Cambodia has become a popular travel destination for people from all around the world. Which is no surprise looking at how much the small country has to offer. No, not just temples. As a volunteer in Cambodia you can take your time to get to know the country much deeper than any short-term tourist could.
Sounds like a plan? Then let’s take a closer look at Cambodia, a country of incredible natural beauty and rich cultural history, but also a country that has been through a lot in a pretty short amount of time. Political instability led to violence and poverty within the country, from which Cambodia had to slowly recover – and still is. You can probably tell that there are many ways you can help if you decide to volunteer in Cambodia. So find out all you need to know about volunteering and living in Cambodia below.
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[item title=”Top 6 interesting facts about Cambodia”]
- The Cambodian flag shows the image of the Angkor Wat – which makes it the only flag that shows a building.
- Every time a new government was installed, Cambodia has also changed its name: During the republican years it was called Khmer Republic, under the Khmer Rouge regime its name changed to Democratic Kampuchea and with the Salvation Front it was called People’s Republic of Kampuchea. Today, it is known as the Kingdom of Cambodia.
- Cambodia opened the first bridge across the Mekong River in 2001, building a link from the east to the west of the country.
- The birth rate in the country is three times as high as the death rate.
- Some rivers in north-eastern Cambodia are home to dolphins!
- As researchers discovered in 2007, Angkor has been the largest pre-industrial city in the world. With a size of 2979 km² (1150 square miles) it could support an estimate of up to a million people.
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Social Projects in Cambodia
One of the main issues Cambodia is facing today is the rural poverty within the country. This is quite strange regarding the fact that in the 1950s, Cambodia used to be one of the most advanced economies in Southeast Asia. So what has changed since then?
The biggest problem was the political instability and the violence that came with it. When the communist Khmer Rouge regime took over Cambodia in the 70s, they made it one of their goals to kill all educated people in the country. Their idea was to create a Cambodia free from central power. Instead this massacre – obviously – led to a society marked by violence and poverty.
The country has been slowly recovering from this instable period in its history, but there’s still a lot that needs to change. Needless to say, as a volunteer in Cambodia you have many opportunities to support the ongoing change and help to realize sustainable solutions.
Health Care
In Cambodia, there are many areas that are quite isolated, for example in mountainous regions. Because of that, the people’s access to good quality health care varies a lot depending on where they live. As a medical volunteer in Cambodia, you can get involved and support health care institutions that lack resources in many areas. This will give you the chance to make experiences and personally grow in a completely different environment from what you’re used to.
Education
Even though most children in Cambodia are rolling up for primary school – an impressive 96% – only few students continue their education by attending secondary school. This is not just due to the country’s high poverty rate, but also because of a lack of teachers and school facilities. If you are good at working with people, especially children, and you’d like to support a local school in Cambodia, becoming a volunteer teacher might be perfect for you.
Community Work
Supporting the positive development of poorer communities in the country is one of Cambodia’s major goals. As a volunteer in Cambodia you can help to realize an ongoing improvement and sustainable change in these areas. And there are many ways to do so when volunteering in a local community, such as working in construction, human rights, childcare, sports or as a social worker.
Living costs for a volunteer in Cambodia
Even by Southeast Asian standards, Cambodia is a very cheap travel destination. The cost you’ll have as a volunteer in Cambodia will still highly depend on the volunteer program you’re doing. Some programs already include accommodation and food, others don’t. But even if everything is included, it’s still good to know some of the average prices for your free time travels. You can find comfortable hotels at reasonable cost and good food that’s also quite cheap. The average prices listed below are a good guideline when planning to travel Cambodia.
