Is It Safe to Travel to Cambodia in 2026?
Cambodia - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
Cambodia, officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country in Mainland Southeast Asia. It is bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the north, and Vietnam to the east, and has a coastline along the Gulf of Thailand in the southwest.
Is It Safe to Travel to Cambodia in 2026?
Cambodia is currently rated Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution by the U.S. Department of State. Exercise increased caution in Cambodia due to crime and landmines. Street crime, particularly phone and bag snatchings, occurs frequently in areas where foreigners gather; resistance can result in injury. Landmines and unexploded ordnance are found in remote areas throughout Cambodia, especially in certain provinces. Do not travel to areas within 50km of the Cambodia – Thailand border due to ongoing fighting between Cambodian and Thai military forces.
Key concerns cited in the advisory:
- crime
- civil_unrest
The overall security situation has been worsening recently. Contributing factors: increased caution due to crime and landmines, ongoing fighting between Cambodian and Thai military forces, reports of civilian casualties along the border.
Traveler Impact
Street crime, particularly phone and bag snatchings, is prevalent in tourist areas, posing a significant risk to solo travelers who may be targeted for their perceived vulnerability.
While major cities like Phnom Penh have reliable infrastructure for business, the risk of street crime and limited consular support can disrupt travel plans and safety.
Families with children face risks from street crime and limited access to pediatric healthcare outside major urban areas, necessitating heightened vigilance and preparation.
Remote workers may find good connectivity in urban centers, but should avoid rural areas where infrastructure is lacking and health risks are higher.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for Cambodia.
Regional Safety Breakdown
Do Not Travel Zones
The U.S. State Department advises against all travel to the following areas due to extreme risk:
- Cambodia – Thailand Border
▶Level 4 — Do Not Travel1 region
▶Cambodia – Thailand Border
Do not travel to areas within 50km of the Cambodia – Thailand border due to ongoing fighting.
▶Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution6 regions
▶Banteay Meanchey Province
Landmines and unexploded ordnance are found in remote areas.
▶Battambang Province
Landmines and unexploded ordnance are found in remote areas.
▶Kampong Thom Province
Landmines and unexploded ordnance are found in remote areas.
▶Pailin Province
Landmines and unexploded ordnance are found in remote areas.
▶Pursat Province
Landmines and unexploded ordnance are found in remote areas.
▶Siem Reap Province
Landmines and unexploded ordnance are found in remote areas.
Cambodia has 7 distinct regions with varying advisory levels. Risk conditions differ significantly by area.
▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
Cambodia has an overall threat severity of 4.5 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 6.0/10, terrorism risk 0.0/10, and kidnapping risk 0.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Not Free — scored 23/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Required
Currency
Riel (KHR)
Language
Khmer
Notable restrictions:
- Drug possession is illegal, including medical marijuana.
Vaccinations
Recommended:
⚠ Malaria Risk: low
Recommended medications: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, primaquine, tafenoquine
Active health notices:
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to Cambodia
▶What is the current travel advisory level for Cambodia?
▶Is it safe to travel to Cambodia right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit Cambodia?
▶What vaccines do I need for Cambodia?
▶Is Cambodia safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in Cambodia?
More Cambodia Data
Not Free — 23/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.