Motorcycle Touring Destination Info

Cambodia

Capital City

Phnom Penh

Population

~ 16,750,000

Land Area

181,035 m2

Official Language(s)

Khmer

Currency

Riel (KHR) and US Dollar (USD)

Driving Side

right

Climate

tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); very little temperature change through seasons

Cambodia Fact File

Cambodia is a is a lush tropical country that is largely rural and untamed. There are ample opportunities to get off the tarmac and experience some real adventure riding. Conditions are basic but clean and the people are very warm and fun loving. Whether you want to skip along the coast or get into the dense tropical forest, you can find a route for that and combining a trip to Angkor Wat and Ton Le Sap is easy to do. Generally, tours here are for the seasoned rider who can handle some dirt and the heat which can be quite difficult to deal with but the rewards are great. Challenge accepted. Now, get over and get it done.

Cambodia FAQ

Do I need a visa for Cambodia?

Most people can enter Cambodia without a formal visa for at least 30 days. Visas are available on arrival for some nationalities and e-visas are available for people from all countries. You should apply for an eVisa a minimum of 4 days in advance of your trip.
You can get more information and apply here: https://www.cambodiagovisas.com/

Which International Driving Permit do I need for Cambodia?

Cambodia has signed the 1949 Convention on International Driving Permits. Therefore, you need to use the 1949 version.

Covid-19 Rules

You do not need to show any proof of a Covid vaccination if you wish to enter Cambodia and you do not need to quarantine.

Are there any health risks that I should be aware of?

There are many infectious diseases prevalent in Cambodia and each traveller needs to assess the risks for themselves and then decide whether or not they should be vaccinated or carry medication. For example, Rabies is an issue and many rabid dogs are found in the country. You could choose to be vaccinated prior to your trip or rely on the facct that most clinics in Cambodia have the vaccine on hand. Mosquito borne diseases such as: Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya are similar in that the best advice is often to avoid being bitten, but there are vaccines available in some countries. For better advice we suggest you consult and doctor and/or the CDC on their website for better information. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/cambodia We would also suggest only drinking bottled water from a reliable supplier and not using ice in drinks.

What riding gear should I bring?

Try to bring as much as possible. We will advise you on the weather conditions when you book your tour/rental and this will inform you as to what you should bring. Nearly all items are available here but the supply is sporadic and sizes tend to be more for the Asian market. Bring your helmet, jacket, riding pants, boots, gloves and waterproofs as these are essential and size dependant. We can provide a limited range of gear and sizes so it is best to discuss this with us in advance as we cannot guarantee to have what you need. There is NO NEED to bring bungees, waterproof bags, phone holders etc… unless you really wish to.

What are the toilets in Cambodia?

This greatly depends on the location: rural or urban and the location: at a street stall or in a restaurant/hotel. Do not always rely on having the best facilities. We are usually lucky enough to be in places where the toilets, even though basic, are still hygienic. There may be times when we are ‘caught short’ and there is only a squat toilet, possibly open-air, which may not have toilet paper. Therefore, it is essential that we bring our own toilet products for those rare cases. We obviously do our best to avoid this.

Is it customary to tip?

No, it is not customary. However, as a foreigner who will usually benefit from above average service standards, it is often appropriate to tip. It is hard to get away from the fact that foreigners can be seen as wealthier than locals and therefore the expectation of a tip is there. However, it is usually due to good service and friendly attitudes that we tip workers and this is often the level of service we receive. Therefore, we suggest giving a small tip/rounding up the total in most cases in order to see that level of care is continued. In higher standard hotels and restaurants it would be normal to leave a 10% tip. It is most welcome by staff because they rarely have high salaries.

Is there good Internet access in Cambodia?

Yes, kind of. The coverage of Internet is quite broad and wifi is also readily available in many hotels, bars and restaurants. Therefore, basic communication is possible but working on large files and the like can be difficult and time consuming. Naturally, access in the larger towns and cities such as Siem Reap and Phnom Penh is much better but we will often be quite far from these places.

I am vegetarian. Will that be a problem?

It is possible, but difficult, to eat vegetarian in Cambodia. Many dishes can easily be altered to become vegetarian but it is often hard to explain this clearly. You will need to explain that you may not wish to have: oyster sauce, fish sauce, eggs (in egg fried rice) or for the cook to NOT use chicken powder which is a common flavouring. There are speciality vegetarian restaurants but they are hard to come by and always in the larger towns where we are not. We can cater for vegetarians but the choices are limited and it is often best that you bring some snacks with you in case you need them.

Can I drink the tap water?

It is NOT a good idea to either drink the tap water or lean your teeth with it in Cambodia. The quality of the water supply can be sporadic and there can be alterations to the network that the water companies are not aware of. As well, large buildings: condos, hotels, tower blocks, complexes often store water in large tanks before distribution and this can lead to contamination by many kinds of bacteria and pathogens.

How safe is it in Cambodia for travellers?

Cambodia is quite safe and millions of visitors have no trouble whilst they holiday there. However, petty street crime, scams and sometimes sexual assaults do occur, particularly in the larger cities and tourist areas. You should exercise caution when out late at night, especially if drinking. Whilst on tour, we spend most of our time in rural areas which are quite safe and we are more likely to come across annoyances, if anything, rather than threats.

Do I need to bring any medication?

If you take a prescription medication, you should bring enough for your trip. Most over the counter medications can be easily found but they are often under different names and this can lead to confusion.

Is there much access to ATMs in Cambodia?

There are some ATMs in the main cities and towns such as, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Phonsovan but few in the more rural areas. Beware of the withdrawal fees which can be around 4 or 5$ per transaction.

When is the best time to visit Cambodia?

This is during the dry season which is November to April. This is the time when you will experience blue skies, dry conditions and lower temperatures. During the rainy season it is often impossible to travel on many of the roads we use and sometimes even the mai roads. On top of this, it can be extremely uncomfortable to travel due to the heat.

Can I bring my drone?

Yes, you can bring a drone into Cambodia and there are no bans on the import and use of drones in the country other than the usual ones of not using them around airports and areas of national security. Use common sense and do not fly in these areas or over monuments such as Angkor Wat and you are unlikely to have any problem. However, bear in mind that due to the nature of our tour, riding long distances, you may not get much chance to use it.