Cambodia Travel Guide

• Siem Reap & Angkor: Sunrise at Angkor Wat, tuk‑tuk temple circuits, visit Bayon’s faces, boat trips on Tonle Sap.
• Phnom Penh: Walk the riverfront, visit the Royal Palace, learn at Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields, sample riverside food stalls.
• Coastal south and islands: Island hopping from Sihanoukville, beaches and snorkeling, Kampot pepper tours, Kep crab market visits.
• Northwest & Central plains: Cycle around Battambang, see rural temples, ride the train from Phnom Penh and take the river boat to Siem Reap in the wet season.
• Northeast hills and jungles: Trek and waterfall visits around Banlung, ethical elephant projects at Senmonorom, spot dolphins at Kratié.

Most international arrivals come through Techo International Airport (KTI), which replaced the old Phnom Penh airport in September 2025 and sits about 25 km south of the city centre, or Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI), about an hour’s drive from town, for Angkor visitors; allow for the longer airport transfers in both cities; Sihanoukville (KOS) receives some international and charter flights. Overland crossings with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam are common for regional visitors.

Typical travellers spend $30-80/day; Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are pricier than the provinces, and island resorts and boutique hotels cost more.

• Dorm bed: ≈12,000-40,000 KHR
• Basic guesthouse room: ≈40,000-120,000 KHR
• Mid-range hotel: ≈120,000-480,000 KHR
• Upscale hotel: ≈480,000-1,000,000 KHR
• Market or street-stall meal: ≈4,000-12,000 KHR
• Bottle of local beer: ≈6,000-12,000 KHR
• Organised tour or activity: ≈100,000-200,000 KHR
• Local tuk-tuk short ride: ≈4,000-12,000 KHR

For current prices on hundreds of everyday items, see Numbeo’s Cambodia cost of living, a crowd-sourced database that is updated often.

Ways to save

• Use cash and small USD notes.: Carry clean small-denomination US dollars for most purchases, keep riel for small change.
• Negotiate fares up front.: Agree tuk‑tuk and taxi prices before the trip or use ride-hail apps to avoid overcharging.
• Eat where locals do.: Busy street stalls and local markets offer the best value and freshest food.

Full trip budgets are in Cambodia Itineraries.

Cambodia uses the Cambodian riel (KHR) but the US dollar is widely used alongside riel for most transactions. Cash (especially USD) is dominant in markets and for small purchases; ATMs are common in cities and tourist towns but may dispense USD.

• Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated - small tips for restaurant servers, drivers and guides (a few dollars or 5-10%) are common in tourist areas.
• Cards & Cash: Visa and Mastercard are accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and tourist services; many smaller vendors, tuk‑tuks and markets are cash-only and quote prices in USD. Keep small-denomination USD bills for purchases and tipping.
• ATMs & Mobile Payments: ATMs are easy to find in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville and often dispense USD; expect ATM operator fees plus your bank's international charges. Local e-wallets (Wing, ABA Pay, Pi Pay) are growing but mainly used by locals and require a local account.
• Dollars and riel together: Prices are often quoted in US dollars with change under a dollar given in riel, counted at a round 4,000 riel to the dollar. Torn, marked or old-series US notes are routinely refused, so only bring clean bills and hand back damaged ones you are offered. Most ATMs charge a flat fee of several dollars per withdrawal on top of your bank’s charges, so take out larger sums less often.
• Banknotes: ៛100, ៛500, ៛1000, ៛2000, ៛5000, ៛10000, ៛20000, ៛50000, ៛100000, ៛200000
• Coins: riel coins exist but are almost never used; small sums are paid with low-value notes.

Respect for Buddhism and local elders shapes everyday behaviour; remove shoes at pagodas, cover shoulders and knees at temples, and avoid disrespectful comments about religion or the monarchy. Cambodians are generally forgiving of minor tourist mistakes if you show politeness and follow basic temple rules.

Cambodia offers affordable mobile data and decent 4G coverage in urban and tourist areas, with typical mobile speeds sufficient for browsing and video streaming in cities. Broadband and connectivity quality decline outside major towns.

• Electricity: 230V, 50 Hz; plug types A, B, C, F, G.

For most travellers Cambodia is safe, but the main risks are road traffic, petty crime and remote landmine areas.

Staying healthy in Cambodia is straightforward if you avoid unsafe water, protect against mosquitoes and have up‑to‑date vaccines; rural healthcare can be limited.

Cambodia’s cultural identity interweaves the legacy of the Angkorian Khmer Empire, Theravada Buddhist practice, and agrarian village life. Visitors encounter monumental temples, traditional performances like Apsara dance, and cuisine centered on rice, fish and aromatic herb pastes.

