Cambodia Travel Tips

An Introduction
The Kingdom of Cambodia, formerly Kampuchea, is a Southeast Asian nation that borders Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and the Gulf of Thailand. The capital city is Phnom Penh. Cambodia covers an area of 181,035 square kilometers and is divided into 21 provinces. Much of Cambodia is relatively flat with vast tracts of land given over to rice production. Other areas of Cambodia are mountainous, including the Dangrek, Cardomen and Elephant mountain ranges.

The Gay Scene
The gay scene in Cambodia is growing all the time.  There are many gay owned and managed hotels, guesthouses, bars, pubs, spas, saunas and tour companies.  There are no laws against homosexuality in Cambodia. Same sex marriages are not permitted. Overseas same sex marriages are not recognized. In practice gay people are not prosecuted and gay venues are permitted to operate freely without too much interference. Coming out to one’s own family or work colleagues as being gay is still a difficult thing for many Asian gay men,

Climate
Like most of Southeast Asia, Cambodia’s climate is hot and warm almost all year round. The climate is dominated by the annual monsoon cycle of rainy and dry seasons. The rainy season lasts from May to October, and the dry season from November to April. December to January is the coolest months, while the hottest period is in April. The average temperature is around 27-28?C

Shopping
Shopping is perhaps the other best thing to devote time to besides sightseeing. It is always good to take home a souvenir or two and for that, you would want to consider something native or perhaps something you can start a conversation over. Cambodian fine silk pieces and textile materials are world renown. Moreover, Cambodia is a treasure trove for sculptures, carvings, silverwork and paintings.  There are just so many things to shop for here in Cambodia.  Most shops in the tourist areas are open from about 8 am until midnight, 7 days a week.

Banking
There are banks in all provincial capitals in the country. Banks offer the usual banking services – cash advances on credits cards (most accept Visa card,) international currency exchange, telegraphic transfers, cash travelers checks and ANZ Royal Banks, Canadian and SBC Banks offer ATMs with international access. Most banks are open from 8:00 to 15:00 or 16:00PM, Monday through Friday. Some are open Saturday mornings until 11:30. ATMs are available 24 hours.

Immigration
All nationalities need to apply for a travel visa, except for ASEAN nationals. A visa on arrival, valid for a thirty-day stay, is specifically granted at Phnom Penh International Airport, Siem Reap International Airport, and International Border Checkpoints. Visas are also granted at Royal Cambodian Embassy or Consulate abroad. The visa fee for a tourist is US$20, and the visa fee for a businessman is US$25. Visas can be extended at the Immigration Department in Phnom Penh City.
The Royal Government of Cambodia has recently approved e-visas. All you have to do is complete the online application form available at the official website (evisa.mfaic.gov.kh), pay by credit card online, and include uploading a recent passport-size photo in JPEG/ PNG format. The visa will be approved within three business days, allowing you to breeze by that lengthy line and get a jump-start on your holiday.

Traveling To Cambodia
Cambodia can be accessed through the Phnom Penh International Airport and the Siem Reap International Airport; both of which provide full services for passengers on international flights operated by many international airlines.

Getting About
Tourists can travel to all parts of Cambodia by bus, taxi, tuk-tuk, motorbike, boat and airplane. Within the capital of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap Province and Preah Sihanouk Province, they can conveniently sight-see by private tour companies.  Buses are available from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Preah Sihanouk, Pursat, Battambang, Poip?t, Banteay Meanchey, Kratie, and Preah Vihear. Metered taxis are also available. Boats are very popular means of transportation along the Tonl? Sap, Bassac, and Mekong rivers. These boats remove the hassle of meandering along the highways yet offer some spectacular scenery along the way. Cambodia Angkor Air, the National Flag Carrier operates to and from Phnom Penh and Siem Reap daily. In the capital of Phnom Penh and the province of Siem Reap, a Cyclo including a driver can be hired at a reasonable price.

Electrical Appliances
Cambodia uses type A, C and G electrical plugs with a voltage of 220 V at 50 Hz. Some outlets offer a combination of type A and C. Type G outlets are most often found in hotels.

Tipping
When a service charge is not automatic, 10 per cent is acceptable. Small tips may also be given to taxi drivers, bellboys, doormen and  washroom attendants.