A Sihanoukville sandbox will be initiated on November 30th, which will allow quarantine-free travel not only to the port city, but also Koh Rong Island and Dara Sakor Resort in Koh Kong province.

This will now allow for quarantine-free travel to and within the Kingdom, but what exactly is in the fine print?

Sit back while we dive into the Sihanoukville Sandbox, outlining how it will work and what to expect. 

How will the Sihanoukville Sandbox work?

According to the Khmer Times, Cambodia will launch the Sihanoukville Sandbox on November 30th, 2021. Even though the programme was quick to be labelled the Sihanoukville Sandbox in the media, this reopening scheme will actually incorporate visits to backpacker favourite Koh Rong island and huge tourist resort Dara Sakor in Koh Kong as well. 

Much like the Phuket Sandbox and Phu Quoc Sandbox, the scheme will only be open to tourists who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with an approved vaccine. The sandbox programme will allow them to skip hotel quarantine and freely travel within the ‘sandbox’ destination. However, this comes with conditions (detailed in the requirements section below). 

Once you have completed your five days within the initial sandbox destination, you are free to travel elsewhere in the country. 

If the Sihanoukville scheme proves popular and is considered to be successful, Cambodia plans to open their most popular destination Siem Reap at the beginning of January 2022 in a similar programme. This is, of course, home to the world-renowned Angkor Wat complex which attracted an average of 2.6 million tourists per year pre COVID. It is vital to a successful revival in Cambodia’s tourism industry. 

Khmer Nights have reported that there is an ongoing conversation regarding a flight corridor between Cambodia and Thailand. If implemented, this would mean that travellers entering from Thailand would not be required to quarantine. This could be an important first step in restoring some of the backpacker tourism that Southeast Asia and Cambodia have so heavily relied upon in the past. 

Requirements for the Sihanoukville Sandbox

Although we are still waiting on further announcements regarding the Sihanoukville Sandbox, there have been some details released regarding the requirements for the scheme. 

Travellers on the Sihanoukville Sandbox must:

  • Be fully vaccinated against COVID-19* and provide proof 
  • Spend at least 5 days in one of the above destinations
  • Take an RT-PCR test on arrival at Sihanoukville airport and produce a negative result 
  • Visit through a full package tour or be classed as a small group/family of high-end tourists
  • Show proof of return flight
  • Hold valid insurance that covers illness from COVID-19
  • Proof that you have prepaid for your initial hotel accommodation
  • Visitors must fly directly to Sihanoukville and not transfer through Phnom Penh Airport
  • Provide their 14-day travel history before arrival

*Final dose must have been administered at least 14 days before your trip. 

Can you travel to Cambodia right now?

International tourists have been able to travel to Cambodia for some time now, however, the costly and complex protocol in place has led to few overseas visitors. At present, there is a 14-day quarantine for all unvaccinated arrivals into the country and even those who are fully vaccinated have to quarantine for 7 days. 

E-visas are now permitted again, however, many nationalities will still need to apply for a visa in advance. A $2000USD deposit is required to cover COVID services while you are visiting the countries. Anything that has not been spent will be refunded to you once you have completed the quarantine. 

Cambodia has one of the highest vaccination rates in the whole of Southeast Asia which has played a large part in the timing of this reopening. According to Pear Anderson, 77% of the population is now vaccinated against COVID-19. This statistic should certainly encourage tourists who are wary about different countries ability to safely welcome tourists again. 

******

Updated on February 8th, 2022

Cambodia is currently the easiest country in Southeast Asia to visit and has been fully reopened to vaccinated travelers since November. In an address on 21 January, the Prime Minister of Cambodia announced that travelers entering Cambodia who test positive for COVID upon arrival will be allowed to receive treatment or to self-isolate in their hotel or embassy based on preference, assuaging one of the biggest concerns so far from their reopening strategy. For anyone who has ever dreamt of experiencing the wonders of Angkor without the crowds, there has never been a better time to go!

Check more detail abour Reopening Cambodia's tourism here

What are Sihanoukville and the surrounding area like?

Sihanoukville is a coastal city on the Gulf of Thailand in southern Cambodia. The area is famous for its beautiful beaches, however, some travellers report that there is a litter problem. Sihanoukville has two seasons: wet and dry. The temperatures are desirable for many travellers, averaging between 24°C-30°C.

Sihanoukville has become a polarising destination in recent years, with many claiming that over-tourism has ruined the area and its beaches. However, this is not an opinion shared by everybody. 

