Cambodian Money — What You Should Know While Traveling Cambodia

While traveling Cambodia, one must consider several aspects of Cambodian money. What’s the currency? How far does a US Dollar go in Cambodia? What are other issues to be mindful of?

1. How Far Does a Dollar Go in Siem Reap, Cambodia?

The cost of food is always a great way to gauge cost of living while traveling. In my Cambodian travels, I’ve been spending less than $12.00USD a day for food!  Typically $12.00 only covers one meal in the U.S., but take a look at the other side of the world in Cambodia and you’ll get yourself 3 full meals with an afternoon snack included.   🙂 The food is fresh, delicious and will satisfy your taste buds!

My average daily expenses for food in Cambodia

$1.75USD total for breakfast:  $0.75 coconut, $1.00 16-bundle of small bananas

$3.50USD total for lunch:  $1.00 fruit smoothie, $2.50 khmer curry

$1.50 total for afternoon snack: bundle of lychee

$5.00 total for dinner: $2.50 khmer crepes, $2.50 fruit salad

total= $11.75

Khmer Vegetable Curry . . . my absolute favorite 🙂

2. Are Some Areas of Siem Reap Cheaper than Others?

Yes. There are definitely areas in Siem Reap, Cambodia that are cheaper than others.  For instance, restaurant prices will be twice as high when dining at restaurants on Pub Street (the most touristy area of Siem Reap). Street and corner stands (as opposed to restaurants) are 75% cheaper than when buying fresh fruit (coconuts, pineapple, papaya, bananas).

Khmer women selling lychee at the corner.

The Old Market near Pub Street in Siem Reap is even cheaper when buying fruit. Old Market vendors sell by the Kilo (I usually buy at 1/2 kilo). Don’t let their initial asking price of $5.00/kilo fool you — you can always bargain lower or find a different seller among the many inside the market for a better price.

Taking a photo of my lychee before I eat them all up is a challenge! 🙂

3. Use Dollar or Cambodian Money (Riel)

Moreso than most countries, Cambodian vendors allow customers to use multiple currencies — either US Dollars or Cambodian Riel. Interestingly enough, USD often comes out of the ATM machines in Cambodia! As of now, one US Dollar is equal to 4,000 Cambodian Riel.

4. Carry Small Notes for Street Purchases in Siem Reap, Cambodia

If you’re making a small purchase, some vendors will not accept large USD notes. For example, you might have trouble buying a $.75 mango with a $10 dollar bill.  At restaurants, large notes are not an issue.

Tip: Before coming to Cambodia, my friend took out $300 USD from her bank and asked for all one dollar bills — I suggest doing this!

5. Bring Crisp USD Notes for Purchases in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Unless you’re using Cambodian money (the riel), then I suggest carrying crisp USD notes (no creases or tears). The local Khmer people can be picky about their money. For instance, if you give a vendor a ripped or crinkled USD note, they might note accept it!

So, while making a bank withdrawal, ask for “new money” instead of old. On the other hand, Cambodian money (the Cambodian Riel) is viewed differently — the crispness of notes is not a concern.

Both new and worn riel are acceptable to use!

Conclusion

These are the 5 most important things to consider about Cambodian money while traveling in Siem Reap or other parts of this beautiful Southeast Asian country. Click here to read about my recent experience celebrating Khmer New Year in Siem Reap.

I hope you found this post useful! I’d appreciate your feedback and look forward to hearing your comments about your deals in Cambodia or elsewhere abroad!

xo,

Danners

Celebrating Khmer New Year in Cambodia

Students dancing and throwing baby powder to celebrate Khmer New Year

Thanks to my fellow teacher and friend Hannah for sharing this video.    🙂 Check out her Tumblr blog documenting our Cambodian travels: hfnajar 

Danners covered in baby powder after getting a two handed surprise attack from a student at Khmer New Year celebration 🙂

Danners and her students Celebrating Khmer New Year

Danielle with her Cambodian student Siem Reap, Cambodia 🙂

Heavy Rain in Siem Reap as we celebrate Khmer New Year

While the heaviest rain ensued, we ate delicious noodle soup for lunch (USD $1.33 each!) at a nearby restaurant. Although we were only at the party for 3 hours, I was completely exhausted by the time we got back to the guesthouse and my legs barely made it up the stairs!

Danners (far left), Marissa (bottom left), Abby (top left), Esa our tuk tuk driver (middle) Hannah (far right) Maya (bottom right)

Overall, Khmer New Year is  lots and lots of fun! Hope you enjoyed learning about celebrating Khmer New Year. In the comments section, leave any questions or thoughts on this experience or your own experience in Cambodia!

~Danners

http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/world/lost-civilization-in-cambodia-20130613-2o5v2.html?selectedImage=9

“Sydney University Professor Damien Evans is leading several teams of archaeologists to the discovery of an entire Ankor city in the Siem Reap region of Cambodia. Using new maps and LIDAR to discover previously unknown sites where previously only a few isolated temples were known to be. The holy plateau region known as Phnom Kulen was also one of the last holdouts of the Khmer Rouge and is still heavily landmined with many of the ex Khmer Rouge villagers bearing the scars of mine injuries.”