| TRAVEL TIPS AND GENERAL INFORMATION |
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| AIRPORT TAX |
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| US $ 25 |
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Per outgoing international passenger for flights from Phnom Penh |
| US $ 25 |
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Per outgoing international passenger for flights from Siem Reap |
| US $ 6 |
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Per outgoing domestic passenger for flights from Phnom Penh |
| US $ 6 |
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Per outgoing domestic passenger for fights from all other domestic airports. |
| ANGKOR COMPLEX |
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| A passport-sized photo must be attached to multiple day entrance passes to the Angkor complex (2-3 day pass and one-week pass). Visitors can have their picture taken at the entrance checkpoint at no charge, however we recommend that all visitors bring along a photo prior to arriving in Cambodia. |
| CAMBODIA CLIMATE |
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Cambodia can be visited throughout the year. However those planning to travel extensively by road should avoid the last two months of the rainy season when some countryside raods may be impassable.
The climate is tropical and distinguished by three major seasons. The most pleasant is the dry season from November to March during which temperatures are cooler (average 20-28ºC). The hot season lasts from April to May (average 30-35ºC). From June to early October is the rainy season. Which temperatures are relatively cool average (25-30ºC). At this time of year it rarely rains in the morning: mostpreciptation comes in the afternoon. and even then, only sponradically. Rainfall varies considerably from area to area. Wheres the seaward slopes of the sound-west highlands (Kompong Som and Kampot Proince) reveive more than 5000 mm of rain per annum. the central lowlands averge only about 1400 mm. |
| CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE |
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The local currency is the Riel, however, in Phnom Penh and most major tourst destinations almost all gooods and services are calculated and paid for in U.S. Dollars. The rate of exchange (at time of printing) is approximately 4100 Riel to one US Dollar. Credit cards are accepted only at major hotels and at some foreigner-owned restaurants and upscale souvenir shops. Traveler's checks and currencies other than US Dollars are accepted on by major banks. It is best to carry U.S. Dollars in small denominations.
EURO: in Phnom Penh EURO can be exchanged at the Cambodian Public Bank and at the Campu Bank and in Siem Reap at the mekong Bank and at the Cambodian Public Bank. |
| CUSTOMS AND FORMALITIES |
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| Regulations are relaxed and simple formlitiest should be observed when entering the country. Every traveler has to complete a customs declaration form during the arrival flight and must submit it 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. Tourists and non residents carrying over US$ 10,000 in cash or its equivalent must declare so in order to ensure they will be allowed to exit the country with that amount. |
| A Diethelm Travel representative will meet travelers at the exit of the airport building, after airport immigration and customs control points have been passed. For easy recognition, our presesentative will display a Diethelm Travel sign with the names of the guests or group. It also tickets for ongoing flights of the clients. Should clients have bought international tickets with us they will recieved them on their departure day. |
| DOMESTIC FLIGHTS |
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| Siem Reap Airways International operates flights between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap with ATR72 and accepts 20kg luggage. Two other carriers, President Airlines and Royal Phnom Penh Airways also operate betweeen these two cities and others such as Banlung (Rattanakiri) with Antonov 54 and Fokker 28 airplanes. President Airlines also uses a Boeing 737-200 for its flights between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Both companies limit the baggage allowance to 15kg. 1kg excess luggage is charged $1 US Dollar |
| FOOD |
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| Khmer cuisine is closely related to those in neighboring thailand and laos, although it is not as spicy. Curries, stirfried vegetables, rice, noodles and soups are staples of the Khmer diet. Fresh river fish and shellfish are both abundant and delicious. Western food is provided only in the major cities although other Asian dishes are widely availbale. Cambodia is well known in the region for its Prahok, a strong, fermented fish paste used in a variety of traditional dishes. Tap water should never be drunk. Bottles mineral water and bottled drinking water are available in all reputatble hotels and restaurants. Similarly, salad and fruit served at these establishments are safe. |
| GENERAL ADVICE |
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| Drink lots of water. Purified, bottled water is available everywhere. Never drink tap water. 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, natureal fibers is the best option. A jacket might be need on cool winter evenings or in hotels and restaurants using exessive air-conditioning. |
A hat and high-factor sun block is advisable as protection against the hot sun when sightseeing outdoors. When visiting temples or pagodas, include thoses of angkor wat, shorts and T-Shirts are acceptable. Shoes (as well as hats) are generally removed at the entrance to pagodas. For visits to the Silver Pagoda, which is within the Royal Palace gounds in Phnom Penh, Visitors are asked to dress more formally. Gentlemen are required to wear long trousers and ladies should wear long trousers and long skirts.
