While visiting Cambodia, the following Travel Tips may help you appreciate the country and allow you to enjoy your visit to this shrouded Country.

GENERAL ADVICE: Drink lots of water. Never drink tap water-purified, bottled water is available everywhere. Use an insect repellent against mosquitoes. It is the only way to be sure of protection against mosquito-borne diseases. Since Cambodian has a hot and humid tropical climate, casual and light-weight clothing is recommended. Clothing made from natural fibers is the best option. A jacket might be needed on cool winter evenings or in hotels and restaurants using excessive air-conditioning. A hat and high-factor sun block is advisable as protection against the Hot sun when sightseeing. When visiting temples or pagodas, including those of Angkor Wat, Shorts and T-shirts are acceptable. Shoes are generally removed at the entrance to pagodas. For visit to Silver Pagodas, which is within the Royal Palace grounds, visitors are asked to dress more formally. Gentlemen are required to wear long trousers and ladies should wear long trousers or long skirts (not long trousers, however). Shoes are generally removed before entering pagodas.

GREETINGS: Cambodians greet each with a bow and a prayer-like gesture called a Sompeah, the younger or lower ranked person normally initiating the gesture. Handshakes are also becoming more acceptable for greeting Cambodians.

BEHAVIOUR: Acting calmly and quietly – especially when under duress – is recommended, while displays of bad temper, especially in public, will make a bad situation worse. The head is considered the highest part of the body, while the feet are considered the lowest, both literally and figuratively. Touching someone’s head or pointing at people or things with the feet – especially the soles – are, therefore, considered extremely rude. Permission should be sought before taking photographs of people, especially monks and hill tribe villagers.

AIRPORT TAX: Expect to pay, and thus budget airport tax as you fly out of different airports for different destinations. Your SJI representative will inform you of the current amounts payable.

ANGKOR COMPLEX: A passport-sized photo must be attached to multiple day entrance Passes to the Angkor complex (2-3 days pass and one-week pass). Visitors can have their picture taken at the entrance checkpoint (1USD per photos). However, we recommend that all visitors arriving in Siem Reap have a passport photo ready prior to arrival.

CURRENCY & EXCHANGE: The local currency is the Riel, however, in Phnom Penh and in Angkor almost all goods and services are calculated and paid for in the US currency. The rate of exchange (at time of writing) is approximately 3,900.- Riel to one U.S. Dollar. Credit cards are accepted only at few places like major hotels, restaurants owned by foreigners, souvenirs shops, etc. Traveller cheques and currencies other than U.S. Dollars are accepted only by major banks. It is best to carry U.S. Dollar bills in small denominations.

CUSTOMS AND FORMALITIES: Regulations are relaxed and simple formalities should be observed when entering the territory. Every traveler has to complete immigration and customs declaration forms during the flight and must submit it on arrival. Any amount of foreign currency can be brought into Cambodia, but the amount of Cambodian currency must not exceed 100,000 Riels per person. Tourist and non-resident carrying over USD 10,000 in cash or its equivalent must declare it to ensure they will be allowed to take out with them the amount declared. Immigration formalities are quicker when travelers already possess their visa. A SJI representative will meet travelers at the airport, after immigration control has been passed. Leaving the country, luggage will be X-rayed in Phnom Penh airport and inspected in Siem Reap.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Normal memory cards are widely available. Any specialized photo or video equipment should be brought with you. Photography and video in airports, railway Stations and near any military installations in forbidden and discretion should be used when photographing people, particularly monks.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: Although no vaccinations are officially required for entry to Cambodia, they are highly encouraged. Visitors are advised to check with their doctor or a travel immunization clinic regarding protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and B. Any essential medications should be brought with you as there is no guarantee they will be available in Cambodia.

LANGUAGE: Khmer is the official language, inherited from the Mon-Khmer family, Enriched by the Indian Pali and the Sanskrit languages. There are various dialects spoken in areas outside Phnom Penh. English is the second language, followed by French, even though they are not widely spoken except in the capital.

TIME ZONE: Cambodia runs at GMT + 7 hours, the same time zone as its neighbors Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.

TIPPING: Tipping is not obligatory in Cambodia, but is nonetheless widely practiced in hotels and restaurants in addition to the service charges shown on bills. (Porter: 1,000 Riel per bag.)

