Cambodia tourism
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 Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 9:25 am Post subject: TRAVEL IN CAMBODIA INFORMATION & TIPS |
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CAMBODIA TOURISM & TRAVEL TIPS
Contact Addresses
Location: South-East Asia.
Country dialling code: 855.
Ministry of Tourism
3 Monivong Boulevard, Phnom Penh 12258, Cambodia
Tel: (23) 211 593 or 222 409. Fax: (23) 212 837 or 213 741.
E-mail: info@mot.gov.kh
Website: www.mot.gov.kh
Diethelm Travel (Cambodia) Ltd
No 65, Street 240, PO Box 99, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tel: (23) 219 151. Fax: (23) 219 150.
E-mail: dtc@dtc.com.kh
Website: www.diethelm-travel.com
Orbitours Pty Ltd
Street address: 3rd Floor, 73 Walker Street, North Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia
Postal address: PO Box 834, North Sydney, NSW 2059, Australia
Tel: (2) 8913 0755. Fax: (2) 9956 7707.
E-mail: info@adventureworld.com.au
Website: www.orbitours.com.au
Royal Embassy of Cambodia
Wellington Building, 28-32 Wellington Road, St John's Wood, London NW8 9SP, UK
Tel: (020) 7483 9063 or 9064 (consular section). Fax: (020) 7483 9061.
E-mail: cambodianembassy@btconnect.com
Website: www.cambodianembassy.org.uk
British Embassy
27-29 Street 75, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tel: (23) 427 124 or 428 153. Fax: (23) 427 125.
E-mail: britemb@online.com.khorconsular.phnompenh@fco.gov.uk
Website: www.britishembassy.gov.uk/cambodia
Royal Embassy of Cambodia
4530 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, USA
Tel: (202) 726 7742. Fax: (202) 726 8381.
E-mail: cambodia@embassy.org
Website: www.embassy.org/cambodia
Embassy of the United States of America
16 Street 228, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tel: (23) 216 436 or 438. Fax: (23) 216 437.
Website: http://phnompenh.usembassy.gov
Canadian Embassy
Villa 9, R.V. Senei Vinnavut Out (formerly Street 254), Sangkat Chaktomuk, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tel: (23) 213 470 ext 426. Fax: (23) 211 389.
E-mail: pnmpn@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Website: www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/cambodia
The embassy is shared with the Australian Embassy. Under the Consular Sharing Agreement, the Australian Embassy has consular responsibility for Canadian citizens in Cambodia.
Passport/Visa
Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required?
British Yes Yes No
Australian Yes Yes No
Canadian Yes Yes No
USA Yes Yes No
OtherEU Yes Yes No
Japanese Yes Yes No
PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least six months at time of entry required by all.
VISAS: Required by all.
Note: Visitors arriving by air can obtain a visa for stays of up to 30 days on arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, Phnom Penh or Siem Reap International Airport, Angkor. Visas are also available from Immigration at the border posts of Bavet, Poi Pet and Koh Kong. Visitors are advised to check current situation before travelling.
Types of visa and cost: Tourist (single-entry): $22 ($20 in Cambodia). Business (single-entry): $27 ($25 in Cambodia).
Note: Children up to the age of 12, when travelling on their parent's passport, may obtain a visa without charge.
Validity: All visas are valid for a one month period, and visas issued by the Embassy must be used within three months of date of issue. Extensions of up to one extra month for Tourist visas or three to six years for Business visas may be granted by the Ministry of the Interior at the Immigration Office in Phnom Penh.
Application to: Consulate (or Consular section of Embassy); see Contact Addresses section. Tourists on package tours will normally have their visas arranged by the tour operator.
Note: Applications by post will only be accepted through a recognised visa courier. For further details, contact the nearest Consulate (or Consular section of Embassy); see Contact Addresses section.
Application requirements: (a) One completed application form. (b) Two passport-size photos. (c) Valid passport. Children need a passport and visa also. (d) Fee in cash only. (e) Self-addressed prepaid envelope if applying by post.
Note: (a) Children travelling on their parent's passport must submit an extra photo. (b) Nationals of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Sudan also need a return ticket. For Tourist visas, a letter of guarantee from the travel agent, and for Business visas, a business letter.
Working days required: Two.
Money
Currency: Riel (CRl) = 100 sen. Notes are in denominations of CRl100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000, 500 and 100.
