What is the best time to visit Cambodia?

The period between mid-December and early January is regarded as the peak season, characterised by a surge in visitor numbers, a notable increase in hospitality services, and a high level of demand for accommodation. This is due to the fact that many people choose to escape during this time to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Nevertheless, the period between November and the end of February is regarded as the optimal time for planning a holiday trip to Cambodia. This is due to the favourable weather conditions, which are characterised by a moderate temperature, with occasional cooler and warmer periods. Additionally, the landscape is verdant, and the skies are clear. Conversely, the rainy season (July to mid-October) may also be a suitable time for travel, particularly for those who prefer to avoid crowds and seek the widest free spaces at temples, as well as experience the cooling effects of windy rain.

The period between March and June is characterised by dry conditions and high temperatures. During this time, certain sightseeing and tour activities are not available. However, this period is less frequented by tourists and offers the opportunity to participate in and observe the celebration of the Khmer New Year (Songkran) between the 13th and 16th of April.

Where is Cambodia

Cambodia is situated in the tropical monsoon zone, between Vietnam and Thailand, and shares a border with Laos in the northern part of Southeast Asia. The country covers 181,035 square kilometres and has a population of 15 million, with a density of 82 people per square kilometre.

Do I need a visa?

You need a passport that is at least six months valid to travel to Cambodia. You need a visa to enter Cambodia. US citizens can get one at the airport. A tourist visa costs $30 and a business visa costs $35. You need two passport photos with your visa application. A tourist visa can be extended by three months, and a business visa can be extended indefinitely. There is a departure tax on flights to Cambodia. This is included in the price of your ticket.

Why should we go to Cambodia?

Cambodia is a popular destination for travellers thanks to its stunning scenery, rich culture, fascinating history and welcoming people.

How to get to Cambodia?

By Flight
Cambodia is served by two international airports: Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, in addition to Sihanoukville. Those travelling from Europe will invariably transit through Thailand or Vietnam. Direct flights to Cambodia are available for travellers from Asian countries, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

By border crossing:
It is also possible to reach Cambodia by crossing the border.
Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia that is easily accessible from Cambodia via the border crossing at Poipet. Additionally, there are border crossings at Poi Pet (Aranyaprathet) in Banteay Meanchhey, Cham Yeam (Had Lek) and Daun Lem (Ban Laem) in Koh Kong, O’Smach (Chong Jom) and Anlong Veng (Chong Sa Ngam) in Preah Vihear.
In the case of Vietnam, the following border crossings are available: Additionally, there are border crossings at Ba Vet (Moc Bai) and Kaam Samnor (Ving Xuong) in Svay Rieng, Phnom Den (Tinh Bien) in Ta Keo, and Prek Chak (Ha Tien) in Kampot.
Laos: Dom Kralor (Veun Kham) in Stung Treng.

By speed boat:
A visit to the Mekong Delta River and Can Tho in Vietnam affords the opportunity to embark on a speedboat journey from Chau Doc (Cambodia’s Kao Orm Samnor) to Phnom Penh Capital. The duration of this excursion is approximately six hours, with the precise time dependent on the water level.

What is the weather in Cambodia?

Cambodia is characterised by a tropical monsoon climate, with two distinct seasons: a dry period from mid-October to May and a wet period from June to October. However, a cool period is also experienced at the end of December and beginning of January. The average temperature is between 34 and 37 degrees Celsius during the dry season, while the months of March to June may experience temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius. The rainy season begins in June and lasts until October. It is important to note that the rainfall is not constant and may manifest as afternoon or evening downpours. Some rural roads may become impassable during this period due to flooding or washouts.

What constitutes an optimal budget for accommodation?

The optimal budget for accommodation is contingent upon the style of travel and the level of comfort that the traveler is accustomed to. It is relatively simple to find guesthouses with prices ranging from $9 to $15, with or without air conditioning. Hostels are typically priced between $5 and $8. Standard accommodation starts at $20-$30, mid-range at $35-$55, comfort at $60-$120, and luxurious comfort at $130-$360. Top-tier luxury accommodation can cost up to $400-$1200.

