"Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver ."
- Ayn Rand
- Ayn Rand
Angkor Wat tours and Cambodia travel information with the country specialist
Cambodian currency is the Riel but...
Do I use US dollars or Riel for Cambodian money?
Cambodian currency is the Riel but US dollars are widely accepted and exchanged. This is in no way 'black-market' or unofficial; the Cambodia Tourist Visa payment and airport departure taxes MUST be paid in US dollars and cannot be settled in Riel.
Damaged or Torn Cambodian currency
Even slightly torn US dollar bills will not be accepted by many places and banks. Reject any torn, well worn or damaged US dollar bills which you recieve in change.
Credit card use in Cambodia
Visa or Mastercard are accepted in many hotels and most souvenir shops but in only the largest restaurants. You should carry enough Cambodian money or US Dollars (in fairly small denominations) to cover your immediate costs. Note also that American Express is not as widely accepted. It is the custom to pass on Cambodian bank transaction fees to the customer on credit card transactions.
Travel budgeting
Cambodia is an inexpensive place to vacation. Some example costs for day to day living: a roll of film costs from US$4 to US$5, large bottle of water from US$1.00, Angkor beer (excellent by the way) costs US$0.50 to $1 for a can. Meals are roughly - breakfast from US$0.50 to $5, lunch from US$2 to US$5 and dinner from US$2 to $10. For more information, check out our Cambodia travel costs page.
Tipping
Tips make a difference even in the service and tourist industries which are relatively high income professions for Cambodians. There is no tradition of tipping in the country, but tips are (very) gratefully received - in restaurants and bars we suggest rounding up a dollar or two for most bills (or use up some Riel). These tips make a real difference for most Cambodians. For guides the average tip for a great experience is US$15-20 per day.
Back to "Cambodia Vacation Advice" page.
Us Dollars and Riel are both used for Cambodian currency
Banks and ATMs
Banking hours are generally from 8am until 3pm Monday to Friday. ATMs now operate in Siem Reap,Phnom Penh and most other cities and give $US for a $2-4 fee per transaction. Most banks will exchange travellers cheques of most major currencies for withdrawal in US$. Generally commission is charged at 2% by the bank. Credit card cash withdrawals also incur a 2% charge.
Travel Advice
DO carry plenty of US$1 notes: Most daily transactions are conducted in cash and you should carry plenty of US$1 bills with you. A surprising number of things cost US$1; 2 flutes for US$1, 10 bracelets for US$1, 10 post cards for US$1 etc.
DO NOT carry more that US$10,000 into or out of the country.
Exchange rates
Check your exchange rate for Cambodian currency to US Dollars through this real time currency exchange rate converter
Cambodia travel information and Angkor Wat tour specialists ABOUTAsia are based in Siem Reap just 4km from Angkor Wat. At the heart of the organisation is a guiding research centre providing Cambodia vacation advice and industry leading tours planning.
Peerless service standards and local positioning have made us the tour operator of choice by international luxury travel groups and discerning independent travellers to Angkor Wat, Cambodia and Southeast Asia.
Trusted by -
© Andrew J Booth - all rights reserved on website contents 2010. No text or images may be reproduced or used on another website without written permission from ABOUTAsia.