Cambodia’s cultural heritage sites and vulnerable wildlife need visitors to follow temple etiquette, avoid harmful volunteer tourism, and support legitimate conservation and artisan initiatives.

• Temple Etiquette at Angkor: At Angkor Wat and other temples cover shoulders and knees, remove hats and shoes where requested, follow directional signs, and refrain from climbing on fragile carvings or monuments.
• Avoid Orphanage Tourism & Exploitative Projects: Do not support orphanage visits or volunteer placements that separate children from families; instead, donate to vetted community development projects or support local schools and livelihoods.
• Support Conservation & Anti-Trafficking Groups: When engaging in wildlife or forest-area visits, favour organisations working on habitat protection and anti-trafficking such as Wildlife Alliance, and avoid buying wildlife parts or animal performances.
• Buy Sustainable Handicrafts: Purchase handicrafts from reputable cooperatives (e.g., silk and lacquerware workshops) and ask about materials and provenance to ensure artisans receive fair payment and protected species are not used.

Long-term living in Cambodia attracts entrepreneurs, retirees, and budget-conscious expats drawn to low rents and a relaxed pace. Phnom Penh offers the most services and networking for professionals, while smaller cities like Siem Reap and Kampot appeal to those seeking lower costs and slower lifestyles. Many use local agents to handle visas and rentals.

Long-Term Visas: Ordinary (E) visa commonly used for longer stays, extendable through immigration or local agents.

Working There: A formal work permit is required for legal employment; many freelancers register businesses or work through local firms.

Cost of Living: Affordable monthly costs, higher in Phnom Penh; USD widely accepted alongside Cambodian riel (KHR).

Health & Wellness: Private hospitals in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap handle most needs, serious cases often evacuated to Bangkok or Singapore.

Banking & Finance: Banks offer USD and KHR accounts, ATMs plentiful in cities, international cards generally accepted.

Taxes: Personal tax applies for residents, corporate and VAT rules enforced; stay over 183 days may create tax residency.

Popular Places to Live in Cambodia

Deciding where to live in Cambodia depends on whether you want city life, tourism infrastructure, or quieter coastal towns. Phnom Penh provides the most services and job opportunities, Siem Reap serves tourism and culture, while Kampot and coastal areas offer lower costs and slower pace.

• Phnom Penh - Capital, best for jobs and services, suits professionals and entrepreneurs, tradeoff busier urban life and higher rents.
• Siem Reap - Tourist center near Angkor, suits those wanting community and amenities, tradeoff seasonal tourist flux and quieter off-season.
• Kampot - Riverside town with relaxed pace, suits writers and slow-lifers, tradeoff fewer formal coworking and medical options.
• Sihanoukville - Coastal access and beaches, suits beach-focused living, tradeoff rapid development and inconsistent services.
• Battambang - Smaller cultural city, suits lower-cost living and local immersion, tradeoff fewer international amenities and flights.

Cambodia’s remote-work scene is growing, centered in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap with decent coworking and cafés. Many nomads accept visa paperwork via local agents and rely on strong mobile and fiber internet in cities, while coastal and rural towns offer cheaper living but fewer professional amenities.

Nomad Visa: No dedicated nomad visa; common workaround is Ordinary (E) visa or tourist eVisa with local extensions.

Long Term Rentals: Long Term Rentals: affordable apartments outside Phnom Penh, agents commonly handle leases and paperwork.

Internet: Internet: fiber in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, 4G mobile coverage nation‑wide, speeds suitable for most remote work.

Monthly Cost: Monthly Cost: budget nomads often manage comfortably on modest budgets, Phnom Penh raises accommodation costs.

Coworking: Coworking: multiple coworking spaces in Phnom Penh, smaller scenes in Siem Reap and Kampot.

Fitness & Wellness: Fitness & Wellness: gyms and yoga studios in larger cities, outdoor activities and wellness retreats available in coastal towns.

Community: Community: active expat and nomad Facebook groups, regular meetups in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

Time Zone: Time Zone: UTC+7 year-round.

Popular Nomad Hubs in Cambodia

Nomads typically choose Phnom Penh for natural community and infrastructure, Siem Reap for tourism amenities, or Kampot and Sihanoukville for slower coastal life. The tradeoff is between connectivity and community in the capital versus lower costs and quieter days elsewhere.

• Phnom Penh - Best connectivity and coworking, suits professionals and startups, tradeoff busier streets and higher rents.
• Siem Reap - Tourist infrastructure, suits culture and tourism-focused nomads, tradeoff seasonal peaks and quieter off-season months.
• Kampot - Laid-back riverside town, suits slow-paced remote work and nature lovers, tradeoff fewer formal coworking options.
• Sihanoukville - Coastal, beach access and developing expat scene, suits seaside living, tradeoff ongoing redevelopment and variable services.