Here you will find all the answers to your questions before coming to Cambodia.
All visitors to Cambodia must have a valid passport at least 7 months after the date of departure from the country, and at least one blank page. Minors travelling with an adult must hold a valid passport and are subject to the same procedures as adults.
The majority of visitors take their visas directly upon arrival in Cambodia. It is available at all international airports in Cambodia, as well as at all international borders and for nationals of most countries. Noteworthy exception for nationals of the following countries who must consult a consulate or embassy before coming: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Sudan.
Nationals of ASEAN member countries are exempt from visa requirements for a tourist stay.
Cost : 35$ US
Duration: The tourist visa is for a duration of 30 calendar days, extendable only once for an additional 30 days. People who would like to stay longer in Cambodia can also apply for an E visa (business visa) via the arrival visa procedure.
Any excess of the visa duration results in a penalty of $10/USD per day, payable upon departure from the territory.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has implemented an online visa application procedure that saves time at border crossings. The procedure takes 3 working days, however we advise you to allow extra time.
Possible arrival at Cambodia’s three international airports (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville) and at the following land borders: Poipet/Aranya Prathet and Cham Yeam/Hat Lek (Thailand) and Bavet/Moc Bai (Vietnam). The visa is valid for entry into Cambodia within 3 months of issue.
Cambodia has a tropical climate with very strong seasons.
Dry season: From November to May, rainfall is very low or non-existent. Temperatures from 25° to 30° from November to March with cool episodes where temperatures can drop below 20°. April and May are the hottest months of the year with temperatures reaching 45°.
Rainy season: From June to October, temperatures remain very high at the beginning of the season. Tropical storms can be particularly intense, causing flooding and extensive material damage. The peak rainfall is in September/October.
The majority of visitors travel to Cambodia from November to March. Cambodia remains nevertheless an interesting destination outside this period, as tourist sites see their attendance drop significantly. The rainy season is also an opportunity for many activities in the Cambodian countryside.
Water: Running water is not drinkable in Cambodia, so it is imperative to drink only bottled water. Ice cubes should be avoided in small local restaurants but can be safely consumed elsewhere.
Raw fruit and vegetables: Fruits must be peeled before consumption. Raw vegetables are not recommended for sensitive people.
Restaurants : The universal rule is that a quality restaurant will always be frequented in Asia, almost at any time. Caution should be exercised with regard to establishments that are clearly empty or very sparsely frequented.
The Khmers are generally open-minded and tolerant, as visitors you are always allowed to make mistakes. As with all visits to a foreign country, it is important to adapt as much as possible to local customs.
It is advisable to remove your shoes at the entrance of a pagoda and when entering certain houses and not to touch the heads of people and children. It is important to remain calm in all circumstances, any conflicts always find an amicable solution.
For women, any physical contact with the monks is to be avoided, provide loose and covering clothing for visits to pagodas (including the Royal Palace) and temples in Angkor Park.
US Riels and Dollars are used in the territory with a generally accepted exchange rate of $1 for 4100 Riels. Amounts under $10 are always in Riels. It is possible to withdraw US$ from the country’s many ATMs for up to $500 per withdrawal (several successive withdrawals possible), Visa and Mastercard are generally accepted. If you arrive in Cambodia with US$, check that they are after 1993, notes prior to that date are no longer accepted in Cambodia (see National Bank of Cambodia).
Large denominations ($50 and $100) are generally refused in small local businesses. One solution is to use high-denomination notes when shopping in mini-markets that almost always have a change.
Particular attention must be paid to US dollar notes, especially when giving change. Indeed, a torn note, even a slight one, will be unusable. Also refuse all $2 bills.
Note that Cambodian Riels are worthless and not exchangeable outside the country.
Tips are not part of the practice in Cambodia.
If you are satisfied with the service, however, they will be appreciated. They should be delivered directly by hand.
No specific vaccine is required to travel to Cambodia, however, it is recommended to be up to date for the usual vaccines (tetanus, tuberculosis,…). Hepatitis A and typhoid fever vaccines are recommended. It is important to protect yourself from mosquitoes that can transmit dengue fever and more rarely malaria. Except for prolonged stays in rural areas, no prophylaxis is recommended.
For anyone at risk, it is important to consult a tropical medicine department before leaving. Common medicines are widely available in Cambodia. No prescription is required. It is important to know the names of molecules and dosages, as the trade names of drugs may be different. For any long-term or specific treatment, it is imperative to travel with a sufficient stock of medicines and a prescription translated into English.
Travel insurance is highly recommended.
