General info
The relative stability which Cambodia is now enjoying is having a significant impact on the tourism industry. The Angkor temples are unsurprisingly beginning to draw the considerable numbers of tourists previously discouraged by the security situation. Hotels, restaurants & travel companies are appearing at an alarming rate in Siem Reap. With an apparently stable government & the collapse of the Khmer Rouge due to large-scale defections, the country is now safer than at perhaps any time in the past 30 years.
Whereas before safety issues dictated that typically only Phnom Penh, Siem Reap & Sihanoukville were accessible, it is now possible to explore the country quite extensively & see other sides of Cambodia such as the hill tribes of Ratanakiri, primary forests in Mondulkiri & the deserted hill station at Bokor.
When to go
Cool (best): Nov-Feb 17-27 C
Rainy: Jun-Oct 27-25 C
Hot season: Mar-May 29-38 C
Tourist Peak: Dec-Jan
Events
Many festivals & holidays are based around the lunar calender
Jan 1 PH International New Year's day
Jan 7 PH Victory Day: (Celebration of the defeat of the Genocidal Regime- the Khmer Rouge in 1979)
Feb 23* PH Meak Bochea: Cambodian Buddha's Day
Mar 8 PH Women's Day:
April 14-16* PH Cambodian New Year. Chaul Chham. 3 days festival for welcoming the new year. !Warning Lots & lots of water throwing.
May 1 PH Labor day:
May 22* PH Visaka Bochea Day: The birthday of the Buddha
May 26* PH Bonn Chroat Preah Nongkoal: (the Royal Ploughing Ceremony) Many activities during the 2 months
Jun 1 PH International Childrens Day
Jun 18 PH The Queen's Birthday.
Jul-Sep Buddhist 'Lent'(time of meditation) for 2 months. Ceremonies are held at the beginning & the end of lent.
Sep 24 PH Constitution Day:
Oct 2-4* Bon Dak Ben & Pchoum Ben: commemoration festival held for the spirits of the dead. Food offerings are made to monks for 15 days.
Oct Bonn Kathen:: Cambodian religious festival lasts for 1 month.
Oct 23 PH Paris Peace Treaty:
Oct30-Nov1 PH King Norodom Sihanouk's Birthday:
Nov 15-17* Bonn Om Tuk: Water festival, lasts for 3 days. Boat races held in Phnom Penh.
Nov 9 PH Independence Day From France in 1953. Parades are held in Phnom Penh.
Dec 10 PH Human rights day
http://www.itisnet.com/english/asia/cambodia/e-cambodia.html
Money & costs
Cambodia's currency is the riel. Its second currency (some would say its first) is the US dollar, which is accepted everywhere and by everyone, though change may arrive in riel. Dollar bills with a small tear are unlikely to be accepted by Cambodians, so it's worth scrutinizing the change you're given to make sure you don't have bad bills. In the west of the country, the Thai baht (B) is also commonplace. If three currencies seem a little excessive, perhaps it's because the Cambodians are making up for lost time: during the Pol Pot era, the country had no currency. The Khmer Rouge abolished money and blew up the National Bank building in Phnom Penh.
It can be difficult to change travellers' cheques outside Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Battambang and Kompong Cham. Cash advances on credit cards are available in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Battambang, but charges are high. Otherwise, there are now ATMs in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Battambang.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/cambodia/money-and-costs
Activities
River tours
Trips on the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers are becoming increasingly popular, one highlight being the opportunity to see Cambodia’s famous freshwater dolphins near Kratié.
Trekking
There are still many thousands of unexploded landmines in more remote areas of Cambodia. Trekking is therefore still fairly limited, though some marked routes are available around Ratanakiri. In rural areas, travelers are strongly advised to seek local advice and not stray from the main paths. There is also the opportunity for elephant rides in Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri, although once again, a tour guide is needed.
Watersports
A range of watersports, including swimming, is available at Sihanoukville. Snorkeling is also good in this location.
http://www.iexplore.com/dmap/Cambodia/Activities
- Culture (done)
- Environment (done)
- Getting there & back
AIR:
International Pochentong Airport 8 km west from city.
Prices vary between carriers & flight schedules alter frequently, please use above info as a general guide only.
http://www.itisnet.com/english/asia/cambodia/e-cambodia.htm
Getting around
TRAIN:
Until recently Train travel in Cambodia had a reputation for being very dangerous. Now it's considered "safe". There are two lines, Phnom Penh &Battambang/Sisophon line & PP and Sihanoukville line via Kampot(suspended). Reportedly, the trains are very slow & get extremely over-crowded. Arrive early to fight for a seat.Foreigners have to pay 3 time more than locals.
ROAD:
The road condition is bad except Phnom Penh -Sihanoukville and Sihanoukville-Koh Kong. During the rain season, it will take more time to travel. Currently many roads are under repaired. The most common transport is pickup trucks and communal taxis. They leave when they get full. Bargains are common for foreigners for pickups and taxis. For some routes, buses and minibuses are running.
Bus: Many bus companies operate major routes, such as PP-Sihanoukville and PP-Siem Reap with comfortable A/C buses..
Many tourist minibuses are operating PP - Koh Kong, Sihanoukville - Koh Kong, Siem Reap - Poipet. guest houses/travel agents can book for you.
Pickup: From Phnom Penh's Central Market, minibuses & trucks offer cheap transport all over Cambodia. The trucks will leave only when packed & the roads are often in terrible condition. What with the burning sun , dust-strewn air & crazed driver's, it's easy to imagine you are disputing the lead in the Paris-Dakar rally .And that's just the dry season!!! Guest-houses can arrange trucks to Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Thai border, commission charged. Back of trucks are cheapest but you have to sit on a load under the sun. Inside of trucks cost double. It is a/c but shared by at least 6 people inclusive the driver.
Tourist buses: Running on major tourist routes, such as Bangkok - Siem Reap, Thai border(Poipet) - Siem Reap, Thai border(Koh Kong) - Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh - Shihanoukville, Sihanoukville - Thai border(Koh Kong) and Phnum Penh - Batttambang
BOAT:
Express Boat: From Phnom Penh, express boats operate up the Tonle Sap to Siem Reap For the best deal bargain with the operators themselves.
Slow boat: (May/June- Feb/Mar). For the more adventurous & well-prepared with plenty of time. Large cargo boats ply the Tonle Sap (Siem Reap) & Mekong (Kratie/Stung Treng) from Phnom Penh during the rainy season until the waters are too low. Take a hammock & food/drink. Crew may supply basic fish / meat & rice.
http://www.itisnet.com/english/asia/cambodia/e-cambodia.htm |