Were you considering visiting Cambodia for the first time? Okay, buddy, you're in for a big treat. Cambodia is an incredibly gorgeous nation with some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet and some of the world's most breathtaking landscapes and beaches.

You should know several fundamentals before diving in for the first time. Fortunately, I have compiled them into one handy blog article. Woohoo! Here are the 28 most crucial pieces of information before setting foot in Cambodia.

Don't Buy Or Feed Local Kids

Those adorable children will make you want to purchase whatever they're selling if you let them. People like these might be seen begging on the streets and selling trinkets around religious sites. Could you not feed them or give them money?

Their education's value diminishes when they rely on you for sustenance or financial support. They and their families may decide it is more practical to continue working over visitors rather than enrolling in school. The government of Cambodia agrees, and it aggressively promotes the idea that visitors who wish to do good can contribute to Cambodian non-profits and educational institutions.

You Need Many Currencies

Time to go and get Riel. It's not a mistake; the Riel is Cambodia's official currency. U.S. dollars are the currency you'll want to bring with you. Everything costing more than a dollar must be paid for in U.S. dollars. You will receive Riel as a change for bills and coins with a face value of less than $1.

Withdrawals from ATMs in Cambodia are processed in either U.S. Dollars or the local currency, the Riel, depending on your preference. U.S. dollars are the go-to currency for any conversion since they are universally accepted and simple to work with. It will be considerably simpler if you only carry a handful of bills.

Bills Are Amusing

A torn or ripped note will not be accepted as, certainly, not at all. It comes as a bit of a shock when it first occurs to you. Furthermore, they despise 'outdated' currency. I bought a book at the airport, and the man refused to take my USD$5 money since it was 'an old bill'. Yet, if you stand your ground, keep your cool, and confidently say that you have no other bills to provide, they will usually accept your offer. To avoid unnecessary headaches, check that all your bills are in perfect condition.

Avoid Elephant Rides

You may expect to see elephant rides being given, with crowds of people waiting in line to take part. Even if you want to, you shouldn't. The suffering of those creatures is unimaginable, and it is wrong to add to the demand for their products.

Juvenile elephants are taken from their moms at a young age, confined, and abused until they are submissive enough to be ridden. That's just disgusting. It's horrifying how elephants are 'broken in' to be ridden by visitors. I beg you, do not ride them; it is dangerous.

Go About By Tuk-Tuk

Taking a Tuk-Tuk is the best and most fun way to go about town. When you set foot outside, local dudes will start calling out to you, asking to give you a ride. In my experience, travelling this way is risk-free, entertaining, and convenient.

You should probably haggle over the cover charge before you enter. For a journey that lasts no more than 5 minutes, the fare per passenger should be no more than $1. The cost increases from there. Tuk-tuks in Phnom Penh were more costly than in Siem Reap. It's okay to haggle with the person.

Tap Water Isn't Drinkable

Unless you want a very upset stomach, diarrhoea so bad you can defecate through a needle, and maybe even death. Nevertheless, the final decision rests with you. You should instead stock up on large bottles of water at the supermarket or convenience store and transport them with you. It's healthier for the environment if you buy fewer bottles. Therefore I recommend the larger sizes.

Beware of Food Scams

In Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, you can expect a healthy dose of the bustle. One common con includes a tasty dinner. At Siem Reap, a lovely young woman approached me, holding what appeared to be a suspiciously sound-asleep infant.

She declined my offer of financial assistance, explaining that she only wanted dinner at the restaurant she pointed toward. Seems like a fair assumption to you? The poor housegirl is starving. The correct answer is "NO," you moron.

Be conscious of your existence! A trap! If you agree, you will eat at the restaurant in question, be presented with an extremely high final bill, and feel compelled to pay it because you are in a strange nation.