5 Things You Should Know When Traveling to Cambodia

No matter where you are in the world, your location is probably full of social customs and cultural norms that you don’t even notice anymore. Unfortunately, when you take these customs into a culturally rich place such as Cambodia, you may quickly realize you’re the odd one out now.

But, there’s nothing to worry about, with a little guidance you’ll be enjoying Cambodia in no time!

Stone Asura on causeway near South Gate of Angkor Thom in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Beautiful sunset over ancient moat in background. Mysterious Angkor Thom is a popular tourist attraction.

Getting Around Towns and Cities

Probably the biggest stress among travelers everywhere is how to get from one place to another. The most common method of transportation in Cambodia is by way of a Tuk Tuk. A Tuk Tuk is a carriage pulled behind a motor. They’re very safe and priced very reasonably. You should always be sure to get a set price before you enter a Tuk Tuk.

When you don’t get a price first, you run the risk of a Tuk Tuk driver sending the price up sky high.

Another option is taxis. In Cambodia, you can expect to see both bike and car taxis. But, it’s important to know that there isn’t a standard metered taxi service in Cambodia. Always be wary of taxi offerings, especially if the price seems too good to be true!

Etiquette

Many countries teach the same basic rules of etiquette such as keeping your elbows off the table, express gratitude to your hosts and dress modestly. Cambodia has a vibrant religious history, hosting the largest religious temple in the world, and the locals expect you to act as if you were in a church, at all times.

Public displays of affection, even slightly revealing attire, and unnecessary rowdiness isn’t tolerated in many places, especially temples. Women and men should both expect to keep their shoulders covered, which also help you avoid terrible sunburn.

It’s essential that you keep even hand-holding to a minimum as public displays of affection are generally disrespectful to those around you.

How to Dress

It’s hot, it’s humid, and you’re supposed to stay as covered as possible. How does anyone do it? The answer is light, cotton fabric. There’s a lot of lightweight clothing options available, and they’ll do more to protect you from the sun than sunblock will. Balancing modest attire with breathable fabric is important. You might want to wait to buy clothes until you get into a shopping district as it may be easier to find comfortable clothing there than at home.

Take Everything in Stride

Buddhism is the root of Cambodian culture, and throughout the country, that means “saving face” or admitting that you don’t know something. You can quickly find this in practice by any local nodding and offer a polite giggle towards your question or statement.

It’s best to return with the same demeanor as you won’t get anywhere with anger in Cambodia. Although it has a recent history of disagreements and political issues, the people within the country are friendly and polite. They are not laughing at you through judgment. Instead, they’re politely offering you the opportunity to ask your question again, hopefully with more precise communication.

Enjoy Your Vacation

Take the rare opportunity to enjoy a holiday in complete relaxation. When you’re ready to grab your visa, visit this website to be sure you have everything in place. Cambodia is the perfect place to recharge and enjoy a vacation. Here, you can find some of the best beaches and religious or historical monuments in the word! – Travel Feeder

About The Author

Cecil Lee

The author is an avid traveler and photography hobbyist who loves to share with others his travel and photo-taking experience in many popular tourist destinations around Europe, Asia and Australasia. Read the exciting stories with many photos captured on his journeys.