Plan the perfect trip to Cambodia | Cambodia Holiday Guide

Asia is known for being one of the most mythical and beautiful continents in the world, as well as being an ancient civilization in history. However, today we are going to show you one of the jewels of the Asian continent, Cambodia! This country is famous for its beautiful landscapes, warm people and rich culture. Located in Southeast Asia, the Kingdom of Cambodia (as it is officially known) has more than 15.2 million inhabitants.

This country is an incredible place to enjoy a vacation to the beautiful crystal-clear beaches, adventure movie temples, and the peaceful nature that it has to offer. Keep reading and learn more about this incredible Asian country and all the things you can do there!

How to get there

What are the best airports in Cambodia? Let’s continue reading and find the best options available:

First, we have the Phnom Penh International Airport, which is located near the capital (Phnom Penh). It is the largest and busiest airport in the country and offers the most connections to international destinations. A few years ago, a project was approved to expand the airport and thus double the number of travelers that circulate through the airport in a year, as well as the commercial area. The journey to go to the city center will take you approximately 30 minutes.

The second option is the Siem Reap International Airport, located in Siem Reap. It is a good option to arrive in the country; it has restaurants, cafes, and ATMs that you can use if you need to get cash at the beginning of your trip. Finally, another important airport is the Sihanouk International Airport. You can arrive there from the major hubs of Southeast Asia.

Visa Information

Visitors from the vast majority of countries around the world need to acquire a visa before arriving in Cambodia. Only some countries located in South Asia (most of the islands) are exempt from presenting a visa if the stay is less than 30 days. However, all visitors need a valid passport for at least 6 months. For more information about the visa, visit a Cambodian consulate or embassy in your country.

Best time to visit the country

To know the best time to travel and get to know Cambodia, we must first understand what the climate is like in this country. Cambodia has two seasons, the rainy and the dry. The rains begin to fall progressively from May to September (approximately), which could stop you from visiting the beautiful beaches of the country.

Fortunately, the rains do not last more than a couple of hours a day, so it is also a good time to explore the cities without being affected by the sun and heat.

On the other hand, the peak season is the dry season. Between October and April, despite being dry, the weather is also cool, gradually becoming hot as April approaches, reaching temperatures of 33°C. This time is perfect to enjoy the beaches and visit the temples around the country.
Overall, the best time to visit the country is during the dry season.

Safety

Whenever we travel to a new destination, it is important to know in advance if there is any risk or if there is any information that we must take into account. In the case of Cambodia, it is generally a safe country, where you will not have major problems when traveling.

Some things to keep in mind while traveling are, always keep your belongings close to you, especially in crowded places such as buses and beaches, and avoid walking alone at night. One big problem in Cambodia is police corruption, so it is better to avoid driving, so we recommend you to use public transportation.

Budget

Do you have any idea about how much you will spend in Cambodia? Have you already thought about this? Do not worry; here we will help you to know the average prices of common items and more. For your trip to Cambodia, you could spend around KHR 143,673 ($35) per day. To stay in the country for a week you need KHR 1,005,712 ($248) and for two weeks KHR 2,011,423 ($497). These prices include standard accommodation, meals, tickets for transportation, and entertainment.

Let’s see the things that you can pay with KHR 143,673 ($35) per day:

• Hotel or Hostel: KHR 50,537 ($12)
• Food: KHR 48,214 ($12)
• Local transportation (taxis, buses, subway): KHR 21,467 ($5.30)
• Entertainment (shows, movie tickets): KHR 41,512 ($10)

Let’s break down some more specific food and drinks prices:

• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: KHR 2,000 ($0.49) – Rice filled rolls
• Mid-range restaurant: KHR 40,500 ($10) – Three-course meal
• Soft Drink: KHR 2,900 ($0.73) – 0.33-liter bottle
• Beer: KHR 3,400 ($0.85) – 0.5-liter draught

Currency

The official currency in Cambodia is the Cambodian Riel. One USD is equivalent to 4050 Cambodian Riels. Surprisingly, the situation in Cambodia is quite different from other countries. Despite having its official currency, the dollar is widely accepted and even preferred as a payment method. That means that if you can bring dollars to Cambodia, you will be just fine. However, be careful!

In the markets, the dollar is so valuable that they will not accept banknotes in bad condition (even if it is just a tear on one edge). Besides, it is good to exchange some dollars to have the cash to pay for public transport.

