Travel Advisory
Please check your government's official travel advisory before departure. Situations can change rapidly.
Safety Level
Official risk level and travel advisories
Cambodia is a welcoming destination and most visits are trouble-free, but everyday petty crime calls for care. Bag-snatching by passing motorbikes, pickpocketing and phone theft are the main risks in Phnom Penh and busy tourist areas. Keep bags on the side away from the road, do not flash valuables, and use a hotel safe. Police response can be limited, so tourist police and your hotel are useful first contacts.
- Overall
- Mostly fine, stay alert
- Main risk
- Bag-snatching
- Help
- Tourist police
- Bag-snatching by motorbike is common in cities
- Keep bags away from the roadside
Danger Zones & Areas to Avoid
Regions with poor security or restricted access
Landmines and unexploded ordnance remain in parts of rural Cambodia, especially near the Thai border and in remote areas away from the main sights. Never stray off marked paths or into undeveloped land, and do not touch any suspicious metal object. Stick to well-trodden routes at Angkor and other sites, and use a local guide off the beaten track. In cities, take normal care against street crime rather than mines.
- Rural risk
- Landmines / UXO
- Rule
- Stay on marked paths
- Off-track
- Use a local guide
- Never leave marked paths in remote areas
- Do not touch suspicious metal objects
Natural Disaster Risks
Earthquakes, typhoons, floods, and other hazards
Cambodia has a tropical monsoon climate. The wet season runs roughly May to October, when heavy rain can cause flooding, especially around the Mekong and Tonle Sap, and rural roads may become impassable. The dry season is hotter and dustier. Serious storms are less frequent than in coastal typhoon zones, but plan for rain, keep travel flexible in the wet months, and follow local advice during flooding.
- Wet season
- May-Oct
- Risk
- Flooding
- Dry season
- Hot, dusty
- Flooding hits the Mekong and Tonle Sap areas
- Rural roads can flood in the wet season
Health & Disease Risks
Endemic diseases and hygiene concerns
Tap water is not safe to drink; stick to bottled or properly treated water and be cautious with ice and raw foods. Mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue occur year-round, and malaria is a risk in some rural and forested areas, though not in the main towns and Angkor. Use insect repellent, cover up at dusk, and consider malaria advice for remote trips. Medical facilities are limited outside big cities, so serious cases may need evacuation.
- Water
- Bottled only
- Mosquitoes
- Dengue, rural malaria
- Care
- Limited outside cities
- Do not drink tap water; be careful with ice
- Use repellent against dengue-carrying mosquitoes
Crime & Scam Trends
Common crimes and scams targeting tourists
Bag-snatching by thieves on motorbikes is the most common serious risk, sometimes pulling people off tuk-tuks; keep bags in front of you and phones out of sight near the road. Watch for overcharging by some drivers, rigged taxi or tuk-tuk fares, and scams around ATMs and money changing. Agree fares before you ride, use apps where possible, and never leave bags unattended. Be wary of anyone offering unusually cheap tours or too-good deals.
- Top risk
- Motorbike snatch
- Watch
- Overcharging, ATM scams
- Do
- Agree fares first
- Thieves can pull bags off tuk-tuk riders
- Agree fares before you ride
Political Situation & Protests
Political instability and potential demonstrations
Cambodia is generally calm for tourists, and the main sights operate normally. Politics can be sensitive, and occasional demonstrations or gatherings happen mainly in Phnom Penh. As a visitor, avoid political protests and large crowds, do not get involved in local politics, and be careful what you post online. There have also been periodic tensions along parts of the Thai border, so check the latest official travel advice before travelling near frontier areas.
- For tourists
- Generally calm
- Avoid
- Protests, crowds
- Border
- Check advice
- Avoid political demonstrations
- Check advice near the Thai border
Local Laws & Prohibitions
Important local laws and penalties for travelers
Drug offences are treated very seriously and can bring long prison terms; never buy or carry illegal drugs. Respect temples and religious sites by dressing modestly and removing shoes and hats where required. Cambodia enforces strong child-protection laws, and any exploitation of minors is a serious crime that is actively prosecuted. Avoid photographing military sites, and always carry ID or a copy. When unsure about a rule, ask your hotel or a guide.
- Drugs
- Severe penalties
- Temples
- Dress modestly
- Child safety
- Strictly enforced
- Never carry or buy illegal drugs
- Dress modestly at temples
Emergency Contacts
Police, ambulance, and fire department numbers
Cambodia's emergency numbers are 117 for police, 118 for fire and 119 for ambulance, but response can be slow and English is not guaranteed. In practice, the tourist police and your hotel are often the fastest help for visitors. For medical emergencies, a private clinic or hospital in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap is usually the best bet, and serious cases may need evacuation. Save your hotel, insurer and embassy numbers before you travel.
- Police
- 117
- Also
- Tourist police
- Medical
- Private clinics
- Response can be slow; tourist police help visitors
- Serious medical cases may need evacuation
Embassy & Consulate Info
Location and contact details of your embassy
No embassy or consulate information is available for your selected nationality in this country.
Travel Insurance
Recommended coverage and tips for choosing a policy
Comprehensive travel insurance is essential for Cambodia. Medical facilities are limited outside the main cities, and serious illness or injury may require costly evacuation to Bangkok or beyond. Choose a policy that clearly covers medical treatment, emergency evacuation, trip disruption and your activities, including motorbikes if you plan to ride. Check the small print on adventure activities. Keep the policy number and 24-hour assistance line saved on your phone and on paper.
- Cover
- Medical + evacuation
- Why
- Limited local care
- Check
- Activities, motorbikes
- Serious cases may need evacuation to Bangkok
- Confirm cover for motorbikes and activities