What food is typical of Cambodia?

Cambodian food is similar to Thai and Laotian food. There are also local dishes you should try. Khmer cooking is similar to Thai cooking but uses fewer spices. Most restaurants in Buddhist countries serve vegetarian food. If you are vegetarian, vegan, allergic to food or have a special diet, please tell us before you go. Don’t drink tap water in South East Asia. Use bottled water, but check the expiry date. Ice in Cambodia is made with treated water.

Is the water safe to drink?

Tap water in Cambodia is unsafe to drink. You can buy bottled water at tourist sites, hotels and restaurants. Restaurants usually serve hot water or tea with meals. Use bottled water to brush your teeth.

Can I use US dollars or local currency? What is the local currency?

The currency is the Khmer Riel. You can use US dollars in Cambodia, especially in larger stores and supermarkets. Take small dollar and riel notes for day-to-day purchases.

Exchange money at a bank when you arrive. Airports and hotels offer worse exchange rates.

Should I take cash or travellers’ cheques? Are there ATMs? Can I use credit cards?

You can find ATMs in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Battambang and Sihanoukville. They give out US dollars. There are no ATMs outside these areas, so take cash (in small notes). Allow about USD $8-15 for lunches or dinners not included in your tour. You may want to have some money for local food and souvenirs. Credit cards can be used in cities, but cash is needed in rural areas. Travellers’ cheques not accepted.

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The Angkor ticket may be purchased at the toll booth situated along the route leading to the Angkor Archaeological Park. A queue is invariably formed, payment is made in cash, and a photograph is taken. It is imperative that the pass is retained in a secure location, either in the form of the name tag provided or in the individual’s possession, as it must be presented to the authorised personnel at the entrance to each temple. Furthermore, it is possible to purchase an Angkor ticket online, which is a convenient option. It is advisable to prepare a photograph that can be uploaded when processing the ticket on the official website, which can be found at https://www.angkorenterprise.gov.kh/.

A) The cost of a one-day pass is USD 37.
B) The cost of a three-day pass is USD 62, valid for 10 days.
C) The cost of a seven-day pass is USD 72, valid for 30 days.

The temple is open to the public from 5:00am to 6:00pm. The Angkor Wat complex is accessible to the public from 5:00am to 6:00pm. It is therefore advisable to plan one’s itinerary with great care, bearing in mind that Banteay Srei closes at 5:00pm and Kbal Spean at 3:00pm.

It should be noted that passes are not required for the following sites, although a fee is levied at each: Phnom Kulen ($20), Koh Ker ($10), Preah Vihear ($10), Sambor Prei Kuk ($10), Banteay Chhmar ($5) and Preah Khan Kampong Svay ($5).

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1: For information, all tourists (men or women) must wear appropriate clothing to visit all the temples in Angkor Park. Make sure your clothes can cover your shoulders and knees. The headscarf is acceptable for some temples (except Angkor wat).
2: We recommend wearing light cotton clothing as it is hot and humid from March to June.
3: Take a camera or phone charger with you, please! You can charge your camera or cell phone in a restaurant during your lunch.
4: US dollars are accepted everywhere in Cambodia and you can withdraw money in USD or local currency (Riel) from an ATM (ATM) in towns.
5: Prepare sunscreen and mosquito repellent products before going on your visits!

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We would like to inform you that in addition to the guided tour of Angkor and the surrounding area of Siem Reap. We also offer car rental services with a private driver to help you discover other towns and regions of Cambodia. We can organize any type of vehicle to suit your needs. Our drivers are professionals who know how to adapt to any unforeseen situation. At the same time careful, very sociable and competent our drivers are always at your disposal wherever you are. One thing’s for sure: you won’t be disappointed by our drivers, who can also help you prevent the slightest upset. We select our staff very carefully, and all our drivers are trained to put themselves fully at your service.

