General Info

[TooDirty]

I'm sure you already know this from your extensive reading of the forum but US bills have to be MINT! When I say mint I mean right off the press.

Don't fold those mint bill to fit in your wallet either. I took mint bills folded precisely in three lengthwise to fit into a money belt into Thailand. If I hadn't had a bilingual friend I'm sure they'd have been useless. As it was we had some trouble finding a bank branch that would accept them. I just read that you shouldn't trust lockers at a massage parlor either, keep your valuables on your person.

[Banana Boi]

I'm sure you already know this from your extensive reading of the forum but US bills have to be MINT! When I say mint I mean right off the press. Also, when paying anything with USD make sure any USD you get in return is also MINT and not counterfeit. Still remember Burger King at the airport not accepting my 20 USD because it wasn't mint. Then as change he tried to hand me change back of all ripped USD bills. I ripped into him!

Taxis and tuk tuks are so cheap in PP it should be no concern to anyone who goes there. Same as Jakarta and HCMC.

[Exoticspirit]

For exchange, some Thai money exchangers accept riel, but not all, and not at a great rate.

Have fun!

Thanks so much for your insight and yes, I better not take any chances and will exchange my leftover riels into Baht or other currency before I get to the airport. I hope I can use Grab from both the Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports getting into the cities and back.

[WintersLight]

Just wondering if rides on the tuk tuks are better for rates via Grab or Pass compared to the cash fares drivers will quote? Or are the rates for most rides fairly similar no matter whether via a rideshare app or cash?

Also at the end of a Cambodia trip, if I'm going to Thailand next, do we know whether the money changers in Thailand will take Cambodian cash or do I have to change all my leftover Cambodian cash out while still in Cambodia before boarding my outbound flight?

I always used Grab, saves the haggling. Most Tuktuk drivers are honest and hard-working, but some may want to add 1 k-2 k riel more to your fare if they see you're a foreigner (I don't blame them really), but you're probably staying in the riverside area, where the percentage of dishonest tuk-tuk drivers is a lot higher. (They're working the foreigner market exclusively). OTOH hand, rides are cheap; even going from one part of the city to one on the other side, like a 30 min ride, is usually just 8 k riel (close distances start about 4 k riel), so that's $1 USD-$2 USD. Even if the tuktuk driver doubles it, it's $4 instead of $2. Still a bit of an annoyance, as no one likes getting ripped off. But just use Grab (I had my US# so couldn't use PassApp, as you need a local line), it's super easy, you can either pay with cash or hook it up to your card. With cash remember that a lot of drivers may not have change.

For exchange, some Thai money exchangers accept riel, but not all, and not at a great rate. As another poster noted, Cambodia is still using USD for bigger cost items, and even Cambodians use it. (Govt is trying to phase it out, but it won't happen for a bit). I just brought USD cash in $100's, $50's, $20's, but make sure they're new, as most places won't take older bills. Go to a nice restaurant or mall, somewhere that can break a big bill w / o a problem, and buy something with the $100 bill, but ask for the change back in riel. You'll then have enough riel for walking-around / riding-around use, like for Tuktuks, mom-and-pop restaurants or street vendors, small souvenir vendors, tips for hotel staff, etc. The first few days I did that extensively, got enough riel back to last me quite awhile for things under $10. And as another poster mentioned, with bars you'll probably pay your bill (and barfine) with USD. If you barfine a girl, you'll give the girl her payment in USD also later on at your hotel. (Something like $50 USD is a huge volume of riel notes, they don't want to be dealing with that either). You can also maybe get away with paying them with older bills, as it's easier for Cambodians to exchange those for newer bills.

Have fun!

[Exoticspirit]

Just wondering if rides on the tuk tuks are better for rates via Grab or Pass compared to the cash fares drivers will quote? Or are the rates for most rides fairly similar no matter whether via a rideshare app or cash?

Also at the end of a Cambodia trip, if I'm going to Thailand next, do we know whether the money changers in Thailand will take Cambodian cash or do I have to change all my leftover Cambodian cash out while still in Cambodia before boarding my outbound flight?

