Why Visit Cambodia?
When you travel to Cambodia, be it by plane or Mekong River Cruise, you will be greeted with warmth, sincerity, and kindness by some of the friendliest people on earth. Perhaps just a small glint of those heartwarming smiles has to do with the secrets they keep. They know of the life-changing experiences you will soon uncover now you have finally booked your tailor made tour to Cambodia.
They know of the secrets of the jungle, where great vines snake their way through the ancient city of temples, Angkor Wat. And they know about the vibrant, buzzing streets of Siem Reap where Tuk Tuks whizz along dusty roads lined with ramshackle bars and funky restaurants. And, of course, they know all about the wonders of the Mekong Delta where water buffalo frolic just metres from rice workers toiling away in the paddies.
But fear not, because our team of travel experts also have the inside word on Cambodia’s must-see travel experiences and can’t wait to design a tailor made tour to Cambodia for you and your group.
Book your tailor made holiday to Cambodia
When you book a tailor made tour to Cambodia, our team on the ground will guide you every step of the way. Wide Eyed Tours has a local office in Siem Reap allowing us to offer you on the ground support throughout your journey and even meet up for a local coffee or a delicious cocktail and share some more local knowledge.
Hotels and Resorts In Cambodia
Accommodation in Cambodia is incredibly diverse. From our teams recommended boutique hotels and urban resorts throughout the country, to the internationally acclaimed favourites such the Park Hyatt and letting you in on 5 star glamping experiences in the jungle to private island stays. Our team will get to know you personally before recommending accommodation to suit your needs and budget. Everything from transport, activities, and accommodation is included in our tailor made tour to Cambodia.
Most travellers need a visa to enter Cambodia. There are two ways you can get one. To
qualify for a visa you must hold a passport with at least 6 months validity and several empty
pages. We recommend out VIP Visa service where we arrange everything for you and even get to skip the tedious immigration lines.
1. E-visa – $36 – www.evisa.gov.kh
2. Visa on arrival – $30 USD + 1 passport photo
The official currency in Cambodia is the Riel, however, US dollars will be accepted at almost
every shop, restaurant and market. A hot tip is to make sure you take crisp and clean notes,
otherwise they might be rejected. Also, $2 notes are not accepted.
There are plenty of ATM’s to withdraw USD.
When you withdraw money from an ATM it will be dispensed in USD. When you pay for an item
in USD, the amount of change owed will determine if you get it back in USD or Riel.
To give you an idea of the currency conversions:
£100 GBP = 500K Riel
$100 USD = 410K Riel
$100 AUD = 280K Riel
$100 NZD = 270K Riel
A meal at a local restaurant will cost around $2-4 per head.
Local beers and soft drinks cost from 50 cents to $1.50
The weather in Cambodia can be extreme. This is why we suggest Angkor Wat Sunrise Tours,
as the midday heat will sap your energy. Here is a brief list of what to pack when you visit
Cambodia:
● Thin, breathable cotton clothing is advised. If you are visiting the temples, please wear
long pants and shirts or tops that cover most of your skin. This is out of respect for the
local culture.
● Pack your best swimmers, trunks and bikinis for your hotel pool or if you are doing a beach visit or waterfall hike.
● A good poncho or wet weather jacket for when those afternoon downpours descend.
The official language of Cambodia is Khmer and is spoken by nearly 90% of the country’s population. In Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, you will find many locals speak very good English. Learning a few key phrases goes a long way in building rapport with the locals, so here are a few we suggest you learn:
How do I say hello in Khmer?
Suostei – pronounced Soo-sty
How do I say thank you in Khmer?
Saum arkoun – pronounced Som-Arkun
Cambodia is warm to hot year round with a rainy season between June and November. But don’t be discouraged by the term ‘rainy’. It’s actually a great time of the year to visit. The temperature is a little cooler and the landscape blooms to a lush green. Most of the downpours happen in the afternoon or at night and they last no longer than 2-3 hours. The hottest months to visit Cambodia are March through to June. If you have any questions about the best time of the year to visit Cambodia, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We have a team on the ground in Siem Reap who know the weather better than anybody.
We have heard a few people say travelling to Cambodia solo, especially as a woman, can be unsafe. This has not been our experience at all. When you book a tour with Wide Eyed Tours, our local guides will tell you all of the do’s and don’ts to ensure you have a ball and arrive home safely. He is a brief list of guidelines to follow to stay safe when you travel to Cambodia.
● When visiting extremely busy areas such as Pub Street at night, keep your belongings in
bum bag, fanny pack, or in a secure backpack. Violent crime is very low in Cambodia,
but petty theft does exist.
● Do not drink the tap water. Even when cleaning your teeth in Cambodia, we suggest you
use bottled water.
● Before crossing the road, look left, then right, then left again. This applies especially in
Phnom Penh and Siem Reap where cars, motorbikes, and Tuk Tuks compete for space
on the busy roads.
● If you do rent a motorbike wear appropriate clothing and drive slowly. Do not get on the
bike after a few cocktails.
● If for some reason you are stuck or want to go exploring on your own and don’t want to take a street Tuk-Tuk download PassApp which works like Uber to get to where you are wanting to go, or call our friendly ground staff and they’ll help you right away.
