Overall
Cambodia is a generally safe country for travelers, most visits are trouble-free. Violent crime against tourists is rare. The most common issues are petty theft and low-level scams, not personal danger, and both are avoidable with basic awareness.
What Actually Happens
Phone & Bag Snatching
- Drive-by snatching from moto-taxis happens in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, usually targeting phones held while walking near the road
- Keep your phone away from the street side, use a crossbody bag with the strap across your body, not just over one shoulder
Tuk-Tuk & Taxi Scams
- Agree on a price before getting in if not using PassApp or Grab
- Some drivers push commission-paying shops, gem stores, or "closed" attractions, politely decline and stick to your plan
ATM & Money
- Use ATMs attached to banks or inside malls/hotels rather than standalone street machines
- Check for skimming devices, cover the keypad when entering your PIN
Border Crossing Scams
- Only use official visa channels (see the Logistics guide), touts at land borders sometimes charge inflated "service fees" for visas that are free to process yourself
- Walk past anyone offering to "help" with your visa paperwork at the border
Road & Water Safety
- Roads: traffic is chaotic by Western standards, and helmets aren't always provided on rented motorbikes. Wear one anyway if you ride, and know that many travel insurance policies exclude motorbike accidents without a valid local license.
- Swimming: most beaches and island waters are calm, but check for rip current warnings during monsoon season and avoid swimming alone at unmonitored beaches at night.
- Monsoon flooding: flash flooding can affect roads during the wet season (roughly June–October), build buffer time into overland travel plans during this period.
Temple & Cultural Etiquette
- Cover shoulders and knees at temples, especially the upper terraces of Angkor Wat
- Remove shoes before entering active pagodas and shrines
- Avoid pointing your feet at Buddha statues or people while seated
- Ask before photographing monks or individuals up close
Emergency Numbers
| Service | Number |
|---|
| Police | 117 |
| Ambulance / Medical | 119 |
| Fire | 118 |
Confirm these against your embassy's current guidance before you travel, emergency numbers can change and response quality varies by region. Ask your hotel or guesthouse for the local tourist police contact on arrival, it's more reliable than a number published online. Consider travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage, especially outside Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Roam Cambodia