Cambodia is hot, humid for much of the year and more conservative than many visitors expect, so the right bag balances light, breathable clothes with outfits that cover up for temples. Angkor's sprawling temple complexes, Phnom Penh's markets and memorial sites, the Mekong and the islands off the south coast each ask a little something different of your wardrobe.

Use this guide as a checklist. Start with the paperwork, then build your clothing around the season you're traveling in, and finish with the small extras that make long, warm days easier.

Before You Pack: Weather and Seasons

Cambodia has a tropical climate with two main seasons, and knowing which one you'll land in shapes almost everything else on this list.

  • Dry season (roughly November to April): sunny days, lower humidity and temperatures that usually sit between about 25 and 35°C (77–95°F). It's the busiest time for visitors.
  • Wet season (roughly May to October): still warm, but with heavy rain and high humidity. Showers tend to arrive in the afternoon or evening. Expect greener countryside and fewer crowds.

Whatever the month, plan for strong sun, and bring one warmer layer for chilly air-conditioned buses, restaurants and hotel rooms.

Documents and Money

Get these sorted first. Everything else can be replaced on the road; these can't, or not easily.

  • Passport: it should stay valid for at least six months after the date you leave Cambodia. Keep a photo of the ID page on your phone and in your email in case the original goes missing.
  • Visa: entry rules depend on your nationality and change from time to time. Some travelers can visit briefly without a visa, while others (including Trinidad and Tobago passport holders) can apply for an e-visa online. Check the official Cambodian e-visa site and your government's travel advice well before departure.
  • Flights: carry a printed copy of your tickets as well as the version on your phone, so a dead battery never leaves you stuck at check-in.
  • Travel insurance: choose a policy that covers medical care, theft or loss, and cancellation for your full stay. Save the policy document to your email and your insurer's emergency line to your contacts.
  • A passport wallet or document pouch: handy for keeping your passport, cards and printouts together in one place.

Cambodia's currency is the riel (KHR), but US dollars are widely accepted at hotels, larger shops and restaurants. Street stalls and markets are where cash matters most, and card acceptance can be patchy outside the main towns.

  • Bring some cash and plan to top up locally. Banks and clearly signed exchange counters will change money, and some hotels and travel agencies do too.
  • Pack at least one credit or debit card as backup. ATMs are available in towns, but withdrawal caps and foreign-card fees vary by bank, so check with your card provider before you go.
  • An RFID-blocking card sleeve is a cheap bit of peace of mind in crowded markets.

Health Kit and Personal Care

Pharmacies exist in the cities, but it's far easier to arrive with the basics than to hunt for a specific brand when you're feeling rough. Put together a small kit:

  • Painkillers, antihistamines and an anti-itch cream
  • Plasters or bandages
  • Diarrhea relief such as Imodium
  • Insect repellent containing DEET
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Any prescription medicine you take, in its original packaging, along with a copy of the prescription
  • A doctor's letter describing any condition or allergy that might need treatment while you're away

See a travel health professional at least six weeks ahead so there's time for any recommended vaccinations. Ask them about malaria tablets too, particularly if you'll spend time in rural or highland areas.

On the ground, don't drink tap water anywhere in Cambodia. Stick to bottled or treated water, be sensible about what you eat, and cover up at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

For toiletries, the usual basics apply (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, razor, hairbrush), plus a few items worth adding for the heat:

  • High-SPF sunscreen and an SPF lip balm
  • Moisturizer and a facial mist to deal with dry plane air and hot days
  • Reusable bamboo cleansing cloths if you prefer to cut down on wipes

What to Wear in Cambodia

Think loose, light and modest. Cambodians generally dress conservatively, and revealing outfits can feel out of place away from beach resorts. Natural fabrics like cotton and linen, in pale colors, will keep you coolest.

For temples, both men and women need shoulders and knees covered. Long trousers, maxi skirts and tops with sleeves all work. A big scarf or sarong is an easy fix you can throw over a T-shirt, and you'll find plenty for sale locally. You'll take your shoes off before entering, so a pair of socks in your day bag saves you walking barefoot on hot stone.

Your clothing checklist:

  • T-shirts and a few thin long-sleeved tops (sleeves double as sun and mosquito protection)
  • Lightweight trousers, including a linen pair, plus shorts for downtime
  • At least one temple-ready outfit, or a scarf or sarong to cover up
  • Breathable activewear for walks and hikes
  • Swimwear for the coast and hotel pools
  • One smarter outfit for dinners or rooftop bars in Phnom Penh
  • A light rain jacket or poncho, essential in the wet season and useful any time
  • A warm layer for air-conditioning and cooler evenings
  • A sun hat and sunglasses

For footwear, pack comfortable sneakers or trail shoes with a good grip. For most trails these beat heavy hiking boots. Add sandals or flip-flops for the beach, guesthouses and slipping on and off at temple entrances.

Bags and Electronics

A soft-sided suitcase or backpack is easier to load into minivans, buses and trains than a hard-shell case. Pair it with a day pack big enough for water, sunscreen, a camera and a cover-up layer for temple days.

Cambodian sockets mostly take Type A plugs (two flat pins), and Type C and Type F plugs (two round pins) are also common. If you're coming from North America or the Caribbean, your plugs may fit as they are. Visitors from the UK, Australia or New Zealand will need an adapter.

  • Phone, camera and their chargers
  • A universal travel adapter
  • A power bank for long temple days
  • A refillable water bottle
  • Noise-cancelling headphones, an eye mask and a neck pillow for the long-haul flight

Staying Connected: SIMs and Apps

Local SIM cards with data packages are sold at kiosks at the international airport and in phone shops in towns and cities. Picking one up when you land is usually the easiest option.

A few apps worth downloading before you fly:

  • Grab or PassApp: ride-hailing for tuk-tuks, cars and moto taxis
  • Google Maps: navigation, plus offline maps for patchy signal areas
  • Google Translate: the camera mode reads signs and menus
  • XE: fast conversions between riel, dollars and your home currency
  • HappyCow: vegetarian and vegan places to eat
  • An Angkor temple guide app with offline maps, if you're visiting Siem Reap

A compact travel towel and a small handheld fan are the extras you'll be glad you packed on hot, sticky days.

Emergency Numbers and Contacts

Save these to your phone before you leave:

  • Police: 117
  • Fire: 118
  • Ambulance: 119
  • English-language emergency medical response: 999
  • Your embassy in Cambodia
  • Your travel insurer's emergency line
  • Your airline
  • International numbers for your bank and mobile provider, so you can cancel a lost card or phone from abroad

Tipping and Local Etiquette

Tipping in Cambodia is welcome but not required. Restaurants and bars often expect around a 10% service charge, and some add it to the bill automatically, so check before leaving extra. Guides and drivers appreciate a tip for good service.

Your Soca Islands Host is there to help on the ground, so ask them anything from where to change money to how to dress for a particular temple.