit cards, so ensure you have enough cash to cover expenses while in rural areas or when visiting smaller vendors.

Mobile phone coverage and internet are generally good in most areas, but can be patchy and less reliable in rural areas. Buying a new SIM card is easy and cheap ($1-$5) and the internet package is just $1 for 8GB per week and you can buy anywhere including at the airport.

Squat toilets are the most common in Cambodia, but western-style toilets can be found in large hotels and in tourist areas. Be prepared to pay a small fee when visiting public toilets, and always carry your own toilet paper and soap as they are usually not provided.

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

As currency exchange rates in South East Asia do fluctuate, we ask that you refer to the following website for the most up to date daily exchange rates: www.xe.com for each of the currencies. The Riel is Cambodia’s official currency (US $1 = 4000 riel), but US dollars are widely accepted. Most hotels accept international credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard and travellers cheques can be easily cashed. The best way to carry your money is in debit cards, withdrawing cash in local currencies from ATM machines. There are now international debit card and credit card-compatible ATMs in most major towns and cities. Small charges are sometimes levied on withdrawals. Larger sums can be withdrawn over the counter with some identification such as a passport. Please note, ATMs in Cambodia will give you only USD. ATM card/s and some cash is the ideal mix. Travellers cheques can be tricky, timely and expensive to exchange. While we do not recommend that you bring them as your primary source of funds, it is great to have one or two cheques in case of emergency. Thomas Cook or American Express travellers’ cheques in US currency are the easiest to exchange. Cash advances can also be made with some banks but are time consuming and tend to have high fees attached. Credit cards can be used at some upmarket restaurants, and at some larger stores if shopping for big items. If you are bringing US Dollars, please make sure that the notes are new and in good condition. Notes older than 2003, or with any tears or blemishes may not be accepted. Be fussy with your bank when buying cash!

Tipping isn’t expected in Cambodia, but it is always appreciated. Many service workers in Cambodia earn a low wage, so if you are happy with the services provided by waiters, drivers, guides or others, leaving a small tip depending on the service is a good way to show your appreciation. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however the commonly used guideline is USD $7–10 per day for tour guide and $3-5 per day for driver whereas In restaurants you can tip 10% of the bill and in hotels you may give $1 for bellman and maid. Of course, you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

What you need to bring depends on the trip you have chosen and the countries or regions you are planning to visit. We suggest that you pack as lightly as possible as your are expected to carry your own luggage. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water, cameras and other electronics like ipods and mobile phones. If your trip involves overnights in homestays, villages or camping then you usually have the opportunity to rent sleeping bags if need be instead of bringing them with you.

In Asia the dress standard is more conservative than it is back home. When you visit religious sites, temples, monasteries and Angkor Wat, avoid shorts and singlet cover your arms and legs to the knees, thank you. Cambodia climate is hot, so light weight clothing, hats, sunglasses, suncream and mosquito repellent for sunrise and sunset are essential, a light raincoat in the rainy season is useful.

Passport (with photocopies) 
Travel insurance (with photocopies)
Airline tickets (with photocopies) 
USD cash (small denominations preferred) 
Credit or debit card (see personal spending money) 
Any entry visas, additional passport photos or vaccination certificates required, Alarm clock 
Flashlight 
Sun hat, sunblock, sunglasses 
Insect repellent
Small towel and swim wear
Toiletries (biodegradable) 
Sturdy walking shoes/sport sandals 
Money belt 
Shorts 
Long trousers 
Shirts/T-shirts 
Warm clothes for Nov-Feb. Hat, gloves, fleece, windproof/waterproof jacket Waterproof clothes for wet season May-Oct. Umbrella or waterproof jacket 
Cover for backpack or plastic bags to keep clothes dry 
Clothes for temples – long pants or sarongs 
Camera and film 
Reading/writing material 
Binoculars 
First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, aspirin, band aids, anti-histamine, imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)

We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers’ cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home – you won’t need it while travelling. Some of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.

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