TRAVEL
FORMALITIES
PASSPORT & VISA
A passport and a visa
are required for entry into
Cambodia. Visas can be
applied for and issued upon
arrival at either Pochentong
(Phnom Penh) or Siem Reap
Airport for US$ 20.00.
Please note that it is not
possible to receive a visa
upon arrival at any other
entry point. In case of a
land crossing into Cambodia
a visa must be acquired
beforehand at a Cambodian
Embassy or Consulate.
Note: Two passport-size
photos are needed for visa
processing.
AIRPORT TAX (as of August
2001)
International Airport
Tax from Phnom Penh: US$
20.00 per person
International Airport Tax
from Siem Reap: US$ 8.00 per
person
Domestic Airport Tax from
Phnom Penh: US$ 10.00 per
person
Domestic Airport Tax from
Siem Reap: US$ 4.00 per
person
DISEMBARKATION
On the plane, the
passenger will be given two
forms to complete:
Entry / Exit Card
This card is divided into
two parts, both of which
must be completed. The
officer will take one half
and staple the other into
the passport for use when
the passenger departs.
Customs Declaration Form
This card should be filled
out before arrival at the
airport.
In the airport, the
passenger will get a visa
application form.
VISA APPLICATION FORM
The passenger hands over the
completed application form
together with a photo and
the passport to a visa
officer. Once the
application is approved and
passport stamped, the $20
fee is paid.
IMMIGRATION
At immigration, the
passenger presents the
passport and immigration
card, then proceeds to the
luggage belt.
MEET & GREET
In Phnom Penh, our welcome
person will greet the
passenger at the luggage
belt, and after the luggage
pick-up they will together
proceed towards customs. In
Siem Reap, the welcome
person must wait outside the
customs checkpoint.
CUSTOMS
The customs officer will
check the completed customs
form and the passport.
Luggage is placed on an
x-ray machine. After passing
all luggage (including hand
luggage, handbags, etc.)
through the machine, the
passenger will be met by our
guide.
PICK UP
Our guides hold a Vidotour
sign or a sign with your
company logo. The guides
will accompany passengers
from the arrival hall to the
car for transfer to the
hotel.
HEALTH
VACCINATIONS
No vaccinations are
required to enter Cambodia,
other than a Yellow Fever
vaccination if a visitor has
travelled through an
affected area in the
previous six days. Visitors
are advised to have
up-to-date inoculations for
Cholera, Hepatitis A and B,
Malaria, Typhoid, Tetanus,
and Tuberculosis. Malaria is
prevalent in most remote
regions of Cambodia and it
is best to consult with your
doctor on the best
preventative measures.
FOOD & DRINK
A typical Cambodian meal
consists of steamed rice
accompanied by fish, poultry
or beef seasoned with chili
or garlic. There are
numerous restaurants in
Phnom Penh and Siem Reap
offering international
cuisine, including Italian,
French, Indian, Thai and
Chinese. Fresh fruit and
vegetables should always be
peeled or washed thoroughly
with purified water. Bottled
water should be used at all
times for drinking. Boiled
drinks such as coffee or tea
are fine.
MEDICAL FACILITIES
Over the counter
prescription drugs are
widely available in major
cities, but it is best to
bring frequently-used
medicines from home. It is
also recommended that
visitors bring a basic
travel first-aid kit with
band-aids, anti-infection
creams, mosquito repellant,
and the like. There is a
UN-run hospital in Phnom
Penh to treat emergency
cases.
MONEY
The unit
of currency in Cambodia is
the Riel. Nearly all hotels,
souvenir shops, and
restaurants accept US
Dollars so it is worth
bringing some US currency in
small denominations. Cashing
travellers cheques is
possible in banks and large
hotels. Most large hotels in
Phnom Penh and Siem Reap
accept Visa and Mastercards
(but not American Express).
CUSTOMS
When
travelling from Cambodia to
Vietnam be sure to detail a
brief list of all antiques
purchased in Cambodia. Upon
arrival in Vietnam, have
Vietnamese customs
authorities confirm and
stamp this list. There are
strict restrictions on
exporting certain Vietnamese
art and antiques so it is
best to identify goods
purchased in Cambodia
beforehand.
SECURITY
Baggage
should have sturdy locks.
Place all valuables,
including passports and air
tickets, in the in-room safe
at hotels or at the front
desk. It is best not to
bring expensive jewelry or
watches. Do not carry
unnecessarily large amounts
of cash with you at any
time.
INSECTS
As in all
tropical countries, insect
life is vibrant. Expect to
see a variety of flying and
terrestrial insects and
bugs.
POST & COMMUNICATIONS
International
telephone calls, fax and
e-mail access are all
available in Phnom Penh and
Siem Reap.
PHOTOGRAPHY
It's best
to bring your own film.
Obtain permission before
photographing monks or the
interiors of pagodas and
temples.
OTHER TIPS
ELECTRICITY
The electric current is
220 volts. Power blackouts
are frequent, even in Phnom
Penh and Siem Reap. In small
towns, the current can be
off for long periods of
time. Hotels usually have
flashlights or candles to
hand.
CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT
Light cotton and linen
clothing is best in tropical
climates. Long trousers are
recommended for visits to
temples and pagodas. Long
sleeved shirts and socks
should be worn at dusk for
protection against
mosquitoes. Sunglasses,
hats, and sunscreen are
recommended for protection
against the strong tropical
sun.
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