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Cambodia

Time difference: GMT +7

Flight time: Flights from London to Phnom Penh vary in length depending on your chosen route but take upwards of 14 hours with at least one stop over along the way. Flights from London to Siem Reap take around 17 hours with one or two stop overs along the way too.

Currency: Cambodian Riel (KHR) with the symbol ៛

Language: The official language of Cambodia is Khmer which is spoken by nearly 90% of the country’s population and is used for all official communication.

Electricity: 230V

Telephone Code: +855

Tipping: While tipping in Cambodia is not necessarily expected, average salaries are quite low, so it is always appreciated. A tip of around 10% in restaurants would be fair but if you feel the service or food warrants more, then by all means tip extra. Some high-end restaurants will include a service charge so be sure to check the bill.

Tipping guides, drivers and hotel staff is again at your discretion but will always be met with a grateful smile and help boost employees monthly wages. While temples don’t charge an entrance fee, if a monk blesses you or you’re guided around, it’s deemed polite to leave a few thousand riel in the donation boxes.

Etiquette: Cambodian etiquette is deeply rooted in respect be that for the elderly, for visitors or sacred places. Those who follow the Buddhist faith believe living a good life will lead to enlightenment , so expect plenty of good-will and kindness as you travel.

Cambodia is a conservative country and although a loving collection of people, public displays of affection are not deemed appropriate. It’s worth remembering that the left hand is viewed impure so don’t use it to eat, touch anyone or pass anything, always use the right and when receiving something cup both hands together. It’s also impolite to touch people on the head or point your feet at anyone, so always tuck them under your legs when sitting on the ground.

When entering someone’s home be sure to take your shoes off along with any hats or shoes and if taking a photo with an elder it’s seen extremely rude to put your hand around their shoulder. Finally, when visiting temples, as with other Asian countries ensure your shoulders and upper legs are covered. Cambodia has suffered some truly traumatic events in recent history and while many people will share their stories with you, don’t bring up sensitive subjects yourself, especially at meal times.

Religion: Theravada Buddhism is the official religion of Cambodia with 95% of the population practising this more traditional school of Buddhism which encourages patience, gentleness, conservatism and a lack of concern for material wealth. Minority populations follow local religions while Islam and Christianity make up the remainder.

Visas: You can look up the latest advice on https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cambodia/entry-requirements. Please be aware that this information can change at short notice.

Vaccinations: Health facilities, hygiene and disease vary world-wide and you may choose to take the necessary vaccinations before you depart. You can find out more about Cambodia on the NHS’s Fit for Travel website.

Above averages are for Phnom Penh.

Cambodia enjoys a tropical climate and can be visited year round with temperatures consistently sitting between 21- 40°C but for those wishing to avoid the wet season, the best months to travel are between November and April.

From December to February, Cambodia is at its most temperate making it ideal for those wishing to explore the temples or do any sort of hiking. It’s also the most popular time to travel so you can expect more crowds than at other times of the year.

The hot season runs between March and June with April earmarked as the hottest month of the year. With temperatures climbing to 40°C with lots of humidity, book a hotel with a pool and air-conditioning when visiting during these months.

Rainy season runs from June- September, when temperatures are still high and the afternoon showers come as a welcome respite from the heat. In October and November it’s still raining but temperatures begin to creep down to highs of around 30°C and lows of around 23°C. Despite it raining upwards of 20 days a month during the wet season, visiting during this time offers a totally different experience almost devoid of other tourists and showers are powerful yet short lived.

Cambodia’s three functioning airports are well connected to each other and offer affordable flights between Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville making exploring the whole country that little bit swifter.

For shorter journeys, there’s a wide range of road transport available from large air-conditioned buses to local minibuses, private cars and tuk-tuks. Most of the major cities are linked with the capital via tarmacked roads but outside of this expect to find plenty of dusty roads made of hard packed clay, smoother roads topped with gravel and slow moving bumpy tracks through local settlements. With a good driver, this is a fantastic way to see rural Cambodia and is an unmissable part of the adventure.

From traditional Khmer dishes to modern fusion restaurants, Cambodia is a country full of culinary delights. Rice is ever present and served with most meals alongside a selection of sauces from pickled and tangy to spicy and sweet while bamboo shoots, morning glory and fresh ginger are a typical touch to many Khmer dishes. When eating meat in Cambodia, it’s worth remembering that nothing ever goes to waste but also that nothing is off limits. You’ll readily find snake, crocodile and frogs on the menu in addition to a selection of pan fried insects. You’ll find some of the best fish markets along the coast where you can buy all sort of grilled fish and prepared crabs, a stone’s throw from the sea.

The national dish, Fish Amok, is a must try. This creamy coconut milk based curry is served wrapped in a banana leaf and delicately fragranced with lemongrass, ginger and turmeric. Often served for breakfast or as an afternoon snack, Nom Banh Chok is another dish not to be missed during your travels which consists of thin rice noodles topped with a cool fish gravy and raw vegetables and herbs.

Mixed with condensed milk, iced coffee is one of the sweetest and most popular drinks in Cambodia which can be enjoyed at any time of the day while many locals insist that a cold beer will cool you down quicker than water with each region serving its own speciality.

Many Khmer people from rural areas and those disabled by landmines have rediscovered their natural talents as craftsmen and weavers and you’ll find some of the most beautiful and ornate mementos to take home. Every settlement in Cambodia is home to a market where aside from fresh produce and street food you’ll find a collection of hand-woven silk textiles, batiks, woven mats, rice paper, natural soaps, dried fruits and Mekong quilts
You’ll find a number of rehabilitation and training programs across the country who are partly funded by sales in their boutiques which are definitely worth a visit.

Items in shops are usually clearly marked but outside of this haggling is the norm. Before you begin the bartering process be sure you want to buy the item and have a maximum figure in your head that you’re willing to pay. As a tourist, you’re a prime target for overcharging, but do use your common sense when it comes to quibbling over a dollar.

The Khmers love to have fun and hardly a month goes by without some kind of festivity from Royal Ploughing Ceremonies at the start of the rice planting season to the Khmer Festival of the Dead in September.

One of the biggest celebrations is the Khmer New Year which is celebrated for three days from the 13 to 15 April. These nationwide celebrations accumulate with locals both young and old splashing water on each other along the streets. Both the King and Buddha celebrate their birthdays in May giving way to more national holidays and celebrations in the streets.

On November 9 Cambodia celebrates National Independence Day, commemorating the country’s independence from France in 1953. Centred around the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh, the king lights a victory fire while locals take part in parades, cultural activities before lots of fireworks in the evening.

The Cambodian Water Festival takes place on the full moon of the Buddhist month of Kadouk which is usually November and celebrates the unusual occurrence of the reversing flow between the Tonle Sap and Mekong River. More than a million people join in the festivities in Phnom Penh where you’ll find boat races, parades and fireworks.