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| Cool(Best): Nov-Feb 17-27C | Hot season: Mar-May 29-38C | ||
| Rainy: Jun-Oct 27-35C | Tourist Peak : Dec-Jan | ||
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The relative stability which Cambodia is now enjoying is having
a significant impact on the tourism industry. The Angkor temples
are unsurprisingly beginning to draw the considerable numbers
of tourists previously discouraged by the security situation.
Hotels, restaurants & travel companies are appearing at an
alarming rate in Siem Reap. With an apparently stable government
& the collapse of the Khmer Rouge due to large-scale defections,
the country is now safer than at perhaps any time in the past
30 years. Whereas before safety issues dictated that typically only Phnom Penh, Siem Reap & Sihanoukville were accessible, it is now possible to explore the country quite extensively & see other sides of Cambodia such as the hill tribes of Ratanakiri, primary forests in Mondulkiri & the deserted hill station at Bokor. |
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Visitors to Phnom Penh should be aware that armed theft of tourists can occur & is more likely late at night. These are infrequent, isolated incidents & shouldn`t necessarily deter you from sampling Phnom Penh's extensive nightlife. Simply take just as much money as you need with you. Resident Ex-pats advise carrying a token 10-20$ & to hide any other money / valuables. Once it gets late & quieter, always use motos to get around the city, preferably with a driver you know. You'll also feel more comfortable if you go out with a group of people from your guest-house. Cambodia has such an unstable recent history that no-one is
ever quite sure what's around the corner. It is advisable to
keep yourself well-informed about current affairs within the
country.There are some excellent cheap English & French publications
which allow you to do this: The other major information sources are from guest-houses
& people, both long-term resident ex-pats & travellers
themselves. In Phnom Penh, Capitol GH is a renowned place for
info, but now any friendly guest-house area is good for finding
out what you need to know. Emmergency numbers: |
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| Outbreaks of both malaria & dengue fever do occur in Cambodia, particularly in more rural areas of the country such as Ratanakiri province. Phnom Penh is supposed to be clear as most major cities are, but travellers have reportedly contracted malaria from the Boeng Kak lakeside area. Whether you take tablets or not, bring a mosquito net, although most guest-houses provide one & take the usual precautions, particularly at dawn/evening. |
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National: Khmer: Not an easy
language to pick up but the numbers & basic greetings get
you a long way for little effort. Foreign: English & French: In general, the older generation are more likely to speak French, the younger prefer to learn English. Cambodians like to practice, it is very easy to make friends here. |
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Information offices: None. There is one in PP but they do not have any
info or staff to deal with foreign travelers. WEB: Cambodia homepage www.cambodia-web.net Free publications: Many free publications are available at major hotels, restaurants, etc. Most of them includes many travel info, practical info, maps. It is very good idea to pickup one. "Bayon Pearnik" and more. |
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| local currency : | Riel (R) |
| NOTES : | 50, 100, 200,500,1,000,2,000,5,000, 10,000 |
| US$/Riel Rate : | $1=3910riel, April, 2001 |
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| Most tourist places accept riel & US$. Change given in riel and US$. | |
| Basic min. price (R=Riel) | |
| Room s$3 d$5 | (restaurant) local 4000+ |
| (local stall) 2-4,000 | (restaurant) int'l $3+ |
| coffee 1500R | coffee(milk) 1,500-2000 |
| Drinking Water(1-L) 500+ | Coke(bottle) 1,000 |
| Beer 3,000-4,000 | |
| breakfast(Ame) 3,-4000 | breakfast(local) 2-3,000 |
| Toilet Paper 1,000 | |
| T-shirt $1-3 | post card 500-2000 |
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Cash: US$
are accepted everywhere. Change
will be given in both $ and Riel. Most foreign currencies can
be changed at banks & money changers. Embassies in Phnom
Penh will only accept US$ for visa payment. It is strongly recommended you bring US$ cash/TC as exchange rates for other currencies are very low. Best to obtain US$ cash from the bank & change to riel from local money changers for the best rate. Many guest-houses, restaurants & bars throughout Cambodia charge in dollars so the best policy is to carry a mixture of dollars & riel. Thai baht is an acceptable alternative in Ko Kong, Battambang, Sisophon, Poipet). Banks operate nationwide policy in terms of commission rates, exchange rates etc & all but the most isolated provincial towns will have one or more banks offering travellers cheque exchange. Phnom Penh offers slightly higher dollar/riel exchange rates than in the provinces. Money changers: Many around markets. They post the rate for both direction with US$. For other currencies, ask them. The rates vary so shop around to get the best rate. |
| T/C: Encashment only at banks and major hotels. Best rate for US dollars. T/C commission: 1-2% Encash at Banks for US$ then change to riel at private money changers. |
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Credit Card: Only at expensive
hotels & restaurants. Travel agents may require a surcharge.
