CAMBODIA
Money
& Cost
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.
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