Here are some practical and useful travel information and tips to help make your trip to Cambodia a memorable one.
TIME ZONE
GMT+7
POWER PLUG
• Voltage: 230 volts
• Frequency: 50 hertz
• Power socket: Plug types A, C, G
CURRENCY
Cambodian riel (KHR)
Denominations
• Notes: 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000, 10,000, 50,000 and 100,000 riel
• There are no coins
While riel is the local currency and used for small transactions, US dollars and Thai baht are also accepted in many places. When accepting US dollars in change, inspect the bills carefully. Marred riel is acceptable tender, but US dollars that have even tiniest tear will not be accepted in Cambodia.
VISA
Visa Exemption
All citizens of countries in Southeast Asia, Bulgaria, China, Cuba, Hungary, India, Iran, Peru, Russia, Slovakia, South Korea can enter Cambodia without a visa.
e-Visa
Click here for details on e-Visa.
BUYING A READY-TO-USE SIM CARD
You can purchase a SIM card with an assigned phone number just outside the Phnom Penh Airport arrival terminal or from any of the many phone shops scattered across the major cities.
CULTURAL DO’S & DON’TS
Do’s
• The traditional local greeting, known as som pas, involves putting your hands together in a prayer-like manner in front of your chest with fingertips pointing up and giving a slight bow with your head. The hands are held higher, with your fingertips touching your chin or nose, to show more respect to elders or officials. When greeting monks, your fingertips should touch your forehead. You can also give a higher som pas to show extreme gratitude or a sincere apology.
• Address locals with the honorific title “lok” for men and “lok srey” for women, followed by their first name, or both first and last name.
• Remove your shoes before entering a temple or a private home.
Don’ts
• As the head is considered the most sacred part of the body and the soles of feet the least, do not touch a person’s (even a child’s) head or use your foot to point at a person or any object.
• Women should not touch or hand anything directly to a Buddhist monk.
• Avoid wearing sleeveless shirts, short skirts or shorts when visiting temples.
• Do not touch a Buddha statue and always ask permission before taking photos in temples. If you do take photos, drop a small donation in the box.
• Be mindful of Cambodia’s war-torn history by not bringing up sensitive subjects such as war, politics, violence or the Khmer Rouge. Also avoid wearing T-shirts and clothing that depict war or violence.
• Avoid criticising or cracking jokes about Cambodia’s slow culture or infrastructure.
• It is illegal to take antiques or Buddhist relics out of the county, although souvenir purchases of Buddhist statues and trinkets may be taken out of the country.