Our travel consultants are always available to support you during your car rental trip; travelers can use our cell phone to contact our tour operator at any time during the trip.

If you would like to use our transport service, please send us an e-mail or a message via Whatsapp. Tell us where you want to start and where you want to go. We also organize transport to other parts of Cambodia. If this is not indicated on the website, please send me a message.

The driver will pick you up at your hotel at a time that suits you best.
We look forward to hearing from you. We also organize tours in Angkor, around Siem Reap and other regions of Cambodia.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, we’re here to help.

You can book us by using the contact details below:

• Old Market, Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Tel: +(855) 017 676 352
• WhatsApp: +(855) 017 676 352
• Email: contact@angkortodaytour.com
• Email: angkortodaytour@gmail.com
• website: www.angkortodaytour.com

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The Angkor site is located a few kilometers north of the city of Siem Reap. Here are some useful tips for visiting Angkor Wat and the other surrounding temples.
The Angkor site was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992.

Angkor practical information

Times to visit the Angkor temples
Opening: 7:30 a.m.
Closing: 5:30 p.m.

Some temples are exceptions:

Angkor Wat: 5 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Srah Sang: 5 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Phnom Bakheng: 5 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Pre Rup: 5 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Banteay Srey: 7:30 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Kbal Spean: 7:30 a.m. — 3 p.m.
Preah Vihear: 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

-A photo of you will be taken at the entrance to the site for the pass (no need to bring one)
-You will find something to refuel on site
-Remember to take something to curve your shoulders and thighs (because it is obligatory for some sites)

Pass prices at the Angkor site

1-day pass: $37/person (valid for one day)
The pass for 2 or 3 days: $62/person (valid for one week).
The 7-day pass: $72/person (valid for 1 month).

Note: passes for 3 or 7 days do not have to be done on consecutive days,
If you have children under 12 years old, be sure to take the passport each time to prove the child’s age at the Check Point as it is free for them.

Some temples cannot be visited with the Angkor site pass. These are the distant temples:

Beng Melea: included with the Angkor pass => 60 km east of Siem Reap (tuk-tuk/car)
Koh Ker: $15/person => 90 km north of Angkor (car)
Phnom Kulen: $20/person => 70 km from Siem Reap (car)
Sambor Prei Kuk: $10/person (increase to $10 in June 2018) => 160 km from Siem Reap (car)
Preah Vihear: $10/person => 200km north of Siem Reap

Outfit
Angkor represents a spiritual center for believers. It is important to adapt to the dress codes required by religion. Decent attire is required to enter the site.
For both men and women, shoulders must be covered. Skirts, dresses and pants must cover the knees. “Apsara Authority”, which supervises the Angkor archaeological complex, has signaled the need to respect the places and above all to wear correct clothing.

But some did not understand the message and took stricter measures. In fact, you may be refused entry if you do not respect the dress code.

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Do you need a visa to enter Cambodia?

You need a passport that is at least six months valid to travel to Cambodia. You need a visa to enter Cambodia. US citizens can get one at the airport. A tourist visa costs $30 and a business visa costs $35. You need two passport photos with your visa application. A tourist visa can be extended by three months, and a business visa can be extended indefinitely. There is a departure tax on flights to Cambodia. This is included in the price of your ticket.

Passport and visa

A visa is required to enter Cambodia. It can be issued at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap international airports by the immigration services against payment of a fee of $30 for a tourist visa and $35 for a business visa; in both cases, an identity photo (4 x 6 cm) is required, provided the passport has sufficient validity (6 months minimum).

Tourist visas are valid for a one-month stay. They can be extended for a maximum of one month, once only, by the immigration authorities in Phnom Penh. It is also possible to obtain an electronic tourist visa (e-visa) via the Internet. People entering Cambodia on a tourist visa via Siem Reap airport are required to stay for at least 24 hours before leaving the country.