Cash advance possible at some banks. Fee charged up to 4%, usually with a minimum charge of $10. |
| ATM'S: None |
| Bank: General Opening hours M-F 7:30-11:30 14:00-17:00 a few banks open on Saturday mornings. |
| Rate at Airport: $1/check $1 = 3850R |
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Airport Bank: Pochentong Airport, Phnom Penh Foreign Trade Bank Of Cambodia: Daily 8-30am - 6-00 pm Good exchange rate of $1=3,900riel, B=87r Credit card cash advance This service will be available for Visa card only by summer (July /Aug). Charge will be 4%, min amount issued 200US$ |
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Black/Alternative Market: Many private moneychangers in main towns, usually
in market areas.$1=4,100riel You should better to exchange $TC to $ cash in a bank, then change to riel in black market. |
| Changing back to UD dollars from riel: Very easy and to do it. Change at private money changers. The commission is very low. |
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Visa: 30 days, can
be obtained at airports. US$20
Cambodian visas are issued for international flights on arrival at Pochentong Airport, Phnom Penh & Siem Reap airport. The cost for a 1 month visa is 20$. Bring 1 photos, join the queue & fill in lots of forms!! Visa issued at land border crossings: Possible to get visa on all border. officially all $20, but you will be asked a bit more. From Thailand, Poipet, Koh Kong 1000B. It must be $20 but they will not accept US$. Only Baht 1000B. From Vietnam: Moc Bai and on Mekong River near Chaudoc $23 Visa Fee: Bangkok need 1 day-$20/1000B same day 1100B, Saigon need 1 day -$21 Vientiane $20 (Takes one day). Khaosan Rd travel agents 1-2 day -950B, sane day -1150B Visa Extension: at Immigration office in Phnom Penh: Express service $45 for 1 month extension, requires 1 working day Regular service costs $31 but takes between 25-30 days!! Overstay charge is $5/day |
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| Vietnam: | Moc Bai, Chau Doc(on Mekong River) |
| Thailand: |
1) Aranyaprathet(th) - Poipet(cam), 2) Hat Lek(Th)-Koh Kong(Ca) then Sihanoukeville |
| Laos: | Veunkham(Laos) - ? near Stung Treng(Cam) |
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From VIETNAM via Moc Bai Ho Chi Minh/Saigon (Vietnam) to P.Penh by Toursit Bus (245 km) $6. 4-5hours. Ask at travel agents such as Sinh Cafe. There are still taxis or buses to the border and then there are another transport after crossing the border but it costs more than those direct tourist buses. No reason NOT to take this tourist bus. Mekong River Caudoc to Phnom Penh by boat on Mekong.: $9 Boat from Caudoc and change a boat at the border, then take a bus at a port near PP. ( From Cambodia to Vietnam: Phnom Penh(Cam) to Saigon/Ho Chi Minh(V) by Toursit Bus (245 km) $5-6. 4-5hours. Ask at travel agents such as Capital GH/Narai GH. There are still taxi or buses to the border and take another transport after crossing the border but it costs more. No reason to NOT to take this tourist bus. PP(Cam) to Chaudoc(V) by boat: Can be booked at travel agents, such as Narin$9 or Capital GH $8) VISA Visa to Cambodia in Saigon: Cambodian embassy in Saigon. 1mth Visa $21, 3 photos, issued same day. Visa on border: $23 for both points. Visa to Vietnam Vietnam Embassy in Phnom Penh: Monivong Blvd / junction St 436,Mon - Fri 8-11:00, 14-16:00, T425481 Visa from the embassy costs US$30. You can ask at travel agent to arrange but the costs are very similar.Capital GH $35 |
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from Thailand: Poipet & Koh Kong To ENTER to
Cambodia To LEAVE from
Cambodia |
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from Laos : Veunkham(Laos) - ? near
Stung Treng is now officially opened. i) Express boat from Phnom Penh to Stung
Treng every 5 days (check
as maybe seasonal). Cost 60,000 riel. Stung Treng to border a boat travels up the Mekong, $5/p. Alternatively it is possible to charter a boat to the Laos border. Strongly recommend you ask at Amatak GH in Stung Treng for latest information. |
