Cambodia -- Traveler Advice -- Practicalities |
[Wed 31 Jan, 22:59] I want to know what the real situation is regarding money in Cambodia. Can I get by paying for things in Riel (Transport, Food and Accommodation), or is it really nessessary to have $US. Should I have 50/50, or more of one currency than the other? I'm not really concerned about prices, but what I need to carry around with me. Thanks. [Wed 31 Jan, 23:03] Use US dollars. Once you get there you'll pick up a few riels in your change, a few is all you'll need. [Wed 31 Jan, 23:53] Carry small bills, 1's and 5's in US dollars. Remember, a tear or strange coloration in bills renders them worthless. Khmers will pass shoddy bills on to you if you aren't aware of this, and then these large bills become unusable in Cambodia! Inspect bills carefull. One dollar will get you about 3900 riels (give or take a hundred). The bills are in 1000 and 500 denominations, mostly, which is useful. Beggars generally are happy to receive 200, by the way! See this site for great Cambodia info: [Thu 1 Feb, 00:28] try www.delphi.com/funincambodia/start/ [Thu 1 Feb, 04:08] Prices for anything tourist-focused will be quoted in US$ (hotels, restaurants, taxis, guides, entrance fees, etc.). We got by with $20s, since establishments that do business in dollars can usually make change. Still, having a few smaller bills to start out with will come in handy if you want that 1,000 riel bottle of water upon arrival. Even where prices are quoted in Riels, most people are happy to accept greenbacks. Although the rate is about 3,900 : 1, most people are happy to use 4,000 for simplicity. Since noone converts coins, change for fractional dollars will be in riel. We had no problem with old or worn bills. We were in well touristed areas, experiences in remote regions may differ. [Thu 1 Feb, 04:53] On a recent visit, I found that US$ or Thai Bhat are accepted everywhere. I didn't bother with Cambodian Riels at all. Carry small bills, though. [Thu 1 Feb, 06:29] When I tried to pay my hotel with baht in Phnom Penh, I was assisted in exchanging my baht for dollars. Then I paid in dollars. Some places in Siem Reap took baht, but the exchange rate wasn't as good. It was better to exchange for dollars. If you stay a couple nights in a place, they will make change. To avoid bulk I found it convenient to carry several US$20s. Stores and restaurants and guesthouses could change that. Little market stalls required $1s and riel. Be sure you have a US$20 for your visa on arrival. I was able to visit the Angkor area the last two summers. Stayed at the Mohagany Guesthouse both times (they're in Lonely Planet). Wonderful family who run it, charged either $8 or $13 per night depending on whether you wanted aircon or not, and they supplied motorbike guides for us at $6 per day. Also discovered the Ivy Bar, right across the street from the downtown touristy market, it's run by an Englishman, and the beer is cold, really ------------------------------------- [Tue 30 Jan, 14:28] Can someone out there fill me in on the current Visa situation at Koh Kong. I've just been reading a website that states the following. Is this the case? Cambodia visa now available at Koh Kong / Hat Lek border crossing, BUT... [Tue 30 Jan, 20:46] I have crossed this border several times and never had a problem. Yes, there is bribery (on both sides of the border), but if you resist the requests there is no major problem. Do not be too timid... Entry visa to Canbodia costs 20 USS for tourists. [Tue 30 Jan, 23:51] and it helps if you have at least 1 photo with you and the exact cash in hand. [Wed 31 Jan, 17:16] I've crossed both poipet and koh kong a few times each and have laughed off the quarrantine scam and anything else. It only works on naive tourists but if you feel strongly about it you could at least write a letter to the cambodian embassy in Thailand or some government office in phnom Penh (not that it will do much). twenty dollars and a photo and you're in without a problem usually. ---------------------------------------- [Mon 5 Feb, 18:31] Can someone tell me if it's cheaper and less hassle to buy a 30 day visa for Cambodia in Bangkok or should I wait till I get to the border at Aranya Prathet- Poipet? Similarly, is it easier to get a Khao San Road tourist bus up to Aranya Prathet and then make my own travel arrangements or should I just go to the Northern Bus station and hop on a bus there? Thanks in advance. [Mon 5 Feb, 18:41] It's less hassle to get the visa in Poipet but they scam you by about 140 to 160 baht, depending on the exchange rate. They are supposed to charge $20 for a tourist visa but will charge 1000 baht. I have tried on two occasions waving a twenty dollar bill in their face. They would not accept it. [...] --------------------------------------- [Mon 12 Feb, 13:04] Looking into my Cambodia trip for May, and my LP book tells me I need a yellow fever jab and an international vaccine cert. or something to show at the border. Is this correct as i've got different info elsewhere????? [Mon 12 Feb, 13:24] Went in July and stayed in Sisaphong overnite then Battambong next day(3hrs) [Tue 13 Feb, 00:28] The official yellow fever rule only applies if you're coming from an infected country but dodgy border officials have turned this into a scam at Poipet. [...] ------------------------------------------ [Sun 11 Mar, 15:23] Does anybody know FOR SURE if it's possible to just fly into Siem Reap airport from Bangkok and simply get a "visa-on-arrival"? On the LP website ("scoop") there is an old note saying this will be possible "in the future". [Sun 11 Mar, 16:28] A valid passport, $20.00 and a filled out Cambodian visa form Bangkok Airlines will give you as you enplane in BKK gets the stamp on arrival at Siem Riep. A 45 second non-event. Information good as of 1/18/01, my own experience. [Sun 11 Mar, 18:28] Yes. Absolutely. No doubt abaout it. LP is way out of date. You CAN get a visa on arrival at the airports in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. [Mon 12 Mar, 01:49] Don't forget some passport photos. 2 for your visa and 1 for your Angkor pass. ------------------------------------ |