Cambodia

Visas

All nationals other than Malaysians require visas to visit Cambodia. These are issued on arrival at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap International airports, and at the overland crossings.(Arriving overland from Vietnam at either Chau Doc, or from Laos at Voen Kham, you'll need to have obtained your visa in advance.) A single-entry tourist visa ($20 plus one passport photograph required) is valid for thirty days, including the day of issue, and can be extended once only, for one month. A business visa ($25 plus one passport photo) is also valid for thirty days, and can, in theory, be extended indefinitely and converted into a multiple-entry visa.      

Visa can only be extended in Phnom Penh at the conveniently located Department for Foreigner (Mon-Fri 8-11am & 2-4pm), 8km out of town opposite Pochentong Airport. A tourist visa extension ($35) takes 28days to process and takes effect from the date you submit your passport-it cannot be forward dated to the day your current visa expires. As few people can afford to be without their passport for that length of time, they are forced into taking the three-day service at $40 for a one-month extension. Even then, applying for the extension is a time-consuming exercise involving at least two trips out to the airport. A far easier option is to use the visa-extension services offered by travel agents and guest houses in town, who will do all the running around for just a few dollars' commission. Overstaying your visa is charted at a hefty $5 per day.

When crossing into Cambodia by land, you'll be asked to show your health card or international vaccination card. If you can't produce it, you're asked to play a "fine" of 50 baht at the Thai border post, or a dollar at the Vietnamese border. These charges have been introduced locally to supplement the salaries of immigration officials, and politely declining to pay doesn't have any repercussions.

Customs and Formalities

AIRPORT TAX

USD 20  per outgoing international passenger for flights from Phnom Penh
USD 15  per outgoing international passenger for flights from Siem Reap
USD 5  per outgoing domestic passenger for flights from Phnom Penh
USD 5  per outgoing domestic passenger for flights from all other domestic airports

CUSTOMS AND FORMALITIES

Regulations are relaxed and simple formalities should be observed when entering the territory. Every traveller has to complete immigration and customs declaration forms during the arrival flight and must submit them on arrival. Any amount of foreign currency can be brought into Cambodia, but the amount of Cambodian currency must not exceed 100,000 Riels per person. Tourist and non-resident carrying over USD 10,000 in cash or its equivalent must declare it to ensure they will be allowed to take out with them the amount declared. Immigration formalities are quicker when travellers already possess their visa.  Leaving the country, luggage will be X-rayed in Phnom Penh airport and inspected in Siem Reap.

Currency

US dollars are as commonly used as the Cambodian Riel and even Thai Baht is acceptable in many places. Most hotels and many restaurants and shops set their prices in dollars. Small transactions are usually done in Riel. Always carry some small Riel for motorcycle taxis, snacks, beggars and other small purchases.
Riel notes come in 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000, 10,000, 50,000 and 100,000 denominations, but the distinctive red 500 Riel note is the most commonly used.
Please click here for the exchange rate with your own currency.
Credit cards and travellers checks are not common but are catching on. US dollar travellers checks are much more easily cashed than any other kind.
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 travellers checks and accept Visa cards.

There is only one ATM in Cambodia, at the Canadia Bank in Phnom Penh, and you must have a local account in order to use it. You cannot access foreign accounts from this.

Local Time of Cambodia
Cambodia runs at GMT +7 hours, the same time zone as its neighbours Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.   

Climate
The climate can generally be described as tropical. As the country is affected by monsoon, it is hot and humid with an overage temperature around 27.C (80.F). There are two distinct seasons: the Rainy Season and the Dry Season. However, the Dry Season is divided into two sub-seasons, cool and hot. These seasons are

The Rainy season: From June till October 27-35.C (80-95.f)

The Dry season (cool): From November till February 17-27.C (80-95.F)

The Dry season (Hot) : From March till May 29-38.C (84-100.F)

Clothing

Lightweight, loose fitting, cotton clothing is recommended and long-sleeved items should be included for protection from mosquitoes and the sun. During the rainy season an umbrella is more convenient than a rain coast. A jacket may be needed in hotels and restaurants using excessive air-conditioning.

GENERAL ADVICE & HEALTH
Drink lots of water. Never drink tap water, purified bottled water is available everywhere. 
Use an insect repellent against mosquitoes. It is the only way to be sure of protection against mosquito borne diseases. Since Cambodia has a hot and humid tropical climate, casual and lightweight clothing is best. Clothing made from natural fibres is the best option. A jacket might be needed on cool winter evenings or in hotels and restaurants using excessive air-conditioning. A hat and high-factor sun block is advisable as protection against the hot sun when sightseeing.
When visiting temples or pagodas, including those of Angkor Wat, shorts and T-shirts are acceptable. Shoes are generally removed at the entrance to pagodas. For visits to the Silver Pagoda, which is within the Royal Palace grounds visitors are asked to dress more formally. Gentlemen are required to wear long trousers and ladies should wear long trousers or long skirts.
Standard film is widely available. Photos are inexpensive to process in the country. Any specialized photo equipment should be brought with you. Photography in airports, railway stations and near any military installations is forbidden and discretion should be used when photographing people, particularly monks.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Although no vaccinations are officially required for entry to Cambodia, they are highly encouraged. Visitors are advised to check with their doctor or a travel immunization clinic regarding protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and B. Any essential medications should be brought with you as there is no guarantee they will be available in Cambodia.

FOOD
Khmer cuisine is closely related to those in neighbouring Thailand and Laos, although it is not as spicy. Curries, stir tried vegetable, rice, noodles and soups are staples of the Khmer diet. Cambodia is well known in the region for its Prahok, a strong, fermented fish paste used in a variety of traditional dishes. Fresh serve bottled drinking water and tap water should never be drunk. Similarly, salad and fruit served at these establishments are safe.