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AIR: International Pochentong Airport 8 km west from city. shuttle bus US$2/p taxi (Official) US$7 or from outside: US$3-5/car. Airport Tax International: US$20(Siem Reap Airport $25), Domestic: S$5. International Destinations: (Single & Return ticket price, US$): Bangkok OW$125,RT $215, Singapore $230/$360, Ho Chi Minh OW$65/RT$120, Vientiane OW$130, RT $250, Guangzhou $230/$390, Kuala Lumpur $190/$300, Hong Kong $230/$420, Several flights daily to/from Bangkok. Approx 2 flights daily from Ho Chi Minh. Approx 1 flight daily to/from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur. 2 flights/week to/from Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Vientiane. Domestic Destinations : Siem Reap $55/$105 - several flights daily Battambang $45/$85 - 1 flight / day Stung Treng $45/$85 - 5 flights/ week Ratanakiri $55/$100 - 5 flights /week Mondulkiri $50/$100 - 2 flights/week Koh Kong $50/$100 - 2 flights/week Prices vary between carriers & flight schedules alter frequently, please use above info as a general guide only. |
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TRAIN: Until recently Train travel in Cambodia had a reputation for being very dangerous. Now it's considered "safe". There are two lines, Phnom Penh &Battambang/Sisophon line & PP and Sihanoukville line via Kampot(suspended). Reportedly, the trains are very slow & get extremely over-crowded. Arrive early to fight for a seat.Foreigners have to pay 3 time more than locals. The trains runs every other day and depart from Phnom Penh at 6:00. The trains are really packed. |
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ROAD: The road condition is bad except Phnom Penh -Sihanoukville and Sihanoukville-Koh Kong. During the rain season, it will take more time to travel. Currently many roads are under repaired. The most common transport is pickup trucks and communal taxis. They leave when they get full. Bargains are common for foreigners for pickups and taxis. For some routes, buses and minibuses are running. Bus: Many bus companies operate major routes, such as PP-Sihanoukville and PP-Siem Reap with comfortable A/C buses. They are expanding operations to further destinations (Kompong Chnang, Udong) and this will continue as road improvement projects are undertaken. Many tourist minibuses are operating PP - Koh Kong, Sihanoukville - Koh Kong, Siem Reap - Poipet. guest houses/travel agents can book for you. Pickup: From Phnom Penh's Central Market, minibuses & trucks offer cheap transport all over Cambodia. The trucks will leave only when packed & the roads are often in terrible condition. What with the burning sun , dust-strewn air & crazed driver's, it's easy to imagine you are disputing the lead in the Paris-Dakar rally ..and that's just the dry season!!! Guest-houses can arrange trucks to Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Thai border, commission charged. Back of trucks are cheapest but you have to sit on a load under under the sun. Inside of trucks cost double. It is a/c but shared by at least 6 people incl the driver. Shared taxi : A good option if there's a few of you. Check around Central Market in Phnom Penh and bargain hard. At least 7 people occupied a car incl. the driver. Tourist buses: Running on major tourist routes, such as Bangkok - Siem Reap, Thai border(Poipet) - Siem Reap, Thai border(Koh Kong) - Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh - Shihanoukville, Sihanoukville - Thai border(Koh Kong) and Phnum Penh - Batttambang |
