Blocks - az_cambodia

International flights to Cambodia are operating mainly to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh International Airports. To name a few are AirAsia, All Nippon Airways, Bangkok Airways, China Southern Airlines, Emirates, Korean Airs, Laos Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways and Vietnam Airlines.

Domestically, there are Cambodia Angkor Air with the national flag carrier, Bassaka Air, Cambodia Airways, Cambodia Bayon Airlines and several more.

Airport tax, whether inclusive or exclusive in the airfare of international flights must be checked when buying tickets.

ATMs are popping up all over the country in the main cities.

Credit cards are becoming more widely acceptable in Cambodia especially in the main cities.

Travellers’ Cheques are exchangeable in a few banks in the main cities of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Bat­tambang and Kompong Cham.

The electricity is 220V – 50Hz and most plugs are two-pinned round or flat.

Bringing a universal travel adaptor with you is always recommended. 

Chaul Chnam Chen between late January to mid/late February as per Chinese and Vietnamese New Year

Chaul Chnam in mid-April, this is the 3-day Khmer New Year celebrations involving a lot of water

Chat Preah Nengkal in early May, this is the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, in Phnom Penh only

Visakha Puja on the 8^th day of the 4^th month, i.e. mid-May to mid-June, this is Bud­dha’s birthday

P’chum Ben between mid-September to mid-October, this is a ceremony paying respect to the dead

Bon Om Tuk in early November, this is the festival when the current into Tonle Sap reverses and the wa­ter in Tonle Sap starts flowing back into the Mekong River again, one of the most important Khmer festivals

No vaccination is required except for yellow fever in case visitors are from affected areas. Visitors are advised to be inoculated against Typhoid, Cholera, Hepatitis A & B, Tetanus and Polio but this is not com­pulsory.

Malaria is not a problem in cities but care must be taken in rural areas. Please consult with a tropical medicine doctor before travelling.

Offices are usually open from Monday to Friday from 08:00 until 17:00 and often close for lunch between 12:00 and 14:00.

Shops are open subjectively and close any time before 23:00. Banker is however close at 15:00.

The internet is available in most of the bigger towns and cities.

Cambodia is GMT+7 and does not operate daylight saving system.

The Cambodian currency is called the Riel.

The USD is also widely accepted as is the Thai Baht in the West of country. Bring USD notes as these are good to change and also can be used to buy items. As a general rule you can buy most items in USD but expect to receive change in Riel.

In the more remote areas of the country only Riel is recognized as the legal tender.

January 1^st International New Year Day

January 7^th Victory over Genocide

March 8^th International Woman’s Day

April 13^th -15^th Khmer New Year Day

May 1^st International Labour Day

May 13^th-15^th King’s Birthday

September 19^th-21^st Pchum Ben’s day

September 24^th Constitution Day

October 23^rd Paris Peace Accord

November 9^th Independence Day

December 10^th International Human Rights Day

Buddhism is the dominant religion in Cambodia with up to 95% of the population being Buddhist.

Islamism is practiced by a small percentage of the population, mainly the Cham people residing near the Vietnam border.

Christianity and Hinduism are the religions of less than 1% of the Cambodian people.

Cambodia is a relatively safe country as the vast ma­jority of the Khmers are devout Buddhists and pacifists. However there are the annoying pick pockets.

Violent crimes against foreigners are rare.

As Cambodia still has a large amount of unexploded ordinance (shells, land mines etc) please remember to stick to the marked paths.

Cambodia is renowned for its sculptures, wood carv­ings, silver and other precious stones.

Cambodia dialing code is +855

The larger up market hotels will levy a 10% service charge on your bill.

It is not compulsory but welcomed especially by the driver, tour guide and service staff.

A small donation when visiting temple, pagoda or church is a polite gesture.

Apart from citizens of several ASEAN member countries every­one needs a valid visa to enter the country. Visa can be granted upon arrival or online via homepages of the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It is not advisable to drink tap water. Bottled water is safe and available everywhere at an easy cost. Hotels usually provide a complimentary bottle of water per person in the room.

Ice cubes are generally accepted but it is best to avoid having it on street stalls or in remote country areas. Some minor stomach problems are possible when travelling in exotic countries thus it’s smart to bring a supply of your usual anti-diarrhea medicine.

The lowlands are tropical and the highlands more temperate.

Its weather is similar to Vietnam. November to March are the best times to visit, April-May extremely hot and humid and June to October generally wet.

As such please remember to drink plenty of water.