Cambodia

• Tuk-tuk drivers frequently receive commissions from silk factories, gem shops, and souvenir stores, offering 'free' tours or claiming your intended destination is closed before suggesting alternative stops. These diversions waste time and subject you to aggressive sales tactics. Always insist on your planned destination and be prepared to find alternative transportation if drivers become pushy about unscheduled stops.
• Restaurants and bars, particularly in backpacker areas, serve 'happy' food and drinks containing marijuana, magic mushrooms, or other drugs without clear disclosure of contents or potency. These substances can cause unpredictable reactions, especially when combined with alcohol or heat, leading to dangerous situations. Always ask specifically about ingredients and avoid establishments that seem to promote drug use casually.
• Children selling postcards, bracelets, or books often work for adult handlers who exploit them, keeping profits while children miss school and face punishment for poor sales. While heartbreaking, purchasing encourages this exploitation. Instead, support legitimate NGOs working on education and child welfare through direct donations or volunteer programs with established organizations.
• Fake orphanage tourism has proliferated as a profitable scam, with facilities keeping children in poor conditions specifically to attract sympathy from well-meaning tourists. Many children in these facilities aren't actually orphans but are separated from families to maintain the illusion. Legitimate child welfare organizations strongly discourage all orphanage visits, recommending support through established NGOs instead.

• Stick to bottled water for drinking, teeth brushing, and ice consumption, as tap water treatment standards vary significantly throughout Cambodia. Popular brands like Aqua or locally produced bottles are extremely affordable and widely available. Street food from busy vendors with high turnover is generally safe and delicious, but observe basic hygiene - choose stalls where food is cooked fresh and served hot rather than sitting out.
• Mosquito protection is essential year-round as dengue fever is endemic throughout Cambodia, while malaria remains present in rural and forested areas. Use DEET-based repellents, wear long sleeves during dawn and dusk hours when mosquitoes are most active, and consider permethrin-treated clothing for extended rural stays. Air conditioning and fans help reduce mosquito activity indoors.
• Healthcare quality drops significantly outside Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, with rural areas having minimal medical facilities and limited English-speaking staff. Serious injuries or illnesses often require medical evacuation to Bangkok, making comprehensive travel insurance with evacuation coverage essential. Basic medications are available in cities, but bring prescription medicines in original packaging with doctor's notes.

• Hepatitis A vaccination is strongly recommended for all travelers as the virus transmits through contaminated food and water, which exposure risks are high even with careful precautions. Typhoid vaccination is similarly important as this bacterial infection spreads through contaminated food and water sources, particularly affecting travelers eating street food or visiting rural areas with poor sanitation systems.
• Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for travelers who might have sexual contact with new partners, receive medical treatments, or get tattoos/piercings abroad. Rabies vaccination should be considered for travelers spending extended time outdoors, working with animals, or visiting remote areas where post-exposure treatment might not be readily available within the critical 24-48 hour window.
• Japanese Encephalitis vaccination is recommended for travelers spending more than a month in Cambodia, particularly during rainy season (May-October) when mosquito populations peak. This serious viral infection has no cure, making prevention through vaccination and mosquito avoidance crucial for long-term visitors or those visiting rural areas extensively.
• Ensure routine vaccinations including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio, and yearly flu shot are current. These diseases remain present in Cambodia and outbreaks can affect unvaccinated travelers.

• Visiting Angkor Wat at sunrise offers one of the world's most spectacular experiences as the ancient temple silhouettes emerge from darkness against a golden sky, with the iconic lotus towers perfectly reflected in the surrounding moat. Arrive by 5:00 AM to secure good viewing spots at the main temple or library ruins. This magical moment justifies the early wake-up call and provides cooler temperatures for temple exploration before the day's heat becomes overwhelming. Bring a flashlight, water, and camera with extra batteries.
• Learning about Cambodia's tragic recent history through visits to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (former S-21 prison) and Choeung Ek Killing Fields provides essential context for understanding modern Cambodia and honoring the estimated 1.5-2 million victims of the Khmer Rouge regime (1975-1979). These deeply moving sites offer important historical education, though content is disturbing and emotionally challenging. Audio guides provide detailed explanations while maintaining respectful tone appropriate for memorial sites.
• Cambodian cuisine offers incredible flavors distinct from neighboring countries - try amok (coconut curry traditionally steamed in banana leaves), lok lak (stir-fried beef with lime-pepper dipping sauce), and dishes featuring world-famous Kampot peppercorns. Fresh ingredients, aromatic herbs, and complex spice blends create memorable meals. Street food provides authentic experiences at incredibly affordable prices - sample num banh chok (Khmer noodles) for breakfast or fresh tropical fruits from market vendors.