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| Hotel $26.43 |
Big Mac® Meal $4.47 |
Coca-Cola® $1.01 |
Eating out $3.79 |
Rent a tuk-tuk $15/day |
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| Hostel $3.00 |
Marlboro™ $1.01 |
Beer $1.01 |
Fuel $0.75 |
Public transport $1.64 |
Best time to volunteer in Cambodia
The best time to volunteer in Cambodia depends on many personal aspects, like when is it possible for you to take time off and when do you feel financially able to do it. But you should also know about the weather conditions in Cambodia when making your decision. The country has two distinct seasons:
Wet season (May to October)
These months are characterized by a lot of rainfall, with as much as ¾ of Cambodia’s annual rainfall. During the time from July till September the season reaches its peak and it can rain daily. The good news is that a rainy day usually just means that there are a few hours of heavy rainfall rather than a whole day of rain – but those days exist too…
Dry season (October to April)
The dry season starts with the arriving of the northeast monsoon, but can still be quite cool during its first months – this is also when the tourist season peaks… By the time April comes around it gets really hot and dry, making it less comfortable to travel and marking the end of the tourist peak season.
What precautions should I consider as a volunteer in Cambodia?
When moving to a new country and becoming part of a culture that’s quite different from the one you know, it’s important to try to learn a little bit about its customs up front. This also helps to create realistic expectations, which is important for a positive and happy start to your adventure.
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[item title=”Social conventions”]
- This is how you great one another in Cambodia: Place your hands (palms) close together and near to your face while you say “chum reap sur”. You’ll make a good impression if you use this form of greeting as a foreigner too.
- A person’s head is considered the most important part of the body and it is believed that the spirit is found there. Therefore, do never touch a person’s head! That would be very, very disrespectful.
- The opposite applies to a person’s feet. They’re considered the least valuable part of the body and it is very impolite to point your feet towards anyone!
- When entering someone’s home, it’s usual to take your shoes off.
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[item title=”Religion”]
- You should follow the local dress code, especially when visiting religious sites. Covering up your upper arms and upper legs will show that you respect the people’s cultural and religious norms.
- When visiting a temple, you should remember to make a contribution. Most temples are maintained just from this money.
- As a woman you should know that monks are not supposed to be touched by women. If you want to hand something over to a monk, make sure not to touch him.
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[item title=”Health”]
- Vaccines: As per usual when travelling, your routines vaccines should be up to date when you plan to volunteer in Cambodia. Most travellers are also advised to get Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccines. Make sure to see your doctor in advance and so he can confirm which ones you need.
- Another common tip: Eat and drink safe. You probably already know this, but it’s good to stick to bottled water and don’t drink from the tap. Food should be cooked and served hot.
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[item title=”Packing essentials”]
- You’ll probably want to go outside and explore a lot, so bring sturdy shoes.
- Quick-dry clothing is great to have, especially during the wet season.
- Bring something you can use as a cover up (for example when visiting religious sites). A good cover up that’s easy to carry would be a light scarf.
- Sunscreen should always be on your list, especially if you’re planning to spend lots of time outside.
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Key Phrases
Cambodia’s official language is Khmer. With around 16 million speakers it is used nationwide and understood by most Cambodians.
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Hello: joohm ree-up soo-a
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Goodbye: joohm ree-up lea (formal) / lee-hai (informal)
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Thank you: arkun
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How to spend your free time as a volunteer in Cambodia
Although Cambodia has become a popular destination for tourists from all over the world, there are still many undiscovered parts to the country. The great thing about being a volunteer in Cambodia and spending an extended amount of time there is that you can take your time to explore it. While you will find your very own favourite places and secret spots, there are also some popular activities and places to see, that you should at least keep in mind:
Nature & Wildlife
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[item title=”Tonle Sap”]
This lake is the largest inland lake in all of South East Asia and it will show you a different side of the country. Visit floating villages, go on nature tours and learn more about this unique eco-system.[/item]
[item title=”Koh Rong”]
Only accessible via a small ferry, this island offers a great getaway. There are 23 beaches you can choose from to spend your day lying in the sun. Or, if you’re looking for more action, there are great spots for hiking, diving and snorkelling as well.[/item]