Luckily, the majority of people seem to think much more fondly of Koh Rong. This picturesque island, accessible by boat from Sihanoukville, is popular with many different kinds of travellers but predominantly attracts a large backpacker crowd. 

Dara Sakor is a huge tourist resort which is located in Koh Kong province. It will be served by the Dara Sakor International Airport which is currently in construction. It is estimated to be finished in November 2021. 

Here is the Sihanoukville Travel Guide

Thai Sandbox vs Sihanoukville Sandbox

Thailand previously ran a “sandbox” program which was largely seen as a failure, before changing tact and announcing a reopening to vaccinated travelers on November 1st.

The Thai program though was extremely different to the Sihanoukville sandbox and merely allowed visitors to stay on certain Thai islands, rather than travel around the whole country. 

The Cambodian plan is much simpler by comparison and after only five days in a resort, visitors are then free to travel around the country. In this respect, it offers a decent alternative to quarantining for three to seven days. 

Here is everything about Thailand Sandbox Program

Sihanoukville Sandbox to Thai Flight Corridor

As previously reported, the prospect of a flight corridor between Cambodia and Thailand was also brought up, which would mean travelers entering the Kingdom via Thailand would not be required to quarantine at all. This would mark the first so-called travel corridor within the region, should it come to pass. 

So, while we cannot travel fully freely just yet, if things go well within the region, we may be able to start making travel plans sooner rather than later. 

At the moment, Thailand also applies the new scheme of Test & Go to reopen Thai tourism

image
24-hour response
guaranteed!
REQUEST A FREE QUOTE

Hello, my name’s Jordan and I’m obsessed with travelling overland. Seeing how cultures change while travelling slowly captivates me; and doing so in an eco-friendly way, preserving the cultures and landscapes that so many travellers yearn to explore, has given me my travelling purpose.

Comments
SIMILAR BLOG ARTICLES

How long to spend in Cambodia may seem like a ridiculous question to address, but if you have plenty of time and aren’t sure how much to dedicate, this blog will definitely help you out. 

How long can you stay in Cambodia? 

Well, as long as you like! From 7 days to a month, there are various ways you can travel across Cambodia and uncover its secrets. Advising an ideal trip length for Cambodia is a bit of a complex challenge, as it depends on several factors such as the places you wish to visit, the activities you plan to join, or if you want to combine Cambodia with its neighbor countries. 

Stay tuned! We are going to sort all these things out including the step-by-step guide to create the best itinerary in Cambodia.

...more

The below article is written by Reece Ferguson from Khmer Night about the experience with a visit to Siem Reap recently in the "new normal". Check it out to know what to expect if you are planning to visit Cambodia in the "new normal" in 2022.

********

Siem Reap has really gone through the wars lately, with lockdown’s and “Red Zones” seriously impacting the city. The lockdown is though now over, meaning this might well be your last chance to visit a truly empty Angkor Wat.

Every now and again you get a job-perk, so when Khmer Nights were invited to test out a new tourism app in Siem Reap, we jumped at the chance. Visiting the floating village on Tonle Sap and Angkor Wat were duly picked as our personal tour choices and we got ready to embark on a mini-adventure.

When the crisis is over, you need this guide to visit Angkor Wat without the crowds

...more

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Asian countries has taken the cautious approach to inbound travel and has had some of the strictest border restrictions and closures. At the moment, the nations of the region are in the beginning stages of reopening their borders for tourism, with every country introducing its own regulations.

The “unlocking” statuses vary widely. Travelers entering Asian countries may be required to do everything from going into quarantine, submitting negative COVID-19 test results, presenting proof of health insurance, and proof of vaccination (known a vaccine passports).

There is an understandable uncertainty with how you should travel to the Asian region if you are planning to. This is why we present you the list of 19 Asian countries, along with details on the current travel situation. As each country applies precisely defined regulations, you should always check the official websites listed in the article below for the latest government announcements.

...more

Not to be outdone by Vietnam’s recent announcement of fully reopening without testing on arrival, Cambodia has made a big announcement of its own less than 24 hours later: they have removed testing altogether including the requirement for a PCR test prior to departure and the ATK test upon arrival.  Additionally, they have announced the reinstatement of Visa on Arrival for all travellers to Cambodia whether by air, sea or land.

For anyone who has ever dreamt of experiencing the wonders of Angkor without the crowds, there has never been a better time to go! For inspiration, go here to check out some of our amazing Cambodia tours. For further details regarding entry procedures, please read on.

