Tips for a successful trip to Cambodia

Visa

Obtaining a visa is compulsory for all European and Canadian citizens. Three options are available to you: visa at the Embassy obtained before departure, electric visa and visa on arrival. Among the latter, visa on arrival is the most used. On presentation of a passport valid for 6 months after the date of return from Cambodia, a 4 x 6 identity photo, a completed form plus 30usd, you obtain the visa directly on arrival at international airports (Phnom Penh , Siem Reap), land border gates between Cambodia with Vietnam, Laos, Thailand. Please note that the e-visa does not allow entry at all border gates.

Luggage

Cambodia is a tropical country where the heat dominates all year round. So prepare cotton clothes: light pants, t-shirts, little dresses and sandals, hat and a pair of sunglasses, without forgetting travel medicine and sunscreen. Bring a foldable umbrella or a light raincoat for traveling in the rainy season and a sweater or lined jacket for evenings in the northeast mountains. When visiting temples and pagodas, you must wear a skirt or pants above the knees and a shirt or t-shirt covering the shoulders.

It is advisable to prepare two bags including a backpack to carry essential personal belongings (passport, pharmacy, travel documents, etc.) during small excursions, cruises and a large suitcase or large bag allowing you to store the rest at the hotel, car, in the hold of a plane.

Don't overcharge as it's easy to find inexpensive laundry services locally or buy a few clothes at a reasonable price. Be careful, in remote places, laundry services are not yet available. It would be better to bring enough clothes for these days.

For the domestic flight, the authorized weight is 23 kg/person for hold baggage (1 piece) and 7 kg for hand baggage. An extra kg costs around 2-3 euros and is paid directly at the airline counter at the airport.

Money

The Riel is the national currency in Cambodia. There are denominations of 100, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000 riels. There are no riel coins.

However, the US dollar is widely used in this country. Most prices are displayed in dollars, especially in large cities. But please note that dollars in coins are not accepted. So prepare tickets. For an idea of ​​the exchange rate, 1 dollar is equal to 4000 riels. In tourist sites like Siem Reap, establishments may have a slightly different exchange rate.

For euros, they are less known in Cambodia and accepted in major cities such as Siem Reap, Phnom Penh. It is advisable to change euros into dollars before or upon arrival. The exchange rate at the office in cities is considered more reasonable than at the airport.

Visa, Master, JCB, Cirrus bank cards are accepted in higher category hotels, high-end restaurants, airlines, shops, etc. but an additional 3-5% must be added as transaction fees.

Vending machines are installed in several cities across the country. Each withdrawal requires a commission of 4 to 6usd depending on each bank, not including your bank's fees. You could choose to withdraw riels or dollars.

For an idea of ​​the cost of living in Cambodia: beer - 1.25 USD, bottle of water - 0.6 USD, cup of coffee - 0.75 USD. A meal at a local restaurant costs around 5-7 USD. Fancier restaurants charge a higher price of around 20-25 USD.

Vaccine and health

No vaccinations are required upon entry to Cambodia. However, certain vaccines are recommended: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Rabies, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Poliomyelitis, Whooping Cough, and Hepatitis B.

For malaria, it occurs in tropical countries including Cambodia. Taking preventative treatment is not necessary for travel to popular sites: Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Battambang, and Gulf of Thailand beach. However, it is advisable to take protective measures against mosquito bites such as skin repellents, clothing, and mosquito nets. In the forest regions of Cambodia, the risk is very present, especially during the rainy season. Vaccination against malaria is encouraged.

During your stay there, pay attention to the choice of dishes and drinks. Wash your hands regularly, avoid certain raw foods, ice sold on the streets, tap water, and drink bottled water.

For medicines, they are mostly of Chinese origin. It is possible to buy French medicines in big cities but it would be better to prepare pharmacy kits on hand in an emergency: Paracetamol, Aspirin, Antidiarrheals, deconstipant, Anti-mosquitoes and antihistamine cream, Thermometer, sunscreen.

Seguro

Hospitals in Cambodia do not provide the same quality. So, in the event of a serious accident, you must go through Bangkok which has good-quality hospitals, or return home.