VISAS: The majority of visitors to Cambodia require a visa to enter the country and all must have a passport that is valid for six months after their planned exit date from the country. Cambodia has very liberal visa regulations. Most nationalities are eligible for a visa on arrival at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap international airports without prior registration. To get up-to-date information on visa regulations and costs etc., please access: https://www.evisa.gov.kh/. Electronic Visas are available through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation’s website: https://www.evisa.gov.kh/. “This information may change without prior notice. It remains the traveler’s responsibility to check visa requirements before traveling.”

BUSINESS HOURS: Offices are usually open from Monday to Saturday, from 7.30am or 8am until 5pm, and often close for lunch between 12-2pm. Shops open early and close any time between 6pm and 10pm. Most shops are open seven days a week.

BANKS & MONEY: Banks are open Monday to Friday, from 8am-3pm, and Saturday morning until 12 noon. In the major cities, exchange bureaus and most hotels will change US dollars – although for other currencies it is usually necessary to visit a bank. The banks generally offer the best rate of exchange. Traveler’s checks can be exchanged at banks and some hotels but they can be difficult to change outside of the major cities. Also, a commission applies (around two to five per cent). Very few shops, hotels or restaurants accept traveler’s checks. Visa Card and MasterCard are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. AMEX is also accepted by most hotels, but some restaurants and shopping outlets won’t accept them. US dollars are still the most reliable form of currency to carry. It is advisable to carry small denominations of dollars to pay tuk-tuk drivers and vendors who may not have small change.

CLOTHING: Due to Cambodia’s tropical climate, we recommend light cotton clothing in order to remain comfortable while out and about during the day. Smart casual is the attire for the evening (Some hotels and higher-end restaurants impose dress codes so it is always best to check in advance with your Spiritual Journeys guide). It is advisable to cover arms and legs in the evenings to protect against mosquito bites. An umbrella is a good idea in both the hot and rainy seasons as it will offer protection from the strong sun and the tropical downpours. Tourists should respect a dress code to enter temples and palaces which are sacred places. Visitors should not wear the following when entering these places: sleeveless shirts; sportswear; tights/leggings; shorts; short skirts; three- quarter length trousers; flip flops/sandals without a strap behind the heel; swimwear/beachwear; and shirts with offensive texts or images.

CURRENCY: The currency of Cambodia is the Riel but the US dollar is accepted across the country and can be withdrawn from all ATMs and Banks. Please be aware that ripped, torn, or old dollar bills will not be accepted and neither will $2 bills or US coinage. Only $1, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 bills are accepted. Note that $50 and $100 bills are often refused at smaller local businesses but are widely accepted at hotels and higher end restaurants. For current conversion, please visit www.XE.com.

ETIQUETTE DOs in CAMBODIA
• Ask for permission before taking photographs of Cambodian people or monks.
• It is customary to remove your shoes when entering a place of worship such as a pagoda or a temple, as well as someone’s home.
• Though not always expected, a respectful way of greeting another individual is to bow the head slightly with hands pressed together at the chest (known as the sampeah).
• If invited to dine in a Cambodian family’s home, it is polite to bring a small gift for the host such as fruit, dessert, or flowers.
• If invited to attend a Cambodian wedding, it is customary to bring cash as a wedding gift.
• Keep business cards ready, and present them with both hands. Accept business cards with both hands.

ETIQUETTE DON’Ts in CAMBODIA
• Don’t use your feet to point at someone.
• Don’t touch a Cambodian person on the head.
• Don’t begin eating if you are a guest at a dinner and the host has yet to take a bite.
• Women should never touch male monks or hand something directly to them.
• Keep public displays of affection to a respectful minimum.

ELECTRICITY: Cambodia uses 220V and a mixture of flat two-pin, round two-pin, or three-pin plugs. It is recommended to bring a universal plug adaptor. Power outages happen occasionally but most hotels have their own generators to provide an emergency power source.

ENTERTAINMENT and NIGHTLIFE: Bars and restaurants are plentiful in the major tourism destinations of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. These range from cheap and cheerful beer bars to smart cocktail lounges and impressive skybars. Phnom Penh also has an emerging sophisticated night club scene. In Phnom Penh, the bar and restaurant venues on the popular riverfront area offer a laidback charm with cooling breezes. Most major hotels offer entertainment, with properties in Siem Reap especially good at hosting traditional dance performances. Gambling is a major pastime in Cambodia and there are casinos in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, and on the border with Thailand and Vietnam.

