What Not To Do In Cambodia?

Cambodia is a beautiful country to visit especially if you are interested in exploring temples and learning about Cambodia’s history. Cambodia’s history is of colonization, brutal civil wars, and land mines left around rural parts of the country that can affect most tourists’ perception of Cambodia.

In recent years Cambodia has developed into a popular country for tourists. It is a Buddhist country with its own cultural and traditional conventions. it is important to be sensitive and respect their local traditions, their local beliefs, and their cultures.

In this post, we will go through what not to do in Cambodia. So let’s get started!

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What Not To Do In Cambodia?

Cambodia has plenty of places to explore from islands, to temples, and beautiful scenery. Still, you need to understand what not to do in Cambodia so you can get the best experience visiting when Cambodia.

Here is our list of what not to do in Cambodia.

Do Not Drink The Tap Water

Avoid drinking tap water in Cambodia at all costs. Cambodia has a lack of infrastructure especially outside of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and there is a lot of chlorine added to the water supply.

Phnom Penh and Siem Reap claim that their water is safe but I won’t risk it. You should only drink bottled water. It is not worth the risk of getting very sick.

Do Not Drive In Cambodia

Cambodia is a developing country so the roads especially at night are poor. They are poorly lit at night and the roads are in need of maintenance, so roads are not even roads. This can become a big problem once you leave Phnom Penh.

Then in the rainy season, because of the rain, the quality of roads in both cities and rural areas completely deteriorates.

And on top of that if you have an accident you are asking for trouble. The cops are corrupt as well as the tourist is always wrong. Safer to get local to do the driving.

Not Dressing Properly When Visiting The Temples

Angkor Wat and other temples are the main tourist attractions in Cambodia. Since temples are shrines for Cambodian worship, you need to show respect. Not only by your attitude but also by how you are dressing.

Although most tourists wear shorts to deal with the heat don’t wear them during your visit to the temples. Wear clothes conservatively or something that isn’t too revealing.

During your visit to the temples, don’t talk loudly and rudely. Show your respect to the Buddha statue. Don’t touch it, take photos without permission, and turn your back to the statue while taking selfies.

When coming inside the areas of worship within the temples, always remove your shoes and hats.

Beware Of Mosquitos

If you have an intolerance to mosquitos, be prepared. On my travel, I was eaten by them. Get some mosquitos to spray and use them regularly.

Plus bring some medicine for mosquito bites, as mosquito bites are well-known for spreading other diseases like the Zika virus and Chikungunya.

Buying Or Giving Money To Begging Kids

Wars have directly affected the high poverty in Cambodia. So, there’s no wonder there are a lot of begging kids, orphanages, and beggars on the street with missing legs and arms.

Although there are a lot of centers to help with getting employment for these people you should be still careful.

Some orphanages exploit the children to work for donations. So, when you find children selling goods such as candy, postcards, handicrafts, or other stuff, just don’t buy from them.

Giving them is only a way to support their way of living by begging and continuing the cycle of poverty.

If you want to donate, then give it to the right organization or an official government organization.

Do NOT Touch Anyone Head Especially Kids

This does not only apply to Cambodia but all of Southeast Asia. Simply the head is considered sacred. This has to do with Cambodia being a Buddhist country and its culture. The head is the highest part of the body and is thought of as sacred but on the other, your foot is the lowest part of the body and is considered dirty.

It is also considered extremely rude to touch someone else head, you need to be especially careful not to do this to children.

Do NOT Do Drugs

If you are offered drugs just say no. It doesn’t matter if it is marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or even illegal prescription drugs. The drug laws in Southeast Asia are some of the harshest on the planet.

Avoid Using Your Left Hand

Generally, this also applies to Southeast Asia as well as Cambodia. Simply the left hand is considered dirty and it is only used to clean yourself after using the bathroom. It would be considered rude to use it in front of the Cambodians.

Wrapping Up

Finally, when visiting other countries it is important to be respectful of countries’ cultural and traditional conventions. This is why you should make every effort to learn about what you should do and don’t before visiting Cambodia.

You should do your homework on the do’s and don’ts when in Cambodia but this will help you make the most out of your trip to Cambodia.

And that’s it for now! I’d love it if this post on what not to do in Cambodia was helpful to you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there are any more to add to the list.

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