[item title=”Mondulkiri”]
This area of Cambodia is only sparsely populated and has a lot to offer for lovers of the outdoors. You’ll find everything from hills, waterfalls to jungles that are home to some of Cambodia’s rarest wild animals. Leopards, elephants and the water buffalo are just some examples.[/item]
[item title=”Ream National Park”]
The huge national park is home to a unique mix of the most beautiful nature Asia has to offer, including islands with coral reefs, waterfalls and mangrove forests. Are you a fan of trekking? This is the perfect place for you! Another way of exploring the park is by going on a boat tour.[/item]
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Towns & Culture
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[item title=”Kampot”]
The former famous riverside town has its own charm. Discover markets, bike through the hills or go on a trip Bokor Hill Station, the French colonial ghost town.[/item]
[item title=”Angkor Wat”]
If there’s one image that comes to mind when thinking about Cambodia, it is the image of a temple and especially of this famous one. The Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world and is a must-see for every volunteer in Cambodia.[/item]
[item title=”Preah Vihear”]
Temple number two to add to your list. The Preah Vihear is located in the Dângrêk Mountains – on a 1,722-foot cliff! Do I need to mention the incredible view you can catch when visiting the Preah Vihear?[/item]
[item title=”Koh Ker”]
This mysterious site of ruins is a very atypical example of Khmer architecture. Which makes it, along with the sense of another era it conveys, even more interesting to visit.[/item]
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Food & Drinks
The Cambodian food is close to Thai and Vietnamese traditions. In Cambodia, fish is an important part of the cuisine. Some of the countries specialties are:
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[item title=”Food specialties”]
Bai chha: Khmer fried rice served with a mix of sausage, pork, garlic and different herbs.
Kralan: Sugar flavored sticky rice, beans and coconut, steamed in a bamboo pole.
Amok trey: Fish that comes in a thick coconut curry sauce. After it’s wrapped in banana leaves it gets steamed.
Fried tarantula: Want to prove your courage? Travelers often have their doubts about this specialty of Skuon in North Cambodia.
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[item title=”Drink specialties”]
Rice wine: The wine is often served with spices such as sombai. Please note that the legal drinking age in Cambodia is 21.
Golden muscle wine: A wine made from herbs and deer antlers. Wait – what?
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Do I need a Visa to volunteer in Cambodia?
Tourist Visa – Volunteering for up to 60 days
If your volunteer program falls under the category “volunteer tourism”, you can simply state “tourism” as your purpose of travel and get the tourist visa. This one is a little bit cheaper than the work visa, but it can also just be extended for a total period of 60 days.
For this visa type, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched an e-Visa process. It lets you complete an online application, pay with your credit card and receive your Visa via email. You then need to bring a printed copy of it when you travel to Cambodia. Please be aware that the e-Visa will only be accepted at some airports, so keep that in mind when planning which visa to get and where to fly to.
Furthermore, the e-Visa process doesn’t support the following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Arab Saudi, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Nigeria. If you’re from one of those countries you have to apply for your visa at the nearest Cambodian embassy or on-arrival at all major checkpoints.
Fees for the Visa: USD30 + USD7 (processing charge)
Length of stay: 30 days (can be extended for another 30 days)
Required documents: A passport validity of more than six months at the time of entry, a recent passport-size photo in digital format (JPEG or PNG format), a valid credit card (Visa/MasterCard)
Ports supporting e-Visa when entering Cambodia: Bavet (Svay Rieng), Poi Pet (Banteay Meanchey), Cham Yeam (Koh Kong), Siem Reap International Airport, Phnom Penh International Airport
Work Visa – Long-term volunteering
If your purpose of travel is “work” or “volunteer work” you’ll need a work visa. If you’re planning to stay longer than 60 days, you should also apply for this visa, as it can be extended indefinitely.
This type of visa can only be issued by a Cambodian Embassy. Find the nearest embassy here and contact them for further information.
Volunteer Requirements
- You should speak English at a basic level to volunteer in Cambodia; for some programs a higher level of English is required
- The minimum age for most volunteer programs in Cambodia is 18 years
- You might also need to submit your CV, a health declaration or a criminal background check, depending on the area of work and the program you’re interested in
How to find Volunteer Opportunities in Cambodia
Ready to start planning? Find and compare volunteer programs in Cambodia and find your very own volunteer opportunity on Volunteer World. This platform is all about making volunteering in Cambodia simple and transparent. Featuring more than 500 volunteer programs and over 600 social projects in 70+ countries; Volunteer World is a one-stop resource for volunteer opportunities abroad.