FOOD: Generally, the food in Cambodia is not as spicy as the cuisines of Thailand or Laos but it is flavored heavily with herbs. Fish and rice are the mainstays of Cambodian cuisine. The country has the benefit of a complex river system that feeds South East Asia’s largest freshwater lake, plus a coastline famous for its shrimp and crab. Prahok, a mainstay of Cambodian cuisine is a fermented fish paste that nourishes the nation. Amok; fish-and-coconut milk steamed in a banana leaf is also a core dish on dinner tables. Meals in Cambodia usually consist of three or four different dishes, reflecting the tastes of sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. A legacy of former French colonial occupation is authentic Gallic cuisine at a fraction of the cost in the European country. Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville all attract a large volume of Western and Asian visitors and this is reflected in the wealth of global cuisine that is widely available in these major tourist destinations, including American fast food (in the capital), Italian pizzas and pasta, British fish and chips, German meat dishes, Japanese sushi, and spicy Thai specialities. As in all of the countries that Spiritual Journeys operates in, international brand hotels have food outlets that cater for all tastes.

HEALTH: For preventative medication, please ask your personal/family doctor as to what s/he recommends for your travel.

HOTEL INFORMATION: The standards of accommodation across Cambodia are excellent and diverse with options for all budgets. Most staff at key positions (front office, reception, restaurants etc.,) speak excellent English, but please be patient if you do not get what you want right away. During check-in you will be requested to complete a registration card. The hotel may ask for an imprint of your credit card as a guarantee for extra purchases. Ask the cashier to return this slip upon check out. Please check that you receive meal coupons (where applicable) with your room key. Many hotels do have a hotel directory inside each room where all facilities are described. Reception desks are usually open 24 hours. For Internet connections please check with reception for login requirements, (extra costs may apply). General check-in time is from 2-pm and check out time is 12-noon. If you require a late check-out (extra costs may apply) please check with reception.

INSURANCE: Medical facilities are limited in Cambodia, especially outside of the capital Phnom Penh and the popular tourism destination of Siem Reap. It is therefore essential to take out a good medical insurance policy prior to travelling. The policy should cover the cost of an evacuation flight out of Cambodia. For adventure excursions such as cycling tours, proof of purchase of a travel insurance policy is usually required.

INTERNET: Internet access is widely available in every major town and city across Cambodia. Almost all restaurants, cafes, bars and hotels offer free Wi-Fi and mobile data coverage is rapidly improving, with excellent coverage in all major cities.

LANGUAGE: English is widely spoken in the main tourist destinations across the country. Cambodia’s national language is Khmer which is less tonal than other Asian languages. Outside the major centres of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and the coastal tourism hot spots, most people speak only Khmer but it is usually easy to find someone who can communicate in English. In Phnom Penh and Siem Reap French is also understood, especially by the older generations.

PEOPLE: Cambodian people are famed for their welcoming smiles and friendliness. Despite three decades of tragedy and war, their present day positive and optimistic nature reflects the dawn of a new era as the country becomes a major tourism destination. Tourism offers new opportunities and the people are eager to play their part in this burgeoning sector and this is reflected in the happy smiles and eagerness to help those who arrive to see this slice of paradise in South East Asia.

PROTECTING CHILDREN: Spiritual Journeys does not offer visits to orphanages and we advise travelers to not visit them if approached by children asking them to do so.
Sexual exploitation of children is a devastating reality. It can happen in hotels, bars and restaurants for example. You may even be approached and offered sex with children. Call a child protection hotline, contact a local organization or the police, so immediate action can be taken to protect the child and investigate the situation.
Cambodia: Call 1280
Child Helpline Cambodia (CHC): www.childhelpline.org.kh
For more information on how to protect children visit: https://thinkchildsafe.org/

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: Closure of tourist sites can occur at short notice on public holidays and your Spiritual Journeys guides will give guests advice about this situation.

RELIGION: Buddhism is the dominant religion in Cambodia with nearly 95 per cent of the population followers of this faith. Islam is practiced by a small percentage of the population, mainly the Cham people resident near the border with Vietnam. Christianity and Hinduism account for less than one per cent.

SAFETY: Despite its turbulent past, Cambodia is a safe country to visit. However, theft and bag snatches do occur so never leave your bags unattended and always maintain a firm grip on cameras and shoulder bags. Be careful when riding motorcycles, remorks/tuktuks as bags are easily snatched from front baskets. Leave your expensive jewelry at home and always use hotel safety deposits boxes or in-room safes for your valuables.

