Cambodia Travel FAQ's
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
In order to visit Cambodia, a visa and a passport that is valid for at least six month after arrival date, is required for most nationalities. Exceptions are made for neighboring countries and don't hold true for western visitors from Europe and the USA.
Visitor can choose to make their Visa pre-arrival at overseas Cambodian embassies, through the online E-Visa procedure or on-arrival at all international airports in Cambodia (Phnom Penh and Siem Reap).
At overseas Cambodian embassies
The most reliable way, since Visa’s issued this way are valid at all boarder crossings overland or via air. Please contact the Cambodian embassy in your country for further information’s.
E-Visa
The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs now offers 'e-visa' - visas available online through the Ministry's website.
http://www.mfaic.gov.kh/e-visa/vindex.aspx
You will need to scan your passport and a pass photo for the procedure, which normally takes 3 days to be approved. The cost is US$ 25 for a 30 days visa to be paid with your credit card.
The visa is accepted at the following borders: Siem Reap International Airport, Phnom Penh International Airport, the Bavet/Moc Bai border crossing, the Poipet/Aranyaprathet border crossing and the Koh Kong/Had Lek border crossing
Visa on arrival
The most hassle free way to get your Visa when you arrive at an international airport (Phnom Penh and Siem Reap). Visa’s are also available at the following overland crossings: the Bavet/Moc Bai border crossing, the Poipet/Aranyaprathet border crossing and the Koh Kong/Had Lek border crossing. Nevertheless, due to well known scams at overland boarders we advice you to avoid these procedures.
The sufficient tourist visa valid for 30 days costs US$ 20 and can be extended for another month. A business visa is also valid for 30 days, but can be extended indefinitely and cost US$25. Depending on the boarder police the process taking in average about 20-30 minutes and you will need a 4x6 passport photo to apply.
When arriving at Phnom Penh or Siem Reap airport, Easia can assist you to ease and fasten the visa procedure. For a fee of US$ 5 an airport official will pick you up after leaving the airplane to accompany you till our guide takes over. He will process the paper work for you, given you provided us with your passport details in advance.
CLOTHING
With a low of 20 degree Celsius and an average of 33 degree in Cambodia, the warm to hot weather allows you to wear light clothes all year around. Nevertheless you should bring a raincoat during the wet season. Mayor tourist attractions have a good infrastructure and can be easily visited with normal shoes. Also there is no ban on short skirts and shoulder free dresses at most of the religious sites like temples, we recommend to honor local customs by covering shoulders and legs. Only for trekking and the visit of remote temples appropriated shoes are recommended. Long trousers are best in the evening to avoid mosquito bites, and bug repellent is recommended. Since the sun can be very strong in the tropics, good sunglasses, a hat and sun-block cream are essential items to bring with.
CURRENCY
Also Cambodia has its own currency – Cambodian Riel (R) – it is second to the US dollar and only used as change or in remote places. Visitors to Cambodia can easily survive with only US dollars in their pockets and will get riel for purchases smaller than US$ 1 as change.
The official exchange rate is US$ 1 = ~4200 Riel, whereby every shop and trader will apply a US$ 1 = 4000 Riel exchange rate, to simplify the process.
ATM’s are also filled with US dollar and widely available 24/7 accepting VISA, MasterCard and increasingly AMEX.
Always make sure to have 1-dollar bills with you for Tuk Tuk’s and small purchases to avoid problems with change. Also check large amount dollar bills carefully as the smallest damage makes it useless in Cambodia and no bank will accept it.
CLIMATE
The whole country shares the same climate, meaning it is warm to hot all year around with an annual monsoon cycle alternating wet and dry seasons.
To determine the best travel period one has to take three factors into consideration.
Temperature
Summer (June through October) reaches temperatures of around 40-degree Celsius day and night. As the pressure is dropping, moist air is drawn landward from the ocean bringing the southwest monsoon rains to Cambodia. In the winter months (November through May), the temperature drops to a low of 20 degrees during nights with pleasant 24 – 28 degrees during days. The high air pressure over central Asia permits a largely rainless dry season to Cambodia.
Rainfall
The monsoon starts in May and ends in mid November and peaks in October. In the early month May to August the so-called “Mango showers” occur predictable for not more than 2 hours in the evening or at night. They are actually quite pleasant and cool down the air a bit. Only during late September till early November the rainfall become strong and might cause small flooding’s.
Water level
Cambodia is home to the biggest lake in Southeast-Asia, the Tonle Sap. Since the early ages of the Khmer empire it dictates the rhythm of live in the region. As the Mekong flows half year backwards and pressures water into the lake it expands up to 4 times its smallest size during high water level periods. In Mid-November the water festival marks the highest point and is celebrated at the day when the Mekong changes directions. Water means live and therefore it is advice to visit Cambodia during periods of high water levels, to enjoy floating villages and green rice fields.
Taking all this into account November and the following month are considered the best travel period. The temperature is pleasant in November and the monsoon should have stop by than. Also the Water is at it highest allowing visitor to see a green and clean countryside. From May on the temperatures are quite high and the low water level facilitate a dusty atmosphere till the monsoon start. Some might consider September as the best period, since the rain is not strong and rather refreshing. The water level is quite high and temperatures are low and so are visitor numbers, which allow you to enjoy some of the temples in a quite atmosphere.
