Whilst the majestic temples of Angkor Wat – one of the seven wonders of the forgotten world are most visited by travelers, the rest of the country is filled with fantastic natural beauty. This is the place to experience the rhythm of rural life and time-less landscape of dazzling rice paddies and swaying sugar palms.
Soak up the chaotic yet charismatic capital of Phnom Penh, where the Wild West meets Asia; enjoy the laid-back, Colonial heritage of Kep and Kampot and the lovely beaches of Sihanoukville; explore the natural wealth of Koh Kong and the Cardamom Mountains, part of a vast tropical wilderness that provides a home to elusive wildlife and is the gateway to emerging ecotourism adventures; find solitude on the southern sands; and experience the wild and mountainous landscapes in the north-east, home for Cambodia’s ethnic minorities and abundance of natural attractions.
Population:
14.8 millions
Capital:
Phnom Penh
Currency:
Riel
Language:
Khmer
Religion:
Buddhism
You can travel in Cambodia all-year-round. There are two distinct seasons – dry (October to late April) and wet (May to late September).
Cambodia is hot all year round, with very little rainfall between November and April. The rains, however, do not usually cause a major problem for travelers as they tend to be short but heavy downpour. The optimum time to visit is November when humidity is low, the rivers and waterfalls are full and the countryside is at its most colourful.
There are two distinct Humidity is at its height during March and April whilst the coolest months of the year tend to between October and December, however this is cool for Cambodia but far from chilly (avg temperatures 24°C - 26°C).
The Cambodian water festival in October is a lively affair with 3 days of dragon boat racing taking place in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh and Buddhist New Year in April as well as Pchum Ben Festival in September see families gathering at temples to celebrate. Although all of these are spectacular events, several restaurants and shops are closed meaning slight disruptions may occur in your travel plans.
Date of birth, enlightenment & death of Buddha, 24th May.
Citizens of the UK, EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States and almost all other nations will require a visa to visit Cambodia. The standard tourist visa is a single entry visa that allows you to travel in Cambodia for 30 days from the date of your entry. If you exist Cambodia for an extension trip to Laos, Vietnam or Myanmar, you will require a new visa to enter.
Visa on Arrival Procedure If you are arriving in Cambodia by air, you can obtain your visa in advance of departure with the easy to use online e-visa service (see below). Alternatively most nationalities can obtain their visa on arrival at either Siem Reap or Phnom Penh Airport for a fee of $30. The fee for online e-visa service is 37 USD to be paid by credit or debit card, a scanned up-to-date photo which is similar to passport photo style. If you are arriving in Cambodia at a land border, you must obtain your visa at your arrival point. The cost is 30 USD + approx $5 stamping fee to be paid upon arrival at the airport or at a land border: and 2 up-to-date passport photos.
You will need one clear page (per visa) in a full passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your departure from Cambodia.