Currency exchange: US Dollars and Thai Baht are widely accepted and exchanged, but other currencies are generally not recognised.
Credit & debit cards: Limited acceptance, but can be used in upmarket hotels and restaurants catering to visitors. There are no ATMs in Cambodia. It is always best to carry cash (US dollars if necessary).
Travellers cheques: Limited acceptance. Travellers cheques are generally not recommended. Travellers cheques in US dollars can be changed at the official rate at the Foreign Trade Bank in Phnom Penh, and other larger banks and hotels.
Currency restrictions: Import and export of local currency is prohibited. Foreign currency may be exported up to the limit declared at customs on arrival. Amounts over US$10,000 have to be declared.
Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Riel against Sterling and the US Dollar:
Date May '04 Aug '04 Nov '04 Feb '05
£1.00 7126.54 7065.41 7290.74 7553.81
$1.00 3990.00 3835.00 3850.00 3999.90
Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1530. Some banks are open on Saturdays.
Duty Free
The following goods may be taken into Cambodia without incurring customs duty:
A reasonable amount of tobacco products or spirits.
Public Holidays
Jan 1 2005 New Year’s Day. Jan 7 Victory Day. Feb 5 Meak Bochea Day. Mar 8 Women’s Day. Apr 14-16 Cambodian New Year. Apr 25 Visaka Buja Day (Birth of Buddha). May 1 Labour Day. May 19 Royal Ploughing Day Ceremony. Jun 1 International Children’s Day. Jun 18 Queen’s Birthday. Sep 24 Constitution and Coronation Day. Oct 14-14 Pchum Ben Day. Oct 23 Paris Peace Agreement. Oct 30-Nov 1 King’s Birthday. Nov 7-9 Water Festival. Nov 9 Independence Day. Jan 1 2006 New Year’s Day. Jan 7 Victory Day. Feb 5 Meak Bochea Day. Mar 8 Women’s Day. Mar 30 Cambodian New Year. May 1 Labour Day. May 7 Visaka Buja Day (Birth of Buddha); Royal Ploughing Day Ceremony. Jun 1 International Children’s Day. Jun 18 Queen’s Birthday. Sep 24 Constitution and Coronation Day. Oct 14-14 Pchum Ben Day. Oct 23 Paris Peace Agreement. Oct 30-Nov 1 King’s Birthday. Nov 9 Independence Day. Nov 25-27 Water Festival.
Note: The religious festivals are determined by the Buddhist lunar calender and are therefore variable.
Travel - International
Note: The greatest risks facing the traveller to Cambodia derive from road traffic accidents, armed robbery after dark, landmines and unexploded ordnance in rural areas. Public order is fragile; however, most visits to Cambodia are trouble-free.
AIR: Bangkok Airways and Thai International fly to Phnom Penh from Bangkok. Malaysia Airlines flies from Kuala Lumpur, Vietnam Airlines from Hanoi, Aeroflot from Moscow, Silkair from Singapore and Lao International Aviation from Vientiane.
Approximate flight times: From London to Phnom Penh takes 12 hours 30 minutes (with a stopover in Bangkok).
International airports: Pochentong (PNH) is 8km (5 miles) from Phnom Penh. A bus service (travel time – 15 minutes) and taxis (travel time – 10 minutes) to the city are available. Taxi fares are approximately US$8 and motorbikes are US$1. For pre-arranged tours a pick-up service is available. Airport facilities include left luggage, banks/bureaux de change, bars, shops, post office and light refreshments.
Departure tax: US$25 levied on international departures at Phnom Penh and Siam Reap International Airports; US$20 elsewhere; US$15 for holders of Cambodian passports. Children less than 4 years of age are exempt.
SEA: The port of Phnom Penh, and the ocean port at Sihanoukville, can be reached via the Mekong delta through Vietnam. This route is served by regular passenger ferry crossings.
RAIL/ROAD: The Thai border is now open for overland access. The main highway links the capital with the Vietnam border. Border checkpoints include Poipet, Cham Yeam (Thailand), Bavet, Kaam Samhar (Vietnam) and Stung Treng (Laos).
Travel - Internal
Note: Visitors should be aware that there is a danger of road traffic accidents, armed robbery after dark, landmines and unexploded ordnance whilst travelling in Cambodia. All necessary precautions should be undertaken. In terms of armed robbery (particularly in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville) after dark, the greatest danger faces those travelling on motorcycles, especially regarding bag-snatching. There have also been violent incidents around popular tourist spots such as Street 154/174 of Phnom Penh. In terms of landmines, visitors should not stray off main routes, particularly in rural areas.
