A-Z: A Handy Summary of Practical Information
A
Accommodation
Luxury accommodation in Cambodia is limited to a few major centres: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. Phnom Penh offers a fine choice of luxury accommodation at very reasonable prices, considering the amenities on offer. Mid-level accommodation can be found in abundance and is usually quite comfortable. At the lower end, guesthouses are common, and some of them are excellent. Compared with what was available a few years ago, the general situation in Cambodia has improved tremendously. Above the US$15 or $20 level all rooms will be air-conditioned and normally have satellite television and a refrigerator. Hot water is usually available in mid-level and luxury accommodation. Under US$15 usually gets you a cold shower and ceiling fan. You may or may not have windows and a TV with international cable stations.
Booking ahead is a good idea, particularly in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, as well as Sihanoukville during high season (roughly October to March). Itâs best to book directly through the hotel or through an online service rather than a tour office. Tour offices will mark up the price considerably. Moto and tuk-tuk drivers can drive you around and help you find accommodation when you first arrive. However, be aware that they receive a commission from the hotel, which may be added to the price of the room. Beware of taxi drivers at the airport who try to tell you that your chosen hotel is already full, under renovation or full of prostitutes. This will rarely, if ever, be true. Itâs common for taxi drivers to pull a bait-and-switch, taking you to the wrong hotel (one where they collect a commission). If this happens, hold your ground (unless the other hotel looks like a better deal), and donât pay the difference in the fare to take you to the correct hotel.
Bed bugs can be a problem in Cambodiaâs budget hotels. Check for grey stains on sheets, tiny exoskeletons on the floor (particularly behind and under the bed), blood smears on walls, and tiny bugs (or black deposits of faeces in nests) in the folds of the mattress. Where signs are found, do not simply change rooms â itâs best to find another hotel entirely.
Unlike in Vietnam or Laos, Cambodian hotels do not need to retain passports to present to police. Receptionists will copy basic information and then immediately return them to guests.
Useful hotel booking services include www.cambodia-hotels.com and www.agoda.com.
Admission Charges
Admission charges vary widely. Sights off the beaten track generally have cheap admission charges, while places that receive lots of foreign tourists, notably Angkor Wat, can be relatively expensive. Many sights have free admission for Khmers or children.
B
Budgeting for Your Trip
Cambodia is the most expensive country in Indochina. The price difference between Cambodia and both Laos and Vietnam is partly due to Cambodiaâs reliance on the US dollar, and because so many products are imported. Also, the substantial numbers of foreign NGO workers living in Cambodia for the past two decades have contributed to inflation. Food and drink, transport, internet access, medications and supplies are more expensive here, but accommodation tends to be cheap.
C
Children
Phnom Penh and Angkor Wat have enough diversions and creature comforts to keep the young ones in a good mood, but more remote destinations are certain to be taxing. Cambodians love children, but sometimes express this affection by a firm pinch, which can be a surprise for the child not used to this cultural trait. The beach at Sihanoukville and the temples of Angkor present spectacular âplaygroundsâ for children, while Phnom Penh can be a bit problematic. Beware of wild monkeys at Angkor and Wat Phnom in Phnom Penh. They are often attracted to children and do bite â and can carry dangerous diseases. Better hotels normally have swimming pools. Monument Toys in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap carry toys. A large Lego retailer is located beside the CambodiaâVietnam Friendship Monument in Phnom Penh.
Climate
Cambodiaâs climate is dictated by the annual monsoon cycle. Between May and October the southwest monsoon brings heavy rainfall, usually for a few hours in the late afternoon on most days. The northwest monsoon, between November and earl...
