Fascinating Facts About Cambodia

  • Ethnic Diversity: Cambodia is a cultural mosaic where the Khmer majority coexists with Cham, Vietnamese, and Chinese communities. The elegant movements of Khmer women are particularly showcased in the UNESCO-listed Apsara dance performances.
  • Culinary Adventures: Fried grasshoppers are just the beginning! Cambodia is famous for unique delicacies like garlic-fried tarantulas and prahok (fermented fish paste). Don’t miss the national dish amok – coconut curry steamed in banana leaves.
  • Khmer Cuisine: Less famous than Thai but equally delicious, featuring must-try dishes like nom banh chok (rice noodle soup), beef loc lac (marinated stir-fry), and fresh seafood from coastal Sihanoukville.
Floating Village Cambodia
Tonle Sap Floating Village

Floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake represent a unique cultural phenomenon. The largest, Kompong Phluk, is home to communities adapted to water level fluctuations (1-9 meters!). Houses stand on stilts during dry season and float during monsoon. Read more about Angkor and floating villages here.

Essential Travel Tips for Cambodia

  • Visa: Costs $30 (updated from $20) and requires 1 passport photo. E-visas available (https://www.evisa.gov.kh/). No photo may incur extra $2-5 fee.
  • Accommodation: Prices range from $5 hostels to $15-30 decent hotels with AC. Pool access is highly recommended – not a luxury but necessity in the heat!
  • Angkor Temples: Minimum 3 days needed. Beyond main temples (Angkor Wat, Bayon), visit less crowded Ta Prohm (tree-root temples) and pink sandstone Banteay Srei. 3-day pass: $62.
  • Massages: $5-15/hour. Try traditional Khmer herbal massage. Be aware of “happy ending” massage parlors – many are fronts for prostitution.
  • Best Season: November-February (25-30°C). May starts rainy season – up to 35°C but showers are brief. Pack a lightweight rain jacket.
  • Transport: From Thailand, cross at Aranyaprathet/Poi Pet. Bangkok-Phnom Penh flights with AirAsia/Thai Smile from $50 roundtrip.

Currency: Riel (KHR) but USD widely accepted. Change below $1 given in riel (4000 KHR = 1 USD).