color standard film (such as Kodak, Konica or Fuji), slide film, video film and camera batteries are widely available. Photos are inexpensive to process in the country. Any specialized photos or video equipment should be brought with you. Photography and video in airports, railway stations and near and military installations is forbidden and discretion should be used when photographing people, particularly monks and those in hill tribes. |
| HEALTH REQUIREMENTS |
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| Althouh 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, Japanese Encephalitis, typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and B. Any essential medications should be brought with you as there is no guarantee that they will be available. |
| INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS |
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Direct flights to Phnom Penh are available from Bankok, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Shanghai, Taipei and Vientaine. Airlines currently serving Phnom Penh Dragonair, Lao Aviation, Bangkok Airways, Eva Air, Malaysia Airlines, Silk Air, Shanghai Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Thai Airways International and Vietnam Airlines.
Direct flights to Phnom Penh are available from Bangkok, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Ho Chin Minh City, Singapore, Vientaine. Vietnam Airlines, Silk Air, Malaysia Airlines and Lao Aviation. |
| LANGUAGE |
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Khmer is the official language. It is inherited from the Mon-Khmer family and enriched by Indian Pali and Sanskrit languages. There are various dialects spoken in areas outside Phnom Penh.
English is the second language, followed by French, even though they are not widely spoken except in the capital. |
| LOCAL TIME |
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| Cambodia runs at GSM +7 hours, the same time zone as its neighbors Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. |
| OPENING HOURS OF MUSEUMS IN PHNOM PENH |
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- Toul Sleng Genocide Museum: Open every day from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. Visitors are not admitted after 5:00 pm.
- National Museum: Open every day from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. Visitors are not admitted after 4:45 pm
- Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda: Open every day from 8:00 am to 11:00 am (closed new visitors at 10:45 am) and from 2:00 pm to5:00 pm (closed new visitors at 4:45 pm), except when His Youal Highness King Norodom Shamoni conduct religious ceremonies at the Silver Pagoda or Royal rituals at the Royal Palace, then one of the two compounds will be close. During the Water Festival, open only in the mornings.
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| POST & COMMUNICATION |
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| Post is now routed by air through Bangkok, which makes sending mail and parcels from Cambodia much more reliable than in the past. Most hotels have IDD lines, but calls and faxes are very expensive with the average cost of a call to Australia, Europe and USA approximately US$ 7 per minute. Public phones that use pre-paid phone cards can be purchased at the post office, most hotels and super marketes. |
| PUBLIC HOLIDAYS YEAR 2005/2006 |
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| 01 January 2007 |
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International New Year Day |
| 07 January 2007 |
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Vitory Day over Genocide Regime |
| 02 Febuarary 2007 |
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Buddist Meakh Bochea Day |
| 08 March 2007 |
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International Women's Day |
| 14-16 April 2007 |
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Khmer New Year |
| 01 May 2007 |
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International Labor Day |
| 01 May 2007 |
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Buddhist Visakh Bochea Day |
| 13 May 2007 |
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King's Birthday |
| 05 May 2007 |
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Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day |
| 18 June 2007 |
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H.M Queen's Birthday |
| 10-12 October 2007 |
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Phchum Ben Day |
| 24 September 2007 |
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Constitution Day |
| 21 October 2007 |
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Paris Peace agreement |
| 29 October 2007 |
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Royal Coronation of H.M Preah Bat Samdech Preah Baromneath Norodom Sihamni, King of Cambodia |
| 31 October 2007 |
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Royal Birthday of H.M Norodom Sihanouk (King's Father) |
| 23 - 25 November 2007 |
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Water and Moon Festival |
| 9 November 2007 |
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National Independence Day |
| 10 December 2007 |
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International Human Right's Day |
| 24 -25 December 2007 |
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Christmas Day |
| SECURITY NOTICE |
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| After years of political and social upheaval. Cambodia now enjoys stability. Continuing efforts are made to reconstruct the country from decades of war, to upgrade the infrastructure (roads, bridges, airports, etc) and to ensure security. Cambodia is now once again safe for travel. |
| SHOPPING |
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| There are a wide variety of items available for purchase in Cambodia. The country was one well known for its superior silk weaving. metal work and woodcarving. After decades of neglect. many of these arts are being revived. Visitors can find silver items. Jewelry, gems, colorful cloth for sarong and hols (variegated silks) wood carving paper mach masks. stone copies of ancient Khmer art, brass and bronze figurines and oil paintings in the different markets and shops on main avenues. The trandition clothing for both men and women is the krama, a long, narrow checked silk or cotton cloth. They are available in most markets and shops. Jewelry is generally not up to international standards for design and workmanship and buyers should use caution when purchasing gold and gems. The export of antiques is subject to apporoval of the Ministry of Culture. Bargaining is essential for all souvenirs shopping, if travelers are to obtain reasonable prices. |
