Currency: The local currency is Riel. The U.S. dollar is widely used in all major centers and circulates along side the local currency. Many hotels, shops and restaurants list their prices in U.S. dollars and seem to prefer that currency. It is best to carry U.S. dollar bills in small denominations. The Thai Baht is also widely accepted. Riel notes come in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10000. Coins are no longer used.

Traveler checks are only accepted at major banks and large hotels.

There is a thriving unofficial money exchange system in Cambodia for U.S. currency. The rate received from money changers may be better than the bank rate but there may be some risk involved. Gold shops may offer an exchange service.

When exchanging currency be sure to ensure that the notes received are of good quality. Crisp, new notes are best. Damaged notes are often unacceptable to Cambodians.

Credit Cards: Credit cards are becoming more widely recognized. Bring your American Express, MasterCard or Visa but outside the main hotels, shopping centers and banks, be prepared to pay cash. If in doubt or if there is no credit card logo visible, ask first.

Tipping: Not obligatory but widely practiced, in addition to hotel and restaurant service charges shown on bills. Porters, 1000 Riel per bag.

Health: All travelers to Cambodia should consult their doctor or a travel medicine clinic regarding recommended inoculations prior to travel.

Language: The Khmer language is very unique and distinctive. To the Western eye the characters are very much like those of Thai but a closer look reveals they are in fact quite different. Many older Cambodians speak French which up until 1976 was the principal language used in the education system.

Electricity: 220 volts, 60 cycles in Phnom Penh; elsewhere 110 volts, 60 cycles.

Water: Do NOT drink tap water! Bottled water is readily available everywhere. Avoid ice even at the hotels. In local restaurants, it is best to order only canned soft drinks and beer. Avoid freshly made juices!

Airport Tax: International = Pre-paid on airline ticket. / Domestic = Pre-paid on airline ticket.

Time Zone: GMT + 7 hours / Pacific Time + 15 hours.

Climate: Cambodia has two seasons.
One is cool and dry and last from November to March with temperatures around 62°-80° F. January is the coolest and most pleasant month to visit.
The rainy season, which is both humid and hot, is from April to October with temperatures around 80°-95°F. During this season, the humidity can be as high as 90% and the average annual rainfall is between 55 to 190 inches.

Religion: Cambodia reinstated Buddhism as the state religion in the late 1980s (it had been illegal since 1976), and it is now 96% Buddhist despite being targeted by the Khmer Rouge and suffering serious losses in the 70s. Islam (Cham Muslims) and Catholicism have lost much of their strength since the Khmer “cleansing” of the 70s. A small number of Cambodians are Cao Dai followers.

Food: Khmer food is typically spicy, with a high proportion of fish, either fresh water from the Tonle Sap Lake, or seafood from the southern coast. As a result of the large numbers of UN personnel who have been posted in Cambodia, Phnom Penh’s restaurant and bar life has expanded dramatically. There are numerous restaurants offering selections in Italian, French, Indian, Thai and Chinese cuisine.
Outside of Phnom Penh the selection of food in restaurants is more limited, but likely to have Khmer, Thai, and some kind of western food available.

Festivals & Holidays: Traditional Cambodian festivals are set according to the Khmer lunar calendar. The most important of these is the Cambodian New Year Chaul Chhnam which falls in mid-April. Also in April is the Visak Bauchea commemorating the birthday and illumination of Buddha.

In late October or early November is the Festival of the Reversing Current (also known as the Water Festival) when the Tonle Sap River reverses its flow and begins to empty into the Mekong.

National Day (January 7th) commemorates the Vietnamese overthrow of Pol Pot in 1979. Genocide Day on May 9th is a memorial day for those who suffered the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge. Also of importance is King Sihanouk’s birthday on October 31st.

Population: Cambodia’s total population is approximately 12 million. 90% of the people are ethnic Khmers with the remaining 10% made up of Cham (Moslems), Vietnamese and Chinese.

Photography: Please use your discretion when taking photographs, it is polite to ask people before taking their picture. Cambodia is an exceptionally photogenic place, don’t underestimate how much film you will use in one day! Film (for colour prints) is readily available in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Should you require any other type of film, bring it with you.

Theft: Remember that by Cambodian standards you are incredibily wealthy - a one dollar bill might not be worth much to you but it is a large sum of money in Cambodia. Please be careful with your money, carry only what you need each day and leave the rest in your hotel’s safety deposit box. Passports, airline tickets and other valuable should also be left in your hotel’s safety deposit box.

Criminal Activity: Like most countries around the world, criminal activity is probably the greatest threat to the tourist after traffic accidents.

Phnom Penh. Armed robberies of tourists in Phnom Penh are not uncommon. Although there have been some daytime robberies, most occur at night, often near popular tourist destinations and almost always to tourists on the back of a motorcycle taxi or on foot. The robbers are usually young men armed with a handgun that confront the tourist directly and demand money. Though the robbers generally avoid applying violence, they will become violent if challenged.
The best way to avoid robbery is to take a car taxi when traveling after dark. Robbery of people in cars, though not unheard of, is very rare. It is best not to travel by foot after dark. If you are confronted by robbers, do not resist, do not challenge them, do not try to bargain. Be cooperative. Give up your money quickly and they will probably leave as quickly as they showed up.

Outside of Phnom Penh, violent criminal activity directed against foreign tourists is almost unheard of. BUT ALWAYS BE CAREFUL!

Be careful of pickpockets (often over-friendly children) in crowded places like the traditional Asian markets.