Cambodia operates a dual-currency economy where both the Cambodian riel and United States dollar circulate freely, an arrangement that emerged from the economic reconstruction period following the Paris Peace Accords of 1991. The riel serves as the official currency, issued by the National Bank of Cambodia, but US dollars function as the dominant transactional medium for amounts above approximately two dollars. This system developed because international aid organizations and UN peacekeepers during the UNTAC mission from 1992 to 1993 paid in dollars, creating immediate circulation that never reversed. The exchange rate holds relatively stable near 4,000 riel to one dollar, though the National Bank adjusts this periodically. Vendors typically return change under one dollar in riel regardless of payment currency. The arrangement creates practical complications where travelers must manage two currencies simultaneously, calculating whether a 2,000 riel price equals fifty cents or represents a different amount based on current exchange. ATMs dispense US dollars exclusively in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Battambang, Sihanoukville, and other major centers, while machines in smaller towns like Kampot or Kratie may offer either currency depending on bank policy.
Major Cambodian banks include ABA Bank, Canadia Bank, Acleda Bank, and Phillip Bank, with ABA operating the most extensive ATM network across the country. ATM withdrawal limits typically range from 400 to 2,000 dollars per transaction depending on the specific bank and account type. Foreign transaction fees vary by issuing bank rather than Cambodian institution, with most international cards incurring charges between 1.5 and 3 percent plus flat fees of 3 to 5 dollars per withdrawal. Wing Money and ABA maintain ATMs that accept international cards in provincial capitals including Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom, and Pursat. Rural areas including parts of Mondulkiri Province and Ratanakiri Province lack ATM infrastructure entirely, requiring cash planning before departure from urban centers. The National Bank of Cambodia regulates daily withdrawal limits at 10,000 dollars though practical machine limits fall far below this threshold.
Credit card acceptance remains limited outside Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Hotels rated three stars or above typically accept Visa and Mastercard, while American Express sees acceptance only at international chain properties. The Foreign Correspondents Club in Phnom Penh accepts cards, as do restaurants in the Riverside area and BKK1 neighborhood. Siem Reap establishments near Angkor Wat including hotel zones along National Road 6 process cards, but vendors inside the Angkor Archaeological Park accept cash only. Card processing fees of 2 to 4 percent often transfer to customers as surcharges, stated at point of sale. Street markets, tuk-tuk drivers, and family restaurants operate on cash exclusively. Kampot, Battambang, and Kep have minimal card infrastructure limited to select guesthouses. The aba mobile app enables QR code payments at some urban merchants, but requires a local bank account for setup.
Mobile payment systems gained significant adoption in Cambodia since 2018. Wing Money, owned by ABA Bank, operates the dominant platform with over six million users as of 2023, allowing person-to-person transfers and merchant payments via QR code. Pi Pay, developed by Credit Bureau Cambodia, competes in the urban market. These systems require Cambodian phone numbers and local bank accounts, making them inaccessible to short-term travelers. The Bakong digital currency system, launched by the National Bank of Cambodia in October 2020, enables interbank transfers and merchant payments using the riel, but has not achieved widespread adoption outside banking institutions. Cash remains the primary medium for tourists despite these digital developments.
Tipping practices in Cambodia follow no rigid customs but small gratuities are appreciated in service contexts. Tour guides typically receive 5 to 10 dollars per day depending on group size and tour length, while tuk-tuk drivers who provide full-day service receive 1 to 2 dollars beyond the agreed fare. Restaurants add no automatic service charges in most cases, though higher-end establishments in Phnom Penh may include 10 percent on bills. Leaving 4,000 to 8,000 riel on a meal costing 5 to 10 dollars represents common practice. Hotel porters receive 1 dollar per bag. Spa services at facilities like those in Siem Reap near the Old Market warrant 10 percent gratuities when satisfaction merits it. Temple custodians and informal guides who offer unsolicited explanations at sites like Ta Prohm or Bayon Temple often expect tips of 1 to 2 dollars, creating situations where travelers must decide whether the interaction was requested.
Bargaining applies in specific commercial contexts. Markets including Phnom Penh Central Market, Russian Market, and Psar Chaa in Siem Reap expect negotiation on clothing, handicrafts, and tourist goods, with initial quoted prices typically inflated 20 to 50 percent above seller minimums. Fresh food vendors at these same markets generally maintain fixed prices. Tuk-tuk fares require negotiation before travel, with Phnom Penh rides typically costing 2 to 5 dollars depending on distance and Siem Reap temple circuits commanding 15 to 25 dollars for full-day hire negotiated in advance. Guesthouse rates listed online or on signage generally hold firm, while walk-in requests during low season may yield 10 to 20 percent reductions. Restaurants and cafes with printed menus never bargain. Street food vendors selling bai sach chrouk or num pang maintain consistent pricing in the 3,000 to 8,000 riel range without negotiation.
Internet connectivity in Cambodia improved substantially between 2015 and 2023 but remains inconsistent outside major urban areas. Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang offer 4G coverage from Cellcard, Smart Axiata, and Metfone with speeds reaching 15 to 30 megabits per second in optimal conditions. Tourist SIM cards cost 3 to 5 dollars and include 5 to 10 gigabytes of data for seven to thirty days depending on package selection. Passport presentation is required for SIM purchase under National Bank of Cambodia regulations implemented in 2019. Coverage along National Road 6 between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap maintains 4G reliability, while National Road 4 to Sihanoukville shows intermittent drops to 3G. Mondulkiri Province and Ratanakiri Province experience substantial coverage gaps with entire valleys lacking signal. Metfone claims the most extensive rural network as of 2023 data. The Preah Vihear Temple area near the Thai border has spotty coverage with better signal on the Thai side creating roaming confusion.
WiFi availability concentrates in hospitality establishments. Hotels and guesthouses in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap provide WiFi as standard amenity, with speeds varying from 5 to 50 megabits per second depending on property investment level. The Siem Reap Hostel and Mad Monkey hostels maintain reliable connections for digital nomads. Cafes along Sisowath Quay in Phnom Penh and Pub Street in Siem Reap offer WiFi with purchase, though bandwidth throttling during peak hours reduces functionality. Brown Coffee and Amazon Coffee chains provide consistent connectivity across locations. Angkor Archaeological Park lacks WiFi infrastructure, requiring pre-downloaded maps and information. Provincial towns including Kampot, Kep, and Battambang have limited cafe WiFi, with passwords often handwritten on receipts. Luxury properties like Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor and Sofitel Phnom Penh maintain fiber connections supporting video calls and large file transfers.
Mobile data pricing remains affordable compared to Western markets. A 20-gigabyte monthly package from Smart Axiata costs approximately 8 dollars as of 2024, while smaller 3-gigabyte weekly options run 2 to 3 dollars. Data purchases occur through mobile app recharge, vendor scratch cards, or direct payments at provider shops found in every town above 10,000 population. Cellcard offers tourist packages specifically marketed at Siem Reap airport and Phnom Penh International Airport arrival areas. International roaming from most carriers proves expensive, with US and European providers charging 5 to 15 dollars per megabyte, making local SIM purchase economically necessary for stays exceeding three days.