SHOPPING: Cambodia is a great place to buy unique items such as silks, woodcarvings, rattan weavings and the krama, the traditional Cambodian scarf. The krama is one of the most popular Cambodian souvenirs and is similar to a sarong and can be used for bathing, cleaning and protection from the sun. Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have an abundance of local markets that offer great souvenirs. Your Spiritual Journeys guides can offer advice on the best places to buy holiday purchases. Although the larger cities have supermarkets and gift shops, huge, glitzy shopping malls, like those found in Bangkok, Singapore and Hong Kong, do not exist – but that is one of the attractions of a country that offers something different from the more developed countries in South East Asia.

STREET STALLS: Stalls occupy the main streets of major tourism destinations with everything from street food to T-shirts and DVDs for sale. You should always barter when buying anything on the street (a smile really does help!) Bartering is not only expected, it is a way of life. Start at a third of the asking price and work your way up. Remember to bring small denomination notes as vendors often don’t have change and having the correct amount ensures you will not be overcharged.

TELEPHONE: If you have mobile phone (cell phone) with worldwide coverage, you can use your own mobile phone to make local or international calls. However, please check with your mobile phone provider about potential costs before using it abroad as charges can be very high, especially when using mobile data. It is very easy to buy a local “pay as you go” SIM/Micro SIM card on arrival for a few dollars at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap International Airports. Wi-Fi is widely available so using Skype, WhatsApp and Facebook are often the best way to communicate.

TIPPING
Tipping for good service is not expected but is always appreciated in Cambodia. Tipping the guide and your driver on your tours is optional and should depend on how satisfied you are with the excursion. Note that different drivers and guides are often used in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Hotel porters should be tipped for carrying bags to the room and it is always appreciated to leave a small tip at a bar or restaurant unless a service charge is included. In other cases, it is up to the individual when and how much to tip. Consider the following guide:

Accompanying Guide
1 Traveler – 15 US$/Person/Day
2 Traveler – 10 US$/Person/Day
3-4 Traveler – 6 US$/Person/Day
5-6 Traveler – 5 US$/Person/Day
7-8 Traveler – 4 US$/Person/Day
9+ Traveler – 3 US$/Person/Day
Group Traveler – 2 US$/Person/Day

Local Guide
1 Traveler – 15 US$/Person/Day
2 Traveler – 10 US$/Person/Day
3-4 Traveler – 6 US$/Person/Day
5-6 Traveler – 5 US$/Person/Day
7-8 Traveler – 4 US$/Person/Day
9+ Traveler – 3 US$/Person/Day
Group Traveler – 2 US$/Person/Day

Driver
1 Traveler – 10 US$/Person/Day
2 Traveler – 5 US$/Person/Day
3-4 Traveler – 4 US$/Person/Day
5-6 Traveler – 3 US$/Person/Day
7-8 Traveler – 2 US$/Person/Day
9+ Traveler – 2 US$/Person/Day
Group Traveler – 1 US$/Person/Day

Porter
1 US$ /Person/Luggage

Tipping in restaurant
1 US$/Person

WATER: It is not safe to drink tap water but purified bottled mineral water is available everywhere. All hotels provide a complimentary bottle of local mineral water per person in the room. Ice cubes in drinks are generally okay in good standard hotels and restaurants, but it is best to avoid them on street stalls or in the countryside. Some minor stomach problems are always possible when travelling in exotic countries, so bring a supply of your usual anti-diarrhea medicine. However stomach problems are often blamed on the food when in fact the most common cause is dehydration. Cambodia has a hot, humid tropical climate so ensure you stay well hydrated!

WEATHER: Cambodia has two distinctive weather patterns: Rainy from June to October; and dry from November to May. The hottest days of the hot season rarely climb above 35C (95F) and the cool season may push the mercury as low as 16C (60F) in the early hours. The monsoon between June and October follow the same pattern with clear mornings and rain for around one-to-three hours in the afternoon. Afternoon rains can make touring a bit more difficult but a big bonus is that the rains turn the jungle and rice paddies lush and green. The dry season can be very dusty, but it ensures treks through the jungle terrain are more manageable.

DISCLAIMER: This information was valid at the time of writing and it is subject to change at any time. We cannot be held responsible for any external links. You acknowledge, by your use of this site, that your use it at your own risk and that Spiritual Journeys shall not be liable for any damages of any kind related to your use of this site, or the information contained within. We reserve the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions and to change or update information at any time without prior notice.