General Information

As we are based in Siem Reap we can provide you with all of the information you will need for your trip to Cambodia. We have therefore put together the following information, which we will update immediately whenever we are made aware of any changes.

About Cambodia

Money Matters

We recommend that you bring US dollars to Cambodia, as Riel is only used for buying small items and for tipping. There is approximately 4,000 Riel to 1 US dollar. You can use ATMs in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville to withdraw US dollars. Major credit cards are accepted in the larger hotels and in restaurants. Traveller's cheques can be exchanged at banks, money exchangers and most bigger hotels at a charge of 2%. Cash advances are also available on Visa and Master cards from most banks and money exchangers. Banks are open from 8:00am to 3:30pm Monday to Friday and some banks are also open on Saturday mornings. Money exchangers open early and close around 10:00pm. Western Union transfers are available in most major towns and cities.

Please be aware that there is a lot of counterfeit US dollars in Cambodia, so you should check your US dollars before you arrive and also when in Cambodia, even from banks. Also make sure that your US dollars are in good condition, because most places will not accept torn notes even if they are very small.

Electricity

Phnom Penh does have power cuts, but they are less frequent than they used to be. In hot season, however, they can be more frequent as Phnom Penh's power supply struggles to cope with the extra need for air conditioning. Most large hotels and restaurants have back up generators. A new electricity supply is expected soon from Thailand.

The electricity supply is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Most of the plugs are flat 2-pin, but round 2-pin plugs are also used in some places. Adaptors are widely available.

Departure Tax

International departure tax for adults is US$25 per person, for children under 12 years old it is US$13 per person and for children under 2 years old it is free. Domestic departure tax for both adults and children under 12 years old is US$6. There is no charge for children under 2 years old.

Visas

All visitors require visas except nationals of Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Laos. Tourist visas are single entry and are US$20. You will need to bring a passport sized photograph with you, however if you do not have one, then the immigration officer will make a photocopy of your passport for a few dollars. They are valid for a one month stay, but can be extended for a further month in Cambodia. However, they are expensive at US$40 to US$45. The minimum length of stay is 24 hours and your passport must be valid for at least 6 months on arrival. An onward ticket is very rarely asked for.

Business visas are single entry and are US$25. They can be extended for single entry for 1 month or 3 months and multiple entry for 6 months or 1 year.

Overstay of any visa is charged US$5 per day.

You may be able to obtain an e-visa. For more information see evisa.mfaic.gov.kh.

Nationals of the following countries must apply for a visa at a Cambodian Embassy before entering Cambodia and they must also have a letter of invitation or have a pre-arranged tour by a travel agent: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Sudan and a return ticket is advised if you have a letter of invitation.

Arriving at the airport

When you arrive at the airport you will need to fill out an “Items to declare form” and also an “Arrival and Departure" card. If you do not have a visa on arrival, you will also need to complete a visa application form and attach a passport sized photograph.

More airport information can be found on the Phnom Penh airport website at http://www.cambodia-airports.com/phnompenh/en/.

Health and Hygiene

The most common illness amongst tourists to Cambodia is diahorea or sunstroke. We recommend that you always use bottled water and eat hot food, as this will reduce the chances of diahorea. Avoiding ice, salads and peeled fruit will help too. The heat and also drinking alcohol can have a big effect on your stomach as well. It's always a good idea to drink lots of water, wear a sun hat and keep out of direct sunlight.

Malaria and Dengue fever are the most common of the tropical diseases, both of which are transmitted through mosquito bites. We recommend that you bring a good insect repellent with you with a high deet content (over 50%). It is also a good idea to cover yourself up well in the evenings. We strongly recommend that you consult your doctor about the vaccinations you will need for Cambodia.

H.I.V affects a large amount of the people working in the sex industry, as does Hepatitis B and C. There is very little chance of catching bird flu in Phnom Penh. Many drugs are available over the counter which would not be in the west. If you do become ill, let your hotel manager know as most of the time they will know where to find a good doctor. We strongly recommend that you take out good travel insurance, one that will pay for transportation to Bangkok or home in case of emergency. For medical care try Calmette Hospital #3 Monivong tel. 023 426 948 or Naga Clinic #11 street 254 tel. 011 811175.

Please be aware that drugs are illegal in Cambodia - so be warned!

For more health information see www.cdc.gov/travel/seasia.htm.

Postal services and communications

The general post office is located on street 13 not far from Wat Phnom and it is open from 7am to 9pm. You can send postcards, letters and parcels abroad and the service is pretty good. You can also make domestic and international phone calls and they also have a fax machine if you need to fax something back home. Most of the bigger hotels will post postcards for you.