Obtaining a visa on arrival

Visas (on arrival) can be obtained at all land borders and international airports. It is preferable to have a return ticket, as some airlines may be reluctant to board passengers without a visa or return ticket. At Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports, you’ll need an ID photo and around $30 (a small supplement if you arrive without a photo). At land borders, the price is officially the same. But in reality, the price varies according to the degree of trickery involved. Those who don’t want to do this will need to obtain a visa beforehand. And make sure the borders are open.

Obtaining a visa on the Internet

By Internet: the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has created an electronic tourist visa which allows you to obtain a tourist visa via the Internet at evisa.gov.kh.

Instead of applying for your visa at the embassy, simply fill in the form and pay by credit card ($30 + $7 processing fee). You’ll receive your visa by e-mail 3 days later. All you have to do is print it out and keep it with you during your stay in Cambodia. You’ll need to have a photo ID scanned into the computer and a payment card. The site works well on the whole (with occasional problems). But beware, e-visa is not accepted everywhere.

No problems at international airports (Phnom Penh and Siem Reap), but not all land and sea border posts are equipped to read this type of visa. Please consult the table on their website (home page) for valid entry and exit points (“Name of port”).

The visa can only be extended once on site, at the General Immigration Department in Phnom Penh.

– Visa expired on leaving the country (“overstay”): fine of $5 per day overstayed. It is always advisable not to accumulate “illegal” days!

Cambodian Embassy
Consular services provided by the embassy
4, rue Adolphe Yvon 75116 Paris
Tel: 01 45 03 47 20
E-mail: ambcambodgeparis@mangoosta.fr
Website: www.ambcambodgeparis.info
Visas: Monday to Friday. 9am – 1pm

French Embassy in Phnom Penh
1, boulevard Monivong, Phnom Penh
Tel: (855-23) 430 020 / 430 026
Fax: (855-23) 430 038

HEALTH
No vaccinations are required, except for yellow fever if you come from a region where this disease is present. However, visitors must be vaccinated against typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A and B, tetanus and polio. Malaria and dengue fever are present in some parts of Cambodia, and it is advisable to take precautions, especially if you are traveling off the beaten track. Please consult your GP or a doctor specializing in tropical diseases before travelling.

SAFETY
Despite its turbulent history, Cambodia is a safe country to visit. All tourist areas have been cleared of mines, and only a small part of the most remote areas need to be secured. As a general rule, never leave your belongings unattended, and keep an eye on your cameras and handbags.(30/8/2024)

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If you didn’t get your visa in your home country, you can pick it up without any problem on arrival at these airports. You’ll be given 2 forms to fill in on the plane, your passport, 2 passport photos and $20 in cash for the visa. It takes about 20 minutes on arrival to obtain the visa.

After passing through immigration control with your visa, you’ll collect your luggage (depending on the airport, you’ll be asked for your baggage numbers, which are attached to your flight ticket from Paris or Bangkok). Going through customs is straightforward, and there’s usually no need to search your luggage, although this can sometimes happen.

PASSPORT: Valid passport, still valid 6 months after return date + 2 passport photos for visa and 2 passport photos for Angkor site entry permit.

HEALTH: No vaccinations are required. Keep up to date with tetanus and polio. Consult your doctor about the risk of hepatitis. There is a risk of malaria, and we recommend you take a course of Nivakine or Lariam 250, or another treatment to be discussed with your doctor. In addition, take a lotion, cream or mosquito repellent for certain evenings.

WATER: Tap water in Cambodia is not recommended for drinking. Drink bottled mineral water, Sprite, Fanta, Pepsi, Coke or the very light tea (Tia) offered in some restaurants, which has been boiled several times.

VEGETABLES: No problem.