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BOAT: Express Boat: From Phnom Penh, express boats operate up the Tonle Sap to Siem Reap For the best deal bargain with the operators themselves. Agents & guest-houses will offer limited discount, guest-houses offer free transport to & from the boats at each end. Express boats also travel up the Mekong to Kompong Cham, Kratie & Stung Treng and Koh Kong - Sihanoukville. Slow boat: (May/June- Feb/Mar). For the more adventurous & well-prepared with plenty of time. Large cargo boats ply the Tonle Sap (Siem Reap) & Mekong (Kratie/Stung Treng) from Phnom Penh during the rainy season until the waters are too low. Take a hammock & food/drink. Crew may supply basic fish / meat & rice. To arrange, it's best to visit the docks 1 or 2 days before you wish to depart & ask around. Useful if your moto driver can act as interpreter. You will need to bargain hard. Trip to Siem Reap: (May/June - Jan/Feb)Cost is approx. $6-8. The journey takes about 2 days depending on water level.. See real life on the Tonle Sap as you drift by. Mekong: (May/June - Feb/Mar), From Phnom Penh to Kratie,$5 to Stung Treng $15 . The best stretch of the Mekong is north of Kratie. Watch out for Irrawaddy river dolphins. |
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| In Phnom Penh & Siem Reap, moto taxis are the main option. |
| Bus: Newly erected bus shelters have been spotted in Phnom Penh!! As yet no information on services. |
| Taxi: Phnom Penh Un-metered easily found around Central Market. One company ( Vantha Travel) does operate a couple of metered taxis. 24 hour service. Within a city, it costs day time $2-4, night $3-5. $20/day |
| Cyclo: Cycle rickshaw. Phnom Penh. The most stylish way to see Phnom Penh. Single journey 1500 riel, must bargain !! usually $1/hour |
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Moto-Motorbike
Taxi: Motos are everywhere.
Typically 1000-2000
riel eaqch journey, at night add 500-1000r. Bargain. One word of caution about
moto drivers. The moto drivers at the GH's have good English.
95% of moto drivers in Phnom Penh have no English beyond .."you
need moto?". It helps to know your way back from town to
your GH or navigate by landmarks obvious to locals (Psah Central,
Wat Phnom). On the upside, these guys are usually cheaper!!! In Siem Reap $5-6/day |
| Rental motor bike: $3-4/day, Dirt bike US$6/day ask at hotels, guest houses and agents. May need to show your passport. Rental bike in Siem Reap was no longer available. |
| Bicycle: Available in Phnom Penh & Siem Reap $1+/day in very bad condition. The roads are also poor and the traffic is horrendous except on Sundays. |
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POST OFFICE Post Office GPO: on Preah Ang Eng No13
(between Wat Phnom & river) Hours: Daily 7.00 - 11.00, 14.00 - 17.30 Poste Restante service, charge 500 riel per letter. Address: c/o Poste Restante, GPO Phnom Penh, Cambodia Telephone cards can be bought here & at many shops. Denominations are 3$, 10$, 20$,50$, 100$. Asia*: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam |
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| Japan | Europe/AU/NZ | USA | Asia* | |
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Post Card * |
1,800 | 1,900 | 2,200 | 1,600 |
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Letter(10g) |
2,300 | 2,400 | 2,600 | 2,100 |
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Small Parcel 1kg |
49,100 | 60,900 | 84,500 | 29,500 |
| TELEPHONE General opening hours: M-F 6:30-21:00 | ||||
| rates | SEA | Europe | USA | Asia* |
| 1min | $1.6 | $1.8 | $1.8 | $1.5 |
| Fax 1min | $6 | $5 | $5 | $4 |
| After 1 minute charged per 15 seconds. 20% discount on these prices at weekends. | ||||
| From Siem Reap card phones: all international calls cost $5/min. | ||||
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Local Call 10cents/min Card
Phone $2, $5, $10, $20 Usually it is half of the offical costs
for international calls. Internet phone: Now you can use it in PP, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. It is the cheapest.300-1000R/min. USA is the cheapest |
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| These customs are common throughout South East Asia. |
| Toilet: Squat toilets are usual. Toilet paper is rare - cleaning by left hand is the custom. Flush with hand bucket. Most guest houses have western style toilets, some even have toilet paper. |
| Bathing: take water from a water pool with a bucket and pour over your head. Most guest houses have showers. |
