Travel Guide: Things You Want To Know Before Visiting Cambodia
Discover essential travel tips in Cambodia in our in-depth Cambodia travel guide. Learn about weather, safety, etiquette, and more.
With its ancient temples, its natural beauty, and its inviting culture, Cambodia is a top destination for adventurers visiting Southeast Asia. Before you start exploring Cambodia, however, it is important to make sure that you are ready to do so safely and respectfully. In this Cambodia travel guide, we go over essential travel tips to ensure you have a successful and rewarding trip.
1. You can pay flexibly in a mixed cash economy
Paying for goods and services in Cambodia is easy and convenient, thanks to the fact that this country has a mixed cash economy for tourism. The currency of Cambodia itself is the Riel. At the time of this writing, 1 US Dollar = around 4,000 Cambodian Riels.
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Along with using Cambodian Riels, it is possible to pay in a lot of parts of Cambodia with US Dollars. Bear in mind that they only accept the perfect note with no creases or tears, even in the exchange booth. Some vendors in certain area (such as the border) even accept the Vietnamese Dong or Thai baht. So, while carrying Riels is best, in a pinch, you should be able to pay in many circumstances with whatever you have on hand. Just keep in mind your change will usually be in Riels.
2. The weather is very hot and humid
It is essential to be prepared for Cambodia’s hot, humid climate. Even if you visit during January, which is Cambodia’s “coldest” month of the year, temperatures can range up to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius). During March through June, temperatures can soar up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 degrees Celsius). Even though that is the “dry season,” it is still humid.
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To be prepared, dress for the hot conditions, and wear plenty of sunscreen to protect yourself from UV rays. Bring water with you everywhere you go to stay hydrated, and snack as needed to restore your electrolytes. And remember that the humidity will make the hot weather feel even hotter than you expect.
3. Do not drink tap water
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An important safety note in our list of travel tips in Cambodia is to avoid drinking tap water in this country. In many parts of Cambodia, the water is not well filtered or treated. This is especially true in rural regions. That means that it may contain bacteria or viruses that could get you dangerously sick. As we will discuss further in this post, it is extra important to protect your health in Cambodia.
Stick with bottled water when you can. If you absolutely have to drink tap water, boil it first. There are also portable filtration devices you can buy and use for travel.
4. Etiquette is essential
Observing proper etiquette is a way for you to show respect for Cambodian culture and people. Before meeting locals, it’s great to know how to greet in Cambodia - it’s one of the most common practices every Khmer needs to perform.
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In Cambodia, it is important to present yourself modestly. Outside of beaches, bars and clubs, you should wear conservative attire that covers your shoulders and torso. Be especially careful to dress modestly when you are visiting Buddhist sites. Treat monks politely, and avoid making a lot of noise.
When you shop in markets in Cambodia, haggling is expected. But offers should be reasonable and respectful. Understand that sometimes, you will lose. Also, do not try to haggle in situations where pricing is fixed.
5. Tuk-tuk is the most popular way to get around
In the cities and towns of Cambodia, you will make your way around in tuk-tuks most of the time. These are two-wheeled, human-powered carriages featuring open-air seating. They are slower and pricier than moto-taxis, but also safer.
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Here are a few tips for ensuring a pleasant tuk-tuk experience. First of all, always negotiate what you will pay before you enter the tuk-tuk. Do it in Khmer if possible, as it will usually save you money. Have a map with you so you can point to where you want to go. Name landmarks when possible rather than simply stating street addresses. Markets and pagodas make especially useful landmarks for tuk-tuk transit.
6. Cambodia is a safe country to visit, but stay alert for scams
Although Cambodia is relatively safe, some unwary foreigners do get scammed. Here are some examples of common scams to watch out for:
- Exchange rate scams (usually carried out by supposed “coin collectors” offering inferior rates)
- Scams related to tuk-tuks (i.e. falsely claiming a broken meter, and then over-charging)
- Returning incorrect change in Riels after you pay in a foreign currency
- Scams involving motorbikes (some companies will even go so far as to “steal” the motorbike they rented to you, claim it is gone, and then demand you pay for them to get a new one)
7. Medical services in Cambodia are pretty basic
It is important for us to mention in our Cambodia travel guide that Cambodia’s medical services are lacking. Many treatments and supplies are under-stocked or unavailable even in urban areas. Power failures occur on a regular basis. Families and friends of patients are expected to perform duties that in the West, nurses would perform.
So, try to avoid getting sick or injured in Cambodia to the best of your ability. Receiving quality care may be challenging or impossible, depending on your location and the situation.
8. It’s better to visit the temples very early and with a pre-bought ticket to avoid the crowds
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Cambodia’s biggest claim to fame internationally is its spectacular ancient temples. As a result, these temples draw major crowds, especially during peak tourism season. For that reason, you should try to go earlier in the day when the crowds are thinner. This will make for a more pleasant experience, and more opportunities to take photos without a lot of people getting in your way.
Also, make sure you buy your tickets in advance. Otherwise, you could miss your chance altogether. Sometimes they sell out, and there is no further admittance that day.
9. Beside temples, Cambodia has stunning beaches
One of the best travel tips in Cambodia is to go beyond the country’s temples to check out its beaches as well. Cambodia’s beaches may not get as much attention as its temples, but they are world-class, featuring white and golden sands and clear, turquoise waters.
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On these beaches, you can find secluded spots to swim or sunbathe, listening to the breeze in the palm trees while you indulge yourself in total relaxation. There is also the opportunity to enjoy water-based activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking and sailing.
If you really want to pamper yourself, consider booking at one of Cambodia’s luxurious beach resorts. Discover best beaches in Cambodia, including Koh Rong Island, Coral Beach in Koh Ta Kiev, and others.
10. Cambodian food has shared characteristics with Thai and Vietnamese food
One more thing you are probably curious about while reading our Cambodia travel guide is what the cuisine in this country is like. No matter where you live, there is a good chance you have tried Thai food, Vietnamese food, or both at some point. Thai and Vietnamese restaurants are pretty popular around the globe, but you likely have not been to a Cambodian restaurant.
While Cambodian food is frequently compared to both Thai and Vietnamese food, the flavor profile is closer to Thai. There are sweet elements, spicy ones, and some sweet and sour notes. Common ingredients in Cambodian food include rice, fermented sauces, fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, and noodles made out of wheat, rice or tapioca.
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Vegetables that show up often in Cambodian meals include cabbage, spinach, kale, watercress, squash, potatoes and eggplants. Fruits are usually eaten as desserts or in smoothies and may include mangoes, durians, bananas, watermelons, and pineapples.
Much of the characteristic flavor of Cambodian cuisine comes from the herbs and spices commonly used in it, some of which include sweet basil, garlic, turmeric, hot mint, coriander, kaffir lime, lemongrass and galangal.
Some examples of popular Cambodian dishes to try include Amok, a type of coconut fish curry, Lap Khmer, a beef salad dish, Samlar Kari, a type of chicken curry, and Kha Sach Ko, which is beef stewed in palm sugar.
Traditional Fish Amok
