Budget
Cambodia is a paradise for budget travelers. In Phnom
Penh, it's possible to limit daily expenses to $12 if you are very
thrifty. In the capital or in Siem Reap, the price of budget
accomodation doesn't exceed $3 to $5 per day. For middle ranged
accomodation, expect to pay between $9 and $14. In smaller non-touristic
towns, expect to spend around $7. Food is as cheap as accomodation, so
it's possible to eat decently for around $4 per day.
Visa obtention
At the border or at the airport
Cambodian
tourist visa is valid for 30 day an can be extended for one extra
month. You can get a tourist visa at Phnom Penh International Airport,
Siem Reap - Angkor International Airport or when crossing the land
border (Thailand, Vietnam or Laos border). Be aware that your passport
must be valid for at least
6 months starting from the expiration date of your visa.
The cost for a tourist visa is $20 and you will be asked for two
passport sized photographs (or a 1$ surcharge). Getting your visa on
arrival is fairly easy and shouldn't take more than 10 minutes.
Cambodian
business visa is obtainable on arrival as well and doesn't require any
particular justification. The cost of a Cambodian business visa is 25$
for the first month, and can be renewed for one, three, six or twelve
month with a decreasing price policy.
Attention, if you are a
national from one of theses countries, you MUST obtain a Cambodian visa
before arriving in the country. : Afghanistan; Algeria; Bangladesh;
Iran; Iraq; Pakistan; Saudi Arabia; Sri Lanka; and Sudan. You will also
need an invitation letter from a company / organisation / travel agent /
sponsor, and a valid return ticket.
The
online e-visa cost the same price with an additional $5 processing fee.
If you are worried about your visa approval, this might be the best
option for you, knowing that you have definitely been approved for a
visa before departing your home country, and probably saving some time
on arrival at the immgration check point. As the tourist visa, the
‘e-Visa’ is valid 30 days after entering Cambodia and 3 months from the
date of issue. You can enter Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand with an
e-Visa. e-Visa are accepted at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap - Angkor
International Airports, and at the following land borders: Bavet
(Cambodia) - Moc Bai (Vietnam); Cham Yeam (Cambodia) - Hat Leuk
(Thailand); and Poipet (Cambodia) - Klo Leuk (Thailand). e-Visa takes
about 3 days and is sent to you via email, which you can print out an
show to passport control on arrival. For further information and to
apply for an ‘e-Visa’ please visit the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs website.
Change
To avoid hassle, change your
currency to U.S. dollars which are accepted anywhere. It's very easy to
change money in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, for example at the Cambodian
Commercial Bank, who take a reasonable commision of 2% on all
transactions. Credit cards are beginning to be accepted in upscale
Cambodian restaurants and hotels but in general are not accepted by most
businesses.
Tips
Tipping is quite common in Cambodia,
average salaries are very small and people often make more money on
commission and tips than from their salary. As a consequence, small
supplements are highly appreciated.
Bargaining
At the
markets, bargaining is the rule. If you smile often and do not behave
agressively, everything is negotiable in Cambodia - from a kilo of
mangos to bike rental and even sometimes for the price of a room in a
guesthouse.
Best time to come to Cambodia
The best two
months to discover Cambodia are December and January, when the humidity
level is bearable and rain is rare. From February, temperatures start to
rise, getting to their maximum in april, when the heat becomes
unbearable. The rainy season lasts from April to October and short,
refreshing downpoors usually come in the late afternoon. Beneficially,
the beautiful temples of Angkor Wat are far less crowded during this
season.
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