Looking to visit Cambodia? What about backpack Cambodia? From travel tips and guides to Cambodia itineraries, get everything you need to know about visiting Cambodia just below.
Currency: Cambodian Riel. But let’s caveat this real quick. Although the Riel is the national currency of Cambodia, USD is used widely throughout the country, ESPECIALLY in tourist areas. Just don’t expect to get USD back as change, you’ll more than likely get Riel.
Language: Khmer, often referred to as Cambodian, is the official language of Cambodia and is spoken by the majority of the population. Now don’t fret, English is widely spoken throughout Cambodia, especially in cities and large towns.
Visa: To gain entry into the Kingdom of Cambodia, a tourist visa is required. Costing $30 USD, a tourist visa allows you to stay in Cambodia for 30 days. You can obtain your tourist visa upon arrival at either Siem Reap Airport, Phnom Pehn Airport, or at certain land border crossings. Just make sure you have the required tourist visa documents when you arrive in Cambodia.
Alternatively, Cambodia offers the option of evisa. Costing an additional $6 and taking 3 days to process, you are able to apply for your Cambodia tourist visa ahead of time.
Getting Around Cambodia: The best way to get around Cambodia is by overland bus travel. From private vans and overnight buses to VIP buses and mini-vans, traveling overland is a great way to get around to different places in Cambodia. If you are wanting to explore the cities or towns you are in, we recommend walking, hailing a tuk-tuk, or renting a scooter to get you around town.
For booking transportation, check out BookMeBus or 12GoAsia to check out the latest timetables and prices.
Safety: In general, Cambodia is a very safe place to visit and explore. The Khmer are so kind, welcoming, and genuinely excited you are visiting their home. However, with any place you travel to and even in your hometown, things can happen and go wrong. Pickpocketing and theft are among the top issues tourists experience when visiting Cambodia.
Below are some safety tips we used when backpacking Cambodia:
When walking down the street, be sure your belongings (like your wallet and cell phone) are not in your back pockets.
Do not wander off in rural areas. There are still active mines lurking.
When riding in tuk-tuks, you’ll want to take loads of photos. Just be aware of the passing scooters and motorbikes that are looking to swipe that phone out of your hand.
Don’t drape your purse or backpack over just one shoulder. Place your purse across your body and wear your backpack on both shoulders. You don’t want a thief running by to knab your belongings.
A great thing to always have with you is travel Insurance. When we spent 3 weeks in Cambodia, we had travel insurance through World Nomads. Covering things like medical bills and theft, having travel insurance has definitely come in handy for us a time or two.
Essential Phrases: Even if you are not fluent in Khmer, it’s always nice to know a few words of the local language.
– Susadei [soos-a-day]: Hello
– Lee hi [lee-hi]: Goodbye
– Arkun [ar-koon]: Thank you
– Chhnang [ch-nang]: Delicious
While there is loads to see, do, and experience in Cambodia, the below list is definitely our top 10 favorite things we did during our time backpacking Cambodia.
If you like taking tours or would like a local guide to take you around, there are amazing Cambodian tours and experiences to check out. Definitely plan ahead and make your booking ahead of time to ensure your unforgettable Cambodian experience is secured.
Whether you are looking for luxury hotels in the big cities or quaint homestays in villages, Cambodia really has something for everyone. Bigger and more popular cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap offer more accommodation choices and options than smaller towns.
Our biggest tip is when traveling during popular holidays and peak season, book your accommodations ahead of time. For us, we use booking.com to reserve our stays, not only in Cambodia but throughout Asia and the world.
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