Cambodia – Travel Guide
Experience the magic of Cambodia, a country steeped in ancient wonders and a vibrant culture that will captivate your heart. Wander through the majestic temples of Angkor Wat, where the whispers of history echo through the centuries-old ruins, telling tales of the Khmer Empire’s splendor. Immerse yourself in the lively energy of cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, where the fusion of traditional charm and modern excitement creates a unique atmosphere that is both intoxicating and entrancing.
All about Cambodia
Cambodia FAQ
What is Cambodia known for?
Cambodia is a beautiful country filled with magnificent historical sites including the mighty Temple of Angkor Wat, the national symbol of the country. There are many other awe-inspiring sights to see including the Bayon Temple and the awe-inspiring Angkor Thom some of the most iconic in the country. The magic of Cambodia can be seen and found in the thrilling archeological sites, the lush jungles filled with flora and fauna, beautiful bustling beaches, charming cities, and friendly smiling locals. The country is simply fascinating and a rewarding place to visit with memorials and museums of the country’s treacherous past to the secluded beaches of Bamboo Island and Koh Rong. Kep is filled with luxurious boutique resorts, its Cambodia`s original resort town, and the perfect location to stay featuring fantastic seafood restaurants.
Travel along the mighty Mekong Discovery Trail where freshwater dolphins can be spotted and the Mekong islands can be accessed. Tonle Sap Lake is filled with unique floating villages, forests, and birdlife known as Cambodia`s Great Lake. There are many fun markets to visit including the iconic Psar Thmei a Russian market in Phnom Penh and Psar Chaa and Psar Leu Siem Reap a major shopping location. Nightlife is booming in Phnom Penh on the vibrant riverfront and Siem Reap boasts an abundance of bars in the Old Market area.
What are the best places to visit in Cambodia?
Siem Reap is an ancient city with the largest religious monument in the world, home to Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom along with hundreds of other ancient temples and ruins. The city is vibrant and full of culture, world class dining, energetic markets and floating fishing villages. Bar hop on the famous Pub Street, walk along the Siem Reap River and visit extraordinary museums. Phnom Penh is a stunning sparkling city, the capital of Cambodia known as `The Pearl of Asia` situated along the Siem Reap River. The city is brimming with magnificent palaces, pagodas, markets and museums and the popular Sisowath Quay riverfront promenade is the place to eat, drink and shop.Sihanoukville is a sunny seaside destination stretching along the southwest coast of Cambodia. The coastline is decorated by golden sandy beaches, glistening blue waters of the Gulf of Thailand`s and dotted with resorts, hotels and guesthouses. There are verdant national parks to explore brimming with flora and fauna and hidden ancient temples.
How many days should I spend in Cambodia?
We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in larger cities.
What is the best way to get around Cambodia?
By Boat:There are daily passenger ferries that ply the waters between La Ceiba and the Bay Island as well as Utila and Roatan. A regular ferry also runs between Trujillo and Guanaja. Visits to La Moskitia are required to be done by boat or waters taxi.
By Car: The main highways in Honduras are well paved and in fair condition as with most toll roads, but the town roads and country roads are in pretty bad shape and unsurfaced. It can be fun and safe to drive in the country, renting cars can be done at most major airports and in major cities with major international names like Avis, Hertz, and Budget.
By Bus: Traveling by bus in Honduras is an easy way to get around and also a cheap option for visitors. A bus from Tegucigalpa to San Pedro Sula costs around $6 and from San Pedro Sula to the Copan ruins around $5However, the yellow public buses are known as `colectivos` are known to be dangerous due to gangs, so stay away and stick to first class.
What is the currency of Cambodia?
The units of currency in Cambodia are the Riel (KHR) and US dollars are accepted. The US dollar is preferred at most places in the service industry such as hotels, shops, etc and places will set and show their prices in US dollars. The exchange rate is around KHR 4,000 to USD$1 and the Riel is a non-convertible currency so you can only exchange from Cambodian currency within Cambodia. Be sure to have Riel in hand as the small change will come in useful for small purchases along with transportation, street food, etc.
Most major credit cards are accepted at major hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops. ATMs can be found in the city and normally dispense in US dollars.
Do people speak English in Cambodia?