...more

Choosing the best time to visit Angkor Wat can be a little tricky. You almost have to choose between rain and muddy temple sites or good weather with hordes of people who always seem to be in the way of photographs. Following the typical weather patterns for much of Southeast Asia, the best time to visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia is during the dry season from late November to early April.

Fortunately, with a little timing, you can take advantage of the best times to visit Angkor Wat. Even better, travelers who hire drivers to visit ruins farther afield get rewarded with those Tomb-Raider-Indiana-Jones photos with no other tourists in the backdrop.

...more

Angkor Wat, Cambodia's famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, is breathtaking and thrilling to explore. The temple ruins have a way of igniting the inner archaeologist in all of us. You won't soon forget wandering the sprawling, carved ruins of a once-great civilization!

The history of the City of Temples is riddled with incredible facts and events. For instance, Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world, but it didn't make the new list of Seven Wonders of the World, and while it was previously rented for profit to an entity outside of Cambodia, the local government took back control in 2019.

...more
NOT READY YET?

We believe you have the right to arm yourselves with as much information as possible before making any decision.

Check below the detailed information for our different destinations, our plans by travel theme or time frame to learn more before moving forward...

places to visit in Cambodia
Siem Reap
bee-white Siem Reap

Tonle Sap Lake
bee-white Tonle Sap Lake

One of the most fish abundant lakes in the world and supports 360 floating villages and thousands of waterbirds.

Phnom Penh
bee-white Phnom Penh

Battambang
bee-white Battambang

Sihanoukville
bee-white Sihanoukville

Koh Rong Island
bee-white Koh Rong Island

Cambodia PLANS BY TRAVEL THEME
Must-see
bee-white Must-see

Check out all the must-see places and things to do & see

Luxury Holiday
bee-white Luxury Holiday

Unique experience combined with top-notch services

Wellness & Leisure
bee-white Wellness & Leisure

Easy excursion combined with week-long beach break

Cruise
bee-white Cruise

The combination of some must-see experience and the cruise tour along the mighty rivers

Cycling & Biking
bee-white Cycling & Biking

Explore every corners of the destination on two wheels

Honeymoon Vacation
bee-white Honeymoon Vacation

Easy excursions combined with unique experience making the long-lasting romantic memories

Unseen
bee-white Unseen

Reveal off-the-beatentrack routes, least explored destinations, and unknown tribe groups

Trek & Hike
bee-white Trek & Hike

Explore the least visited destinations and unknown experience on foot

Family Vacation
bee-white Family Vacation

The combination of fun and educational activities

Cambodia PLANS BY TIME FRAME
white-icon About 1 week
yellow-icon About 1 week
white-icon About 2 weeks
yellow-icon About 2 weeks
white-icon About 3 weeks
yellow-icon About 3 weeks
white-icon About 4 weeks
yellow-icon About 4 weeks
image
Already got a plan? REQUEST A FREE QUOTE
Cambodia TRAVEL TIPS & GUIDE

Either are you wondering about best time to visit, visa policy, or how to get the cheapest flight, we have your back!
WHAT MORE? Choose the country you plan to visit, then search for your nationality below to see our special travel tips & advice for your country. CONTACT US if you cannot find yours.

Best Time to Visit
bee-white Best Time to Visit
Tourist Visa Policy
bee-white Tourist Visa Policy
Budget & Currency
bee-white Budget & Currency
Getting Flight There
bee-white Getting Flight There
Getting Around
bee-white Getting Around
Vaccinations
bee-white Vaccinations
Local Etiquette
bee-white Local Etiquette
Safety & Precautions
bee-white Safety & Precautions
Tipping Customs
bee-white Tipping Customs
Useful addresses
bee-white Useful addresses
Internet & Phone
bee-white Internet & Phone
Buying & Bargaining
bee-white Buying & Bargaining
Packing List
bee-white Packing List
Travel Insurance
bee-white Travel Insurance
CHECK OUT OTHER DESTINATIONS
Vietnam
bee-white Vietnam
A land of staggering natural beauty and cultural complexities, of dynamic megacities and hill-tribe villages, Vietnam is both exotic and compelling.
Thailand
bee-white Thailand
Friendly and food-obsessed, hedonistic and historic, cultured and curious, Thailand tempts visitors with a smile as golden as the country's glittering temples and tropical beaches.
Myanmar
bee-white Myanmar
It's a new era for this extraordinary and complex land, where the landscape is scattered with gilded pagodas and the traditional ways of Asia endure.
Laos
bee-white Laos
Vivid nature, voluptuous landscapes and a vibrant culture collide with a painful past and optimistic future to make Laos an enigmatic experience for the adventurous.
loading
back top