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Money and costs
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Cambodia's unit of currency is the
riel
, abbreviated to "r".
Notes
come in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000, although the bigger notes are seldom seen, as dollars tend to be used for larger transactions.
American dollars
are accepted everywhere; indeed, you'll be expected to pay in dollars rather than riel at guesthouses, restaurants and for most entrance fees to tourist sites. In fact, it's possible to get by in Cambodia without actually changing any foreign currency into riel, but there are times when riel notes are useful - lower priced items such as street food and motos are normally paid for in riel, and bargaining in riel for crafts at a market, for example, gives you more room for manoeuvre. Changing up to say $10 worth will give you a chunky pile of riel, enough to last you a few days.
Thai baht
are also widely used in the border areas, and on the main trade routes from Thailand.
It's best to change your currency into dollars before you enter Cambodia if possible, although banks in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap will exchange most currencies. Travellers' cheques can be changed at most banks for a small commission. Credit-card cash advances are available in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Battambang. ATMs haven't yet arrived in Cambodia. To exchange dollars into riel, don't bother with the banks - they issue riel at a low rate, if at all. Head instead for the nearest market, where moneychangers display bundles of riel in their glass cabinets. At the time of writing, a dollar in Phnom Penh's central market was worth 3800r. On the whole, food and accommodation is slightly more expensive in Cambodia than in its neighbouring countries. However, it's possible to live quite cheaply : if you stay in the cheapest guesthouses, eat only at the markets and street stalls and travel on trains or on the back of pick-ups, you'll be able to scrape by on ?5/$8 a day, not including entrance fees to museums and other sights. However, eating a few guesthouse or restaurant meals, and staying in en-suite accommodation will quickly increase daily costs to around ?10/$15. For decent air-con accommodation, three good meals a day, and a bit of nightlife, reckon on spending around ?20/$30. At present there is no two-tier pricing system as in Vietnam, though there are signs that this may be changing. The fast boat between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh attracts a foreigner price, and it seems the other boat routes are catching on. On the whole, however, accommodation and food are charged at the Khmer price.
The easiest way to get money
wired
to you in Cambodia
is via the branches of Western Union in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections): |
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Cambodia |