[Mopar Man]

I'm coming to PP and SR for two weeks in March and I'm wondering if ATMs are widespread in these cities?

Also, do the ATMs there dispense USD?

Thanks in advance.

Hi,

I have been one month now in Phnom Penh and Kampot. I am using ATM's exclusively to fund my daily expenses. Sometimes I will use a credit card to pay for hotels or airfare. In Phnom Penh and Kampot you cannot walk 50 feet in the area's we would generally find ourselves in without passing a ATM kiosk. They will typically give you a choice to withdraw funds in Riel's or USD.

Paying for goods and services can seamlessly take place in USD or Riel's as you choose. Changing USD to Riel's can be done at money changer booths that are easy to find again in the area's we would generally find ourselves in. Paying for good's in services in large denomination USD bills can be a bit of a challenge at smaller establishment's so having a good supply of local currency is the practical thing to do.

Cambodia in general has been a very pleasant place to revisit after a seven year absence. The infrastructure is good, the people are friendly, the country is attractive and things in general are very affordable and reasonable. I don't consider it a good mongering location though. The majority of the action seems to be girlie bars which I no longer care for and I don't do online dating. I prefer a freelancer situation and I've not seen much evidence of that.

But it has been a good trip so far and I am enjoying it all. Depending on your age and desire's your experience will vary.

Cheers.

[WombatEd2]

I'm coming to PP and SR for two weeks in March and I'm wondering if ATMs are widespread in these cities?

Also, do the ATMs there dispense USD?

Thanks in advance.

[Mopar Man]

I saw no Africans at all, nor indeed any black people at all in Phnom pen 2 weeks ago.

Thank you Nyezhov, I appreciate you feedback. I have been in PP for about a week and now, staying in the St. 172 area. I have seen only two black women and they were obviously of the normal tourist variety and coupled up. Not something I am interested in.

No problem, I will keep my eyes open.

Thanks again for taking the time to pass on your comments.

[Nyezhov]

Good day,

I will be arriving in Cambodia in a few days and will be staying a month or so, mostly in PP and Kampot. I'm wondering if anyone could comment on the availability of African ladies in either location?

It's six or seven years since I last visited Cambodia and I can't say I recall seeing any at that time.

Any information or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers to all.

I saw no Africans at all, nor indeed any black people at all in Phnom pen 2 weeks ago.

[Mopar Man]

Good day,

I will be arriving in Cambodia in a few days and will be staying a month or so, mostly in PP and Kampot. I'm wondering if anyone could comment on the availability of African ladies in either location?

It's six or seven years since I last visited Cambodia and I can't say I recall seeing any at that time.

Any information or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers to all.

[FeedSubject]

Sam,

Have a great trip. I've been to Cambodia (and SE Asia) many many times and love to help others get the most out of their trip, particularly if it's a quick visit. Just be careful over there. I'm sure you won't have trouble though. But PM me if I can help.

Hi,

I'm thinking of a quick visit as I'm hoping for good bargains considering the market is not as developed here. When you say "just be careful", what do you mean? Any tips would be appreciated for a newbie if you can help thank you!

[SirWilliam4]

FYI, I applied for a visa on eVisa and received it within 48 hours by email.

Normal process.

[Vendelo]

FYI, I applied for a visa on eVisa and received it within 48 hours by email.

[Yendappu]

That post you responded was from last year March 22 .

Sam,

Have a great trip. I've been to Cambodia (and SE Asia) many many times and love to help others get the most out of their trip, particularly if it's a quick visit. Just be careful over there. I'm sure you won't have trouble though. But PM me if I can help.

[DiscreetLuvr]

Just make sure that the airline you are using is aware of this. Airlines seem to be the last to know when rules change. Here is a link to a Facebook group that is very reliable. This should tell you all that you need to know about the most Cambo entry requirements. https://www.facebook.com/groups/camb...24439204392368..

Sam,

Have a great trip. I've been to Cambodia (and SE Asia) many many times and love to help others get the most out of their trip, particularly if it's a quick visit. Just be careful over there. I'm sure you won't have trouble though. But PM me if I can help.