Information + Tips
Learn about the key travel details before you plan your trip to Cambodia. These quick tips will help you get the most out of early planning and enjoy your trip. Ready to begin planning your trip to Cambodia? Read our Cambodia Guide.
VISA/ENTRY DETAILS
All tourists are required to have a 30-day visa. Upon arrival at the airport or land borders, you can complete the necessary paperwork. The current cost is $30 US Cash. You also need two passport photos. If you do not have the photos, they will help at the border for a fee and a longer wait. Save the hassle, get your E-Visa, and breeze through immigration.
WEATHER
Like most Southeast Asian countries, there are rainy, hot, and dry seasons. Most of the time, Cambodia is warm and sunny. The rainy season – June through November – features heavy rains, downpours, and occasional flooding. The hot season is humid and sticky. Occasional quick afternoon showers only add to the humidity. Temperatures can be over 40 C. The tourist season is the dry season – December – Feb. The weather is dry and beautiful, with temperatures 20 -30 Celsius.
LANGUAGE
Most of the population speaks central Khmer, the official language of Cambodia. There are regional or local dialects with the countryside. English is common in the major cities and tourist areas, and we found it easy to communicate. We did learn a few basic phrases to help bridge the language, and the locals much appreciated it.
CURRENCY
While the Riel is the official money, the U.S. dollar is the most common currency. We were always asked for dollars, and change was always given in the US currency. If you take money from an ATM, make sure it gives US dollars, or will be hard to change with the locals.
VOLTAGE
Cambodia uses 230V AC electricity and has a two-prong socket system. There is a surprising lack of sockets in your hotel, and charging multiple devices can be quite challenging. We recommend a multi-plug hub and universal travel adapter for easy charging.
SAFETY
Cambodia is quite safe for tourists. We felt comfortable walking around Pub Street and to our hotel at night. The people of Cambodia are very welcoming, but as with any destination, you should be aware of your surroundings, not flash a lot of cash and keep things close. In the major cities, purse snatching is more common. Rural areas have the added complexity of possible unexploded landmines. We do not recommend wandering alone in these areas.
A Word About Travel Insurance
You never know what can happen while traveling. Being prepared with proper insurance gives you peace of mind. Travelex insurance has options for every trip of type trip.
LOCAL CUSTOMS
Before we travel to a new place, we like to learn about local customs or cultural differences. Being open to the place and people of the destination helps expand our perceptions. In Cambodia, it isn’t polite to point with your finger. Instead, point with your whole hand. Monks should be approached with deference, do not touch or take their picture without permission. Eating with your left hand is considered unclean. This one was a little harder for me (being left-handed), but I managed to get most of my meals into my mouth. 🙂