ACCOMMODATION: Whether you’re staying in a guest house or a 5-star hotel, rooms are equipped with air conditioning, and private toilets, with WC, shower or bath depending on the hotel category. If you’re going to the National Parks, there’s no air-conditioning in the guest houses, but fans are available. For travel in 3, 4 or 5-star hotels, there are no hotels of this quality outside Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. Accommodation, especially in Ta Keo, Kratie, Rattanakiri and Kompong Thom, is always in standard guest houses-hotels, but of good quality, clean and air-conditioned.

FOOD: Cambodia’s food is excellent and varied. Prices per meal range from $2 in small restaurants, $5 to $7 in medium-sized restaurants, to $15 and more in superior hotels. Drinks are not included in the price. Beer (from 1 to 2 dollars) is of good quality, and French wine is available in many restaurants and stores. The same applies to spirits. Meat-based food (pork, beef) with stir-fried vegetables, or pasta or rice, and fish in all its forms and many varied soups, all fragrant and not very spicy (not like in Thailand).

DRUGS : We advise you to take Intétrix and Immodium against possible “Touristas”. A broad-spectrum antibiotic such as Clamoxyl or other. Aspirin, Efferalgan or Doliprane. Eye drops (especially if you wear contact lenses). Lysopain or Locabiotal for sore throats. Strong sun protection cream. Muscle pain cream. Vitamin C. Elastoplast 6 cm, plaster for blisters, a tube of Betadine 10% cream for wounds, and small bandages (but Betadine is available in pharmacies). Take your usual medication with you. Preventive anti-malaria treatment.

CLOTHING: This is a warm country, even in winter (20 to 25 degrees Celsius). Light daytime clothing, preferably cotton. Hats, bobslees, caps or scarves are recommended, as the sun is strong and dehydration can occur. Light jacket for the evening. KWay in case of rain. Shorts or Bermuda shorts (not too short for ladies, so as not to offend the locals).

You cannot enter the Royal Palace or some monasteries in shorts).Weather conditions make it necessary to dress lightly.
Dress appropriately for pagoda visits; wear easy-to-remove shoes for temple and Angkor site visits. Don’t forget a bathing suit for hotel swimming pools. Protect yourself from the sun (hats, sunscreen).

LINGERIE : In almost all hotels, you can give your laundry to be washed, which will be returned to you in the evening. But ask whether it is to be returned the same evening or the following day.

SHOES: Take light shoes with non-slip soles, as temple visits involve a lot of walking and the stones can be slippery. Above all, take shoes you’ve walked in before. Heels are not recommended for temple visits.

CURRENCY: Cambodia’s currency (Riel) is pegged to the dollar. The dollar is used in the same way as the Riel for all purchases, however small. Carry plenty of small denominations for personal expenses. The euro is not used at all and ignored in daily life. Banks exchange it at a lower rate than the dollar. Credit cards are accepted only in certain banks and very rarely in stores, except in the boutiques of major hotels, where a commission is charged.

TELEPHONE / INTERNET: Low-cost telephone calls abroad are possible almost everywhere, using the telephone-internet system. In the larger towns, there are a number of cybercafés and Internet stores.

COMMUNICATION: It’s not very easy to communicate with the locals, cabs or motorcycle cabs, except with those working in tourism. Very few people outside the cities speak any other language (or Thai or Chinese). French has almost completely disappeared, except for a few elderly people who escaped Pol Pot’s regime, or for tourist guides. In Siem Reap, there are 800 English-speaking guides and 75 French-speaking guides.

MISCELLANEOUS: flashlight and spare batteries, sunglasses.

PROSTITUTION: there is prostitution in most of the big cities, including Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. The level of AIDS is lower than 10 years ago, but you’ll have to be careful every time.

SAFETY: No problems in cities, monuments or the countryside. But don’t venture out alone into the thick jungle of certain regions – it’s best to be accompanied by locals. Don’t wander far from home at night – there may be bad encounters outside the big cities.

The information contained in the pages of this site is subject to change and is given for guidance only. Only the description sent on your request contains the definitive indications and prices. (30/8/2024)

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