There are a number of parcel service companies in Phnom Penh with the popular ones being DHL Express on #28 Monivong and Fed EX on #701D Monivong.

Internet cafes and telephone calls

There are many internet cafes all over Phnom Penh where you can use internet facilities and also make domestic and international phone calls. Internet rates are normally US$0.50 to US1.00 per hour. International phone calls via the internet are nearly all under US$1.00 per minute to all countries.

To phone Cambodia the international code is 855 and area code for Phnom Penh is 23. If you are inside Cambodia then you will need a “0” in front of the 23 to phone Phnom Penh.

Photography

There are many photo shops in Phnom Penh where you can develop photos or put your pictures onto a CD. Memory cards for digital cameras are widely available and are much cheaper than in the west. Camera batteries are also readily available in Phnom Penh.

Tipping

Tipping is not expected, although it will be much appreciated by someone who is earning an average of US$50 a month in a restaurant. A few thousand riel or one US dollar is enough if you think they have served you well.

Security

Commonsense can prevent theft, such as not carrying shoulder bags where someone on a motorbike could snatch it from you. Most theft though will occur from the place where you are staying, so be warned. Most hotels and guesthouses will tell you not to leave any valuables in the room, because they will not be held responsible. This includes cameras, money, passports and anything else that is of great value to you. You should always keep valuables in the hotel safe but when you do not, then it is at your own risk not the hotel management's. Most staff in hotels and guesthouses will NOT steal from your room but the temptation can still be too great for them if you left, say, US$500 in your room which is over 1 year's salary to them!

Phnom Penh is quite safe to walk around during the day, however if you go out in the evening we advise that you use transport like a tuk tuk or a moto and it is best to use one that your hotel or guest house knows.

Please be aware that, despite what you may have heard, the Khmer Rouge are no longer active in Cambodia, there are no bandits and very few people carry guns.

Finally, one last piece of advice. You will find Cambodians to be very friendly, but just as in any other country, they will expect you to be friendly in return. It is never wise to get involved in an argument with local people whichever country you are visiting and that includes Cambodia.

Dangers and annoyannces

Ants

There a number of types of ant in Cambodia and some of them can give you very irritating bites. Do not attract ants to your room by leaving food lying around, especially anything with sugar in them or snack foods like crisps.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs carry a lot of diseases and can also give you irritating bites. Bed bugs are like vampires and can drink a lot more of your blood than a mosquito. They can be found anywhere, even in 5 star hotels if the beds are not checked regularly. They generally live in the mattress or in the woodwork of a bed.

Begging

There are a number of beggars in Phnom Penh and some of these beggars are actually poor and they really do need your money or food, but unfortunately there are many professional beggars trying to get money from the tourists. These people mainly operate around popular touristy areas especially along the river front in the evenings and this can be very annoying to some people. If you want to give them money then that it is up to you, but remember that most Cambodians working in restaurants and hotels will earn an average of US$1.50 per day. If you want to help the local people, then we recommend that you buy books or other items from the amputee victims.

Dogs

Dogs can be very annoying in Phnom Penh, because many people use them as guard dogs and when someone walks near their premises, their dog will start barking and when one dog barks everyone's dog start barking. Do not attempt to stroke any dogs even if they look friendly, because there is Rabies in Cambodia.

Mosquitos

Mosquitos can be very irritating more then anything else, especially in the evening, and of course they also carry some nasty diseases like Malaria and Dengue fever to name a few. To avoid them, cover up well in the evening showing little bare skin and also use a high deet repellent on any exposed skin. Hotels and guesthouses with a lot of greenery and stagnant pools will be over run with mosquitos, especially in the rainy season and just after.

Scams

There is nowhere near as many scams in Phnom Penh as in some Asian countries, but unfortunately as tourism grows the more scammers there are likely to be. We recommend that you do some research before you arrive about how much things are likely to cost.

Traffic

The main danger to tourists is the traffic. Many Cambodians die through traffic accidents and tourists have also been killed too. We advise using a tuk tuk, taxi or mini bus, but you should think twice about getting on the back of a motorbike even if you are wearing a helmet. There is no law to the road and anything goes so be warned. You can hire motorbikes in Phnom Penh if you are a tourist, but we strongly recommend you do not hire one, as accidents happen regularly. Phnom Penh is not a place where you want to be when you have a serious traffic accident, as good hospitals are limited.