Angkor maintenance: workers keeping the Srah Srang ancient man-made reservoir clean
Roadside food vendor
Children selling drinks
Here are some useful information for your use while in Cambodia:
Basics
Time Zone: 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
Currency: riel (CR)
Language: Khmer, working English generally understood by tuk tuk drivers in Siem Reap.
International Dialing Code: 855
Population: 11 million
Religion: Theravada Buddhism (90%), Islam
Electricity: 220V 50Hz
Electrical Outlet: Mostly two-prong round sockets. (See details here: http://www.kropla.com/electric.htm)
Driving: On the right side of the road.
Telephone
Emergency Numbers
Police (called from land line): 117
Fire (called from land line): 118
Ambulance (called from land line): 119
Passport Office for Foreigners: 012 854 874
Immigration Office: 012 826 025
Telephone Codes
The Country Code for Cambodia is 855. The following are some of the area codes in Cambodia:
Phnom Penh: 23
Siem Reap: 63
Battambang: 53
Kompong Som (Sihanoukville): 34
Dialling from Cambodia to another country
Dial 001 followed by the Country Code, Area Code and Phone Number. For example, if you're calling the number 04-555 6666 in Penang, Malaysia from Cambodia, you would dial 001-60-4-555-6666.
Mobile Phones
Cambodia uses GSM system common everywhere outside North America. About receiving calls while in Cambodia, please note that you may be charged a very high rate for receiving calls from callers who are unaware you are abroad.
Another option to stay connected while in Cambodia is to rent a mobile phone. This is available directly at the airport. For details, go to http://www.planetomni.com/RENT_CTRY_cambodia_DTL.shtml. Alternatively, use your own handset and purchase a local SIM card.
Currency
The Cambodian currency is called riel. Riel banknotes are available in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000 and 100000. At the time of writing, US$1.00 = 4188 riel. For the latest exchange rate, use the Oanda Currency
Converter, http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic.
When travelling in Cambodia, the most convenient form of currency is the US dollar. The second most convenient is the Thai baht. When carrying US Dollars, make sure they are pretty recent ones. Due to counterfeiting, some shopkeepers may reject US Dollar banknotes of high denominations which are old. Best to carry plenty of low-denomination US Dollar banknotes.
Travellers' Cheques
It is not convenient to carry travellers' cheques in Cambodia. Exchange rate for them is not to be in your favour, and if you must bring them, make sure they are in US Dollars.
Credit Cards
Outside of decent hotels, the use of credit cards are still at an infant stage. Cash advances on credit cards are possible from certain banks in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Banking Hours
Banks are open from 8:00 am to 3:30pm Mondays to Fridays. Some banks are open on Saturdays.
Health
Due to Cambodia's rather basic health infrastructure, you may consider immunisation for cholera, typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and B, polio and tuberculosis. Malaria mosquitoes is widespread, but you should be safe in the main tourist areas. If venturing into the fields and forest, it is advisable to apply mosquito repellent on exposed skin. Drink only bottled water. Avoid taking ice. Getting travel insurance before arriving in Cambodia is also a good idea.
Public Holidays
New Year Day (1 Jan)
Victory Day (7 Jan), commemorating the fall of the Khmer Rouge in 1979
Chinese & Vietnamese New Year - around January/February period
Women's Day (8 Mar)
Chaul Chhnam (app. 14-16 Apr): This is the Cambodian equivalent of Thailand's Songkran, when Cambodians throw water at passers-by, and make offerings at the local temples.
Labour Day (1 May)
Visa Ka Bocea (app. 17 May): This is the festival commemorating the birth and first sermon of the Buddha.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony (21 May): This is a farmer's festival inaugurating the ploughing season.
International Children's Day (1 Jun)
Queen's Birthday (18 Jun)
End of Buddhist Lent (around Sept)
Constitution Day (24 Sep)
Pchum Ben or Soul Day (15 days between the end of Sept and Oct): Festival to bless the spirit of the dead.
Bonn Kathen (timing decided by lunar calendar): Festival when monks come out of their retreats and take on new robes offered by devotees.
Paris Peace Agreement (23 Oct)
Birthday of His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk (30 Oct): 3-day festival to honour the monarch.
Independence Day (9 Nov): Public holiday to celebrate the independence of Cambodia from France in 1953.
Bonn Om Took Water Festival (some time in November): Festival to celebrate the reversal of the flow of the Tonle Sap River. Boat races and fairs are held.
International Human Rights Day (10 Dec)
Find the lowest rates for the hotel room you want
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As an independent traveler, you have the freedom to create your itinerary according to your own schedule. Here are local tours of Cambodia that you can fit into your vacation.
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