General Questions
Visa, Photos, Money, Exchange, Airport Tax, Where to visit , Restaurant, ATM Machine, Internet, Food, Safety, Bar,..etc
Meals & Drinks
Safety
General Information
Passport & Making Visa in Cambodia
Q: My passport is going to expire in four months, so can I go to Cambodia ?
A: Issuing Cambodia Visa requires: One Photo, Passport must be valid more than six months, two blank pages left for visa and immigration stamp, and if you must go or come back to Thailand and you hold passport that need Visa to Thailand, please check your Visa-There is NO Issuing Thailand Visa at Siem Reap and Border. The only place you can get Thailand Visa in Cambodia is Thailand Embassy in Phnom Penh.
Q: Can I issue Cambodia Visa on arrival? How and where can I be issued ?
A: Only Malaysian, Singaporean, Pilipino NOT require Visa, All other nationals require visas to visit Cambodia. Arrival by flight can issue "On arrival Visa" at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap International Airport. It cost USD 20 for Tourist Visa and USD 25 for the Business Visa (Need 02 passport sized photos each person for Visa). Issuing Cambodia Visa at Poi Pet needs 1,100 Thai Baths. ( Visa is valid for Three months. Nowadays, it is so easy to apply the Online Cambodia Visa though the website: http://evisa.mfaic.gov.kh
Q: What shall I do if I do not have Photos ?
A: Clients must bring 02 passport sized photos with for Visa (you could also make it upon arrival at the airport) & one more photo for Angkor Entrance Fee. If you don't have photo you need to pay a few dollars, but you have to wait at least 20 minutes for making it. Please don't forget to bring it with !
Q: What's the Application Form like ?
A: The Visa Application Form is so simple. The only requirement for obtaining a Visa - Tourist or Business is that you have a valid passport and the proper money. If you are arriving by air or you are westerners arriving by any means, you can expect what I have just described. But if you are African, South Asian, Middle Eastern, or even from one of the poorer Asian countries and you are arriving overland you may encounter some hassles in the visa process.
Q: What is the Proper Currency to use ?
A: US Dollars are as commonly used as the Cambodian Currency (Rields) and even Thai Baht is acceptable in many places. Most hotels, restaurants and shops set their prices in dollars. Small transactions are usually done in Riel. Always carry some small Riel for Motorcycle Taxis, Snacks and other small purchases. Riel notes come in 100,500, 1000, 5000, 10,000, 50,000 and 100,000 denominations, but distinctive red 500 Riel note is the most commonly used.
Credit Cards and Traveler’s Checks are not common but are catching on. US dollar traveler’s checks are much more easily encashed than any other kinds. Money changers cluster around the markets. When accepting money, inspect the bills. Marred Riel is acceptable tender, but the tiniest tear in a large US note renders it worthless. There are banks in all of the larger provincial capitals, including Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Battambang. Banks can change money; effect telegraphic transfers and some banks can cash traveler’s checks and accept Visa Cards.
Q: Doesn't using the Local Currency (Riels) result in cheaper prices ?
A: For all intents and purposes, the US dollar is commonly use for Cambodian in buying some of the expensive items. If you use Riels for larger purchases, it may cost you more that using US dollars.
Q: So change is given in Riels, do the merchants cheat you ?
A: Not really. The most common way to scrape a few extra Riels is that some merchants will put the Riels at 3900 to the dollar when giving you change, but put it at 4000 to the dollar when you are paying in. Until September 2007, 100 Riels was the smallest denomination, and what you would get for fifty cents change then, was 1900 Riels. For you, these few extra Riels they make are only a couple of cents, but spread that out over thousands and thousands of transactions during the course of a year and it adds up to a tidy sum of cash. For purposes of giving change, many foreign-owned businesses value the Riels at 4000 to the dollar regardless of the direction, but it's more common for Khmer-owned businesses to use the 4000 in/3900 out system, which if you really get analytical about it, is cheating.
Q: Where can I change money ?
A: The best place to change the money is to go to any of the hundreds of private money changers. Do not bother with banks as most (all?) are not in the money changing business. You'll always see a concentration of money changers around the markets, but they are everywhere. They can be recognized by the glass case full of money (also a testament to the general honesty of most Khmers), most of it Riels, and two numbers on the glass, both numbers being 4000 Riels. These numbers are the present exchange rates for US dollars and Riels. Exchanging dollar to Riels is a straightforward process and rip-offs are extremely rare. With any other currencies, some bargaining may be necessary. Japanese Yen, Euros, and Baht seem to pose no difficulties, though rates may vary slightly from changer to changer. However, the more obscure the currency is the less likely the money changer will know the actual rate nor be willing to offer a fair rate as it may be more difficult for them to reconvert the notes. It's also been my experience that in most cases the money changers will offer a better rate than the hotels regardless of what currency you're changing.
Q: Are there a lot of Counterfeit Bills floating around ?
