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38<br />
PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO CAMBODIA<br />
3<br />
HEALTH<br />
<strong>The</strong> Value <strong>of</strong> <strong>Cambodia</strong>n Riel vs. Other Popular Currencies<br />
Riel US$ Can$ UK£ Euro(€) Aus$ NZ$<br />
5,000 $1.20 C$1.25 £.75 €.80 A$1.30 NZ$1.65<br />
hotels at good prices. In Siem Reap, pricing<br />
is heavily seasonal. High-season prices<br />
can be as much as 30% to 40% higher<br />
than low season. In all these places, a good<br />
local meal will set you back about $2. A<br />
main course in a tourist-orientated restaurant<br />
will cost between $4.50 and $7 at a<br />
moderately priced place. A small can <strong>of</strong><br />
beer averages at about $1.50 and bottled<br />
water is more expensive than in London or<br />
Paris.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is no shortage <strong>of</strong> banks in all<br />
provincial towns <strong>of</strong> any size, including<br />
Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville,<br />
Battambang, and Kampot. <strong>The</strong>y <strong>of</strong>fer the<br />
usual banking services: cash advances on<br />
credit cards (most accept MasterCard and<br />
Visa), international currency exchange,<br />
telegraphic transfers, and cashing traveler’s<br />
checks. ANZ Royal Banks, Canadia, and<br />
SBC Banks <strong>of</strong>fer ATMs with international<br />
access. Canadia Bank levies the lowest<br />
transaction charges. Most banks are open<br />
from around 8am to 3 or 4pm from Monday<br />
to Friday. Some are also open on Saturday<br />
mornings until 11:30am. ATMs are<br />
available 24 hours and are popping up<br />
STAYING HEALTHY<br />
Staying healthy is largely about keeping<br />
your eyes open and practicing good<br />
hygiene. Some rules <strong>of</strong> thumb: Drink only<br />
bottled water, and also use bottled water to<br />
clean your teeth. Wash your hands before<br />
eating. If soap and water are not available,<br />
use an alcohol-based hand gel (with at<br />
least 60% alcohol). Always try and use<br />
restaurants that look clean, and make sure<br />
that all food is properly cooked. Avoid<br />
5 HEALTH<br />
everywhere. See the “Fast Facts” section in<br />
each chapter for bank locations.<br />
<strong>The</strong> currency in <strong>Cambodia</strong> is the riel,<br />
though for anything over the smallest <strong>of</strong><br />
amounts the U.S. dollar reigns supreme.<br />
Riel is what you use for small change. In the<br />
towns <strong>of</strong> the west, the Thai baht is also<br />
used. <strong>The</strong>re are no coins in <strong>Cambodia</strong>, only<br />
notes. <strong>Cambodia</strong>n riel notes come in 50,<br />
100, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000,<br />
50,000, and 100,000 denominations, but<br />
the red 500 riel note and the blue 1,000 riel<br />
note are the most useful and common.<br />
Wads <strong>of</strong> 100 riel notes mount up and are<br />
best distributed to beggars in handfuls. Be<br />
aware that the slightest tear on a dollar note<br />
<strong>of</strong> any denomination will render it useless.<br />
Check the condition <strong>of</strong> your change.<br />
<strong>The</strong> use <strong>of</strong> credit cards is increasing in<br />
tourist areas, though <strong>Cambodia</strong> remains<br />
very much a cash economy. Visa and MasterCard<br />
are accepted at most upscale<br />
hotels, shops, and restaurants. Some midrange<br />
places and a growing number <strong>of</strong><br />
other businesses are following suit. Most<br />
businesses charge a 2% to 4% fee to accept<br />
credit cards.<br />
dairy products, unless you know they have<br />
been pasteurized. Avoid eating street food<br />
if you can. Fruit and vegetables should be<br />
washed or peeled. Put ice in your drinks<br />
only if it’s cubed or tubed (crushed ice<br />
may have been chipped <strong>of</strong>f a big block that<br />
has been kept in unsanitary conditions).<br />
While no vaccines are presently required,<br />
you may choose to take extra precautions.<br />
Many <strong>of</strong> the other big health threats are<br />
borne on the wings <strong>of</strong> the whining, pesky,<br />
hovering mosquito. Protecting yourself