In this case, it is advisable to take out insurance that covers medical emergency and repatriation costs. This type of insurance is often included in the bank card service (Visa, Master, American Express) if you use it to pay for services such as international flights, the deposit for the stay on site, etc. Please check the different conditions of insurance with the card issuer to avoid double purchases. Here are some insurance companies appreciated by our travelers: Mutuaide Assistance, ACE Travel Insurance, Europe Assistance, Mondial Assistance, MAIF, MACIF, GMF Assurances…

Security

Cambodia is a fairly safe country for travel. However, in tourist sites, you must be careful of snatching. It is not recommended to carry large sums of money, conspicuous valuable objects, passports (rather left at the hotel in the trunk) and to travel alone on deserted streets at night.

Note two emergency numbers of the Cambodian police: 117 or 118 (accessible 24/7).

Transportation

The road network has improved significantly in recent times. Most of the track has been paved at present. Several bus companies offer a wide range of routes connecting several cities/provinces in the country.

The rail transfer is almost not used by tourists due to their poor quality and lack of renovation.

With a length of 2000km, the waterway is widely used in Cambodia. Travelers enjoy sailing on Tonle Sap Lake, the beautiful drive from Siem Reap to Battambang or from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh.

Flying remains a time-saving option. Known companies: Cambodia Angkor Air, Sky Angkor Airlines, JC International Airlines, Lanmei Airlines, Cambodia Airways.

Gift to give

European products are very popular in the country of the Khmers. A perfume or a little lipstick would appeal to women while men prefer wine and alcohol. Pens, colored pencils or candy make children happy.

Tipping

Tipping is not obligatory but it is very appreciated. You will have the opportunity to voluntarily give them to your guides, and drivers...if you are happy with their services.

As a guide, allow 3 - 6 euros/traveler/day for the guide and half for the driver. The tip in Euro, USD, or Riels is to be given at the end of each stage of the trip when you definitively leave the guide/driver to go to another region.

Furthermore, it is very practical to prepare small changes in euros, dollars, or Riels in advance if you want to give a small tip to the tuk-tuk drivers or boatmen. As an indication: 2 euros.

Schedules

There is a five-hour time difference in daylight saving time and six hours in winter time between Cambodia and the Greenwich Mean Meridian (GMT). More precisely, French time + 5h or + 6h = Cambodian time.

Excursions generally start around 8-8:30 a.m. and end around 5-5:30 p.m. Their duration over a day is eight hours on average. However, you can ask the guide to do the visits later, according to your convenience. Sometimes you need to leave early for a long trip.

The working hours of guides and drivers vary depending on the day's program, don't be surprised if they drop you off at the hotel before 5 p.m. or after 6 p.m. Then, you will be free for the evening unless you are on a “full board” plan.

SIM card and communication

To call France from Cambodia, dial 00133 followed by the number of your correspondent without the initial zero (Example: the number 0115165978 becomes 00133 115165978).

To communicate with Cambodia from France, dial 00 855 followed by the city code without the initial 0 plus the number of your correspondent.

Travelers could very easily obtain a SIM card on-site. This allows them to avoid unpleasant surprises linked to the costs of your French SIM card, and to access the internet in Cambodia, as well as being able to call and send messages as you wish. The average price of a SIM card in Cambodia is around €1 to €5 depending on internet capacity and different features. Smart and Cellcard are the two recommended operators.

In Cambodia, free wifi is offered in most restaurants and hotels. It is easy for you to access the internet with your smartphone or tablet.

Useful contacts

Address of Vietnam Découverte

Mr. TRUNG - Director/manager of the agency

Hotline & WhatsApp: 0904333717
Call from abroad: 0084 90433717

Embassies and consultales in Cambodia

Honorary Consulate of Spain in Phnom Penh

Address: House 8 C/352, Songkat Bong Keng Ko.Phnom Penh
Telephone: +85512415734
Consular Emergency Telephone: +66818687507 (only for Spaniards in case of urgent need)
Email: [email protected]
Horario de atención al público: 9:00 a 12:00 (imprescindible concertar cita previa por teléfono)

Cuban Embassy in Phnom Penh

Address: #96/98, C/214 Veal Vong, Khan 7 Makara, Phnom Penh

Telephone: (855-23) 213 965, 213 212.
Fax: (855-23) 217 428
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]