 
General Tips for travel in Cambodia
Currency
The currency of Cambodia is the Riel. However, for tourists, the
real currency of Cambodia is the US dollar. Riel is
useful mainly for tipping and small purchases.
It is also advisable to
carry only US dollars, as visitors are not supposed to
take Riel into or out of country. All foreign currency
should be declared on arrival. Keep all exchange
slips in case you need to submit these on departure.
ATMs are ubiquitous throughout urban Cambodia and in
provincial capitals, and the use of credit cards, though
not widespread as other countries in the region,
is gaining in popularity and acceptance. Traveller’s
cheques are difficult to exchange outside Phnom Penh,
Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Battambang and Kampong
Cham. Although cash advances on credit cards are
available in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville
and Battambang, associated fees are relatively high.
Eating and Drinking
Khmer food is usually spicy and has a high proportion
of fish. Fish combined with rice forms the basis of the
Cambodian diet. Local specialties include curries,
soups, and many varieties of dishes prepared with
beef, pork, poultry, and seafood, which is abundant in
the rivers and the Gulf of Thailand. Chinese, Thai, and
Indian dishes are also common in Cambodia as well
as a variety of Western cuisines, which can be found
in the capital and areas frequented by tourists.
Health
We strongly recommend having a good health insurance
and carrying a good first aid kit. There is a chronic shortage
of trained medical help and hospitals.
No
vaccination is officially required by the authorities,
but immunization against cholera, hepatitis, typhoid,
tetanus, polio, and Japanese encephalitis is advised.
Rabies is present, so you are advised to avoid dogs
and other animals that may bite as a precaution.
Vaccinations
The Royal Government of Cambodia
does not require you to have any vaccinations except
for cholera. We recommend the usual precautions
and immunizations as recommended by your personal
physician.
Malaria
Although the main tourist areas of Siem Reap
and Phnom Penh are not malarial, malarial drugs are
essential for tourists traveling deeper into provincial
Cambodia. The best protection against malaria is to
avoid being bitten in the first place; make sure to bring
mosquito repellent. Check with your physician about
taking a course of anti-malarial. If it is considered
necessary given your itinerary, you might need to
begin before your trip and continue for a time after
you return.
Dengue fever
It’s also transmitted by mosquitoes
and is often mistaken for malaria. Its symptoms are
severe pain in the joints, high fever, and extreme
headache. Aside from avoiding being bitten altogether
(this mosquito is active in daytime and is often
a striped variety), there is no prevention available.
Food and water
Avoid all water that has not been
thoroughly boiled or sterilized. Drink only bottled water. The water in Phnom Penh is treated but to play it
safe we recommend bottled water which is widely
available throughout the Kingdom. You should not eat
any uncooked vegetables and do not eat any fruit that
you have not peeled yourself.
Transportation
Numerous
airlines have added services to Cambodia, with direct
international flights to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. It
is also possible to fly between the major cities within
Cambodia. Over the years numerous airlines added their
services to the flight network. National and International
carriers as well as Helicopter services are available.
Train
Cambodia has two rail lines, but much of
the rail network was destroyed during the civil war
and at present service is irregular. The trains are
extremely slow and in questionable condition, so
travelers are not currently advised to use them. The
north-west line goes as far as Battambang, while the
south-west line links Phnom Penh with Sihanoukville.
Boat
The most popular route is between Siem
Reap and Phnom Penh. On an express boat this takes
four hours.
Additionally, fast boats may be taken to Kampong
Cham depending on season and demand. It’s also
possible to take a boat from Battambang to Siem
Reap depending on season; however, the road
is a better choice owing to comfort and speed.
There is also a fast boat to and from Koh Kong
and Sihanoukville but again the road is generally
more reliable. A bus/boat service is also available
from Phnom Penh to Saigon via Chao Doc border
crossing. The scenery throughout these journeys
is breathtaking and it is an increasingly popular
means of entering the Kingdom from Vietnam.
Visa
Most nationalities require a visa to enter Cambodia.
There are three methods of applying for a visa from
Cambodia: applying through a Cambodian Embassy,
applying for an e-visa and applying for visa on
arrival. Most travelers find visa on arrival to be the
most convenient option.
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