Cambodia Travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Cambodia?

November to February is the best time to visit Cambodia: dry, pleasant days and low humidity. April is the hottest month of the year. May to October brings short afternoon showers, a green countryside and far fewer visitors, which is why it is one of our own favourite times to travel.

• The Dry Season (November to April): November through February is the most popular period, with pleasant temperatures and lower humidity. As the season runs into April, temperatures reach their peak alongside high humidity.
• The Green Season (May to October): Often called the rainy season, but rainfall usually comes in short, refreshing afternoon showers rather than lasting all day. September sees the heaviest rain, particularly along the coast and on the southern islands. In return the countryside turns vivid green, waterfalls run full, there is no dust on the roads and the major sights are far less crowded, which makes it a fantastic time for jeep tours and photography.

Is Cambodia safe to visit (including for families and solo travelers)?

Yes. Cambodia is a safe destination for solo travellers and families with children, and petty theft in busy markets and city areas is the main thing to watch. Cambodians are known worldwide for their hospitality, and on every trip with us you have a local driver, an expert guide and a support team on call.

As with any destination, common-sense precautions apply: keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places and carry only what you need for the day. Beyond that, travelling here is straightforward, and our team is with you at every step to keep the journey seamless and worry-free.

Do I need a visa for Cambodia, and what are the entry requirements?

Yes, most international travellers need a visa. A tourist eVisa costs USD 30,- (plus admin costs) and takes around 3 business days to process. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date and contain at least one blank page. There are two routes:

• eVisa: Apply online before your trip via the official Cambodian government portal (evisa.gov.kh). Processing takes around 3 business days. The eVisa is only valid if you arrive at one of Cambodia’s international airports.
• Visa on Arrival: Required if you enter overland via a land border crossing, and also available at the international airports in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Bring a valid passport, a passport-sized photo, and cash in US Dollars for the fee.

Note: check your own country’s entry regulations before departure. Our team is happy to guide you through the process.

What are the main highlights of Cambodia, and how can I avoid the crowds?

Angkor Wat is the headline, but Cambodia’s other highlights are the white-sand islands of the south, the Mekong river to spot rare Irrawaddy dolphins, ethical elephant sanctuaries and hands-on community projects such as mangrove planting. We avoid the crowds by timing the big sights for the quiet hours and filling the rest of the day with backroads.

To experience the country’s true soul away from mass tourism, we combine these iconic regions with authentic, off-the-beaten-path adventures. Exploring backroads in our open-top vintage Jeeps, visiting remote ruins and spending real time in local villages is how you see the Cambodia most visitors miss. The daily timing and routing is deliberate, not accidental.

How many days do I need to travel around Cambodia?

Plan 12 to 14 days or more for the highlights of Cambodia, 7 to 10 days for a glimpse of the country, and 3 to 4 days if you only want Siem Reap and Angkor. We recommend Cambodia as a standalone destination rather than a side trip, because combining it with neighbouring countries costs you days in transit that the country itself can fill.

• 12 to 14+ days: Enough time for Angkor, the capital, remote wildlife and elephant projects, Mekong dolphin spots, and a few days unwinding on the tropical southern islands.
• 7 to 10 days: A first glimpse of Cambodia combining Siem Reap with Phnom Penh, plus the option of one more stop such as Kampong Thom or Battambang.
• 3 to 4 days: A focused getaway around Siem Reap: Angkor Wat, the surrounding countryside by vintage Jeep, and local cultural highlights.

What health precautions, vaccinations, and drinking water safety guidelines should I know about?

See a travel doctor or tropical institute 4 to 6 weeks before departure. The usual recommendations for Cambodia are Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid. Tap water is not drinkable anywhere in the country, so use filtered or bottled water, including for brushing your teeth. We refill safe drinking water on most of our tours.

• Vaccinations & medical advice: Consult your local health clinic, tropical institute or travel doctor 4 to 6 weeks before departure for advice tailored to you and your itinerary.
• Drinking water: Tap water is not suitable for drinking. Use filtered or bottled water, and the same for brushing your teeth. To cut single-use plastic, we provide safe drinking water refills on most tours.
• Sun & mosquito protection: The tropical sun is strong and mosquitoes are common, especially in rural areas. Bring high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. For repellent, bring your own or buy local natural and organic brands in Cambodia, which are widely available, effective and gentler on your skin and the environment.

What types of accommodation and transportation can I expect during my trip?

We book 3-star properties and above, never budget hotels, and we have personally visited and inspected every hotel we work with. In Siem Reap you choose between our vintage Jeeps, traditional tuktuks or an air-conditioned car for day tours. Longer transfers between cities and provinces are in modern, air-conditioned private cars or minivans with experienced drivers.

• Accommodations: Our portfolio starts at 3 stars and focuses on high-quality boutique hotels, charming eco-lodges and characterful resorts with swimming pools and excellent service. Because we have stayed in or inspected each one ourselves, we can handpick the property that fits how you actually travel.
• Transportation: Vintage Jeep, tuktuk or air-conditioned car for our signature day tours in Siem Reap, the choice is yours. Comfortable, modern, air-conditioned private minivans or cars with experienced drivers for everything longer.

What currency is used in Cambodia, and how do payments work?

Cambodia runs on two currencies side by side: the US Dollar and the Cambodian Riel. Dollars cover larger payments such as hotels, tours and restaurants, and riel is used for small purchases and change under one dollar. Your dollar notes must be clean and untorn, because damaged notes are refused here.

• USD & Riel: US Dollars are accepted almost everywhere for larger transactions. Riel handles the small stuff. Important: dollar bills must be clean, crisp and free of tears or markings.
• ATMs & cash: ATMs are widely available in the major cities and dispense both USD and KHR. Keep small cash on you for local markets, street stalls and tipping.
• Cards & digital payments: Visa and Mastercard are accepted in most hotels and larger restaurants, usually with a small service surcharge. American Express is rarely accepted. Digital payment by KHQR code is standard nationwide, and visitors can use the Bakong Tourist App to scan and pay during their stay.

Are your tours private, and can itineraries be customized to my preferences?

Yes. Every tailor-made itinerary we build is 100% private, designed from scratch around your pace, interests and budget. Alongside that we run our vintage Jeep tours and rallies as small group departures for travellers who want to share the road. What we do not run is large coach-style group tourism.

For a private trip, whether you travel as a couple, a family or a group of friends, the itinerary starts from a blank page. Want extra time at a remote temple, a few days at the beach, a morning planting mangroves with a community project, or a day in a vintage Jeep? Every detail is adjustable, during planning and flexibly on the ground while you are travelling.

Please note: certain third-party activities, such as Apsara dance performances, Phare Cambodian Circus shows and ethical elephant sanctuaries, are hosted in shared settings. Your transport and guide services to and from these events remain entirely private.

What are the benefits of booking directly with a local expert in Cambodia?

Booking direct means you deal with the people who actually run your trip, not an agent in another country. We live and work in Siem Reap, we have inspected the hotels ourselves, your money goes to local guides, drivers and family-run properties, and our team is reachable around the clock while you are in Cambodia.

• True local expertise: We live and work here. Firsthand knowledge is what lets us build itineraries around authentic local encounters, unusual routes and places the tour buses never reach.
• Direct communication & personal service: You speak to the team planning and running your trip. Details get adjusted quickly, the itinerary matches what you actually asked for, and recommendations come from people who have been there.
• Direct local impact: Your travel spending goes to our local guides, drivers, family-run accommodations and community conservation initiatives across Cambodia.
• 24/7 on-the-ground support: While you travel, our local team is a phone call or message away. A last-minute change or immediate help, we are in the country, not in a different time zone.