It’s all Fun and Games
if you know what you’re doing. Where’s a doctor when you need one? Where’s the ATM machines? Why is it so crowded today, when there was nobody here yesterday?
Money
The two official currencies of Cambodia are the Riel and US Dollar. Most small purchases are made in Cambodian Riel, and larger amounts (over a few dollars) are made in US currency. The current exchange rate is about 4,000 Cambodian Riel to one US dollar. You can exchange Thai Baht and Euros and US Dollars at money exchange stands.
Some banks have VISA and Master Card withdrawal services. In Kampot, in and around the market are many money exchange stands. Look for a sign with today’s exchange rate, or a shop selling gold jewelry that has piles of money in the glass case out front.
Money Part 2
Dollars, dollars, everywhere, but you can’t spend them all. Be careful when accepting large bills, as there are a few counterfeits out there. Also be warned: U.S. Dollars with big rips, a lot of writing on the bill, or in really bad condition or really old will not be accepted anywhere. Don’t accept it, don’t expect other people to accept it. Cambodian currency can be torn, taped, or look like it was printed at Angkor Wat 1,000 years before, and it’s OK to use. You can find ATMs all around town which pay out U.S. Dollars or Khmer Riel (about 4,000 Riel to the dollar at present).
There’re about 80 ATM machines throughout town, with a $5 and up fee for withdrawals (U.S. Dollars), usually with a $500 limit. Banks in Kampot,
Many stores don’t have any prices marked on items. It is always prudent to ask how much something is, before agreeing to purchase it. In some places, especially in the Market, you will be given a price that is several times the normal price. It is then up to you to bargain the price down (or walk away.)
Help, I need a doctor
Medical services are very basic in Kampot, less than basic in Kep (nonexistent on Bokor Mountain), and a bit better in Phnom Penh. Malaria is common in the jungles, but not in Kampot and Kep. Most all drugs can be purchased over the counter at a few dozen pharmacies in Kampot town. Outside of town is the Sonja Kill Memorial Hospital. On the Riverfront there is Pharmacy Davy, and at the Old Market is Ucare Pharmacy. Both English speaking with a wide range of drugs. Also, around the Market and Old Market there are about 10 or 15 pharmacies. Several Clinics in town with varying degrees of service.
Customs and Culture
Cambodia is a Buddhist country. Monks walk around in the morning, collecting food and money to maintain the Wats (Buddhist Temples). The Cambodian people are very polite and respectful, and expect the same in return. Don’t walk around naked, or nearly so. Smile and be polite, regardless of how upset or angry you are. That’s the way it works here.
Holidays
Every week or two comes a yearly holiday. Banks and government institutions are closed, but most other places are open for business. In Kampot and Kep, holidays are usually very crowded with tourists from Phnom Penh and the rest of the country. If you see a holiday comes on a weekend, expect the following Monday to be a holiday as well. Khmers like to party like the rest of us!
Sex
Some people have it here, some don’t. If you are having it, make sure to “wrap it up”. “Number One” in Cambodia is a condom, not a number, and it costs about 25 cents each. Use it.
Visas
You can get your Cambodian Visa at any border, for most countries, if you don’t have one already. A tourist visa cost $35 (plus whatever else they can get), and you must have 2 photos (or you can offer extra money if you don’t have any photos.). It’s good for 30 days and can be renewed once for 30 days for $50, while you’re in the country. For Vietnam visas, if you need one in advance, you can get it online. Thailand has free 60 day visas on-line for most countries now.
Bathrooms
Public bathrooms are hard to find here. Some in the Central Market, and in gas stations. Buy a drink and use a restaurant bathroom, or if you’re on the road, just stop in a field and do your thing. Everyone else does.
Laundry
Almost every hotel / guesthouse here does laundry for a fee. Usually $1 a kilo or less. It might take a day or two to dry, especially in the rainy season. All around town there are laundry places as well. Some of the bigger ones have dryers, and charge quite a bit more, but you can get your clean laundry back in a couple hours, and ironed as well.
Police
Police are everywhere in Cambodia. But it’s usually hard to find one when you need help. Kampot and Kep are very safe towns, and most of the legal trouble foreigners have here is when they’re drunk. You can find 24 hour police boxes around the Durian Circle and on the Riverside. You may have to look a bit for the police though.
Telephone:
When calling Cambodia from overseas, the country extension is +855. Any phone number starting with a “0”, which are all the numbers here, you should not dial the first “0” when calling Cambodia from outside the country.. When calling from within Cambodia, there are very no public phones, but in several thousand places around town, they have free Wi-Fi. You can also buy a tourist SIM in some places using your passport as ID. A SIM card for a phone cost about $2 here, and $1 gets you 5 Gigabytes of data for one week. You’ll need your passport.
And don’t forget to download PassApp to your phone, to call Tuk Tuk Taxis to you quickly and cheaply, and get you where your going fast. (or just tour around slowly)…. Works really good here.
Speak Khmer– The language of Cambodia. A small primer for English Speakers.