Cambodia (KH)
Affordable Southeast Asian base with easy daily life, a large Phnom Penh and Siem Reap expat scene, strong NGO/tourism/education networks, fast digital payments, and visa rules that are flexible but increasingly document-driven.
Daily Life
Practical day-to-day information for living in Cambodia.
🛒 Supermarkets
Reliable imported and local groceries in Phnom Penh and major towns.
Japanese-style mall supermarket with good quality control.
24-hour expat favourite in Phnom Penh with imported goods.
Wide imported selection, wine, cheese, and specialty foods.
Fresh produce, meat, fish, and household goods; go early and learn basic Khmer numbers.
Water, snacks, phone top-ups, beer, and basics near home.
Opening Hours
Supermarkets and malls: 09:00–21:00 or 22:00 daily. Aeon Mall Phnom Penh: 10:00–22:00. Markets: open from 05:00, wind down by midday. Banks: Mon–Fri 08:00–15:30, Sat 08:00–11:30. Government offices: Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00 with lunch break 12:00–14:00. Pharmacies: 08:00–21:00 daily. Some restaurants and cafes operate 24 hours in Phnom Penh. National holidays close all government and banking services.
Sunday Rules
Sunday is a normal shopping and restaurant day in Cambodia. Supermarkets, malls, cafes and most businesses open normally. Government offices, courts and banks close Sunday. The Western work week (Mon–Fri) applies in most international offices; private businesses and markets operate 7 days.
Recycling
Formal household recycling is very limited. Informal collectors (bong chhu ang) collect glass bottles, aluminium cans, cardboard and metal for resale — leave sorted recyclables visibly on top of waste bins for them. Some NGOs (WeRecycle, Rehash Trash) operate collection services in Phnom Penh. Plastic bottle vending machines at some major malls. E-waste should go to certified collection points where available; do not burn.
Dining Out
Cambodia has excellent street food, strong cafe culture, Khmer restaurants and growing international dining. Budget local restaurant meals: $2–5. Mid-range Phnom Penh restaurants: $8–20 per person. Fine dining: $30–60+. Street food (bai sach chrouk — rice with pork, banh mi, fried noodles): $1–3. Food safety varies — choose busy stalls, use filtered water and avoid ice unless you know the source. Siem Reap tourist restaurant prices are significantly higher than Phnom Penh local eateries.
Utilities & Internet
Electricity is expensive by regional standards: approximately $0.16–0.22/kWh for residential (some landlords charge $0.20–0.30 — confirm meter rate before signing). Air-conditioning drives bills dramatically — budget $30–100/month for a studio, more for a house. Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) provides clean and affordable water; outer provinces vary. Many tenants pay utilities through the landlord at a marked-up rate — negotiate to pay utilities directly where possible.
Cultural Tips for Expats
- → Carry small USD and riel; many places reject torn or old USD notes.
- → Use KHQR/Bakong/ABA transfers once you have a local bank account.
- → Take shoes off when expected and dress modestly at temples.
- → Rainy season flooding affects commute and housing quality.
- → Saving face matters: calm communication solves more than confrontation.
Quiet Hours
There is no strict national quiet-hours system like Germany, but leases, condos, villages, and police nuisance rules matter.
Avoid loud parties, karaoke, construction, and balcony noise in apartments and boreys.
Keep respect around pagodas and ceremonies.
Pools, gyms, pets, balconies, and renovations often have written rules.
- •Assuming nightlife behaviour is acceptable at home
- •Ignoring condo renovation rules
- •Letting dogs bark at night
- •Complaining aggressively to neighbours
Security complaints, landlord warnings, police visit, deposit dispute, or lease non-renewal.
Postal Services
Cambodia Post exists, but couriers, delivery apps, and direct shop delivery are more reliable for many expat needs.
Parcel lockers are limited. Use courier offices, workplace delivery, or trusted reception desks.
Banks and telecoms verify passport, visa, local phone, lease/address, and sometimes employer documents.
Use DHL, FedEx, EMS, or tracked courier for important documents.
Arrange courier forwarding and update banks/insurers before leaving; ordinary mail forwarding is not robust.
- →Use Google Maps pins and landmarks
- →Keep your phone reachable for drivers
- →Use office or condo reception for valuable parcels