• Never touch anyone's head, including children, as Cambodian Buddhist culture considers the head the highest and most sacred part of the body where spiritual essence resides. Even casual hair ruffling or patting is deeply offensive and disrespectful. This extends to avoiding reaching over someone's head or pointing above head level. If you accidentally touch someone's head, apologize immediately and respectfully. Parents may be particularly upset if foreigners touch their children's heads, even with friendly intentions.
• Avoid pointing your feet toward people, Buddha statues, or religious images as feet are considered the lowest and most unclean part of the body in Buddhist culture. When sitting in temples or around Cambodians, tuck feet under your body or to the side rather than extending them forward. Remove shoes before entering temple buildings, homes, and some traditional restaurants. Never step over people or use feet to move objects when hands are available.
• Approach discussions about the Khmer Rouge period (1975-1979) with extreme sensitivity as most Cambodian families lost relatives during this genocide and trauma remains deeply embedded in society. Many older Cambodians experienced unimaginable suffering and may not wish to discuss this period with strangers. Never make casual jokes, comparisons, or light comments about this historical period. If Cambodians choose to share their stories, listen respectfully without judgment or political commentary.
• Avoid visiting orphanages as tourist attractions, regardless of how legitimate they appear, as this practice has created harmful incentives that exploit children for profit. Many facilities deliberately keep children in poor conditions to attract sympathy donations, while some remove children from families to maintain 'orphan' status. International child welfare organizations unanimously condemn orphanage tourism. Support children through established NGOs focused on education, family preservation, and community development instead.

Cambodia's tipping culture reflects the country's economic realities where small amounts make significant impacts on service workers' modest incomes. Restaurant servers appreciate $1-2 USD tips for good service, though this isn't mandatory at local establishments where meals cost under $5. At upscale restaurants catering to tourists, 10% tips are becoming standard. Tuk-tuk drivers earning $5-10 daily appreciate $1-2 tips for single rides or $5-10 for full-day services depending on distance and service quality. Tour guides working full days deserve $5-15 tips based on group size and tour quality, as many earn minimal base wages. Hotel staff including housekeeping ($1 per night), porters ($1 per bag), and concierge services ($2-5 for special assistance) rely on tips to supplement low wages. Spa and massage therapists appreciate $2-5 tips for hour-long treatments. Always tip in US dollars as it's more valuable than equivalent riel amounts.

Cambodia's dress codes vary significantly between settings, with conservative standards expected at religious sites contrasting with relaxed beach attire. Temple visits require covered shoulders, knees, and cleavage for all visitors - bring lightweight long pants, maxi skirts, or sarongs plus t-shirts or blouses with sleeves. Angkor Wat enforces these rules strictly with guards refusing entry to inappropriately dressed visitors. Many temples sell sarongs for $2-3 if you arrive underdressed. Restaurants range from casual street stalls where anything appropriate for hot weather works, to upscale establishments expecting neat casual attire. Beach areas allow typical swimwear, though topless sunbathing is inappropriate. Business meetings require formal attire similar to Western standards. Throughout Cambodia, prioritize lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton and linen over synthetic materials that trap heat. A traditional krama (checkered cotton scarf) serves multiple purposes: sun protection, temple covering, towel, and cultural appreciation.

Theravada Buddhism dominates Cambodia with over 95% of the population practicing this religion that emphasizes personal enlightenment through meditation, moral conduct, and wisdom. Buddhist monks command enormous respect in Cambodian society and specific protocols govern interactions - never touch monks (especially critical for women who should avoid all physical contact), don't sit higher than monks, offer food and gifts with both hands, and bow slightly when greeting. Monks collect alms each morning around 6 AM, and visitors can respectfully observe or participate by offering rice, fruit, or packaged foods. Buddhist holy days occur on full moons when many Cambodians visit temples for special prayers and offerings. Remove shoes before entering any temple building, walk clockwise around stupas and Buddha statues, dress modestly with covered shoulders and knees, speak quietly, and avoid pointing feet toward religious images. Photography is usually permitted in temple grounds but ask permission before photographing people praying. Islamic and Christian minorities also exist with small communities maintaining mosques and churches primarily in urban areas.