Cambodia travel tips

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	Money		Language
	Health & fitness		Transport
	Safety & security		Electricity
	Food & water		Post & communication
	Responsible travel

Money

The official unit of currency in Cambodia is the riel (KHR). Exchange rates fluctuate so for current exchange rates please visit www.xe.com.

In Cambodia, USD cash is accepted everywhere, though change may be given in riel. As riel can not be exchanged outside Cambodia, we recommend you change either nothing or very little (eg. 10 USD) upon your arrival in Cambodia. ATMs dispense US dollars and can be found in most major tourist centres across the country. Cash advances via Mastercard or Visa can also be obtained at exchange booths and banks in both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted in most mid-range to upmarket hotels, as well as some boutiques and restaurants, though you will likely incur a 3% commission charge on top of your bill. If you bring traveller's cheques, it is best to use USD, but these are now becoming harder to cash.

Costs in Cambodia are significantly higher than in neighbouring Asian countries. The cost of meals, transport, and shopping often takes tourists by surprise. We suggest you allow approximately 10 USD per person for a main course meal at a nice restaurant.

Health & fitness

Travellers to Cambodia should take precautions as they would elsewhere in Asia. The best clinics and hospitals are located in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap however more serious medical treatments will require transfer to Bangkok. Outside the major centres, medical care facilities are basic, though a private clinic is preferable to a government hospital. Some of the diseases known to exist in Cambodia include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tuberculosis, dengue, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, rabies and HIV/AIDS. We recommend you take adequate preventative measures to minimise your risk of exposure to these health risks. We strongly recommend you consult your preferred doctor for the most up-to-date health advice at least one month prior to travel.

Safety & security

With its war-stained past becoming a distant memory, Cambodia is a now a relatively safe country to travel in. Usual common sense precautions are advisable. Avoid poorly lit streets at night, particularly in Phnom Penh. We recommend you take taxis rather than cyclos when travelling at night. To assist in finding your way back to your hotel, make sure you obtain a hotel address card, to show drivers where you want to go.

Throughout your stay, always keep a photocopy of your passport, airline tickets and credit card numbers, and a detailed record of your traveller's cheques. You should leave valuables in hotel safety deposit boxes wherever possible. In Phnom Penh in particular, petty crime can be a problem so we recommend you wear as little jewellery as possible and keep your spending money close to your body in a secure place when out on the street.

Please check the following websites to get the latest news and travel advice from the region:

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade - www.smarttraveller.gov.au
Canadian Foreign Affairs & International Trade - www.voyage.gc.ca
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs - www.mfat.govt.nz/travel
UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office - www.fco.gov.uk
USA Department of State - www.travel.state.gov
World Health Organisation - www.who.int/en

Food & water

Cambodian cuisine is closely related to the cuisines of neighbouring countries. Cambodian cuisine was similar to that of Central Thailand until the 16th century when the Portuguese introduced the chilli pepper to Ayuthaya. At this time, the Thais began to develop a preference for spicier, chilli-based foods, while the Cambodians continued to use a spice paste kroeung, comprising of milder flavourings such as lemongrass, galangal, ginger and cardamom. Some distinctly Cambodian dishes include samlor ma chou kroeung and samlor kor ko soups, and the chas kroeung stir-fry. The pungent prahok fish stock is usually included in these dishes. Rice is eaten with most meals. In cities such as Phnom Penh there are large numbers of ethnic Chinese who have brought their own influences to the Cambodian diet. Like the rest of Indochina, the French influence remains evident. There is a wide range of international cuisines available in Phnom Penh. Tap water should be avoided however bottled water is readily available and provided on a complimentary basis by most hotels.

Language

Khmer is the official language of Cambodia. Khmer has its own script and unlike neighbouring countries is not tonal. English is well-understood and widely spoken by our guides and hotel staff. English is also spoken in most restaurants, shops and, to a lesser extent, by taxi and tuk-tuk drivers. Khmer is a difficult language to master however you may be able to pick up a few basic words while you are travelling like hello, goodbye and thank you.

Transport

For tour groups of 6 or more travellers, air-conditioned Toyota Coaster or Hyundai with 25-40 seats are used on all road journeys. These vehicles are designed with excellent viewing windows and a high roof. For smaller groups, modern sedan cars and minibuses are used. All our vehicles are modern, spacious, comfortable, well-maintained, and safe. In cities, towns and villages expect to use a combination of tuk-tuks, boats, bicycles (optional) and your own two feet – taking advantage of the variety of transport methods when travelling in Cambodia is part of the experience! All domestic flights are on French-built ATR 72 or Fokker 70 aeroplanes. Taxis in Cambodia are metered, readily available and cheap.

Electricity

Voltage is mainly 220V alternating at 50 cycles per second. Many sockets will take both two-prong round pins and US-style flat pins however we advise you bring a universal adaptor. Electricity supply is generally reliable, even in more remote areas, though farm and hill tribe stays may rely on generator-run power and be less consistently available.

Post & communication

Broadband internet is available in major centres and is generally inexpensive. In Phnom Penh and Siem Reap there are numerous internet cafes providing email services and internet phone call services. Using these internet phone services is the cheapest way of calling overseas (or locally). International phone and fax fees on fixed lines are expensive (especially in hotels) and vary between 4 USD and 6 USD per minute. Reverse charge (collect) calls are not possible from Cambodia. The international calling code for Cambodia is (+855). Mobile phones do work in Cambodia, although you will need to contact your service provider prior to departure to ensure you have roaming. Coverage is fine in urban areas, but may be patchy in rural areas. International mail generally takes seven to ten days to reach its destination. Prices are equivalent to western postal rates.

View our full list of Cambodia tours.

Return to our Cambodia travel overview page.