Visa Requirements:
Unless you are a citizen of Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Laos or Vietnam, then you will need a Cambodian Visa.
You will need a passport that is valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date of arrival and a Cambodian visa to travel to Cambodia. Tourist and business visas are valid for one month beginning with the date of entry into Cambodia. Visa’s can be organised prior to your departure, through the Cambodian embassy or consulate in your country or at the airports in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and at all major border crossings. You will need two passport-sized (4cm by 6cm) photographs and a passport. Visa’s cost $20 to $25 but may be more at some border crossings.
There is a departure tax of $25 on all domestic and international flights. This tax must be paid in U.S. dollars. Cambodia regularly imposes fines for overstay of an expired visa. If the overstay is 30 days or less, the charge is USD $5.00 per day; for overstays of more than 30 days, the charge is USD $6.00 per day. For the most up-to-date visa information, please contact the Cambodian embassy in your country.
Note: Visitors can also apply for an electronic visa (e-Visa) online through the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation (www.mfaic.gov.kh/evisa/).
Safety:
Cambodia is a safe and friendly country, but be aware of petty theft and traffic hazards and as in almost all countries, don’t walk down dark alleys at night.
Money:
The local currency is Riel, but you can also use USD. Conversion rate is approximately 4000 Riel to the dollar. Some places may also accept Thai Baht.
Water:
Bottled water is cheap and available everywhere and is probably your safest bet. Most ice in larger towns is safe to consume.
Food:
Staples:Rice, noodles, tropical fruits, vegetables, meat, riverfish.
Spices: Ginger, galangal, tumeric, tamarind, chilli, pepper, garlic, lemongrass, kaffir lime.
Unusual foods (to the Western palate): Prahok (a salted and ferment fish paste), deep fried tarantulas, crickets, termites, baby birds and baby frogs, snake, crocodile, duck egg with fetus and blood jelly.
The food of Cambodia is closely related to that of it’s neighbours, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. It is however characterised by generous amounts of pepper and garlic. It also uses less chilli and coconut than what is found in Thai cuisine. Sour soups are very popular and usually made with river fish, chicken or pork. Baguettes, usually eaten with pate, sardines or egg were adopted from the French Colonial era and remain popular today.
Climate
Cambodia has two distinct seasons. The rainy season, which runs from May to October, is very humid with temperatures ranging from 22 degrees to 35 degrees. September and October are the wettest months and there is usually some degree of flooding. The dry season lasts from November to April when temperatures can be as high as 40 °C.
Siem Reap Population
The town of Siem Reap is home to about 180 000 people, but tourist numbers have now reached approximately 2 million per year.
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