The official language spoken in Cambodia is Khmer, however, English is widely spoken by people working in the service and tourism industries. We recommend you get a good English-Cambodian guidebook and familiarize yourself with a few common phrases, such as hello, goodbye, please and thank you, excuse me and numbers 1-10.
Best time to visit Cambodia
Cambodia is a year-round destination with a tropical climate and one of the few Southeast Asian countries to feature a pretty consistent climate.
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The wet season in Cambodia runs from June to September, which can be a great time to visit the country. The humidity increases between May and October when the rainy season begins and the countryside is verdant green with full rivers flowing and a quieter time to see attractions. The great lake of Tonle Sap, which is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia comes to live at the end of summer with many water activities and attractions to enjoy. The dry season starts between November and April with very little rainfall and daily average temperatures around 68 degrees. This is a fantastic time to visit with clear blue skies that are perfect for a relaxing beach day or a day exploring the temples.
Cooler temperatures are from December to February with temperatures still reaching around 86°F, but dropping at night. The hotter season is March through May where temperatures can reach a high of 91°F with April being the hottest month with scorching temperatures around 104°F with high humidity.
Monsoon Season – September – October.
Monsoon Season – September – October. This time of year brings afternoon and evening downpours when flash floods commonly occur, the rain brings the lush countryside to life with blooming flowers and few tourists.
Tipping in Cambodia
The questions `when?` and `how much?` that surround tipping can leave some travelers confused, as the practice varies. This guide attempts to cover most situations that you, as a tourist, will encounter. Hopefully using these `tips` will provide a smooth experience when interacting with locals in restaurants, bars, hotels, tour operators, and taxis.
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Tipping in Cambodia
Currency: Can I pay in U.S. dollars, or should I use Riel?
The units of currency in Cambodia are the Riel (KHR) and US dollars are accepted and preferred at most places in the service industry such as hotels, shops, etc and places will set and show their prices in US dollars. The exchange rate is around KHR $4,000 to USD$1 and the riel is a non-convertible currency so you can only exchange from Cambodian currency within Cambodia. Be sure to have Riel in hand as small change will come in useful for small purchases along with transportation, street food, etc. Most major credit cards are accepted at major hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops. ATMs can be found in the city and normally dispense in US dollars.
Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars: When should I tip? How much is customary?
At Restaurants in Cambodia, there is not a standard amount to tip, a good guide would be to tip at least 10% of the total bill, leaving more is also appreciated but that is your choice based on the service received. If you are not satisfied with the service don`t feel obligated to leave anything at all.
Hotel Staff: Who should I tip?
At hotels in Cambodia a general rule is to tip the bellman US$1 – $2 per bag, they actually consider the dollar to be good luck. Generally, US$1 – $2 a day for housekeeping is sufficient.
Taxi Drivers: Should I tip?
Tipping a taxi driver in Cambodia is generally up to the passenger, the drivers do not expect to be tipped but due to low wages, they will greatly appreciate any amount you give them. Leaving a few US dollars on top of your fare or rounding up the fare is a good rule of thumb.
Tour Guides: Is a tip required?
A good guide to use for tipping tour guides in Cambodia would be to leave about 10% of your total fare and a few dollars for the driver. Normally around US$10 – $15 for a day tour and US$3 – $5 for the driver.
Tipping at spas in Cambodia is optional; leaving a tip for their service is much appreciated and will go a long way. Even leaving a few US dollars would be appreciated. Leaving 10 – 15% of your total bill is a good guide.
Final Thoughts
Remember that it is perfectly okay to abstain, especially if you are not happy with the service provided. This is also true for hotel staff, however, if you should encounter a problem with the service within the hotel, we highly recommend speaking with the manager. When paying for services in cash (which we generally recommend for services other than your hotel) remember to take your receipt. This is important for two reasons; If you leave a tip on a credit card, the person providing the service may not always get it, and if there is a discrepancy it is important to have your receipt to settle it with the manager of the establishment and to prove that you paid for the service.
When paying for services in cash (which we generally recommend for services other than your hotel) remember to take your receipt. This is important for two reasons; If you leave a tip on a credit card, the person providing the service may not always get it, and if there is a discrepancy it is important to have your receipt to settle it with the manager of the establishment and to prove that you paid for the service.
Top cities in Cambodia
What to expect while traveling
