18 Interesting Things To Know Before Travelling To Cambodia

We had never really thought about travelling to Cambodia. When we told our friends that we were heading to Vietnam, they suggested adding Cambodia to our list too. It was a wise decision especially since we had over a month to explore both countries.

In retrospect however, there are a couple of things, I wish that someone had given me this list of things to know before travelling to Cambodia. I’ve put this together largely because in some ways, the country was a bit of a culture shock. It makes me wonder often whether I would have enjoyed the country more had I been better prepared mentally.

1. Visas On Arrival Are Available To Citizens From Many Countries

One of the draws about visiting Cambodia was the fact that it was one of the few countries that offered visa on arrival for us as Indians. (Read weak passport). That being said, Cambodia offers visa on arrival to many different countries.

Now since we have to apply for a visa for almost every country we go to in advance, we are pretty aware of the general rules that apply. One of them is that the passport needs to have a bare minimum of 6 months validity. It isn’t something we think about consciously.

While we were travelling from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh (which was a long hot and tedious journey) we realized that not everyone is aware of this rule.

A mother and a daughter (I think American though I am not sure), were travelling together and the daughter’s passport had less than 6 months validity. They begged and pleaded with the officials at the border but while the mother was offered a visa, the daughter was not. Both of them were forced to wait for the next bus back to Ho Chi Minh.

So, check your passport before you go and for those like me who have a weak passport, check and see if you are eligible for the visa on arrival.

2. Cambodia Is Not As Developed As You May Be Led To Believe

By the time I set foot in Cambodia, I had seen a lot of South East Asia. Now when we travel, we do head off the beaten path, which means that we’ve seen the cities and the villages, the developed and the not so developed areas.

One of the things to know before travelling to Cambodia is the fact that the country is not as developed as many people would lead you to believe. Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are the most popular tourist spots and they offer a lot of options where transport to and from the country are concerned, but that is probably the peak of development.

3. Cambodia Is A Tiny Country But It Can Take Forever To Get From Place To Place

One of the things to know before travelling to Cambodia is how to budget your time. While the country is small and it seems like getting from spot to spot is quick and easy, don’t be deceived. Along with rather bad roads, connectivity between different bus routes is a problem.

You may find yourself waiting at a bus stop in the middle of nowhere for hours on end. While that in itself is a unique experience, it does eat into the time you budgeted for travel.

4. Is More Expensive Than Vietnam

Now I know that not everyone travels between Vietnam and Cambodia, there are a lot of people who do. Many who also add Thailand and Laos to the list. When we budgeted for our vacation (as backpackers) we assumed that both Cambodia and Vietnam would involve approximately similar expenses.

The country turned out to be a tad more costly and it is one of the things to know before travelling Cambodia as it will help you budget better.

5. Siem Reap Is Crowded

After exploring other parts of Cambodia, we were rather overwhelmed when we reached Siem Reap largely because of the crowds. Angkor Wat attracts tourists from all over the world and Siem Reap just so happens to be the best base to explore it from. The city is rather well developed with a variety of options when it comes to accommodation.

6. Transport Is Usually Bus, Cab Or Flight

One of the things to know before travelling to Cambodia is about transport. While Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are connected by flights (which tourists frequently use), the rest of the country is connected by bus routes. It should come as no surprise that the most common route is between the two popular cities.

They also however are the hubs which you can travel to other regions from. The frequency of buses to other parts of the country is low and you may want to plan your journey in advance to ensure that you have transport and that you don’t miss the bus.

Let’s talk about the bus journeys in particular. One thing that you need to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t look for ultra-luxury on these journeys. The roads aren’t great (and quite a bit dusty), so the bus journey was both long, hot and bumpy. You can however choose to take a more comfortable bus or hire a cab but that will come with a cost.

7. Cambodia’s History Will Make You Cry

A pic from the S-21 prison.

I wish someone had told me before that researching the history of a country beforehand was important. It was one of those initial naïve trips that I had taken and not done extensive research about the country, people, the history or much else.

If you don’t already know about it then brace yourself because Cambodia’s history will make you cry. From the S-21 museum to the killing fields, there is a lot that many people don’t know about and I can’t emphasize enough that this is one of the things to know before travelling to Cambodia.

8. The Cambodian Currency Isn’t The Only One In Use

The Cambodian Riel is the official currency which oddly enough we hardly used. The best place to find a money exchange / atm is in the cities. I.e. In Siem Ream or in Phnom Penh. Don’t expect much when you head off into the villages.

While the riel is in use throughout the country, one of the things to know before travelling to Cambodia is that the US dollar is accepted everywhere. In fact, we found that exchanging our currency to the Riel just meant losing out due to the exchange fees.

