CAMBODIA AT A GLANCE

The Kingdom of Cambodia (sometimes transliterated as Kampuchea to more closely represent the Khmer pronunciation) is a Southeast Asian nation bordered by Việt Nam to the east, Laos to the north, Thailand to the northwest, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest.

  • Spoken language: Khmer
  • Currency: Riel (r) or US dollar
  • Population: 16 million
  • Capital: Phnom Penh
  • Religions: Theravada Buddhism (97%), Islam, Christianity, Animism
  • Flag: The Cambodian flag has an image of Angkor Wat. It is the only national flag in the world with a picture of a building on it.


TRAVEL VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR CAMBODIA

All foreign nationals except those from certain Southeast Asian countries need a visa to enter Cambodia. Tourist visas are valid for thirty days. The tourist visas are issued on arrival at all border crossings and airports. You will need two passport photos to get your visa.

You can also take care of your tourist visa online in advance evisa.gov.kh. The e-visas are only valid at airports and the Poipet, Koh Kong and Bavet land crossings. Check the website for full details. E-visas take three days to process, and you still need to provide a digital photograph.

A tourist visa can be extended once for one month. Many travel agents and guesthouses can help you extend your visa for a commission. You can also buy a business visa, and this can be extended in a variety of ways, and they allow multiple entries. Find out more in the Cambodia guide to travel essentials.

ACCOMMODATION IN CAMBODIA

The main cities in Cambodia have several accommodation options and finding something is rarely a problem. There are basic hotels in every provincial town too. The budget accommodation can be very cheap at around $7 to 8$ per night. Most hotel rooms have a double bed as standard.

Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanouk Ville also offer tourist-orientated budget guesthouses and hostels. Hostels can be priced as little as $2 per night. Camping is theoretically illegal in Cambodia, but is a possibility in some places – for example, on the beaches and islands of the south coast.

Mid-range and luxury accommodation is usually only found around the tourist hotspots and major towns. Luxury accommodation is widely available in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Battambang, Sihanouk Ville and Kep. There are choices of five-star chain hotels, chic boutiques and idyllic resorts constructed in traditional Khmer style.

FOOD AND DRINK IN CAMBODIA

Cambodian food has influences from many other countries in Asia and French influence too. Cambodian food is milder than Thai food and often herbs, spices and chili are served on the side rather than blended into the dish. Dishes are delicately enhanced with flavors like lemongrass and coriander. Cambodia’s national dish is bamboo-leaf infused fish amok. Stir-fries feature on most menus alongside delicious coconut milk curry dishes and rice.

Local variations of typical Vietnamese dishes can also be found too. French influences can also be found on the menus here with endless coffee options and French-style baguettes. You can find Khmer street food at markets and on street stalls. You can fill up on noodle dishes, filled baguettes and stir-fries.

Cambodians drink plenty of green tea and fruit shakes. Stalls are set up in towns all over the country from late afternoon. Also available is iced sugar-cane juice and the juice of green coconuts – all very refreshing. Cambodia’s national beer is Angkor, brewed by an Australian and Cambodian joint venture in Sihanouk Ville.