CAMBODIA
The beautiful Cambodia, famous for the spectacular UNESCO world heritage site of Angkor Wat, can offer more than some temples. This country offers multiple attractives: the chaotic but enchanting capital city Phnom Penh, the city of Siem Reap, where there are the famous temples of Angkor Wat, Kampot and Sihanoukville, where there is a crystal clear sea, the national park of Bokor, perfect to do trekking in the middle of the nature… After years of war that destroyed some parts of this beautiful country, today Cambodia is the perfect place for any kind of holiday, thanks to the fabulous Khmer architecture, the white beaches, the verdant rice terraces and the enogastronomic culture.
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SOME PLACES OF INTEREST
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city of Cambodia. Crossed by the Mekong, Tonle Sap and Bassac rivers, Phnom Penh has grown to become the center of economic and industrial activities, as well as the political, cultural and diplomatic center of the nation. Once known as the "Pearl of Asia", it was founded in 1434 but is still believed to be one of the most beautiful cities of French origin in Indochina and some original buildings are still visible in the city. Much of the city center, including the Royal Palace and the National Museum, was built during the French period. The National Museum of Phnom Penh contains the largest collection of Khmer artifacts in the country. Among the historical sites of the Khmer Rouge period in Phnom Penh, we can find the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Memorial. Other important historical sites, which can be visited in one day starting from the capital, are the ancient capital Oudong and the ruins of Phnom Chisor and Phnom Da.
Siem Reap
Siem Reap is a city in Cambodia , located between the ruins of Angkor Wat and the large Tonle Sap Lake in the north-west of the country. In the last decade Siem Reap has become one of the major tourist centers of Cambodia because it is the ideal point to visit the famous temples of Angkor , masterpieces of Cambodian architecture and more precisely of Khmer architecture, declared, in 1992, the heritage of the humanity protected by UNESCO . Angkor Wat , the main temple, is a symbol of Cambodia, so much so that it is depicted on the national flag. According to the Guinness Book of Records , it is the largest religious site in the world.
Sihanoukville
Sihanoukville is located on a sandy peninsula on the coast of Cambodia overlooking the Gulf of Siam (also called the Gulf of Thailand), about halfway between Thailand and Vietnam. Sihanoukville is the most important Cambodian seaside resort, with kilometers of white sand beaches, picturesque islands and warm tropical waters; given the location, it also acts as a link center to other coastal cities in southern Cambodia. Sihanoukville was born as a port city, but today it is mainly a seaside resort and a tourist destination. Sihanoukville is an ideal place to relax on the beach, enjoy fresh fish, party, go to visit the many islands and snorkel.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
PASSPORT
To enter Cambodia you need a passport with a residual validity of at least 6 months from the date of entry into the country.
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VISA
The tourist visa can be requested even before departure with the online procedure. The website for applying for E-Visa is as follows: https://www.evisa.gov.kh/ . Two 4x6 passport photos with a white background are required to issue the visa. The cost for the tourist visa (Type "T") is around 30 USD, lasts 30 days and is renewable for another month only.
HEALTH
Make sure you have health insurance. Hospitals in Cambodia are very simple. We recommend that you consult your doctor and a vaccination center before departure. No vaccinations are formally required to enter the country. Malaria and dengue remain a problem in some regions, including the area of Phnom Penh, it is therefore advisable to bring good mosquito repellent from Italy and wear light clothing that covers arms and legs, especially in the evening. As an indication, it is good to start with bandages, analgesics, antidiarrheal, anti-mosquito cream, sunscreen and medicines for colds and sore throats. Specific circuits off the beaten track require good physical condition. Long journeys on sometimes damaged roads can be tiring for people suffering from back pain.
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CLIMATE
Like any tropical country, Cambodia has two seasons: the winter period (November to March) and the summer monsoon season (May to October). The first period is relatively dry (with a temperature of around 25-30 ° C) while the second is very hot (35 ° C on average) and very humid (with short but intense rains at the end of the day and risk of floods). April and May are very hot months while the best time to go is from November to March.
