Angkor Wat & Cambodia Tour Specialists
E-mail:angkortrail@gmail.com
WhatsApp/Phone:+85512 998 498
  • Cambodia Guide
  • My Services
    • Private Tour Guide
  • When To Travel
  • Ask for Quote
  • How To Book Tour
  • Cambodia Popular Tours
    • Angkor Wat 1day Tours
    • Angkor Wat 2day Tour
    • Angkor Wat 3day Tour
    • Angkor Wat 4day Tour
    • Angkor Wat 5day Tour
  • Outlying Adventure
  • Angkor Remote Tours
  • Siem Reap Activities Tours
  • Private Family Tour
  • Popular Amenties
    • Siem Reap Street Foods
    • Cooking Class
  • Temples Essential
  • Cambodia Attractions
  • Temples of Angkor
  • Cambodia History
  • Cambodia Culture
  • General Information
  • Travel Information
  • Weather & Climate
  • Cambodia Geography
  • Useful Links
  • Cambodia Photo Gallery
  • Reviews & Testimonials
  • Angkor Without Crowds
  • Cambodia Vacations
  • Cambodia Travel Costs
  • Cambodia Accommdations

General Information

Picture
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.
Picture
About Cambodia Area:
  • King: Norodom Sihamoni (2oo4)
  • Prime Minister: Hun Sen (1998)
  • Land area: 68,154 sq mi (176,519 sq km); total area: 69,9oo sq mi (181,o4o sq km)
  • Population (2o12 est.): 14,952,665 (growth rate: 1.69%); birth rate: 25.17/1ooo; infant mortality rate: 54.o8/1ooo; life expectancy: 63.o4; density per sq km: 8o
  • Capital and largest city (2oo9 est.): Phnom Penh, 1,519,ooo
  • 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 $31o per capita, putting Cambodia among the world's poorest countries; average life expectancy is only 57 years.

Picture
Money Matters:
We recommend that you bring US dollars to Cambodia, as Riel is only used for buying small items. There is approximately 4,ooo 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 3:3opm 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


Picture
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.

Picture
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, 1o bracelets for US$1, 10 post cards for US$1 etc.
DO NOT carry more that US$1o,ooo 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.

Picture
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 2o12:
  
  • 1st January is International New Year Day
  • 7th January is Victory Day Over Genocide
  • 19th January is MeakBochea Day – Buddhism Ceremony
  • 3rd February is Chinese New Year (although not an official holiday)
  • 8th March is International Women’s Day
  • 13th - 15th April is Khmer New Year celebration
  • 5th May Visak Bocher Day
  • 9th May is Royal Plowing  Day
  • 13th - 15th May is The King’s Birthday Celebrations
  • 1st June is International and National Children Day
  • 18th June is the Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk's Birthday
  • 24th September is Constitutional Day
  • 14th - 16th  October  is Bonn Pchum Ben Day – This is a big holiday to Cambodians which is the festival of    the dead where respects, prayers and offerings are giving to the spirits at the pagoda.
  • 29th October is the Coronation Day of King Norodom Sihamoni
  • 31st October is the King Norodom Sihanouk's Birthday
  • 9th November is Cambodia Independence Day from the French
  • 10th December is International Human Right's day
Possible Suggestions:
  • Include a traditional APSARA dance show and dinner for your evening's entertainment
  • Take a helicopter tour for an aerial perspective of the awe-inspiring Angkor Archaeological park
  • Indulge with a relaxing spa massage at one of Siem Reap's top spas
  • Include a Phare The Cambodia Circus for your evening's entertainment
Note: If any holidays fall on Saturday or Sunday then the following day is Monday will be an official holiday.
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.