Arrival and Departure Formalities

The Cambodia e-Arrival (CeA) is a new system designed to make the arrival process easier for travelers entering the Kingdom. This digital immigration portal is free of charge and replaces the paper versions of the Immigration Form, Health Form and Customs Declaration. All travelers arriving in the country are required to register through the official website, www.arrival.gov.kh or via the mobile application (downloadable from Google Play Store or Apple App Store). Please note that even if you have already been granted a visa, you are still required to submit your details within seven days before your arrival date.

Starting from 01 September 2024, travelers with an e-visa can simply fill in their information when registering for the CeA. Travelers without a visa will need to pay online (USD 36 by credit card) to complete the process. The e-visa is usually sent by email within a few hours on working days. Completing the CeA and obtaining the visa on arrival (VoA) in Cambodia remains an option, but the above process is highly recommended to ensure a smooth arrival.

Visa Information

Several nationalities including North, Central & South America, Europe, United Kingdom, Australia & New Zealand may obtain a tourist visa upon arrival at Phnom Penh or Siem Reap International Airports or at most major international border crossings. Visas on arrival are valid for a maximum stay of 30 days (single entry), and the following documents are required:

• A passport valid for more than six months with at least two blank pages
• A completed visa application form (the form can be obtained on the aircraft)
• Visa fee of USD 30 per person (or USD 40 if arriving by river border)

Alternatively, visas can be obtained at a Cambodian embassy or consulate prior to departure from your point of origin. You may also apply for an e-visa online at www.evisa.gov.kh. The e-visa fee is USD 30 plus processing fee of USD 6, to be paid online by credit card. The e-visa takes approximately three days to process, so please allow sufficient time to complete the application.

E-visas are not valid for entry at most river ports. If you are arriving into Cambodia by river cruise, we recommend that you contact your nearest embassy or consulate to obtain the necessary visa prior to departure from your point of origin. It is also possible to obtain a visa on arrival at the river border and the visa fee is USD 40.

Visas on arrival and e-visas are not available for nationals of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Please apply for a visa at your nearest Cambodian embassy prior to departure from your point of origin.

Nationals of Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia are permitted to stay in the country for up to 30 days without a tourist visa. Nationals of the Philippines may stay up to 21 days without a tourist visa.

While we do our best to provide the most up-to-date information, visa requirements may change at short notice. Obtaining the correct visa is the responsibility of each passenger and we will not be held accountable for any refusal upon entry. Therefore, we recommend that you check with your consulate or embassy for current visa information before leaving home.

Weather

The best time to visit is October to April, during the dry season. This coincides with Cambodia's peak travel season when visitors come to enjoy the sun and the relatively cooler months. The months from May to September bring the highest rainfall, but this is the best time to see the countryside refreshed by the rains and transformed into many shades of green. The hottest months tend to be from March to May, but regardless of the season, the weather in Cambodia tends to remain warm and humid throughout the year.

 

What to Pack

• The weather in Cambodia is most suited for comfortable and lightweight clothing, particularly natural fabrics such as cotton
• Avoid sheer clothing and pack long-sleeved shirts and long skirts or trousers for visiting temples, shrines and palaces where it is often a requirement to cover the shoulders and knees
• Smart-casual wear for dining at more established restaurants
• A light waterproof jacket for occasional rainy weather or cooler evenings
• Good walking shoes or sandals; keep in mind that you may be required to remove footwear when visiting religious sites
• A sunhat or umbrella, water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellent
• Universal travel adaptor; Cambodia uses 230V 50Hz with sockets fit for plug types A, C or G

 

Money Matters

Currency & Exchange

The national currency in Cambodia is the Khmer Riel (KHR). Although US dollars are widely used, it is recommended to keep some local currency at hand. Notes are issued in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 50,000 and 100,000.

Credit Cards

Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted in many major hotels, restaurants and shops in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. However, do expect a 2-3% surcharge. It is recommended that you carry some cash in Khmer Riel or US dollars for emergencies. Diners Club Cards are not accepted. It is important to be aware your credit card PIN, as most banks and retail outlets will no longer accept a signature when making purchases or withdrawing money on credit card.

Traveler's Checks

Traveler's checks are not widely accepted and can be difficult to cash outside of major cities. Banks such as ANZ Bank and ACLEDA may change your traveler's checks for US Dollars but a commission of around 2-5% applies. Some of the more upscale hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and souvenir shops may accept traveler’s checks.

