Cambodia

Cambodia is an often overlooked country in South East Asia. With deep culture, dark past, and bright future, this tropical country is sure to be one of the most special countries you will ever see.

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Cambodia Travel Info

Language

The vast majority of people in Cambodia speak Khmer, an ancient language in the region. English is not wide spoken, and only some regions speak other languages like Thai, Vietnamese and Laotian. Because of the civil war, Khmer has a surprisingly large diaspora in South East Asia.

Demographics

Cambodia is a country of 17 million people, primarily comprised of the Khmer people, with small groups of Vietnamese and Lao. Because of the genocide, the country lost over 2 million people in the 1980’s leading to some massively skewed demographics. Sadly, this can be seen in a noticeable lack of people in their mid 40’s, giving a stark reminder of what Cambodia has been through.

Weather

Cambodia is a fully tropical country, with consistently hot and wet weather year round. Temperatures range from 30-25 C. Monsoon season picks up in May and lasts all through summer and into October, with rain 2 out of 3 days. Like other tropical destinations, rain is rarely sustained all day, but comes in short downbursts.

Public Transit

Due to it’s small size and sparse population, Cambodia is somewhat lacking in public transportation. There is no metro system, and the bus systems are limited. Thankfully, transportation is still easy in Cambodia. There are Tuk Tuk’s everywhere, with fair rates. They also have Grab Taxi, which is the best way to hail a Tuk Tuk, taxi, or private car. There are intercity busses with great reviews, and even trains river boats that can take you to other cities like Siem Reap. The fastest way to get from city to city is plane, but don’t pass up the chance to take the river cruise of a lifetime.

Cambodia FAQ

Being a small developing nation, Cambodia is a great option for budget conscious tourists and backpackers. Food, lodging, and transportation are all well below average. We found the quality of services to be amazing for the prices we paid.

Despite the rocky past, Cambodia is quite safe. Ranking 71st on the global peace index, the country has low violent crime and average petty crime. Terrorism and conflict risk are very low. The majority of the risk comes from perceived threats of instability due to genocide still being in living memory for many citizens. As long as you stay aware of the area you’re in and the surroundings, you will be fine.

Broadly speaking, no. While popular tourist areas and restaurants in Phnom Penh have English services, most Cambodians do not fluently speak English. Given it’s relative isolation, it’s easy to understand why. Due to it’s recent large economic boost, Cambodia is quickly gaining English proficiency, but for now having Khmer ready on translate is recommended.

Cambodia does not experience heavy tourism, so you will not have to worry about fighting large crowds. However, due to the intense monsoon season, we recommend you visit during November to April to avoid adverse weather.

The most popular destination in Cambodia is Siem Reap, known for one of the most famous temples in the world, Angkor Wat. For those looking for a beach getaway, Koh Rong is the most famous location on the sea with bioluminescent plankton and stunning beaches. The capital and largest city of Phnom Penh is not a popular destination, but we personally loved our time there, although you only need a few days.

Cambodia is still developing, so many smaller businesses do not accept card, even in the cities. We recommended bringing cash to change at the airport to avoid international fees. The National Bank of Cambodia has an app for tourist called “Bakong Tourists” which allows you to load money virtually and pay via QR code. Many businesses accept the QR payment, but smaller street vendors and shops may not so we do recommend keeping cash regardless.

Travel Diaries

Is Cambodia Underrated? | Phnom Penh
AMAZING CAMBODIA! | Exploring Phnom Penh