Climate and Weather
Cambodia is located in Southeast Asia in the tropical zone, just 10-13 degrees north off the equator. Like most of Southeast Asia, Cambodia is warm to hot year round and the climate is dominated by the annual monsoon cycle with its alternating wet and dry seasons.
November-February: Warm and dry.
March-May: Hot and dry.
June-August: Hot and wet.
September-Early November: Warm and wet.
Currency
Cambodian Riel - approx. 4,100 Riels = 1 USD
Local Time
Cambodia is GMT +7 hours. No daylight savings time.
Language
Khmer is the official language. There is a French-language centre in the capital Phnom Penh and many Cambodian students study abroad in France every year. Moreover, French is still a diplomatic language of Cambodia and some newspapers are published in French. English is seen as the most important international language. This is largely due to Cambodia’s recent transformation towards a market economy and consequent globalisation process. It is worth noting that Chinese is also emerging as a popular language in Cambodia for its practical utility.
Electricity
Electric current in Cambodia is 220 volts / 50 cycles. Transformers and various adapters are available locally, but it is advisable to bring a quality one from overseas if necessary.
While most 110 - 120 volt appliances will work well through a transformer, some appliances that rely on timers, motors or heating elements become less effective or may not work at all when the current is transformed.
Water
Tap water is not drinkable, but you can buy bottled water easily and cheaply in any supermarket.
You can also order delivery of large water bottles (50L) to your home.
Internet
Broadband is widely available. There are a few ISPs in the city, but the speed may be lower than other countries, and the prices tend to be a bit higher. Most apartment buildings provide internet service included as part of the rent.
Postal Services
Ordinary post from abroad may take a long time to arrive. There are courier services available such as DHL, FedEx, and EMS. We, however, recommend to use our school address for ordinary mail:
Northbridge International School Cambodia
P.O. Box 2042
Phnom Penh 3
Cambodia
for packages, courier services : (physical address of NISC)
Northbridge International School Cambodia
Street 2004, Trapang Chhouk Village, Teuk Thla Commune,
Khan Sen Sok, Phnom Penh, Cambodia 12102
Please note that Street 2004 is also known as Sorla Road or International School Street.
Shopping
By most standards, Phnom Penh is a relatively inexpensive place to live. People familiar with shopping in Phnom Penh learn where to purchase many products locally at reasonable prices.
Unless you are into buying only imported or luxury goods or shopping exclusively at such places as Aeon Mall, Lucky Department Store, Thai Huot Supermarket, Super Duper or Bayon Supermarket, you can live here for a reasonable amount per month. For wholesale shopping, you can also try Makro.
Please take a look at Cambodia Snapshots