Banks & ATMs

Banking hours are from Monday to Friday 08:00-15:00. Some banks are open on Saturdays, but close at 12:00. ATMs are now available in towns throughout the country.

 

Tipping

Tipping is not compulsory but is often expected in Cambodia. You are traveling on an independent itinerary and the cost of your program does not include gratuities. Tipping is a very personal matter and should you feel you would like to acknowledge the service provided, please consider the following as a rough guide, per person per day. 

Type of Service / USD ($)	Group Size (Number of People)
	1	2	3	4	5-9	10+
Tour Director	15.00	12.00	10.00	8.00	6.00	5.00
Guide	15.00	12.00	10.00	8.00	6.00	5.00
Driver	8.00	6.00	5.00	4.00	3.00	3.00
Hotel Porters	3.00	3.00	3.00	3.00	3.00	3.00

The above tipping guidelines are recommendations only and are not compulsory. Please use your own discretion in tipping, based on quality of service.

Restaurants: Most restaurants add a 10% service charge to your bill. You may wish to add about 10% to the bill to show appreciation for the service, however this is not required or expected

Taxis: Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped but they appreciate the fare being rounded up.

 

Language

The official language in Cambodia is Khmer. The language developed through many influences including Pali and Sanskrit as well as from the neighboring countries of Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. Some technical expressions have been derived from the French. Nowadays, English is commonly spoken in hotels, restaurants and business districts. However, you may wish to impress the locals with a few simple phrases.

English	Khmer
Hello	Sour sdei
Goodbye	Lea heuy
Thank you	Or kun
How are you?	Sok sabai tee?
Excuse me	Som tos
How much?	Ter nis thlai pun mann?
I don’t understand	Khnhom ort yol tee
Beautiful	Saart

 

Time Zone

GMT+7

 

Health

Vaccinations

Please consult your doctor for specific advice about your personal medical requirements and note the following advisories:

• Getting immunized against hepatitis A, tetanus and diphtheria is recommended.
• Malaria is present in Cambodia but the main areas of risk are in the remote, forested areas. There is little risk if traveling in the major cities or typical tourist destinations. If traveling to remote areas, please consult your doctor for advice about anti-malarial medication.
• Please note that dengue can be transmitted by mosquitoes in Cambodia, although cases tend to occur in more rural areas. The risk of getting dengue in major cities and towns is low. To reduce the risk, avoid mosquito bites as much as possible; keep your arms and legs covered, use insect repellent and avoid perfumes, hairspray and other scented products.

Drinking Water

Do not drink tap water in Cambodia and avoid ice in your drinks unless it is made from mineral water. We supply clean bottled drinking water when you travel by private vehicle. Exercise caution when eating and drinking outside reputable hotels and restaurants and avoid eating fruit and vegetables if they have been peeled already. Seafood, dairy products and items such as mayonnaise should be consumed with care. Eating food from street vendors or unfamiliar local places is not recommended.

Special Requirements

If you are on prescribed medication, ensure that you take a copy of your prescriptions in case of loss of supply. Be sure to pack enough medication in your hand luggage for the duration of your trip as it may not be available locally. It is important to keep it in its original packaging. Check with the relevant embassy or consulate that your medication is legal in the countries you plan to visit and find out whether you need to take a doctor's letter with you.

Please advise your travel professional of any special dietary requirements or allergies at least six weeks prior to departure. Every effort will be made to comply with your request. Travelers with physical disabilities and those who require frequent or on-going medical attention should advise their travel professional of their situation at the time of booking or at the earliest possible opportunity.

 

Religion and Etiquette

Religion

In Cambodia, 97% of the population is Buddhist and Buddhist traditions play an important role in everyday life. Buddha images are considered sacred and therefore should not be desecrated in any way. It is often forbidden to climb on or touch religious monuments.

Greeting

As a sign of respect, Cambodians perform a traditional greeting called sampeah, where they put the palms of their hands together in front of their chest and bow slightly. This gesture is typically performed when saying hello or goodbye.  

Cultural Etiquette

Society in Cambodia follows a hierarchical structure where younger or more junior ranking people are required to show respect to elders or those of a higher rank. You may even see monks walking in rank order, with the highest-ranking monks in front and junior monks following at the rear.

Bargaining

Bargaining is common practice when shopping at local markets in Cambodia, although it is not practiced in major department stores and shopping malls. Bargaining should be an enjoyable experience for both buyers and sellers. Remember to keep it light-hearted, be reasonable in your offer and meet the seller somewhere in the middle.