CURRENCY
Cambodia's currency is the Riel and the exchange rate is around € 1 = 4,500 KHR. Dollars are accepted everywhere for small and large purchases. Dollar traveler checks can be exchanged in banks and some hotels, but it can be difficult to exchange them outside major cities. Credit cards are accepted in exclusive hotels, shops and restaurants for tourists. ATMs are found in most cities and provinces.
TIMETABLES
The Cambodian time zone is GMT + 7 hours, so there are 6 hours more than Italy when summer time is in effect and 5 hours more when solar time is in effect.
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CUSTOMS
For international flights, when requested, it is necessary to complete and present a Departure / Arrival document to be handed over to immigration. Customs allowances allow you to import no more than 200 cigarettes or the equivalent in tobacco, a reasonable amount of perfume for personal use and an open bottle of alcohol.
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LUGGAGE
For international flights, please check in at least 90 minutes before departure, while for domestic flights it is advisable to check in at least 60 minutes before departure. Some companies allow you to carry only one piece of hand baggage while allowances and sizes vary from company to company. The weight of your luggage, generally, must not exceed 20Kg. During the flight, it is possible to keep in the hand baggage only what is absolutely necessary, such as toiletries and drugs (for liquid drugs such as insulin, syrups etc ... you must have a recipe in your name or a medical certificate ). Pointed or sharp objects (knives, scissors ...) will be confiscated before boarding. The fees for baggage that exceeds weight or size limits are very high.
ELECTRICITY'
In Cambodia the current has a power of 220V, 50 Hz. Given the frequent blackouts and power outages, it is advisable to bring a flashlight. The sockets are generally two-pole and of two varieties (type A and type C), therefore adapters are often not needed, which are however easily purchased in markets and supermarkets.
DRINKS
Our prices do not include drinks. Bottled water is on sale everywhere and is very cheap. In restaurants, iced tea is often available.
KITCHEN
Khmer cuisine is delicious and cheap. In the capital and main cities there are also Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Indian and western cuisine, especially in the capital.
SHOPPING
Cambodia offers a wide range of souvenirs including many handicrafts such as carved stones, wooden Buddhas, embroidered cottons, precious stones (be careful if you are not expert) and much more. Buying at the market is much cheaper than at the airport.
INTERNET
Internet connection is widely available in Cambodia. International (tri-band) cell phones can be used in Cambodia. Phnom Penh has many cheap internet cafes in Phnom Penh.
TELEPHONE AND FAX
Postcards sent from Cambodia to western countries take around 5-10 days to arrive.
International calls can be made in most hotels and post offices. The cost of calls is quite high. To call Cambodia from home, dial the international prefix followed by 855, then the local prefix (without the leading zero), then the number. To call home from Cambodia dial 001 (or 007) + country code + local area code without the leading zero + the number.
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PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography is allowed with some restrictions, such as photography of military installations and airports. It is polite to seek permission before photographing Cambodians, especially monks.
TRAFFIC
There is not much traffic outside Seam Reap and Phnom Penh. People drive slowly and in a relaxed way, but they drive rather badly, not respecting the priorities and often driving in the middle of the road. The horn is rarely used and headlights are used for signaling.
SAFETY
Having a driver from the hotel and the airport is highly recommended for your safety.
At night it can be dangerous for foreigners to walk out into the main cities, so it is good to use taxis or motorbike taxis. The country does not have a high crime rate, but tourists are often targeted because they have money and cameras.
CLOTHING
Wear appropriate clothing for the climate. Light cotton clothes are best suited for most of the year, while something warmer may be required in the mountains or in January and February. Being the country very religious, it is not advisable to wear very low-cut clothes that do not cover the shoulders and knees, clothing also required to enter the Royal Palace and in many Buddhist temples.
GOOD HABITS
Politics is a sensitive topic. Avoid pointing your foot at someone or touching their head. Women should keep their shoulders covered and not wear shorts near the pagodas.
TIPS
It is not customary to tip in Cambodia. However, as wages in this country are extremely low, tips are obviously appreciated. The salaries of local guides and drivers are often rounded off by tips that range between 5% - 10% of the total bill.