Just note that if you do land up spending using dollars and are due to receive change that is less than a dollar then you will receive it in Riel. It is just the way things work around there.

9. The Weather Is Hot!

We found Cambodia hot when we visited in January. Mind you, being Indian we are used to the heat so when I say it was hot and humid, take note! One of things to know before travelling to Cambodia is the need to plan out your day.

I suggest rising early and spending the afternoons indoors somewhere. Then heading out again late afternoon. Also, don’t forget to carry a bottle of water because dehydration is a real risk.

10. Cambodia Has Some Of The Most Gorgeous Sunsets I Have Ever Seen

If anyone asks me what I remember the most about Cambodia, I will say that it is the sunsets. There is something just magical about them. The sky turns anything from orange to blood red and the fluffy clouds that dot it just add to the ambiance. If you are out and about, find a spot with a view. The Cambodian skies will not disappoint you.

11. Angkor Wat Is Huge

One of the temples in the Angkor Complex.

Almost everyone has Angkor Wat on their list when they visit the country. One of the things to know before travelling to Cambodia when it comes to visiting this historical site is that the complex is HUGE! Sure you can hire a tuk tuk and breeze through the most important sites but if you really want to explore it to the max, then you need more than one day, a couple of bottle of water and the ability to weather temple fatigue.

That being said, there is so much to explore and see that you will find yourself in awe. Angkor Wat and the entire complex is hard to describe in just a set of words. It is the experience of wandering around what feels like a different dimension. I kid you not. Aside from the tourists, I felt as if a time portal had opened up and I had walked backwards in time.

Since we are on the topic of crowds. I had mentioned that Siem Reap is crowded. Almost everyone is there to visit Angkor Wat. Duhhhh… Yet the Angkor Wat complex is so huge, if you move away from the famous temple, you will probably find a spot to sit in silence without the crowds around.

12. There Is More To Cambodia Than Angkor Wat

Since we are on the subject of visiting Angkor Wat, let me just say this. There is more to Cambodia than the temple complex. We had a week to explore the country and we chose to go off the beaten path and visit Kratie and kayak with the dolphins in the Mekong.

But there is so much more. I’ve heard that the beaches along the coast are gorgeous! Me… I personally loved the vibe that the Cambodian villages gave us.

13. Pickpocketing Is Alive And Active In Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is one of the places where you really need to be aware of what is happening around you. Pickpocketing is alive and pretty frequent based on stories of many travellers. Our tuk tuk drivers and our guides continuously warned us to keep our belongings close to our person and not take our safety for granted. I think this is one of the important things to know before travelling to Cambodia.

14. Bugs, Spiders And Scorpions Are Food

A lot of the food is western oriented. So if you head out, you could probably find yourself a plate of pasta or pizza if that picks your fancy. The people of Cambodia however do eat bugs, spiders and scorpions. You can too! I have to admit that while I was curious, I wasn’t able to take the plunge and try some. Would you?

15. Tap Water Is Not Potable

Since we are on the topic of food and drink, let’s talk about the tap water. It is not potable. I.e. Don’t drink it. Most hostels and accommodations will have their own stash of filtered water that you can use to refill your bottle.

This is something that we do because we do not like to keep buying bottles of water. Minimal plastic waste is the way to go, right? Sometimes however you can’t help it. That’s when you will have to buy bottled water where you get it.

16. Language Isn’t A Problem

While learning a few words of Khmer will take you a long way, one of the things to know before travelling to Cambodia is that English is spoken in most places. We did not have an issue even when we went off the beaten path.

17. Cambodians Are Very Nice People

One thing that people will tell you when they come back from Cambodia is that Cambodians as a rule are very nice people. They are quiet, soft spoken and smile a lot. Sometimes even when they are confused.

We have had a lot of interesting conversations with people we have met along the way. Many if not most have had a very hard life. They are still reeling from the effects of the war and the Khmer regimen. Be kind.

18. Travelling In Cambodia Is An Unforgetable Experience

It doesn’t matter how you travel. You could pick luxury or you could backpack or you could do a mix of both. Somehow or the other Cambodia will leave an impression on you if you allow it to.

Be ready for a rollercoaster of emotions when you visit the museums and the killing fields (I cried and cried and cried.), be amazed at how beautiful the Cambodian skies are or at the simplicity of a well cooked meal.

Experience the bumpy roads and wander through the extensive temple complexes that the country provides access to, should you choose to visit (for a price of course). Life in Cambodia is different.

Honestly, describing Cambodia is hard. You need to experience it.

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