Cambodia Travel Guide
Cambodia is a country located in Asia with name that begins with letter C. Thailand’s neighboring country Cambodia is about half the size of Germany and has around 15 million residents. The capital of the parliamentary monarchy is Phnom Penh with 1.5 million residents.
Located northwest of the capital, Tonle Sap Lake is the largest lake in Southeast Asia. Its area fluctuates between 2,500 km 2 in the dry season and 12,500 km 2 during the monsoon rains – that is roughly the size of Tyrol. The temple complexes of Angkor Wat rise only about twenty kilometers from the lake. They are considered the largest religious building in the world and are THE tourist attraction in Cambodia.
Mountain regions connect to the central level of the Cambodian basin, which takes up about three quarters of the land area. The highest peaks can be found in the Cardamom Mountains, including the highest mountain in Cambodia, the 1,813 meter high Phnom Aural. The intact rainforests of the cardamom region are habitat for numerous protected animal species, including elephants, tigers, leopards and gibbons. Check Countryaah to find more countries that begin with letter C.
ENTRY AND VISA
A passport that is still valid for six months and a visa are required to enter the Kingdom of Cambodia. The visa can also be applied for online at the Cambodian embassy as an e-visa – or, if you are not staying in the country for more than 30 days, directly when entering the international airport.
Climate
Cambodia has a tropical monsoon climate with a rainy season from May to October. The most pleasant travel time are the months of November to February, when there is hardly any precipitation and the average temperatures are around 25 degrees Celsius.
Food and drink
The culinary preferences are similar to those of the neighboring countries Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, where curry and rice dishes dominate the menus. A spicy fish curry called “Amok” is considered a national dish. The most exotic specialties can usually be found in the markets: roasted spiders or crickets are popular snacks with the locals, and lizards and ant eggs are also on offer. The “Golden Muscle Wine”, a high-proof brew made from herbs and deer antlers, is recommended as a stylish drink accompaniment. Otherwise, mostly fresh coconut juice, green tea or beer are drunk.
CULTURAL FEATURES
A well-groomed appearance, which the Khmer attach great importance to, and the proverbial Asian restraint in cooperation characterize the manners in Cambodia. Public expressions of feeling are not welcomed; Loud scolding and outbursts of anger are considered embarrassing.
When visiting Buddhist temples, care should be taken to dress appropriately. Temples, but also private houses, are entered without shoes. When sitting, you should not point the soles of your feet at people or at Buddha statues – that would be rude or hurt religious feelings.
MEDICAL NOTES
No vaccinations are required for direct entry from Europe. Especially when traveling in the rainy season, it is advisable to take measures to protect against mosquitoes, which can transmit malaria or dengue fever. Medically harmless, but annoying, encountering small leeches, which are particularly widespread in jungle regions during the monsoons, can be a nuisance. Some travelers get gait-like “anti leech socks” to protect them from this.
Medical care in Cambodia does not meet European standards. There is also no social security agreement with Austria. Therefore, health repatriation insurance makes sense.
SECURITY
Peace has reigned in Cambodia since 1991 after a long and bloody civil war. However, the political situation remains tense. Therefore demonstrations and large crowds in the cities should be avoided. Property crimes have also increased in the cities. Tourists are therefore advised not to display jewelry or expensive watches and only carry the essential cash with them when strolling through town.
SPECIAL PROVISIONS
As in neighboring Thailand, no bad word should be said about the royal family in Cambodia. Lese majesty is a punishable offense. As a foreigner, it’s best to refrain from commenting on the monarchy.
The greatest restraint is also called for when collecting “souvenirs” in temple complexes: Anyone who takes even the most inconspicuous broken parts of historical temples or jams with them must expect draconian penalties.
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