What budget to travel Cambodia? Money and currency

What budget for activities and outings Cambodia?

Cambodia is a relatively inexpensive country. Accommodation is much cheaper than in European countries, and local transport doesn't cost much.

As for food, the price will depend on your requirements. From $1 to $3 a dish for local cuisine, to very, very expensive for the latest trendy restaurant in Phnom Penh.

As far as sightseeing is concerned, only the temples of Angkor represent a relatively high budget (from €37 per day). Other places to visit are either free, or will only cost you a few dollars.

Cycling, running and walking are two excellent ways to get some exercise without spending any money! As well as the sporting activity itself, you'll be able to observe local life at your leisure.

With Cambodia's low standard of living, prices for everyday goods are generally very affordable. When it comes to souvenirs, the lower end of the market is unbeatable. But you can also find top-of-the-range items at much higher prices. In any case, haggling is the order of the day (for your colorful scarf or your I Love Angkor T-Shirt, not for your kilo of carrots).

Once again, prices will depend greatly on the establishment of your choice. It's quite possible to find bars in Phnom Penh whose prices are on a par with New York or Singapore. But if you go local, a good beer will only cost you a few coins.

What budget to eat Cambodia?

For all tastes and for all budgets! The small local restaurant will offer you succulent dishes for a few dollars, but you will easily find enough to ruin yourself in excellent high-end restaurants (exclusively in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap). We often pay cash, in dollars or riels, the small change being systematically returned in local currency.

As is often the case, what's local is cheap, while what's international, or inspired by the international, quickly rises in price. You'll find your croissant at the same price, or even more expensive, than in Paris!

What is the budget for accommodation Cambodia?

Cambodia offers a wide choice of accommodation to suit all budgets. Prices are generally lower in the countryside than in the city. A bed in a dormitory in Phnom Penh will cost you around $5. For $12-$15, you'll get a private room with fan; expect to pay from $18-$20 for air-conditioning. For a 3-star hotel, room rates range from around $30 to $75. In the major cities, the range of boutique and luxury hotels has expanded, and spending several hundred dollars for a night is quite possible. Except in the countryside, most hotels now accept payment by international credit card.

Hotels

There's something to suit every taste and budget. Luxury and comfortable hotels are located in the main tourist areas: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Battambang. And you'll find small, inexpensive hotels and guesthouses everywhere in the provinces. Comfort and cleanliness vary greatly from one establishment to another. Always visit the rooms first. If you're staying for several days, try to negotiate the price. It's important to know that prices can be negotiated, especially outside the high season, at much lower rates than those offered by the big Internet reservation centers.

- An air-conditioned room with a decent bathroom, comfortable furnishings, cable TV and minibar costs between $15 and $50, depending on the city, location and standard of the hotel.

- From $75 to $500 and more, very good comfort is guaranteed: swimming pool, fitness room, massage or sauna at home, satellite TV, wifi, air-conditioned minibus transfers, etc.

Guesthouses

A bed in a basic dormitory costs between $3 and $5. A ventilated room with shower costs between $5 and $8.

A ventilated room with toilet costs between $10 and $12. The same air-conditioned room costs between $15 and $20, minimum.

Youth hostels

There are very few youth hostels in Cambodia, less than a dozen or so. This is understandable, given the prices offered by guesthouses and hotels.

Camping

Inexpensive hotel accommodation is sufficient to satisfy tourist demand, and campsites are virtually non-existent. There are some near Sihanoukville, on the islands in the nearby bay. What's more, the weather conditions - heat and heavy rain - are not conducive to this type of accommodation. Not to mention mosquitoes, snakes, scorpions..

Agritourism - rural tourism

Rural tourism is still relatively underdeveloped in Cambodia. Only a few travel agencies specializing in ecotourism offer it. The lack of infrastructure and the language barrier are the two factors most penalizing a real boom.

Travel budget Cambodia and cost of living

Cambodia's population is largely poor, but the cost of living for foreigners is higher than in other Asian countries. Thailand, on the other hand, is more developed and cheaper. Indeed, given the average monthly income of the population ($30 to $50) and the cost of living in neighboring countries, you'll spend half as much in Vietnam for the same standard of living.) Cambodia is not a very cheap country, especially in terms of the services provided (hotels, for example). In particular, a stay at Angkor is relatively expensive: everything is organized to ensure that tourists spend as much money as possible in as little time as possible; local transport, guide fares and entrance fees to the sites will quickly put a dent in the pockets of those with little money.

Small budget: around $25 per day, including a ventilated guesthouse room, public transport and meals in street stalls.

Medium budget: around $60 per day, with well-kept air-conditioned rooms with decent toilet facilities, lunch and dinner in restaurants and comfortable means of transport (cabs and minibuses).

Big budget: more than $100 a day to stay in top-class hotels and enjoy top-quality services.

Other information

- Tipping. Tipping is not obligatory, but if you decide to tip, please allow at least $1.

- Haggling. The general rule is to start the discussion at one-third of the price quoted by the merchant and then slowly work your way up, observing the seller's reactions.