A: Some, yes! But if I never had one I didn't know it, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. If for any reason you find yourself with a possible counterfeit, just keep trying eventually somebody will take it. The best place to get rid of it would probably be in paying your airport departure tax as they don't seem to check the money their handed.
Q: Does the condition of the bills make a difference ?
A: For Cambodian Riels, you will see some bills so worn and torn; you might have trouble figuring out what denomination it is. But with the US dollars one little rip in a bill and nobody will accept it. On my first visit to Cambodia, I got stuck with a torn ten-dollar bill that nobody would take until finally as I was leaving via Pochentong International Airport, they took it when I paid the departure tax. Do not accept torn money and if you're receiving money from a bank, check every bill and don't be shy to turn one back if you don't like the appearance of it. I've often handed back bills at several different banks and they've exchanged them without question. Old dirty bills that aren't torn can still be spent, but new ones are better, so if you can, turn back the dirty ones, too.
Q: Are there any ATMs ?
A: Yes !! there are many ATMs in Siem Reap Town, around Old Market (02 ATMs at Siem Reap Airport) and there are 5 ATMs in Phnom Penh. Travelers also could get cash in US Dollars from every ATMs (in Cambodia US$ is used as common as local currency everywhere in town).
Q: Can I use a Credit Card ?
A: More so than before. Better hotels, some restaurants, and a handful of shops in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap take plastic (usually Visa), but cash is still the best way to go and some establishments that do accept credit cards slap a surcharge of several percent (sometimes as high as 7% or even 8%!) for the convenience. You can however; get a cash advance from numerous banks in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap with commissions usually around 3%. Some private businesses also offer cash advances but their charges tend to be a few percentage points higher than the banks.
Q: How about Traveler's Checks ?
A: You can cash them in at many banks. Spending them is a bit more problematic. Cash is KING.
Travel to Angkor Temples
Q: Do I need a local Tour Guide to show me around when I go to see Angkor Temples?
A: There is no requirement that says you have to use a guide to visit Angkor Temples. It's entirely a personal decision but one option to consider is hiring a local guide for few days to make your trip very special and memorable !
English Speaking Guides cost between $25 and $30 per-day and are available speaking a number of foreign languages including English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Thai, Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese.
Q: How many days do I need to see Angkor Temples ?
A: This is a very commonly asked question that really doesn't have a definite answer. Some people are happy with 2 days; some find a week is still not enough. But to give you some kind of answer, try to give yourself at least 3days in Siem Reap, though a week may be better as you can take a break from the temples for one or two days to see some other area sights and avoid temple burn-out.
Q: How much does Angkor Entrance Fee cost ?
A: Angkor Entrance Fee: One day pass is US$ 20/pax, 03 days pass is US$ 40/pax, 4-7 days pass is US$ 60/pax (They accept only cash in US Dollars, it is not possible to pay by all kind of Credit Cards, Master Cards or any Traveler's Cheque. Unfortunately, the multi-day tickets must be used on consecutive days, a policy I strongly oppose. I do believe that Siem Reap could see a noticeable increase in tourist revenue if this consecutive day policy was eliminated and, for example, three-day tickets could be used on any three days in a one-week period and one-week tickets would have a two-week validity. It would not be a difficult policy to implement. (Please bring 2 passport sized photo each for Visa & Angkor Entrance Fee!).
Q: Angkor Entrance Fee sounds expensive, can I sneak in ?
A: Umm, no. Not anymore. Getting past the main gate is easy and contrary to what you may have heard, you don't really have to stop at the main gate, though if you don't stop and they don't know you, they'll probably chase after you anyway. This is all stupid, because anybody can legally enter the Angkor Archaeological Park without a ticket, but what you can't do is enter the temples themselves. Most of the temples have ticket checkers at the front and they do their jobs rather efficiently. If you are caught trying to sneak into one of the temples without a ticket you'll face a hefty fine. Don't be a blubbering idiot. If you've come to see the temples - buy a ticket.
Q: Where can I buy an Angkor Entrance Ticket ?
A: For 03 days and 07 day tickets, there is only one place to buy a ticket and that is at the main gate on the main road from Siem Reap to the Angkor Park. It's a big facility that looks like a large toll plaza. It's off to the right and your driver will know to take you there. You need one passport photo but if you forget this photo they'll take one for you, free of charge. One day tickets can also be purchased at Banteay Srei and Rolous as these tickets don't require photographs. You absolutely can NOT transfer the ticket to another individual.
Meals & Drinks
Q: How's the local food ?
A: During your exploring the legendary of the World Famous Temples in the Kingdom of Cambodia, please don’t miss to experience and test the Local Khmer Food which you will find how tasty it is. There are many restaurants specialized in Khmer Food as Khmer Kitchen, Eat At Khmer Restaurant and some of the Restaurants located near the Old Market.
Q: What's the availability of western food ?