| Left hand: Do not touch others with your left hand as it is considered dirty - see above for explanation. |
| Touching the head of others: It is quite insulting to Cambodians. Never ever touch with your left hand. |
| Tipping: Not customary. |
| Clothing: Casual dress is generally acceptable . However religious sites require that arms and legs be covered. |
| Footware (indoor): Locals don't wear shoes inside houses or temples. Remove your shoes before entry. |
| Bargaining: Common practice in markets, street stalls, taxis, cyclos. |
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| Souvenirs: | Gems, silver. !Warning Gems are often fake. |
| Voltage: | 220 volts, 60 cycles in Phnom Penh. 100volts, 50 cycles other areas. Most types of plugs can be used, except British. |
| Photography | There are some photo shops in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. OK quality. |
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Cambodia Daily: 1200R,
Some editions have a section in Japanese. Cambodge Soir: 1500 R, daily, are English/French newspapers which cover important events in Cambodia & internationally.e English Language Newspapers are essential to keep up with the political and safety situation in Cambodia: Phnom Penh Post: 3500R, every 2 weeks) Bayon Pearnik: monthly (free), some visitor info (Sometimes lists events or gives tourist info and excellent free city map mainly intended for the Ex-Pat community, contains amusing articles. Available from Guest Houses and some bars, restaurants, free. Many of the articles are satirical, so take everything you read with a generous pinch of salt. can read on the internet: www.bayon-pearnik.com |
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| *: Many festivals & holidays are based around the lunar calender | ||
| Jan 1 | PH | International New Year's day: |
| Jan 7 | PH | Victory Day: (Celebration of the defeat of the Genocidal Regime- the Khmer Rouge in 1979) |
| Feb 23* | PH | Meak Bochea: Cambodian Buddha's Day |
| Mar 8 | PH | Women's Day: |
| April 14-16* | PH | Cambodian New Year. Chaul Chham. 3 days festival for welcoming the new year. !Warning Lots & lots of water throwing. |
| May 1 | PH | Labor day: |
| May 22* | PH | Visaka Bochea Day: The birthday of the Buddha |
| May 26* | PH | Bonn Chroat Preah Nongkoal: (the Royal Ploughing Ceremony) Many activities during the 2 months. |
| Jun 1 | PH | International Childrens Day |
| Jun 18 | PH | The Queen's Birthday. |
| Jul-Sep | Buddhist 'Lent'(time of meditation) for 2 months. Ceremonies are held at the beginning & the end of lent. | |
| Sep 24 | PH | Constitution Day: |
| Oct 2-4* | Bon Dak Ben & Pchoum Ben: commemoration festival held for the spirits of the dead. Food offerings are made to monks for 15 days. | |
| Oct | Bonn Kathen:: Cambodian religious festival lasts for 1 month. | |
| Oct 23 | PH | Paris Peace Treaty: |
| Oct30-Nov1 | PH | King Norodom Sihanouk's Birthday: |
| Nov 15-17* | Bonn Om Tuk: Water festival, lasts for 3 days. Boat races held in Phnom Penh. | |
| Nov 9 | PH | Independence Day From France in 1953. Parades are held in Phnom Penh. |
| Dec 10 | PH | Human rights day |
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| Internet is available in major tourist destinations. such as Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville. The cost is very cheap. |
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Info notes: in Capital GH in PP & No258 GH in Siem Reap
are very famous. Japanese papers: The Japanese embassy has newspapers up to 5 days old. Some Japanese restaurants have Japanese news papers and magazines. Cambodia Daily Newspaper has a Japanese supplement. Japanese yen: Not recommended. Limited number of banks change yen T/C, com2%. Cash can be changed, but the rate is low. |
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| English Top | Travel Info | BBS| New BBS | Hot Info | Memories | Photos | Super Index | Mail |
| Research Period Data : Dec 96, Mar 98, Mar 99, April, 2001, Feb 2003 |