Finally, credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, and JCB are often accepted in hotels and restaurants, and if you are near the Thailand border, you can even pay with Thai baht.

Interesting facts about the culture

Cambodia is located in the southeast of the Asian continent. This country has a very interesting and at the same time heartbreaking history, which has been marked by the dictatorships that have passed through the country until it reached the constitutional monarchy of today. The official language is Khmer, and French and English are spoken in some parts of the country.

Cambodia is home to many temples, the most famous of all being Angkor Wat. The origin of this temple dates back to around the 6th century and is considered the largest and most surprising religious structure. This temple is represented in the Cambodian flag, being the only flag with the drawing of a building. Another interesting fact is that the national beer bears its name (Angkor).

If you travel there, you need to try some typical dishes such as Samlor korkor (soup with fish, curry, rice), Khmer noodles (a typical breakfast), and Amok (chicken, fish, or snails with rice).

When you travel to Cambodia, you will find very friendly locals who will be happy to show you their country, its curious food and the wonderful places it has.

What to do in Cambodia

The Kingdom of Cambodia is a great place to relax in nature, enjoy all the beautiful landscapes, rest, and refresh in the waters of its fantastic beaches with the breeze hitting your face. A place like no other, if you want something more adventurous you can visit the temples of the wild jungle. So, what are you waiting for? Come and enjoy all the wild fun things in the country!

The best nature sights

• Angkor Wat, in Siem Riep: A vast and iconic temple, which is surrounded by a wide moat and features ornate carvings.
• Bayon Temple, in Siem Riep: It is a cult complex; a temple famous for its 200 smiling faces carved into the stonewalls.
• Ta Prohm, in Siem Riep: Emblematic Buddhist temple of the 12th century surrounded by jungle from whose ruins trees stand out.
• Preah Monivong National Park, in Bokor: Vast national park on high ground, with jungles, views, and the ruins of a French settlement.
• Koh Rong: Beautiful and popular island with tourists, with white sand beaches, forest, and coral reefs.

One of the best ways to pass the time and to be able to enjoy life and travel is doing fun activities, even if they are extreme or quiet, you can go out to eat, see beautiful landscapes and many more things. Go have fun and do many activities in Cambodia!

The best activities

• Hike through the jungle: Cambodia has one of the longest rainforests in all of Southeast Asia, the Cardamom Mountains. This activity is for the adventurous traveler who wants to explore this rugged terrain.
• Sample street food: Cambodians are people who love to eat, and they like snacking throughout the day. That is an indication of the tremendous street foods of the country, selling a variety of local delicacies for visitors to sample.
• Drink beer with locals: In addition to food, Cambodians love beer, and something that you will see in many of the places in the country is the set of chairs and tables to meet and have fun listening to live music and of course, enjoying a good beer.
• Take a hot air balloon over famous Angkor: Enjoy one of the famous and popular temples from a wonderful perspective. Sit in a movie adventure and be amazed by the beautiful views of this fantastic adventure.

How to get around in Cambodia

Traveling within the country is an adventure. Although the highways are relatively recent, that still does not prevent traffic, so you must consider those in your itinerary. The most common and easiest way to move around cities is by tuk-tuks, which are motorized three-wheelers. To give you an idea of the big picture, there is almost the same number of tuk-tuks as there are people in Cambodia! Traveling by bus is also convenient, it is the cheapest way to get around, and they connect the main cities and towns.

How to stay connected in Cambodia

As we said before, Cambodia operates a little differently from what we know today, and when it comes to networks and how to be connected, it is no exception.

The local networks do not work completely correctly (dropped calls, endless bleeping). You could use data roaming, but like many other places, it is extremely expensive. However, do not worry!

There is a simple way to be connected in Cambodia and that is by ordering an international SIM card. We recommend you buy a card from SimOptions that offers five different packages to use in Cambodia.

FAQ’s SECTION

Should I rent a car?

It is a better idea to get around by tuk-tuks or bus.

Which airports can I fly to?

The main airports are the Phnom Penh International Airport, the Siem Reap International Airport, and the Sihanouk International Airport.

What are the most popular types of hotels?

The most popular accommodation types are hotels and B&Bs.

How much does a holiday cost?

You can spend around KHR 143,673 ($35), including standard accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment.

What are the best things to do?

If you are traveling to Cambodia, you have to visit the temples and try the street food.

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