TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
TBA |
| Currency |
(KHR)
Riel |
| Electrical |
230 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 855, City Code, Phnom Penh 23+6D, Takeo 32+6D, Kampong
Cham 42+6D |
Time:
GMT + 7.
Electricity:
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Power cuts are frequent. Outside Phnom Penh,
electrical power is available only in the evenings from around
1830-2130.
Telephone:
IDD is available to Cambodia. At present outgoing international
calls can not be made. Country code: 855. Phnom Penh code: 23.
Prepaid telephone cards are available in post offices, hotels
and supermarkets for public phones around Phnom Penh and Siem
Reap.
Climate:
Tropical monsoon climate. Monsoon season is from May to November.
The most pleasant season is the dry season, from November/December
to April. In the north, winters can be colder, while throughout
most of the country temperatures remain fairly constant.
Required
clothing: Lightweight clothing and cottons are worn all
year. Rainwear is essential during the rainy season.
Food
& Drink: Restaurants and other businesses abound
in Phnom Penh, although the city remains poor. Food stalls are
also common in Phnom Penh and can usually be found in and around
the Central Market, O Ressei Market and Tuol Tom Pong Market.
Shopping:
Antiques, woodcarvings, papier mâché masks, brass
figurines, kramas (checked scarves), material for sarongs and
hols, and items and jewellery made of gold, silver and precious
stones are Cambodia’s best buys. Visitors are advised that
there are strict controls on the export of antiques and stone
carvings in particular. The Central Market, Tuol Tom Pong Market
and the Old Market are among the best places for buying jewellery
and the Fine Arts School sells many of the above goods in its
shop. Clothing and materials are available at the Central Market.
Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-2100.
Tipping: Tips are appreciated in hotels and restaurants
where no service charge has been added, and by tour guides.
Currency: Riel (CRl) = 100 sen. Notes are in
denominations of CRl100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 2000,
1000, 500 and 100.
Credit
& debit cards: Limited acceptance, but can be used
in upmarket hotels and restaurants catering to visitors.
Travellers
cheques: Limited acceptance. Travellers cheques are generally
not recommended. Travellers cheques in US dollars can be changed
at the official rate at the Foreign Trade Bank in Phnom Penh.
