Health and Vaccinations

The vaccination requirements for Cambodia have been stated previously in this chapter and it is paramount that you take those precautions! Also you should be aware of the threat of Rabies in the country and try to keep away from stray dogs. If you are bitten then it is advisable to seek immediate attention. If you are worried about Rabies then you can get pre-exposure injections, but these are not really needed unless you are travelling in the region for over six months. Some do advise vaccinations against Japanese B Encephalitis and Hepatitis and you should talk to your Doctor about these possible vaccinations.

The Medical services in Cambodia are very rudimentary and amongst the worst in the world, if you do become ill it is advisable that you contact a private institute or your embassy in Phnom Penh.

A common problem for backpackers in Cambodia is bites from bedbugs and ticks and even the best of the remedies and preventative treatments will not stop this. If you are badly bitten just try to refrain from scratching keep it clean and if it flares up again visit a medical centre. There is a danger of snake bites, but to be safe you should wear boots and socks, as well as long trousers when going through the undergrowth.

Before you leave on your trip, a visit to your doctors and dentist is advised to make sure you are fully fit for the strains of the journey.

If you where prescription glasses or contact lenses it is also a good idea to take a spare pair, as if you lose or break your originals it could be difficult to get you prescription.

Money Matters

Yes, Money definitely matters! 

How you take your money to Cambodia is up to you, though there is a few different options and it may be best to take a mixture.

The main options for carrying your money are traveller’s cheques, credit/debit cards and cash.

All money, no matter how you carry it should be secured and a money belt worn under your clothes is a very sensible option.

Travellers cheques are a good idea as if any of them go missing you can contact your bank and register the specific cheque missing. They can then issue a replacement with the minimum of fuss. Another plus for carrying traveller’s cheques is that many exchange bureaus offer better exchange rates for these rather than cash. It is an idea to carry larger denominations in cheques as there is usually a surcharge per each cheque cashed.

Credit and Debit cards are also gaining in popularity with the traveller and can be useful when spending large amounts of money on single purchases. The problem with this is that the number of ATMs in the country is very low and in the provincial towns you will not find any at all. If you do plan to bring Credit/Debit cards then you should use them in Thailand or Malaysia to draw money before coming to Cambodia.

Whilst it is not advisable to carry a large amount of cash with you, for obvious reasons, it can be handy to take a small amount. Cash will come in handy if you are stuck in the airport or you cannot get to an exchange bureau straight away. It is advisable if you are going to bring cash to bring it in US$ as this is widely accepted around Asia.

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