Plan Your Trip

Health & Safety in Cambodia

Vaccinations, travel insurance, hospitals and safety advice.

Quick Answer

Cambodia is generally safe for tourists. Recommended vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, typhoid and tetanus. Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is essential — evacuation to Bangkok can cost $10,000+. Do not drink tap water. Malaria risk is low on the main tourist circuit but higher in jungle/rural areas.

Vaccinations for Cambodia

Consult a travel health clinic at least 6 weeks before departure. The following are standard recommendations — your doctor may advise differently based on your specific itinerary and medical history.

Vaccine Priority Notes
Hepatitis A Recommended Spread through contaminated food and water. Essential for all travelers to Cambodia.
Hepatitis B Recommended Spread through blood and bodily fluids. Standard adult booster recommended.
Typhoid Recommended Food and water-borne illness. Important for off-the-beaten-track travel and rural stays.
Tetanus Recommended Ensure you are up to date. A 10-year booster is standard before travel.
Rabies Consider For stays of 3+ months or rural/jungle travel. Stray dogs are very common throughout Cambodia.
Japanese Encephalitis Consider Risk in agricultural and rural areas. Low risk for short city-focused trips to PP and Siem Reap.
COVID-19 Check guidance Follow your home country's current entry and vaccination requirements.

Key Health Risks in Cambodia

Malaria

Malaria risk is present in jungle and rural areas — including the Cardamom Mountains, Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, and regions near the Thai border. Risk is low in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap/Angkor, and coastal areas. If your itinerary includes rural or jungle nights, consult a travel clinic about prophylaxis.

Dengue Fever

Dengue is present throughout Cambodia year-round, with higher incidence in the green season (May–October). Transmitted by daytime-biting mosquitoes. Wear repellent with DEET especially at dawn and dusk. If you develop fever within 2 weeks of return, tell your doctor you've been to Cambodia.

Food & Water Safety

Do not drink tap water in Cambodia. Eat at busy local restaurants where food turns over quickly. Be cautious with salads and raw vegetables from unknown vendors. Street food cooked to order in front of you is generally safe — and often the most delicious option.

Heat & Sun

Cambodia is hot year-round, averaging 25–35°C. April is extreme (up to 38°C inland). Drink at least 2–3 litres of water daily. Wear a hat and SPF 30+. Temple visits involve significant walking in direct sun — go early morning and bring water. Heat exhaustion is a real risk for first-time visitors.

Animal Bites & Rabies

Stray dogs are common and monkeys at temples can bite. Avoid contact with all animals. If bitten, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention immediately — rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is available in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

Travel Insurance

This is non-negotiable.

Medical evacuation by air ambulance from Cambodia to Bangkok typically costs $8,000–15,000 USD. Even a serious hospital stay in Phnom Penh can exceed $5,000. Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is essential for any trip to Cambodia.

Medical cover

Minimum $200,000 USD cover. Verify the policy explicitly covers Cambodia.

Medical evacuation

Must include emergency evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore for serious cases.

Adventure activities

Riding a scooter, trekking or water sports? Check your policy covers these.

Trip cancellation

Cancellation, delay and luggage cover are standard additions worth including.

Personal Safety in Cambodia

Bag snatching

Motorbike bag-snatching occurs in Phnom Penh and tourist areas. Keep bags on the side away from the road. Don't leave valuables unattended at beach bars. Use hotel safes for passports and spare cash.

Tourist scams

Common scams: drivers claiming Angkor is closed (then taking you to a shop), fake lottery wins, and gem investment schemes in Phnom Penh. Book tours through your hotel or a reputable agency. If something sounds too good to be true, it is.

Road safety

Cambodia has high road accident rates. Traffic is chaotic and rules are loosely observed. Use Grab or PassApp in cities for vetted, metered rides. If you rent a scooter, always wear a helmet, avoid night riding, and verify your travel insurance covers motorbike use.

Ocean & water safety

Riptides exist on southern beaches, particularly in the green season (May–October). Never swim alone or at night. Sihanoukville and Koh Rong beaches have few lifeguards. Do not swim in rivers or the Mekong — waterborne disease risk is high.

Unexploded ordnance (UXO)

Cambodia remains contaminated with landmines and UXO from the Khmer Rouge era — particularly in forested areas near the Thai border. Never leave marked paths in rural or jungle areas. Stick to established trails and roads.

Medical Facilities in Cambodia

City Recommended Standard
Phnom Penh Raffles Medical / Royal Phnom Penh Hospital International standard
Siem Reap Angkor Royal Hospital / Royal Angkor International Good for most cases
Sihanoukville Preah Sihanouk Referral Hospital Basic — evacuate to Phnom Penh for serious cases
Bangkok (evacuation) Bumrungrad International / Bangkok Hospital World-class — 1h flight from Phnom Penh or Siem Reap

For serious medical emergencies, evacuation to Bangkok is the standard recommendation. Ensure your travel insurance covers emergency medical evacuation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cambodia safe to visit?
Yes — Cambodia is generally safe for tourists. Violent crime targeting foreigners is rare. The main risks are petty theft in busy areas, motorbike bag-snatching in cities, and scams targeting tourists. Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Kampot are all well-visited with established tourist infrastructure.
Do I need malaria tablets for Cambodia?
It depends on your itinerary. Malaria risk is low in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Angkor, and coastal areas. Risk increases in jungle and rural areas such as the Cardamom Mountains, Mondulkiri, and Ratanakiri. Consult a travel health clinic at least 6 weeks before travel to assess your personal risk.
Is the tap water safe to drink in Cambodia?
No — tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Cambodia. Drink bottled water, use a certified filter, or ask for boiled water. Ice in restaurants is generally safe (factory-made in cities), but verify in rural or remote areas.
Is travel insurance required for Cambodia?
Travel insurance is not legally required by Cambodia but is absolutely essential. Healthcare quality is limited outside Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, and medical evacuation by air ambulance to Bangkok typically costs $8,000–15,000 USD. Ensure your policy covers medical evacuation, adventure activities, and Cambodia specifically.
What hospitals are in Cambodia?
Phnom Penh has the best facilities: Raffles Medical and Royal Phnom Penh Hospital are international standard. In Siem Reap, Angkor Royal Hospital and Royal Angkor International are reliable for most cases. For serious injuries or illness, medical evacuation to Bangkok (Bumrungrad or Bangkok Hospital) is the standard recommendation.
Are there areas to avoid in Cambodia?
The main tourist circuit (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Kampot, Battambang) is all safe. The Poipet border crossing area has a higher concentration of scams and gambling-related activity. Remote forested areas near the Thai border retain UXO risk — never stray from marked paths in these regions.

Continue Planning

Visa for Cambodia → What to Pack → Getting Around →