Preparing for a trip can be stressful, especially when there are many things to consider. Tropical disease, cultural respect, and staying healthy are just a few things to think about. When I booked a Cambodia 10 day trip, I knew I’d have a lot to research. My biggest concern were the mosquitos, and the deadly diseases that can be caught with just one bite. All of these worries are magnified when you have a young child. This meant putting in a lot of prep work ahead of time.
While we get ready for our upcoming trip, we’ve put together a list on how to be best prepared for Cambodia travel. Following this list will help you to be equipped while you’re there.
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Bug and sun protection preparation for Cambodia
How to Fully Prepare Yourself for Cambodia Travel
Research Bug Sprays
I must admit, thinking of all the tropical diseases that can be caught from mosquitos in Cambodia concerns me. But the best way is to be prepared with the proper precautions. This means getting the right bug spray and wearing the right clothes. As usual you should also use protective sunscreen. For application, this usually goes on first, underneath the bug spray.
Bug Sprays for the Whole Family
After extensive research and reading numerous reviews we’ve found that the best bug spray products are made by Sawyer. We chose to get one with DEET, and another with Picaridin. For our 4 year old we will be using products with Picaridin. These Natrapel handy wipes, and Avon Bug Guard towelettes are perfect for kids.
Update after our trip: The Sawyer products listed above worked amazing and we barely got any bites. We definitely vouch for its effectiveness in keeping away mosquitos. Just be sure to reapply as stated on the bottle.
Clothing Precautions
In addition, we will also be mindful of what we wear. Typically mosquitos are attracted to dark colors, red, or bright floral prints. Khaki, olive, white, and beige are some of the recommended colors. For the jungle areas we will also be wearing this Coghlan’s Bug Jacket for extra protection.
Wearing long sleeves and long pants also provides great protection against these pests. However, this can be uncomfortable in tropical humid weather. We also try to avoid strong perfumes or fragrances, as this can attract them as well.
Assemble a Medical Kit
Being in a new country can have its downfalls. Traveler’s diarrhea is a common concern, as well as sickness from food and water. We always like to carry a full-medical kit when we travel. This includes the usual medicine for colds, headaches, stomachaches. We also like to pack activated charcoal tablets, and Imodium for stomach sickness. Also equally important are hydration tablets to help replenish fluids after getting sick.
We also keep band-aids and antibiotic ointment handy. Cuts, scrapes or injury can happen anywhere. Our kit also includes antibiotics in the case of extreme illness.
Monk giving a blessing in Angkor Wat during a Buddhist holiday
Respect Local Culture
Before traveling, we always make sure to research the local culture. For instance, what clothes are appropriate? What are some cultural taboos? In certain countries things can be frowned upon, like snapping closeups of people, or wearing revealing clothes. I always make sure to bring conservative items with me, especially for places like temples or shrines.
In Cambodia there is a dress code for the Angkor Wat temples. You must make sure to cover your shoulders and knees. For this reason I like to bring a kimono, light cardigan, or shawl to cover up. T-shirts are also great for covering up and also staying cool.
Local minivan in Cambodia
Research Transportation
Cambodia does have public transportation throughout the country, but you must research beforehand. I always like to read reviews, since there are some bus companies that have gotten bad reviews. We can’t provide too much experience before our trip, but we’ve decided to book with Cambodia Post VIP vans for a lot of our travel within. For travel to the islands we’ve booked with Speed Ferry Cambodia.
Update after our trip: We used Cambodia Post VIP van and it worked out great. Always on time and safer driving than some of the other mini buses. TCT Mondulkiri Express worked out great for getting us to the elephant sanctuary in Sen Monorom.
Get Proper Vaccinations
Before a trip, I always check the CDC site for required and recommended vaccinations. Here’s the list for Cambodia. Depending on where you’re going, you may need malaria pills or rabies prevention. Since we are traveling to a jungle area we’ve decided to take malaria pills just in case.
Travel Insurance
Purchasing travel insurance is one of the first things I do after booking flights. You never know when something can go wrong so it’s best to have it. Things like travel delays, lost luggage or flight cancellations can make all the difference if you have insurance. Most importantly, it can save you thousands in medical costs in the case of an emergency or extreme illness. We usually purchase through Allianz or World Nomads. If you can’t afford the insurance then it’s probably not the best idea to go.
The usual travel photography gear we bring, not including the tripod.
Prepare Gear
Make sure to prepare all your gear for the trip. This includes photography gear, drones, laptops, and any other electronics. Have all your batteries charged ahead of time. Also make sure you gather all the equipment you need like lenses, filters, or memory cards. It would be disappointing to find out you forgot it once you’re abroad!
It’s also important to stay connected while traveling abroad. You may need it for emergency, or just to find your way around. You can buy a SIM card to use while you’re there, but we usually just rent a wifi-hotspot from Tep Wireless. It’s easy, convenient and always reliable. We love them!
Conclusion
So there you have it! Aside from the usual packing, this covers everything on how to be prepared for Cambodia travel. We hope this is helpful to you as you plan your adventure here as well!
What other preparations have you made for your trips abroad! Leave us a comment, we’d love to hear!
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