Language
Khmer is the official language, but especially in larger cities many Cambodians have at least a basic knowledge of English and are happy to practice their language skills with you. French is spoken by some older Khmers.
Time in Cambodia is:
Electricity
Local mains voltage is 220 AC. Bring a converter for any 110 volt equipment. Plugs are of the horizontal two flat pins type, but two round pins in most cases fit just as well!
Power blackouts or power surges are not uncommon. Use a surge guard for sensitive electronic equipment.
Communications
International phone calls can be made from most hotels and post offices, though they are expensive.
Several internet cafes offer VoIP facilities (Voice over Internet Protocol). These calls are much cheaper, but the sound quality is sometimes unsatisfactory.
Email and internet connections are available in Cambodia. Internet cafes charge a typical 2000 riel/hour in Phnom Penh. In the provinces rates go up.
Hotels
International class hotels are available in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (Angkor Wat). Clean, comfortable basic hotels and guest houses exist in all cities. Note that "reasonable rates" in Siem Reap for international class hotels had gone up to more than $200 per night, but that the clean, comfortable basic hotels are still inexpensive.
Money / ATM's
There are ATM's in Cambodia: a lot in Phnom Penh, several in Siem Reap and a few in Sihanoukville, Battambang, Kampot and other smaller towns. ANZ Royal Bank and Canadia Bank ATM's accept both Visa credit cards and debit cards holding a Cirrus/Maestro logo. ANZ Bank has the most extensive number of ATM's in the country. See their locations of ATM's around Cambodia.
Credit cards are not widely accepted, although Visa is making an effort to have more credit card machines installed. Most businesses (hotels, restaurants) will take Visa credit cards for a small surcharge.
The currency of choice are US dollars. Change on purchases is given in a combination of dollars and paper Cambodian Riel notes instead of coins. The exchange rate is slightly over 4000 riel to the US Dollar.
Check the current exchange rates with ANZ's Currency Converter.
Transport/Flights
International departure taxes at the airport are a whopping $25 USD per person for international flights, $6 USD for domestic flights. The tourist entry visa is $20 USD officially. This fee you pay at the airports, be prepared to pay a little more at overland border crossings. A passport photograph is needed to obtain a visa. Read more about how to obtain a Cambodian visa.
AirAsia is flying Phnom Penh-Bangkok and Phnom Penh-Kuala Lumpur. Advertised rates are always excluding taxes and other cost additions. Still, the airline's rates are considerably lower than those of Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways or Malaysian Airlines. Another budget airline, JetStar Asia, flies between Phnom Penh and Singapore.
Dangers & Annoyances
Cambodia in general is a safe country to travel. As long as you keep your wits about. Don't expose your cash or expensive jewelry, as you wouldn't do anywhere else. It's advisable to keep an eye on your bag while travelling on a bus.
Phnom Penh is as safe as any big city. Sure, there are sneak thiefs and incidents of pickpocketing. Just as there are in big cities back in your home country. There is no safety concern in going out late at night. The only advisable precaution would be to hire a known mototaxi driver to take you back to your hotel.
More information on our Dangers & Annoyances page.
Souvenirs
Cambodia offers a wide range of souvenirs including handicrafts, embroidered cottons, precious stones (beware if you are not an expert) and much more. One well-funded organization called Artisans D'Angkor is successfully reviving the handicraft skills of Cambodia. Goods made by the organization's students and masters, while a little expensive, are of high quality. The profits go to a good cause: supporting the well-run craft schools and creating local industry.
We have compiled a list of galleries and art shops in Cambodia with a presence on the internet.