Cambodia

The Kingdom Of Wonder

CAMBODIA, The official name is “ Kingdom of Cambodia “ , located in the southwest of the Indochina Peninsula, Cambodia, with a total area of 181,035 square kilometers with population around 17millions. Divided in 24 Provinces and one capital city, Phnom Penh. And borders Thailand to the west and northwest of Laos, northeastern Vietnam, and the Gulf of Thailand. Southwest. The land area of Cambodia is mostly lowland with mountains in the southwest and north. The two main physical features of Cambodia are the Mekong River, which flows from the north to the south of the country, and the Tonle Sap Lake. Natural resources include oil and gas, wood, gems, iron ore, manganese, phosphate, hydropower potential.

The capital of Phnom Penh is the most populous city in Cambodia. It has been the national capital since the French Protectorate of Cambodia and has grown to become the country's ancestral city and its economic, industrial, and cultural center.

Religion

Theravada Buddhism is the official religion of Cambodia, with about 90 percent of the population practicing Buddhism. Islam, Hinduism and Christianity are also accepted in Cambodia. Since the Buddha statues and Images represent the revered Buddha, visitors are asked to pay homage to those statues and images so as not to offend the local people. In Cambodia, regardless of religion, the country maintains a harmonized state.

Weather in Cambodia

Cambodia has two seasons and a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year.

Dry Season
The dry season runs from October to April. During this time temperatures peaking as high as 40°C in April. However, it brings sunny and dry weather, especially in early January and February.

Rainy Season
The rainy season from May to November. The temperatures also remain high in May and June and bring more humidity, sticky on some days. During the rainy season, the rain falls from light to heavy. There will be some rain for a short time from July to October.

The rainy season is also a perfect time for travelling to see the rice fields and tropical leaves in the most green and lush.

The best months to visit Cambodia are December and January with dry weather and low humidity, of course, this is also the busiest time of the year when you can expect some crowds and high prices. More than that.

Currency

The Cambodian currency is the Riel and there are banknotes of 100, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000 & 100000 Riel. Although Cambodia's official currency is the Riel, the US Dollar is used in most transactions. The citizens have used the riel alongside the U.S. dollar at the well-known rate of 4,000 - 4,200 KHR/USD for retail payments. Although, we recommend taking some US Dollars in cash (with some small denomination notes).

About Cambodia Visa

Any traveler entering Cambodia must have a visa and Traveler’s passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry into Cambodia. The visa can be obtained directly upon arrival at :

Flight

Phnom Penh International Airport,
Siem Reap Angkor international Airport(SAI)
Sihanouk Ville International Airport

Road

Visa at the border can get a 30-day visa and obtain the visa directly on arrival in Cambodia at the following land borders:

From Vietnam: PrekChak –Phnom Den – KaamSamnor (Mekong river) – Bavet – TrapeangPhlong – Trapeang Are – O’Yadav

From Laos: TrapaingKriel – Dong Krolar

From Thailand: Poipet – O’Smach– Cham Yeam – ChoamSanguam – Prum – Doung

Caution:
Travelers with a passport of the below: Afghanistan, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Nigeria, are not allowed to apply for a visa on arrival. Therefore, the holders of these passports have to apply for a Cambodian visa before arriving in the country.

Visa fee
Travelers must pay a fee in cash

30 USD for tourist visas
35 USD for business visas

Tourist and business visas allow entry to Cambodia for 30 days only, counting from the date of entry.

E-visa
Apply for an e-visa - Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The travelers can request a single-entry tourist visa online through Cambodia’s e-Visa service (http://www.evisa.gov.kh/). Tourists can obtain a single-entry tourist visa online through Cambodia’s e-Visa service via the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website at: www.evisa.gov.kh. (http://www.evisa.gov.kh/)

Note: the E-Visa is only accepted at 7 entry points, which are

Siem Reap Angkor International Airport ( SAI)
Sihanouk Ville International Airport( Kang Keng airport).
Phnom Penh International Airport
Poipet/ Klong Luk (Thai border)
Cham Yeam – Koh Kong / Had Lek (Thai border)
Bavet / MocBai (Vietnam border)
Trapaing Kriel Border Post (Stung Treng)/Nong Nok Khiene (Lao)

NOTE
The 30-day visa is valid. After the first 30 days of overstay, the non-immigrant foreigner must pay 10 USD/day and depart Cambodia within 7 days or pay a penalty of 30 USD/day. When leaving the country, the visitor must pay the overstay fees at the airport or land border. A non-immigrant foreigner will be fined $100 USD and required to depart Cambodia within seven days if they use their visa for a purpose that is not allowed by its terms. For young people: A 30 USD visa fee is required for children aged 0 to 12 who travel on their own passport or on their parent's passport.

