Cambodia Factoid
| Country Name: | Kingdom of Cambodia |
| Motto: | National-Religion-King |
| Capital: | Phnom Penh |
| Population: | 13.1 millions (2001 est.) |
| Siem Reap population: | 798 546 |
| Land Area: | 181 035 km2 |
| Siem Reap land area: | 10 299km2 |
| Ethnic Groups: | Khmer (~95%), ethnic Vietnamese, Chinese, Cham, several hill tribes |
| Language: | Khmer, secondarily English and French |
| Religion: | Theravada Buddhism (~97%), Islam, Christianity, Animism, Caodism |
| International Airports: | Phnom Penh, Siem Reap |
| Currency: | Riel (US$1 = 4100R). US dollar is very commonly used. |
| Voltage: | 220Volts/50Hz |
| Time: | GMT+7 hours |
| Business Hours: | 7:30am-11:30am / 2:00pm-5:00pm. Closed on Saturday afternoon and Sunday |
Climate
Cambodia has a tropical climate under monsoons, resulting in 4 seasons:
- cool and dry from November to February,
- hot and dry from March to May,
- hot and wet from June to August and
- cool and wet from September to October.
It is particularly hot during March to May and the average day temperature is around 32 to 33 degree Celsius while during the cool season, the temperature can be below 20 degree Celsius. During the wet season, the rain regularly comes in the evening from 3pm to 6pm allowing clear sky in the morning and afternoon which makes it easy to plan around. While it is more comfortable in the cool season, the temples and sceneries are more beautiful and breathtaking during the wet season.
Earth quake and volcanoes are non-existent in Cambodia. Siem Reap in particular, is not prone to natural disasters; however continuous heavy rains may cause a flash flood, especially in the southern area of the province, close to the Tonle Sap lake.
Visas and Entry
Make sure your passport has at least 4-month validity. At the moment a visa is required for all nationalities while a common visa with some ASEAN nations is reportedly under way. A one-month tourist visa is available on arrival at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap international airport, and border crossings with Thailand and Vietnam. The visa fee is US$20 for Tourist, US$25 for Business and free for Diplomats and Officials. Tourist visa can be extended for one month, but only one time while Business visas can be renewed indefinitely. For information on visa renewal, consult travel agency or Department of Foreigners via email: visa_info@online.com.kh
Admission to Tourist Sites
The Angkor Archaeological Park opens to visitors from 5am till 6pm. Each visitor is required to purchase a temple pass in order to enter the Angkor Archaeological Park between 5am and 5pm. Passes can be purchased at the main entrance on the road to Angkor Wat. It is a common practice for tourists who arrive in Siem Reap late in the day, to go to checkpoint that evening and buy the passes for the following days. This prevents them from a possible long queue if they buy the passes in the morning after. Moreover, from 5pm onwards, the admission to the temples is free. They can catch a glimpse of Angkor Wat and some other temples before the sun set.
Passes are sold in one-day (US$23), three-day (US$43) and seven-day (US$63). A passport-sized photo must be provided for purchases of three- and seven-day passes. The pass must be present at all time as it will be checked at the entrance to each temple. There is a heavy fine for an invalid pass. The pass is valid for visit to temples in the Angkor area and Rolous group. There is a separate entrance fee for sites outside the park such as Phnom Kulen and Beng Mealea. Consult our staff and local guide for more information.
 Travel tips |
Cambodia FAQ  |