General Information
General Information
The stunning temples of Angkor are the obvious draw for most visitors, but the county has else to offer.
As I am based in Siam Reap, I could provide you with all of the information you will need for your trip to Cambodia. I have therefore put together the following information, if however you needs more information, Do not hesitate to ask me when you are inquiring about my Angkor Tours.
The stunning temples of Angkor are the obvious draw for most visitors, but the county has else to offer.
As I am based in Siam Reap, I could provide you with all of the information you will need for your trip to Cambodia. I have therefore put together the following information, if however you needs more information, Do not hesitate to ask me when you are inquiring about my Angkor Tours.
About Cambodia Area:
- King: Norodom Sihamoni (2004)
- Prime Minister: Hun Sen (1998)
- Land area: 68,154 sq mi (176,519 sq km); total area: 69,900 sq mi (181,040 sq km)
- Population (2012 est.): 14,952,665 (growth rate: 1.69%); birth rate: 25.17/1000; infant mortality rate: 54.08/1000; life expectancy: 63.04; density per sq km: 80
- Capital and largest city (2009 est.): Phnom Penh, 1,519,000
- Monetary unit: Riel, But US dollars are widely accepted
- Language: Khmer But English widely spoken especially in Siem Reap
- Religion: Theravada Buddhism is practiced by 95 percent of the population, alongside some animism and ancestor worship; the Cham, for their part, are Muslim.
- Time Zone: GMT +7 hours and BST +6 hours
- Weights/Measures: Cambodia use the metric system
- Government: Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy, with an elected government comprising two house of parliament, the National Assembly and the Senate.
- Cambodia is about one and a half times the size of England, and has roughly the same area as Oklahoma. Around one twentieth of the country is covered by the waters of the Tonle lake. The country's highest point is Phnom Aural (1771m) in the Cardamom Mountain.
- Nine-tenths of population is Khmer, with the remainder comprising ethnic Chinese and Vietnamese (together around 6.5 percent), the Cham(2.5 percent) and the chunchiet (1 percent).
- Average annual income is just $310 per capita, putting Cambodia among the world's poorest countries; average life expectancy is only 57 years.
Money Matters:
We recommend that you bring US dollars to Cambodia, as Riel is only used for buying small items. There is approximately 4,000 Riel to 1 US dollar. You can use ATMs in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville to withdraw US dollars. The following cards are accepted at the ATMs; Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus and Plus. Major credit cards are accepted in the larger hotels and in restaurants. Traveler’scheques can be exchanged at banks, money exchangers and most of the bigger hotels at a charge of 2%. Cash advances are also available on Visa and Mastercards from most banks and money exchangers. Banks are open from 8:00am to 3:30pm Monday to Friday and some banks are also open on Saturday mornings. Money exchangers open early and close around 10:00pm. All major currencies are easily exchanged especially Thai Baht and the Euro. Western Union and Moneygram transfers are available in most major towns and cities. If you want to transfer money, then bank transfers are the cheapest way to do it.
Please be aware that there is a lot of counterfeit US dollars in Cambodia, so you should check your US dollars before you arrive and also when in Cambodia, even from banks. Also make sure that your US dollars are in good condition, because most places will not accept torn notes even if they are very small..
How to Get and Spend Money in Cambodia
We recommend that you bring US dollars to Cambodia, as Riel is only used for buying small items. There is approximately 4,000 Riel to 1 US dollar. You can use ATMs in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville to withdraw US dollars. The following cards are accepted at the ATMs; Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus and Plus. Major credit cards are accepted in the larger hotels and in restaurants. Traveler’scheques can be exchanged at banks, money exchangers and most of the bigger hotels at a charge of 2%. Cash advances are also available on Visa and Mastercards from most banks and money exchangers. Banks are open from 8:00am to 3:30pm Monday to Friday and some banks are also open on Saturday mornings. Money exchangers open early and close around 10:00pm. All major currencies are easily exchanged especially Thai Baht and the Euro. Western Union and Moneygram transfers are available in most major towns and cities. If you want to transfer money, then bank transfers are the cheapest way to do it.
Please be aware that there is a lot of counterfeit US dollars in Cambodia, so you should check your US dollars before you arrive and also when in Cambodia, even from banks. Also make sure that your US dollars are in good condition, because most places will not accept torn notes even if they are very small..
How to Get and Spend Money in Cambodia
Banks and ATMs: Banking hours are generally from 8am until 3pm Monday to Friday. ATMs now operate in Siem Reap,Phnom Penh and most other cities and give $US for a $2-4 fee per transaction. Most banks will exchange travellers cheques of most major currencies for withdrawal in US$. Generally commission is charged at 2% by the bank. Credit card cash withdrawals also incur a 2% charge.
Cambodia Visa requirements:
Do I need a Visa to travel to Cambodia ? Yes - A Cambodia tourist visa is required for travel to the country unless you are Filipino, Malaysian, Thai, Singaporean, Vietnamese, Laotian or Indonesian. Citizens of most countries can apply for a visa online or get one on arrival in Cambodia, however citizens of the following countries should arrange a visa before travel, from their nearest Cambodian Embassy: Afghanistan, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Nigeria. Please verify the actuality of this information using the e-Visa link. Onward travel Vietnam - You must arrange a visa before arrival. It is possible to arrange at the Phnom Penh embassy, although a fast turnaround cannot be guaranteed. Ask about our new Vietnam itineraries. Laos - visa on arrival is generally available. We can arrange touring and accommodation in Laos. Thailand - visa waiver or visa on arrival is available for many nationalities, but you must check details. Only 15 days is available at the Poipet-Aranyaprathet border crossing. Singapore - most nationalities do not need a visa for short stays. Myanmar (Burma) - visa on arrival is only available to air travelers arriving from Siem Reap. We can help you with Myanmar Travel arrangements. Travel Advice
DO carry plenty of US$1 notes: Most daily transactions are conducted in cash and you should carry plenty of US$1 bills with you. A surprising number of things cost US$1; 2 flutes for US$1, 10 bracelets for US$1, 10 post cards for US$1 etc. DO NOT carry more that US$10,000 into or out of the country. DO NOT change dollars into Riel, particularly at the borders - there is no point, and you may get a poor exchange rate. |
Credit card use in Cambodia Visa or Mastercard are accepted in many hotels and most souvenir shops but in only the largest restaurants. You should carry enough Cambodian money or US Dollars (in fairly small denominations) to cover your immediate costs. Note also that American Express is not as widely accepted. It is the custom to pass on Cambodian bank transaction fees to the customer on credit card transactions.
Cambodia’s Public Holidays in 2012:
Possible Suggestions:
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Note: If any holidays fall on Saturday or Sunday then the following day is Monday will be an official holiday.