General information

The Capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia is Phnom Penh. Inland area: 181,035 Km2. Located on the eastern coast of the South-East Asian Indochinese Peninsula, Cambodia shares its borders with Thailand to the West, Thailand and Laos to the North, Vietnam to the East and the Gulf of Thailand to the Southeast. The country has a coastline of 435 km and the two dominant topographies vary from coastal plains to mountain ranges. Cambodia has 13.4 million inhabitants. The dominant religion is Theravada Buddhism.

Currency

The official currency is the Riel (r) although US dollars are widely accepted. The exchange rate is US$ 1 = 4000 Riel. Traveller’s cheques can be cashed only at major banks

Visa, Master cards, JCB, CCB and American Express are now accepted in high-end hotels, restaurants and shops in the main cities of Cambodia, such as Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.
You can also get cash advances with your credit card at the Canada Bank in Phnom Penh.

Climate

Cambodia has a tropical monsoon climate with two seasons: dry from October to May and rainy from June to October. During the rainy season it usually rains only during the evening or early morning hours. Temperatures are warm year round.

Health & medical facilities

Inoculation for yellow fever is a legal requirement for entry into Cambodia for people coming from infected areas. There is otherwise no vaccination required, but visitors are advised to receive inoculations against hepatitis A and B, typhoid and tetanus. Tablets for malaria are not necessary although doctors still recommend them. Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have good hospitals staffed with foreign medical personnel.

Transportation

There are two international airports in Cambodia: Pochentong airport in Phnom Penh located 20 minutes from the town center and Siem Reap airport, 7 km from the heart of town.
By speedboat, it takes 5 hours from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Helicopter sightseeing in Angkor has become available using safe helicopters flown by qualified pilots.

Cooking

Cambodian food is closely related to the cuisines of neighboring Thailand and Laos and, to a lesser extent, Vietnam, however there are some distinct local dishes as well. The overall consensus is that Khmer cooking is like Thai cuisine without being spicy. Curries, stir fried vegetables, rice, noodles and soups are staples of the Khmer diet. Cambodia is well known in the region for its Prahok, a strong, fermented fish paste used in a variety of traditional dishes.

Shopping

In Cambodia all sorts of goods and manufactured products can be found. From antiques, silver items, jewelry and gems, to silk, Cambodia offers a large range of beautiful handicraft products. Prices displayed are usually fixed, but in other cases bargaining is recommended.

Visa

You must first ensure your passport will be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.
Visas can be acquired directly at Cambodian Embassies and Consulates abroad or by visa on arrival at the international checkpoints of Pochentong airport in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airport. For people arriving overland from Thailand, Vietnam or Laos, visas must be arranged prior to arrival. Point of entry has to be clearly mentioned on the visa application.

Before going

If you are traveling in Cambodia from October to March warm clothes are recommended and especially appropriate in the northern area.
In the south, light clothing is a must year round
Although you can find these products in Cambodia, we also recommend that you take products for mosquitoes, and for the sun; a cap or a hat, sunglasses, a raincoat and a small bag to carry a few things in case you have to leave your large suitcases at the hotel for a few days.