Tips for Travelling in Cambodia
Sep 12, 2019 | Information
- Cambodia is a youthful, friendly country in the midst of a wave of change surging across all of Asia. A smile and simple greeting will almost always be returned, if you haven’t received a smile first.
- Cambodia can be a noisy country with amplified weddings and funerals even in the most remote villages, so earplugs can greatly assist sleep.
- As with all sub and tropical climates the sun is fierce and can quickly burn those from more temperate climates so a high factor sunscreen is recommended.
- Most of our trips occur during the dry season when mosquitos are reduced in number but it is always advisable to carry repellent and wear long light loose clothing which also gives protection from the sun.
- Cambodia is a hot country even in the relatively cooler dry season and your water intake will need to increase accordingly together with rehydration tablets (an excellent local rehydration product Royal D is cheap and widely available)
- Most things are cheaper in Cambodia, so unless your schedule prevents it you can save money and baggage allowance by buying most drugs, sun screens and clothing including hats in Siem Reap or Phnom Penh. Note that some pharmacies may sell counterfeit products so check with the hotel for outlets selling the genuine article (A reliable chain of pharmacies called U Care is open in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh)
- US dollars are interchangeable with the local currency Riel (approx. 4000 Riel / 1 USD) and accepted at all outlets though it is helpful to have plenty of one dollar bills for tips in the towns and low cost items in the countryside. Change of less than a dollar will be given in Riel.
- ATM’s are widely available in Siem Reap giving USD against most credit and even debit cards though a fee is incurred for using an international card
- Cambodia and Siem Reap in particular are relatively safe for both person and belongings despite the disparity in wealth between tourists and Cambodians. The usual common sense rules apply, don’t flaunt expensive items or cash, especially late at night.