Photography

Please ask permission before photographing local people, including young children. Photography is not permitted in some locations, such as museums and art galleries. Avoid taking photographs of government buildings and military personnel. If in doubt, ask your guide.

Waste Disposal

Please help to keep the environment clean and dispose of any waste appropriately. Avoid littering and separate recyclables where possible.

Animal Welfare

We do not offer activities that are harmful to animals, such as riding on the backs of elephants. We work hard to ensure that the experiences we offer are positive and enriching for all involved. If you would like to engage in experiences with animals, please consult your guide for our socially responsible recommendations that do not put any animals at risk.

Child Safety Awareness

We are an advocate of the Friends International ChildSafe Movement. We believe that children from any background deserve an opportunity to learn and grow and should be protected from harmful or exploitative situations. We do not encourage giving money to beggars or children selling souvenirs as these activities incentivize the children to stop going to school. We also do not encourage visits to schools or orphanages, unless the activity has been adequately vetted and does not cause disruption to the children’s education or daily life.

If you encounter a situation where you believe a child is at risk, please inform your guide who will be able to contact the relevant authorities or child safe organizations.

 

Shopping

We do not encourage the trade of culturally sensitive souvenirs that may result in negative impacts to the community, culture or nature. To help you make more informed decisions, here is a guide to souvenirs to look out for in Cambodia as well as items you may want to avoid.

What to Buy

• Silks, cotton scarves and other locally-made textiles
• Traditional lacquerware, rattan crafts and other handmade items by local artisans
• Khmer silverware, gemstones and jewelry
• Replicas of religious carvings and bas reliefs such as scenes from the Ramayana epic and the Mahabharata

What Not to Buy

• Statues of Buddha and other relics from temples or religious monuments
• Elephant tusks (ivory) and other animal products
• Products made from endangered animals, such as bags or purses made from crocodile or snakeskin

Useful Tips:

• Take your purchases home with you wherever possible to avoid complications with additional shipping fees, customs duties and regulations. Airfreight and shipments can sometimes take several months to arrive.
• Avoid purchasing expensive items unless you are certain of its quality and value. Some vendors may overstate the value of their goods. While our guides will try to assist wherever possible, they are not authorities on antiques or rare items.
• Take the time to read credit card slips and calculate the exchange rate before signing.
• Retain receipts of your purchases as you may be asked to provide proof of purchase to local officials when exiting the country. You may also need to present it to customs on your return home.

If you are looking for a specific item, your guide may help refer you to a vendor that carries the item. However, this should not be taken as an endorsement of the vendor. All purchases are your own responsibility and we do not accept liability for products that are found to be faulty or not as advertised. We do not take responsibility for any loss or damage during shipment.

 

Local Food

Cambodian or Khmer cuisine is often described as similar to Thai food, without the spiciness. Some Cambodian dishes are characterized by a strong sour taste, which comes from the use of prahok, a traditional fish paste. Some may find this to be an acquired taste.

A typical Cambodian meal consists of rice served with a side of sour soup, fresh vegetables and a fish dish or occasionally a meat dish. Curries tend to be mild in flavor. A common dish is fish amok, which is a combination of coconut milk and fish wrapped in banana leaf. Pâté served in a baguette is a popular snack amongst locals and is also a reminder of the country’s French colonial history.

The local beer is Angkor beer and Sombai is a local producer of liqueurs, particularly popular for their traditional rice wine.

If you have any special dietary requirements, please advise your travel professional at least six weeks prior to departure. Every effort is made to accommodate your request, but please be aware that this may not always be possible, particularly in remote areas.

 

Responsible Travel

Consider these simple tips to enhance your experience and have a more positive impact when traveling:

• Find out as much as possible about your destination; learning about the site’s history, culture and environment can enhance the experience when you are there
• Learn a few words of the local language
• Pack light and limit excess trash
• Select accommodations, restaurants and activities that have clear goals and policies in relation to environmental impact, employment practices and sustainability objectives
• Buy local products and services
• Minimize your carbon footprint by using alternative transportation options or offsetting your carbon emissions
• Engage in local culture by eating local food, shopping at local markets and taking part in cultural festivals
• Connect with locals who can provide unique insights into the destination
• Leave the places you visit the way you found them; follow designated walking trails and do not remove archaeological or biological treasures from sites
• Bring your own fabric bag, washable straw, refillable water bottle or coffee mug, cutlery and reusable food container to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics; look for water refill stations at #RefillMyBottle or #RefillNotLandfill
• Share your responsible travel tips and help spread the word about best practices in sustainable travel
• Explore more and continue learning about other fascinating places to visit