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	4th Edition 2002, Lonely Planet, Nick Ray
Cambodia Handbook	2nd Edition 2000, Footprint Handbook, John Colet & Joshua Eliot
Adventure Cambodia	2nd Edition 2004, Silkworm Books, Matt Jacobsen
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. Automatic Teller Machine Service (ATM) is offered by ANZ Royal Bank and Canadia Bank. ATMs accept all major credit cards and can be found at various places in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

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.

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 & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

04 Nov	Water Festival
05 Nov	Water Festival
06 Nov	Water Festival
09 Nov	National Independence Day
10 Dec	International Human Rights Day
01 Jan	International New Year' s Day
07 Jan	Victory over Khmer Rouges Day
17 Feb	Chinese New Year
18 Feb	Chinese New Year
19 Feb	Chinese New Year
02 Feb	Meak Bochea
08 Mar	International Women's Day
14 April	Cambodia New Year
15 April	Cambodia New Year
16 April	Cambodia New Year
01 May	International Labor Day & Visaak Bochea
05 May	Royal Ploughing Ceremony "Preahreach Pihthi Chrot Preah Nongkoal"
13 May	Birthday H.M. King Preah Borom Moneath Norodom Sihamoni
14 May	Birthday H.M. King Preah Borom Moneath Norodom Sihamoni
15 May	Birthday H.M. King Preah Borom Moneath Norodom Sihamoni
01 Jun	International Children's Day
18 Jun	Queen's Birthday
24 Sep	Constitution Day
10 Oct	Festival of the Dead Pchum Ben
11 Oct	Festival of the Dead Pchum Ben
12 Oct	Festival of the Dead Pchum Ben
23 Oct	Paris Peace Agreement
29 Oct	Coronation of H.M. King Preah Borom Noneath Norodom Sihamoni
31 Oct	Birthday of H.M. Retired King Norodom Sihanouk
09 Nov	National Independence Day
23 Nov	Water festival
24 Nov	Water festival & Sampeah Preah Khe
25 Nov	Water festival
10 Dec	International Human Rights Day

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.

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 formally. 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, Ho Chi Minh City, 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, Air Asia, Jetstar Asia and Vietnam Airlines.

Direct flights to Siem Reap are available from Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Singapore and Vientiane. Airlines currently serving Siem Reap are Bangkok Airways, Vietnam Airlines, Silkair, Malaysia Airlines and Lao Aviation.

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, at Tunloap (Takeo) / Tinh Bien (Chau Doc), at Trapeang Plong (Kampong Cham) / Xa Mat (Tay Ninh) crossing points between Vietnam and Cambodia, at Trat (Hat Lek border crossing) coming from Thailand. At Cham Yeam (Koh Kong) / Hat Lek (Trat) coming from Thailand, at the border crossing of Chrok Prom (Pailin), at Poipet (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 one passport photo are needed. For travelers joining a Cambodia 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.

NEW! As of April 2006 visitors can apply for a tourist visa on the internet. Currently on-line visa are issued for arrivals at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports only. For detailed information, terms and conditions please visit the web-site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation: http://evisa.mfaic.com.kh/

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.

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 mache' 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.)