A: In Phnom Penh just about any cuisine you can think of is represented somewhere by a restaurant and represented fairly well. Siem Reap also has a generous supply of western and other Asian cuisine restaurants. If Khmer food doesn't do it for you, you'll find plenty of satisfactory alternatives in either of these locations. Elsewhere the choices become slimmer. Sihanoukville has a couple of eateries with western food and in Battambang there are a couple of places as well. Anywhere else and you're going local.
Q: Is the food safe to eat ?
A: Everybody sometimes comes down with some kind of food poisoning here but everybody has to eat. Do not stress too much on the food. Look at it, smell it, whatever, just eat. I've gotten sick at nice restaurants and I've eaten from street stalls where the food was pre-cooked hours before and had no problems whatsoever. The best rule to follow is if you see a place with a lot of locals, than the restaurant is probably okay. Also realize that individual body chemistry plays some role in how you will react to unfamiliar food. Five years I've been here and there is still some kind of bacteria I can't seem to get my body to adjust to.
Q: How about water and ice ?
A: Do not drink the tab water!! Bottled water is readily available and any brand, even the cheapest, is fine. I've never had a problem with ice and have it in my drinks all the time. The ice to be careful with is the stuff delivered in the big blocks covered with saw dust. You can recognize this ice because it will be broken up in non-uniform shapes and sizes. Most restaurants will not use this ice in drinks. Still, I've drank this ice without problem. But almost any restaurant or bar is going to serve you safe ice, so don't worry about it.
Q: What beer is available and what's best ?
A: In restaurants and bars the most common brands are Angkor Beer, Anchor, Beer Lao, and Tiger. Angkor is domestic, Tiger and Anchor are from Singapore but brewed locally (Anchor is young Tiger), and Beer Lao is imported from Laos. Tiger and Angkor are the most common beers on tap. Two other local beers are Crown and Bayon but these are cheap rat's piss and rarely seen in restaurants and bars catering to westerners. There are several other local brands as well but the contents hardly qualify as beer. You can also find Heineken, Budweiser, and some of the Thai brands. Most tourists seem to drink either Angkor Beer or Lao Beer.
Safety
Q: Are land mines a problem for tourists ?
A: No. Many million tourists alone walked around Angkor area in 1995 till nowadays and nobody stepped on a land mine. To this day, there have been no reported incidents of any foreign visitor stepping on a mine in Cambodia. Not one. The major tourist areas are absolutely mine-free. While the guidebooks still suggest being careful, even around Angkor Wat, the question you need to ask yourself is - do you plan to go bushwhacking through the trees, treading upon land no human as walked upon in years? I think the answer is 'No'. Even if you step into the bushes to answer nature's call, you're almost certainly going to walk along a well-worn path. So relax. According to the head of the HALO Trust in Cambodia, you'd have to drive at least two hours from Siem Reap to find a mine.
General Information
Climate - What to Wear
Generally speaking, November through June is the dry season and July through October is rainy season, so please bring the rain coat with when you go out for the sightseeing. The temperature range between 27 C (80F) and 23 C(73F) Wear light, airy, covering clothing. The sun can intense so bring a hat, sunglasses and perhaps sun block. Consider buying a traditional Khmer Scarf (Kromar) to keep the sun off your neck. Carry raincoat during the wet season, though you will probably only need it in the afternoon. You should have a mosquito repellent for sunrise and sunset hour. For serious temple explore a flashlight and compass can come in handy. Sport shoes are the best for exploring the ruins. The peak season - is from November till March , Best time of the year , No rain , Not too hot , all activities in town operate , more flights , more bus & boat Service (Clients sometimes could wear short pant during their sightseeing in Angkor area but must be the pant around knee and T-shirt must covering the shoulder. Take off the hat when you are in the Buddhist pagoda).
Send Postcards Home
Mail to Europe, Australasian and North America takes between five and ten days to arrive, leaving Phnom Penh for major international destinations around twice a week the specific days can be checked at the main post office. Stamps for postcards sent from the capital cost 2500 Riels to Europe, Australia and America (add 1000 Riel if posting from the provinces).
E-mail & Internet
If you want to get online, do it in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap - here you're never far from an Internet shop or café ? And rate is $1/hour. In the provinces, it's a different matter: even in Battambang and Sihanoukville access is limited, and expensive at around $3/hour. One of the best ways to keep in touch while traveling is to sign up for a free email address that can be accessed from anywhere, for example Yahoo Mail or Hotmail. Once you've set up and send mail from any Internet Cafe? Or from a hotel with Internet access.
Do I need any vaccinations ?
Travellers have very little to worry about in a country where health standards are ranked amongst the highest in Asia. Vaccinations are not required to enter the Kingdom of Cambodia; you are unless coming from a "yellow" infected area.(Most of the restaurants in Cambodia are outdoor, please put the insect repellent on your skin when you want to go out for dinner in the evening)
Should you have any further Questions, please kindly feel to contact Angkorexcursion.com !
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