Travelling to Cambodia: Ten of the most useful pieces of advice on the Web
The Internet is full of travel advice and tips. As expats living in Southeast Asia we consider this ten picks particularly useful for any traveler thinking of Cambodia as their next destination.
1. Minimize your drinks – Nomadic Matt
It’s easy to get carried away by $.50 draft beer and ‘happy hours’ that in reality are just a way to justify the low price of alcohol in Cambodia and to attract travelers to bars and nightlife venues.
2. You don’t need to be concerned about getting the local currency – Move to Cambodia
Most tourist-related businesses as well supermarkets, pharmacies and boutique shops list their prices in US dollars. However you are going to get change in Khmer Riel since American coins are not used in the country.
3. Be aware of the reality of orphanages in Cambodia – Move to Cambodia
There is an increasing number of travelers that are choosing to volunteer in Cambodian orphanages as part of their trips. These places are also becoming popular stops for group tours, creating a demand for orphanages in the tourism industry.
4. Make sure to really experience the Cambodian food – Fodor’s Travel.
Khmer food is significantly different from the cuisine of its neighbors. Less spicy than the average Thai dish and more substantial than Vietnamese food. Although some ingredients may seem unconventional for some foreigners it is well worth it to experience the Khmer flavors. Amok, Lok Lak, Khmer Red Curry and Kampot Pepper Crab are must-try dishes.
5. Siem Reap’s baby milk scam has gone mainstream but it is far from being over – Travelfish.
Siem Reap’s milk scam consists of both women and children. They wander the town center with sleeping babies often repeating the phrase “I don’t want money” and leading tourists to a nearby store for food or milk. After paying a substantial amount of money for these items the beggar will return them to the store and split the money with the store owner.
6. Visiting Angkor Wat while avoiding the crowds is not easy but definitely possible – Rough Guides.
Cambodia’s most visited tourist spot attracts over two million travelers every year. During ‘high season’ the crowds can be tricky to avoid; it’s all about timing, local knowledge, the right schedule and right selection of temples to visit. Getting the right guide and using a tour operator with local knowledge remains the best advice.
7. There are amazing beaches in Cambodia for every kind of traveler – Beach Tomato.
Many of Cambodia’s beaches are as beautiful as their Thai counterparts but way less populated. Although tourism and economic development are certainly changing the game in some parts of Cambodia’s coastline, there are many beautiful islands and beaches that remain largely untouched.
8. War tourism should be a choice and not a must. – Rusty Compass
Toul Sleng and the Killing Fields can be deeply disturbing for some travelers. Some people might find war tourism in Cambodia exploitative while others consider it part of the experience. The attention however should be drawn to Cambodia’s recovery and the optimism of its people.
9. There are cultural “dos and don’ts” that every traveler must know. – Igloo Women
Cambodia is quite a conservative country and Khmer people will try to avoid confrontation if you offend them in any way. There are values and non-verbal behaviors that must be understood to improve cross-cultural interactions; this will also make the trip way more enjoyable for every traveler.
10. It can be challenging to embrace the concept of time in Cambodia – En Route Traveler
In most western cultures people rely on “clock-time” to manage their daily schedule and keep the day ‘organised’ through an external clock; things are planned and prepared to make the most out of the day. In Cambodia many people still use their internal clock, focusing on one task at a time. This means that sometimes it’s ok to arrive to that appointment twenty minutes late and it doesn’t mean people don’t care nor are they being disrespectful.
