Cambodia Currency and Costs
Posted by Editor in Cambodia Currency, Cambodia Travel Tips
Cambodia’s currency is the Riel.
The current exchange rate is around 1.00 USD = 4,000 Riel.
ATMs are easy to find in Cambodia.
ATM machines in Cambodia dispense US currency!
US dollars are accepted virtually everywhere in Cambodia.
Riel notes come in 50, 100, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10 000, 50 000 and 100 000. You probably won’t see the larger notes because US dollars are generally used for larger purchases.
Cambodia is a coinless currency. US coins are not used. When you pay in US dollars,
your change is usually a mix and match of US dollars and Riel.
It is best to carry both dollar and Riel. Sometimes it is cheaper for you to pay in dollars, sometimes in Riel. It is usually better to pay in Riel for cheaper items such as street food and market crafts.
These days it’s easy to find an ATM in Cambodia.
About 5 years ago there were hardly any ATMs in the whole of Cambodia. Lucky for you, in 2008 you won’t have any trouble finding an ATM in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap or Sihanoukville. You can withdraw cash from foreign accounts with a visa or mastercard. ANZ Royal ATMs are usually reliable, but don’t wait until you are down to your last dollar, occasionally you might find an ATM is out of service, or ran out of money on Sunday afternoon. ATMs can also be found in Battambang, Bantey Mean, Kampong Cham. If you are travelling to a remote area- take cash.
For a full list of ANZ ATMS in Cambodia visit this site….
http://www.anzroyal.com/importantinfo/countrybriefs/atmlocations.asp
You can live very comfortably in Cambodia for a budget of around US$25- $50 per day. Decent guesthouse accommodation in Cambodia costs around $10 per night, or $15 for air-con rooms. Guesthouses in Cambodia usually have a restaurant, and all the food you eat will go on your bill. You will pay for all your accommodation and food when you leave- you will end up eating in your guesthouse often because it is so convenient, and you will always be surprised at how inexpensive the bill is when you leave.
Change is often an issue in Cambodia. Smaller shops and restaurants, or market stalls may not be able to change your $50 note. When you are changing money get a decent amount of $20, $10 and $5. $50 notes are really only useful for paying hotels, up market restaurants, and for more extravagant shopping trips.
Bartering is possible for most things in Cambodia. The purpose of bartering is to find a price you are both happy with, not haggling your way to the lowest price possbile all of the time, which can soon become exhausting. Bartering for goods at the market is customary; bartering for food at food stalls is possible but not necessary considering the prices are already very inexpensive. Keep in mind that many businesses in Cambodia have very small profit margins. Bartering for food might save you a dollar or two, however that money could have bought a meal for the stall holder’s whole family.
Tipping is not expected in Cambodia, however wages are low, and service is very often absolutely excellent due to the traditional Khmer commitement to hospitality. If you have experienced excellent service try to leave a tip, even if you can only afford a dollar or less, it will be appreciated. The daily minimum wage in Cambodia in 2008 is around US$1.74, so a tip of $1 might be more than half a day’s wages. Consider tipping tour guides and drivers and the staff who clean your room. It is customary to make a small donation when you visit a temple or wat, especially if a monk has shown you around.