AIR: Internal flights operate between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap for Angkor (travel time – 45 minutes), Battambang, Koh Kong, Sihanoukville and Stung Treng. The upgraded Siem Reap Airport, the main gateway for visitors going to see the ancient temples at Angkor, is a 7 to 10-minute taxi ride from the city. Taxi fares are approximately US$5. Other airports include Bottambang, Mondulkiri, Phnom Penh, Rattanakhiri and Stung Treng.
Departure tax: US$20 for foreign nationals.
SEA: Government-run ferries depart from the Psar Cha Ministry of Transport Ferry Landing between 102 and 104 Streets and go to Kompong Cham, Kratie, Stung Treng, Kompong Chhnang and Phnom Krom. Boats are also available from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, a route popular with travellers. Due to the present rise in crime, inter-city boat travel should be restricted to the fast boats to Kompong Cham and Kratie. Some boats have been reported as poorly maintained and over-crowded; some are reported to not contain life-jackets. Care should be taken to ensure the best and most safety-conscious boat travel available is selected.
RAIL: Some rail services operate; they are cheap but take much longer than the buses. There are plans to restore the international service to Bangkok, but a great deal of repair work is needed. If possible, other modes of transport with better maintained infrastructure should be taken.
ROAD: Traffic drives on the right. Most roads are in very poor condition, although the highway to Vietnam is open. It is possible to drive from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City in a day but there are formalities involved regarding the use of the same vehicle all the way. Right-hand drive vehicles (quite common in Cambodia) are not allowed entry to Vietnam. Both Cambodian and Vietnamese visas must be obtained in advance and the Vietnamese visa must mention ‘Moc Bai’ (the border point on the Vietnamese side) as a point of entry/exit, otherwise travellers run the risk of being turned back. Care should be taken while driving as Cambodian drivers are prone to recklessness and accidents are relatively frequent. The safety of road travel outside urban areas varies greatly from region to region. If travel is undertaken in vehicle convoy during daylight hours only, potential risks can be reduced. Other vehicles cannot always be relied on to use headlights. Cattle often stray onto the roads. In Siem Reap, the local police have banned rental outlets from hiring motorcycles to tourists. Reliable information about security should be obtained before considering extensive road journeys. Bus: Buses to Phnom Penh suburbs are available from 182 Street and the bus station is open 0530-1730. Taxi: Taxis can be hired in main cities. However, cyclo’s (tricycles) or motodops (motorcycles) are a slow but inexpensive way to see the city and some of the drivers, especially those found outside main hotels, speak a little French or English. Car hire: Official visitors can arrange to hire a government car and driver. Enquiries about car hire should be addressed to the Ministry of Tourism (see Contact Addresses section). Documentation: An International Driving Permit is not recognised in Cambodia, but car hire is generally not recommended. Visitors are advised to hire a car with a driver instead which is only slightly more expensive than car hire.
Accommodation
There is now a variety of good hotels available. The capital Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have numerous luxury hotels offering high standards and a range of recreational facilities. Hotels and guest houses are also available throughout the country, but standards generally tend to be basic. Camping is not permitted in Cambodia. For further information on accommodation, contact the Ministry of Tourism (see Contact Addresses section).
Sport & Activities
River tours: Trips on the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers are becoming increasingly popular, one highlight being the opportunity to see Cambodia’s famous freshwater dolphins near Kratié.
Trekking: There are still many thousands of unexploded landmines in more remote areas of Cambodia. Trekking is therefore still fairly limited, though some marked routes are available around Ratanakiri. In rural areas, travellers are strongly advised to seek local advice and not stray from the main paths. There is also the opportunity for elephant rides in Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri, although once again, a tour guide is needed.
Watersports: A range of watersports, including swimming, is available at Sihanoukville. The snorkelling is also good in this location.
Climate
Tropical monsoon climate. Monsoon season is from May to November. The most pleasant season is the dry season, from November/December to April. In the north, winters can be colder, while throughout most of the country temperatures remain fairly constant. There is often seasonal flooding in Phnom Penh and the rest of Cambodia in late-July and early-August; travel may be disrupted.
Required clothing: Lightweight clothing and cottons are worn all year. Rainwear is essential during the rainy season. |
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