Visitor Information

Visitor information

Travel documents

To enter Cambodia, you are required to have a valid passport with at least six months validity from the time of entry. It is always good to have your passport size photos together with you while you are travelling overseas.

Clothes

Cambodia is hot all year round, so it is unnecessary to bring a lot of heavy clothes. During the monsoon season things get pretty wet, so do remember to bring along some lightweight protection against the rain. A strong pair of shoes is essential if you are visiting the temples at Angkor.You will find yourself doing a lot of clambering about. A hat is also recommended when visiting Angkor: much of the site is exposed, and it is amazing how quickly you can feel debilitated without something covering your head.

When visiting temples and mosques men and women should dress appropriately: no skimpy clothing. Knee-length shorts are acceptable, but running shorts are not. To visit one of Phnom Penh or Siem Reap's more exclusive restaurants you will require reasonably smart clothes. If you do forget anything you believe is essential you will almost certainly be able to pick it up in Phnom Penh at one of the many very good markets.

Tipping

Tipping is not expected in Cambodia, but salaries are very low and any gratuities for good service will be gratefully accepted. Bargaining is the rule in markets, when hiring vehicles and sometimes even when taking a room, but you won't need to be as forceful as you would in Thailand or Vietnam.

Electricity

Electricity in Cambodia is 230 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. If you travel to Cambodia with a device that does not accept 230 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter.

Customs Procedures.

As a basic rule-of-thumb, all valuable items brought into the country such as jewelry, cameras, electrical equipment, etc. must be declared upon arrival and subsequently brought out of the country upon departure. All foreign currency in excess of $2,000 must also be declared. Export of handicrafts considered to be antique, or of artwork thought to have archaeological significance is prohibited. Export of any allowed items must be accompanied by an official dealer's receipt. Our NXNE Ground Staff will be at Airport to assist your arrival.

Toilet

Squat toilets are usual. Toilet paper is rare. 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. Touching the head of others: It is quite insulting to Cambodians. Never ever touch with your left hand.

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.

Religion

95% Buddhist (Theravada), the remainder Muslim and Christian. Buddhism was reinstated as the national religion in 1989 after a ban on religious activity in 1975.

Border crossings

To LEAVE from Cambodia Sihanoukville to Trat/Bangkok Sihanoukville to the border near Koh Kong: Phnom Penh to the border near Koh Kong

Duty Free Allowance

Two bottles of liquor, two cartons of cigarettes or 100 cigars and half litre of perfume are allowed per person.

Passport & visa

Passport valid for six months on date of application required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

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. Visa issued at land border

crossings: Possible to get visa on all border. officially all $20, but you will be asked a bit more.

Etiquette & behavior 

Cambodia is the predominantly Buddhist country, and it is always important to have respect for the country religion. As in India, the head is thought to be “seat of the soul". Avoid touching anyone's head, even those of small children. While the head is “the seat of the soul" , the feet are the least sacred part of the body and it is considered offensive to point with the feet or even show the sole of the shoe or foot to another person. Make sure to take of shoes and socks before entering the grounds of any Theravada Buddhist shrine, zedi, temple, phaya, or monastery. Even at the most dilapidated building, visitors must go barefoot in every part of a Buddhist compound, not just in the shrine buildings as in other Buddhist countries. Shoes, not necessarily socks, should be taken off before entering private homes as well

Communications

International Telephone calls, Internet access, Fax and postal services are available at major hotels.

Internet is available in major tourist destinations. such as Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville. The cost is very cheap.

Local time

GMT + 7:00 hrs hours or +13:00 hours for EST (subtract 1 hour for daylight savings).

International telephone code

++855

Drinking Water

Only drink purified bottle water. Bottled water is readily available and some hotels provide complimentary. NXNE will provide you withdrinking water bottle throughout the day.

Mobile phones

Hand Phones or Mobile Telephones from other countries currently do not operate in Cambodia. NXNE can provide a cell phone rental service while you are in Cambodia, if you desired. However it is required a prior notice 7 days before your arrival.

Language:

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. Pre-departure Planning Items to bring should include:

• Hat, sun glasses and any other sun protection for your face and body
• Prescription medicines
• Insect repellent
• Umbrella April to October
• Antibiotic cream for minor cuts and scratches
• Extra pair of prescription glasses
• Small flashlight
• Extra passport photos

Insurance

We recommend all NXNE clients to obtain the necessary personal baggage, medical and accident insurance before arrival. SOS Worldwide has a local representative office in Yangon with a 24 hour on call service for emergency evacuation and medical assistance.

Medical & health considerations

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.

Unfortunately Cambodia's health infrastructure is still rather rudimentary, so it is advisable to take all the necessary precautions for a safe trip before you arrive. Immunisation is recommended for cholera, typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and B, polio and tuberculosis.

Malarial mosquitoes are widespread in the countryside, but as long as you are staying close to the tourist areas there should be no real problems. Nevertheless it is advisable to bring along some good mosquito repellent for use on exposed skin at night. After dark it is advisable to wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers.

Always try to avoid drinking water offered to you that has not come directly from a bottle. Bottled water is widely available. Ice should also be avoided. When travelling around the country, and especially walking, carry your own water bottle. Apart from being guaranteed clean, it will also help prevent dehydration. Heat exhaustion, salt deficiency and dehydration cause more problems than anything else, so don't forget sun block and keep drinking liquids.

Good hospitals in Cambodia are few and far between, and only a limited range of medicines is available. Minor ailments can be treated, but for anything major it would be best to go to Bangkok.

The best pharmacy in Phnom Penh is the Pharmacie de la Gare, near the railway station, recommended for all medicines.

Legal matters

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.

With regard landmines - There are still many thousands of land-mines & unexploded ordnance in more remote areas of Cambodia. The chances of approaching these areas unknown to you is very small. In rural areas, always seek local advice & don't stray from that path!!

Emergency numbers:

Police: T117, Fire: T118, Ambulance: 119

Women are unlikely to experience any unwelcome advances from Khmer men, but the usual common sense caveats regarding conservative dress apply.

Cambodian men are polite and respectful by nature, but excessive consumption of alcohol can obscure this, so pay attention in discos and the like.

More serious is the danger of late night muggings; women travelling alone are likely to be seen as an easy target. Only the foolhardy would resist an armed demand for money of this nature.