Wifi connections are widespread in Cambodia, access speed is generally good except in rural areas. It is possible to buy a SIM card to insert into a phone, as the country has very good mobile coverage (3G/4G included). Sim cards and refills available in all local shops.
Cambodia is a safe country, cases of physical aggression against a foreigner are extremely rare. However, it is advisable to apply the basic and usual rules of security: pay attention to valuables, keep papers and cash in the safe of your hotel. Avoid ostentatiously displaying your wealth, not getting involved or participating in any political event, and finally, not engaging in any illegal activity.
You agree to complete the trip/stay/day/half-day, as detailed in your travel program, by registering. This is done by signing your quotation called “overview”.
To be considered definitive, any registration made more than 30 days before the date of departure must be accompanied by a payment by Siem Reap A La Carte of a deposit of 30% of the total amount of the trip. This amount appearing on the signed overview.
A registration made by telephone is not considered final until the deposit has been received. On request, however, we would be pleased to note a provisional registration option without obligation on your part.
We will retain your place as long as it is not necessary for a client wishing to register permanently. However, the option given may not exceed one week. The balance must be received no later than 45 days before departure. The customer who has not paid the balance by the agreed date is considered to have cancelled his trip without being able to take advantage of this cancellation.
For any registration less than 30 days before departure, payment must be made in one go and for the full price of the trip.
You can pay the price of your trip (deposit and then the balance of the price for registration more than 30 days before the departure date or total price for any registration less than 30 days before the departure date):
For any payment whose amount is validated and collected by Siem Reap A La Carte, an invoice will be sent to the person who made the registration in the name of the traveler(s) of the travel program. In the event of registration more than 30 days before the departure date of the trip, the balance of the trip price must be paid, without any reminder from Siem Reap A La Carte, at the latest 35 days before the departure date. Any delay in the payment of the balance will be considered as a cancellation by you for which the cancellation fees referred to in the “Cancellation” article below will be applied.
Your registration is final as soon as your overview is signed. In case of difficulty, we are at your disposal.
The prices mentioned are net, expressed in US dollars.
Before registering for your trip, you must check that each traveller, according to their personal situation and nationality, is in possession of a valid passport or identity card (IC) that will be used to carry out the planned trip as well as any other document(s) (visa, family record book, authorization to leave the country, etc.) necessary and in compliance with the requirements for transit and/or entry into the country(ies) of travel. For nationalities other than French, Siem Reap A La Carte is at your disposal to assist you in your efforts.
The person registering in the name and on behalf of all participants in the trip undertakes to transmit to each traveller the information provided by Siem Reap A La Carte concerning the trip so that Siem Reap A La Carte cannot be held liable for any defect or omission in the transmission of this information.
After registration for the trip and before the departure date, any request for modification (additions or withdrawals (extension, delayed return, change of accommodation) of travel services, can only be made with the prior agreement of Siem Reap A La Carte and payment to Siem Reap A La Carte of the costs incurred, by any means of payment that allows collection. In the absence of collection, Siem Reap A La Carte shall not be required to make the desired changes. As from the date of departure, any request for modification and/or non-fulfilment of all or part of the trip’s services will not give rise to any reimbursement of the initial services. Any new services requested during the trip must be paid in advance to Siem Reap A La Carte or the designated service providers.
Beyond three program modifications before validation, a fee of $30 per new proposal will be added to the quote.
The reimbursement of Siem Reap À La Carte to the customer will be made by bank transfer, the costs of which will be borne by the latter. All cancellation fees claimed by hotels and partners will also be deducted.
In the event of cancellation by Siem Reap À La Carte, the participant will be fully refunded but will not be entitled to any compensation.
Siem Reap A La Carte cannot be held responsible for fortuitous cases, cases of force majeure (in particular strikes, bad weather, natural disasters, interruption of means of communication…) due to third parties, or the User’s fault (non-compliance with administrative, customs, health formalities, failure to present at boarding,…).
The User will, therefore, bear all the financial consequences resulting from the occurrence of a case of force majeure affecting the performance of Siem Reap A La Carte’s obligations.
In the event that SRALC covers the purchase of airline tickets for Cambodian domestic flights, and that they are modified or cancelled by the airline issuing the tickets, SRALC cannot be held responsible for any resulting changes in fares and schedules. No refunds will be granted following flight modifications by airlines.
Any costs related to such modifications or cancellations will be the responsibility of the participant.
The participant(s) must ensure that his/her physical condition is suitable for the intended trip. Levels of difficulty and comfort are mentioned on the travel documents. It is important to be in good health and it is recommended to consult a doctor. Siem Reap À La Carte cannot be held responsible for any physical deficiency revealed during the trip.
Terms and conditions of sale updated on November 11, 2022