DOs & DON’Ts

Visitors travelling to the Kingdom Of Cambodia should take care to observe local customs and practices. You may find it useful to familiarize yourself with the following common DOs and DON’Ts before embarking on your trip.

Keep smiling, because of the kindness and patience of its people

A small bow with the palms pressed together in a manner akin to a prayer is the customary greeting, called the "Sampeah.
Keep public displays of affection to a respectful minimum
Ask permission before taking photos of any Cambodians or monks.
It is customary to take off one's shoes when entering a place of worship, such as a pagoda. In addition, visitors should dress appropriately when inside a religious place (arms and legs should be covered, hats should be removed). It is also respectful to take off your shoes when entering someone’s home.
Although not always expected, the only way to greet another person is to bow your head slightly with your both hands on your chest (known as a "Saam Peas"). It is used for when giving or receiving anything too.
If you come to dine at a Cambodian family home, it is polite to bring a small gift to the host, such as fruit, dessert or flowers.
If you go to a Khmer wedding, it is customary to bring money as a wedding gift.
Keep our community clean and safe. The sing use of plastic’s products i.e, bags, bottle water, can be hazardous. So dispose them properly.

Don't

Don’t disturbing monks during their daily activities. If you wish to engage in conversation, do so with respect and discretion. Women should never touch monks or hand something directly to them.
Don’t making any negative comments or disrespectful gestures towards the king or the royal family because the Cambodian monarchy is highly respected.
Don’t use your feet to point at anyone.
Don’t touch a Cambodian person on the head.
Don’t begin eating if you are a guest at a dinner and the host has yet to take a bite.

Please be aware that APSARA (Authority for the Protection of the Site and Management of the Region of Angkor) has issued a Code Of Conduct for visitors who visit Angkor temples. The National Authority was established in 1995 to ensure the conservation and sustainable development of the Angkor site. Therefore, the organization is responsible for research, protection, conservation, as well as urban development and tourism of archeological sites in order to raise the awareness of tourists on the conservation of Angkor Wat and to make the tourist experience harmonious with public safety and respect for the local community, they have developed an ethic that must be respected by each visitor.

Angkor Visitor Code of Conduct

Dress Code: Revealing clothes such as shorts and skirts above the knees and showing bare shoulders is prohibited in sacred places. Respectful dress should be strongly encouraged in Angkor.

Monuments: Touching carvings, sitting on fragile structures, leaning on temple structures, moving or taking archaeological artifacts and graffiti are strictly prohibited. Backpacks, umbrellas with sharp tips, tripods and high heels are discouraged from being brought into, or worn inside the temples.
Sacred Sites: As Angkor is a sacred site, loud conversation and noise and other inappropriate behavior in Cambodian culture is considered to be offensive and may disturb other visitors. Please keep calm and respectful.
Restricted Areas: For your own safety and for the conservation of Angkor, please comply with all signs on the site and be mindful of where you step at all times. Do not climb on loose stones.
Smoking and Littering: As a member of the World Health Organization, Angkor has been smoke free since 2012. Smoking cigarettes disturbs others and can start bush fires. To protect the environment please do not smoke and litter.
Candy or Money to Children: Buying items, giving candy or money to children encourages them not to attend school but to beg. If you wish to help the children, please consider donating to a recognized charity.
Monks: Monks are revered and respected. If you want to take pictures, please ask for permission first. Woman shouldn’t touch nor stand or sit too close to the monks.
Smoking and Littering: As a member of the World Health Organization, Angkor has been smoke free since 2012. Smoking cigarettes disturbs others and can start bush fires. To protect the environment please do not.