Visa

Visas can be obtained at the border or at the airport. Tourist visas cost $20 for a month and can be only be renewed once without leaving the country. Business visas cost $25, don't require any justification and can be renewed as many times as you want. You can even renew them for 6 months (around 140$) or 1 year (around 240$) and get a multiple-entry visa.

Health Risks

Dengue fever, cholera (rare), hepatitis, malaria (mostly in country side), typhoid.

Security

The security situation has strongly improved within the last few years. People who have been in Cambodia for a long time are even saying that the country has never been this secure in the last thirty years. Despite the obvious improvement of the political climat, it is recomended to remain vigilant : avoind political gatherings. Don't travel alone in remote areas, and be extremely careful at night, especially in town. Avoid getting out of the tracks because of the remaining landmines left in the country side. The best is to ask local advice before planning an excursion. Ask also about the roads condition. Outside main cities, the roads and bridges are often damaged (and sometimes totally cut during the rainy season).

Time zone

+ 5 or 6 heures compared to Europe, 6 or 7 hours GMT, depending on summer or winter time.

Electricity

220 volts

The climate

It's dominated by tow moonsoons that give the rythm to the country life. The north-east moonsoon, cool and dry, bringing very few rain, blowing november to march. May to early october, the south-west moonsoon brings stronger winds, important humidity and strong rains. Most of the rains fall in the afternoon. Temperature varies from 20°C in january, the cooler month, to 35°C in april, warmest month in the year.

Currency

The local currency is Riel but dollar is also accepted everywhere. Change is about 4 100 Riels for 1 dollar depending of rate.

Riel banknote:

• 100,000
• 50,000
• 20,000
• 10,000
• 5,000
• 2,000
• 1,000
• 500
• 200
• 100
• 50

Change can easily be done at hotels, airports or markets. You will get better rates by changing in market than airport.

Budget - price

Expect to spend 10-15$ per day and per person at the minimum.

Border crossing

Thailand : Pailin, Poipet and Koh kong, Vietnam : Chau doc, Ha tien (september 2007)

Surface

181 000 sqm, bordered by Thailand and Laos to the north and Vietnam to the east and the south.

Population

12.2 million. Khmer 90%, Ethnic groups 10%.

Administrative division

18 provinces (khet), divided in 122 districts (sroks) and 1325 sub-districts.

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.