Cambodia, located in Southeast Asia between Thailand to the northwest and Vietnam to the southeast, has become an increasingly popular tourist destination during the last 20 years. Whether you want to catch some sun and sand at one of its sparkling beaches, immerse yourself in the undiscovered territory of its natural conservation areas, or explore its more modern capital, Cambodia just might surprise you with how much it has to offer.
Before you leave, make sure to purchase travel insurance to protect yourself should anything unexpected happen.
Trip Cancellation Insurance for Travelers in Cambodia – FAQs
International trips require a fairly large investment. You must purchase airfare, accommodations, and tour packages even before you start budgeting for meals and other expenses. Your major expenses must be prepaid, and are typically not refundable. If you are unable to go on your trip, you could stand to lose all of this money. To protect yourself financially, be sure to get trip cancellation insurance.
Why should I get trip cancellation insurance for my Cambodia travel?
Life is unpredictable. Family and work emergencies, natural disasters, health issues, and travel lockdowns can occur without warning; any of which could make your Cambodia trip impossible.
With trip cancellation insurance, you can be reimbursed for your prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses if you are unable to take your trip for a reason that’s covered by the policy.
What can be covered by trip cancellation insurance for Cambodia?
In addition to trip cancellation coverage, travel insurance can assist you in the event of most travel calamities. Plans typically include coverage for things like:
- Trip interruption
- Travel delay
- Loss of baggage
- Baggage delay
- Emergency cash transfer
Certain plans even offer you the option to cancel your trip for any reason.
When choosing a travel insurance plan, it pays to compare. Pay attention to the differences between plans, and choose the one with coverage that meets your needs the best.
Cambodia’s Most Popular Tourist Attractions
Phnom Penh
As the nation’s capital, Phnom Penh is one of Cambodia’s more urban, modern destinations. In addition to a thriving restaurant and café scene, the city contains a wide variety of historic sites and attractions from more than 700 years of Cambodian history. The Royal Palace, the home of Cambodia’s royal family since the 1860s, contains such wonders as the Emerald Buddha and Gold Buddha statues, the latter of which weighs almost 200 pounds and glitters with diamonds. The Cambodia National Museum was established in 1920 and contains more than 1,800 objects. Highlights include archaeological discoveries from the nearby Angkor Wat and a collection of pre-Angkorian artifacts.
Angkor Wat
The religious temple complex of Angkor Wat, also known as Angkor Archaeological Park, is the most famous tourist attraction in Cambodia. The temple is one of the national symbols of Cambodia and even appears on the nation’s flag. It stands today as the world’s largest religious monument, covering about 400 acres. Today, the site presents the perfect example of Khmer architecture. The complex is surrounded by a sizable moat representing the ocean, and a single bridge brings visitors in and out. Visitors pass through three galleries before reaching the temple, the walls of which are decorated with relief sculptures depicting various religious and historical scenes.
Sihanoukville Beaches
The coastal city of Sihanoukville lies just off the Gulf of Thailand. It serves as the country’s main beach resort town, featuring multiple beaches popular with locals and tourists alike. Independence Beach and Sokha Beach feature high-end luxury hotels. Serendipity Beach and Ochheuteal Beach are the most popular destinations for casual beachgoers looking for some sun, sand, lapping waves, and lunch. Otres Beach is more secluded, featuring huts built directly into the sand, a few small boutique hotels, and a burgeoning restaurant scene.
Ratanakiri
The Ratanakiri Province, located in the northeast corner of Cambodia, is one of the more rural and less developed portions of the country. Adventurous travelers will find plenty of opportunities to hike, trek, view wildlife, and go for a relaxing swim. The Veun Sai-Siem Pang Conservation Area (VSSPCA) features a wide expanse of evergreen and semi-evergreen tropical forest. Overnight visitors sleep in hammocks and view wildlife like gibbons, snakes, lizards, bats, and more. Virachey National Park, one of Cambodia’s two ASEAN Heritage Parks, is a popular destination for hiking and trekking. A good portion of the park’s land remains unexplored. Animal life includes elephants, bears, and tigers.
Swimming opportunities include Lake Yeak Laom, a circular crater lake in the Ban Lung District, also home to hiking trails and a museum about Tampuan culture; and the waterfalls at Chaa Ong and Ka Tieng.
Cambodian Cuisine
Cambodian cuisine finds its inspiration in the flavors of China, Thailand, and Vietnam. The national dish is fish amok, a fish curry custard steamed in banana leaves. Popular ingredients in Cambodian food include freshwater fish, fermented sauces, noodles, fruit and vegetables, and spices like black pepper and Kampot pepper. Popular dishes include noodle soups like kuy teav (flat rice noodles in pork broth), kuy teav ko kho (caramelized rice noodles in beef broth), and mee kiev (similar to wonton soup); stews and hotpot dishes like samlar machu and kho; stir-fried dishes like chha kuy teav, bai chha, and mee chha; pastries; sticky rice dishes and dumplings; and jelly desserts and puddings.
Key Guidelines for Travelers in Cambodia
Cambodia is a safe country to visit, but there are certain guidelines that all travelers should keep in mind:
- Pickpockets – Petty thieves are the scourge of major cities across the globe, and Cambodia is no exception. Keep your valuables secure at all times, especially in crowded tourist areas.
- Water woes – The tap water in Cambodia is not safe for consumption. Your best bet is to stick to bottled water at all times, or boil any water before drinking it.
- Getting around – Though you can find cabs in some cities, Tuk-tuks are the most common. It’s easy to hitch a ride, but make sure you negotiate the fare beforehand. It should be more than $3-$5.
Cambodia Travel Restrictions and Insurance Requirements
Cambodia has ended their requirement for all foreign nationals to have COVID-19 travel medical insurance that covers coronavirus-related expenses. Currently, travel health insurance providing $50,000 in coverage is recommended by the Cambodian government, but not required.
Before You Travel to Cambodia – Do This
- Remember that Cambodia has a largely conservative culture. Avoid wearing revealing clothing, showing public displays of affection, or leaving your shoes on when entering homes. Respect the local culture, and you will find it warm and welcoming.
- The official language of Cambodia is Khmer. Outside of major tourist areas, you will find that most locals only speak Khmer, and you would do well to learn a few common phrases to help you communicate.
- Although no amount of planning can completely eliminate the risk of a travel mishap during your Cambodia trip, you can be prepared for it by purchasing travel insurance.