Is Cambodia safe to travel? The best tips and recommendations

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Is Cambodia safe to travel? Cambodia is a great tourist destination and is generally a safe country to travel to. It’s an amazing place to visit for a number of reasons: it’s rich in history and culture, has great food and some of the best beaches in the world, and visitors are, for the most part, very welcomed.

We know that preparing for your trip to this country just might be a little difficult because of the limited information available. So we’ve put together this list of tips and recommendations to help you plan your trip in the safest way. Come with us on an incredible journey through Cambodia!

*Mad Monkey Koh Rong Samloem, Koh Rong Samloem © Courtesy of Alex Webb*

Keep an eye on your belongings

Cambodia has a reputation for being a clean, safe, and friendly place to visit. That doesn’t mean petty crimes don’t exist. The most common ones are bag snatching and pickpocketing.

To stay safe: ensure you keep your belongings close at all times, and keep an eye on your wallet/purse/phone. When traveling in a tuk-tuk or motorbike taxi, keep your phone hiding and your handbag zipped up, and don’t let anyone reach into it.

Be aware of scams

Although scams aren’t usually a problem, there’re a few that could lead to an unsafe travel experience for some tourists. Some of them are common sense, such as being approached by tuk-tuk drivers at the airport and asking for money for a ride. Other scams are a little more creative: visa scams on arrival, people who pose as charity workers or beggars could also trick you into handing over your hard-earned cash.

Take mindful transport choices

Avoid jumping on the first tuk-tuk that approaches you. Trust only reputable companies for booking your rides.

When traveling around the city

We recommend downloading GRAB, a reliable transport app that works around Asia. You can grab a tuk-tuk, a cab, and more. That way you’ll make sure you won’t be paying more than what you should, and that you’ll go to the right address. If you’re planning to take any transport during the weekends in the main cities, try to grab a taxi instead of a tuk-tuk from 9 pm, it will be safer for sure.

When planning long-distance trips

If you’re planning a longer trip, make sure you book it with a reliable driver. If you booked your stay with us in Mad Monkey or planning to do so, don’t hesitate to check with our team. They’ll provide all the information you need.

You can also buy bus tickets between the main cities with us; the ride might take longer but is also a good way of traveling around the country.

Enjoy Cambodia as a Solo Female Traveler

Is Cambodia safe to travel as a female solo traveler? Yes, it is. Nevertheless, we’ll give you a few tips that may seem a little obvious but are still super important.

Cambodia hasn’t any compulsory dress code rules, but we recommend dressing with modesty, especially if you plan to visit temples or religious monuments.

Is Cambodia safe to travel? Angkor Wat Siem Reap — *Angkor Wat Temple, Siem Reap © Courtesy of Daniel Martín*

It’s always good to have a backup, so plan the trip carefully and inform someone else about your itinerary.

Although the general population is extremely friendly, you should avoid unlit streets at night, as in any other country. And last but not least: follow your intuition. If there’s something that doesn’t feel right, take a different route — one that’s busier and well-lit.

Be a proud LGBTQ+

Cambodia is very queer-friendly for tourists. You’ll feel welcome and safe all around the country, and you’ll also find a large queer community; especially in Phnom Penh, the capital.

Is Cambodia safe to travel? Pride Party Phnom Penh — *Pride Flag, Phnom Penh © Courtesy of Mad Monkey*

Take Food Safety seriously

As a major concern for many travelers, you should take food safety seriously in Cambodia to avoid food poisoning and any other food-related illnesses.

Most of the chefs that work on street stalls produce safe, quality food, so don’t be scared to try local and traditional dishes. Khmer food culture is widespread and delicious. However, avoiding eating raw food, and sanitizing your hands before eating is highly recommended.

If you don’t eat at places that don’t seem to have acceptable hygiene standards and you do a bit of research, you’ll be fine.

*Street Food Market, Siem Reap © Courtesy of Mad Monkey*

Don’t drink from the tap

Although you can easily find bottled water that’s also safe to drink, we recommend finding filtered potable water to avoid plastic waste. In case you’re not able to get filtered potable water or a sealed water bottle, you can get safe drinking water by boiling it or purifying it. This also applies to ice, smoothies, or juices. It’s better to say no to them if you don’t know how they’ve been prepared.

There’s no need to worry about coffee or hot drinks, though.

Mind your step in the countryside

If you’re traveling to the countryside, stick to marked trails and paths; landmines still exist in Cambodia and some might be unmarked. Have extra caution when visiting areas that are far from the cities and that you’re not familiar with.

COVID-19 Requirements to enter the country?

Travelers are no longer required to take a COVID-19 test before traveling to Cambodia.
Fully vaccinated tourists now only need a vaccine certificate to enter the country.
Unvaccinated travelers are subject to a COVID-19 rapid antigen test on arrival in Cambodia, at their own expense.
Always check your country restrictions to make sure you’re good to go

Other tips and recommendations

Get travel insurance that keeps any possible emergency covered.
Even though it is not compulsory to be vaccinated to enter the country, check with your doctor about which vaccinations are recommended for your itinerary.
Get an online visa to avoid visa scams upon your arrival.
In Cambodia, Facebook is one of the biggest communication channels. Join some of the Facebook groups for backpackers, ex-pats, or traveling. There, you’ll get the best answers and recommendations for specific questions you may have.
Check Cambodia news channels to keep you updated with what’s happening in the country, so you can decide what’s best for your itinerary and be aware of possible conflicts or risks in specific areas.
Don’t forget about your mosquito repellent and sun protection.
Download a reliable transport app, like Grab.
If needed, you can get a free Smart phone card, at any of our hostels and purchase the plan that best suits you.
Contact our team anytime if you have any questions regarding safety and security and we’ll be happy to help and guide you.
Check Mad Monkey’s ultimate list of the best 15 things to do in Cambodia in 2022

*Mad Monkey Koh Rong Samloem Pier Bar, Koh Rong Samloem @ Courtesy of Kyle*

Is Cambodia safe to travel? Now that we’ve answered that question; you know everything about how to travel safely around this amazing country. You can plan your trip and book your flights and stay (with us 😉 ). We’re located in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Koh Rong Samloem. Book direct for the best deals by downloading our App or through our website.