Cambodia Travel Guide

Cambodia has a rich history shaped by its ancient civilisation and struggles for independence. Originally home to the Khmer Empire, which flourished from the 9th to the 15th centuries, Cambodia was renowned for its grand architecture, most notably the iconic temples of Angkor. After the fall of the Khmer Empire, Cambodia was influenced by Thailand and Vietnam, and it faced periods of territorial conflict and foreign domination.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Cambodia became a French protectorate. Following independence from France in 1953, the country struggled with internal instability and political challenges. The Khmer Rouge regime, led by Pol Pot from 1975 to 1979, led to one of the darkest periods in Cambodian history, with an estimated 1.7 million people killed in the genocide. After the fall of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia slowly recovered, and in 1993, a UN-backed peace agreement led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy.

Today, Cambodia is a resilient and thriving nation, proud of its rich cultural heritage, rapidly growing economy, and the enduring spirit of its people, making it a dynamic and welcoming destination for travellers.

The Cambodian people are famed for their welcoming nature and their friendliness. The places included in your itinerary are generally safe, and our guides will always look out for you. However, as with any large or popular destination, opportunists and pickpockets can occasionally be a concern, particularly in busy tourist areas. It’s advisable to stay vigilant and take good care of your personal belongings at all times.

From 1st July 2024, Cambodia has introduced an e-arrival card to streamline the entry process into the country. This digital card replaces the traditional paper immigration form, health declaration, and customs form, providing a convenient all-in-one platform for arrival details. All travellers must complete the e-arrival card within seven days before their arrival. The application form is available on the official website: www.arrival.gov.kh

Vaccinations are not essential for your itinerary with Travel Department. However, prior to travel we recommend seeking a qualified medical practitioner’s advice about vaccinations and up to date precautionary medicine for your trip to Cambodia.

Due to Cambodia’s tropical climate, we recommend light cotton clothing to remain comfortable whilst exploring during the day. It is advisable to cover arms and legs in the evenings to protect against mosquito bites. An umbrella is a good idea in both the hot and rainy seasons as it will offer protection from the strong sun and the tropical downpours. When visiting temples and palaces, modest dress is required, with shoulders and knees covered.

• Ask for permission before taking photographs of Cambodian people or monks
• It is customary to remove your shoes when entering a place of worship such as a pagoda or a temple, as well as someone’s home.
• Tourists should respect a dress code to enter temples and palaces which are sacred places. Visitors should not wear the following when entering these places:
  • Sleeveless shirts/ sportswear
  • Tights or leggings
  • Shorts or short skirts
  • Three-quarter length trousers
  • Flip flops or sandals without a strap behind the heel
  • Swimwear or beachwear
  • Shirts with offensive words or images.
• Though not always expected, a respectful way of greeting another individual is to bow the head slightly with hands pressed together at the chest (known as the sampeah)
• Don't use your feet to point at someone, as in Cambodian culture the feet are considered the lowest and least sacred part of the body. Pointing your feet at a person or a religious object is seen as highly disrespectful and offensive.
• Don't touch a Cambodian person on the head, as in Cambodian culture the head is considered the most sacred part of the body and the seat of the soul. Touching someone's head, even as a friendly gesture, is seen as deeply disrespectful and offensive.
• Women should never touch male monks or hand something directly to them, as physical contact between women and monks is strictly forbidden in Cambodian Buddhist tradition.

Yes! Haggling is expected and part of everyday life in Cambodia. A smile goes a long way. Start by offering about a third of the asking price and negotiate from there. The markets are great for unique items such as silks, woodcarvings, rattan weavings and the krama, the traditional Cambodian scarf. Similar to a sarong, the krama is versatile and can be used for bathing, cleaning or sun protection. Both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are filled with bustling local markets to explore.

It is not safe to drink tap water but purified bottled mineral water is available everywhere. Hotels usually provide a complimentary bottle of local mineral water per person in the room. Ice cubes in drinks are generally okay in good standard hotels and restaurants, but it is best to avoid them on street stalls or in the countryside. Some minor stomach problems are always possible when travelling to exotic countries, so bring a supply of your usual anti-diarrhoea medicine.

Cambodians are very concerned with paper waste. Most of the public toilets do not provide toilet paper they use. Instead of using toilet tissue, locals may use the ‘hand-and-water’ technique, which involves washing with water and the left hand. We recommend you carry your own toilet tissue and hand sanitiser.