Cambodia Travel Guide | She is Wanderlust Female Adventure Traveler

Located in Southeast Asia, Cambodia is a country filled with rich history and culture, diverse nature, fascinating archaeological sites, flavorful food and hospitable people. A must stop if you are visiting Asia!

Why Visit

ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES: Cambodia is well known for its magnificent archeological sites, especially for the hindu temple of Angkor Wat. The country is also home to over 4000 archaeological sites across the country.

UNIQUE FLAVOURS: With a lot of influences from the thai, french, chinese and vietnamese food, Cambodian food features an interesting mix and is characterized for its tangy flavors, not really spicy but rather mild. I totally recommend to try the Khmer street food.

HOSPITABLE PEOPLE: The people of Cambodia are among the most genuinely friendly and welcoming people on Earth. Even after years of war and poverty, the cambodian people have remained courteous, friendly and welcoming. There’s no doubt they will make your travel more fulfilling. Smiling faces everywhere.

LANDSCAPE: Cambodia features a diverse set of landscapes, characterized by rolling plains surrounded by lakes and the Bassac River Systems. Is home an extensive tropical rainforest where you can spot a hundred animal species, like elephants and sun bears, to pristine water tropical islands and to some of the best sunsets there are.

Why Visit

Name: Kingdom of Cambodia
Capital: Phnom Penh
Official Languages: Khmer
Currency: Riel
Time Zone: UTC + 7 (ICT)

Name: Kingdom of Cambodia
Capital: Phnom Penh
Official Languages: Khmer
Currency: Riel
Time Zone: UTC + 7 (ICT)

Bucketlist

What to expect

LANGUAGE: Khmer is the official language of Cambodia, but english is widely spoken.

ELECTRICITY: In Cambodia the standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. That’s the standard voltage in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa; If you are traveling from the US you will need an adaptor

CURRENCY: Cambodian riel is the official currency in Cambodia, but dollars are Cambodia’s unofficial second currency, atms dispense them and everyone accepts them. 1 US dollar equals 4068.20 cambodian riels.

SAFETY: Violent crime is very rare in Cambodia, however, it could happen in remote areas of the capital at night. Occasional robberies, petty crime and scams can occur, so be cautious and avoid wearing flashing jewelry, traveling at night and be really careful about the landmines.

CLIMATE: Cambodia features a tropical climate, warm all year round and the climate is dominated by the annual monsoon cycle with its alternating wet and dry seasons. November to March is the prefered time to visit the country.

PASSPORT: For most visitors (including US and european citizens), visas are obtainable upon arrival at both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap International Airports. Visas can also be request through an embassy before traveling. Only 10 nationalities are required to request the visa in advance (Afghanistan, Algeria, Arab Saudi, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Nigeria). The visa cost $25 per adult and $13 per child (under 2 years is free).

How to get around

By plane: Cambodia has 5 airlines offering domestic flights (Bassaka Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cambodia Bayon Airlines, JC International Airlines, Sky Angkor Airlines), but there are only 2 routes available. (Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and Siem Reap and Sihanoukville). Plane is still, the fastest way to get around, and there are also 2 private helicopter companies offering scenic and charter flights.

By bus:Buses will take you wherever you wanna go in Cambodia. From luxury air conditioned buses to express minivans. All major cities are now well-linked by bus to Phnom Penh, where you might have to make a stop depending on your destination. Older local minibuses serve most provincial routes but they tend to be really slow and overcrowded. Public buses only work inside Phnom Penh.

By train: Cambodia just recently rehabilitated its rail system, offering only one route (Phnom Penh with Sihanoukville via Kampot) departing only on weekends.

By car:Car hire is generally only available with a driver (you need a cambodian driver license to drive), although some places in the capital could arrange the license and the car for you. It is still very convenient and is usually the prefered way of transportation for tourists. In Cambodia, Car and motorcycle rental are relatively cheap, but you need to be careful due to the condition of the roads (mostly dirt roads) and some incidents with landmines that have happened in the past. Do not exceed the speed limit. Motorcycle rentals tent to be more popular in here, and there is no driver license needed.