Cambodia Travel Health Guide for US Travelers
A physician-reviewed health and safety guide for Americans traveling to the Kingdom of Cambodia
As of March 2026, the U.S. Department of State advises Americans to Exercise Increased Caution in Cambodia due to crime, landmines and unexploded ordnance in certain provinces, civil unrest risk, and ongoing armed conflict along parts of the Cambodia–Thailand border. Do not travel within approximately 50 km of the border with Thailand due to military clashes, rocket, and artillery fire reported in the area. Always check the latest advisory at travel.state.gov before departing.
Before You Travel to Cambodia
Cambodia offers iconic temples, vibrant cities, and rural adventures — but US travelers still need thoughtful health preparation. Food- and water-related infections, mosquito-borne diseases in some areas, and uneven medical facilities mean you should see a travel medicine physician at least 4–6 weeks before departure (sooner if you need Japanese encephalitis vaccine or a complex itinerary) to complete vaccines and obtain prescriptions.
Visit a Travel Clinic
See a board-certified travel medicine physician at least 4–6 weeks before travel. Bring your immunization records. Yellow fever vaccination is only required if you are arriving from a yellow-fever risk country or have a long layover in one — review your full itinerary.
Get Travel Insurance
Standard US health insurance does not cover care abroad. Purchase comprehensive travel health insurance that explicitly includes medical evacuation coverage — serious cases are often transferred to Bangkok or Singapore.
Documents & Registration
Enroll in the State Department's STEP program at step.state.gov to receive emergency alerts. If yellow fever vaccination applies to your routing, carry your International Certificate of Vaccination (Yellow Card).
Pack a Medical Kit
Bring an adequate supply of all prescription medications plus extras. Include insect repellent (DEET ≥30%), oral rehydration salts, antidiarrheal medication, a broad-spectrum antibiotic (per your doctor), and a digital thermometer.
Water & Food Safety
Tap water in Cambodia is not safe to drink. Use sealed bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, and making ice. Be cautious with street food and ice; peel fruits yourself and choose busy, high-turnover vendors if you eat locally.
Cash & Payments
Private hospitals in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap may accept cards for some services, but many facilities still expect cash payment upfront. Carry US dollars and Cambodian riel for emergencies.
Yellow Fever in Cambodia
What is Yellow Fever?
Yellow fever is a potentially fatal viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. There is no specific treatment — prevention is vaccination at an authorized center, recorded on your International Certificate of Vaccination.
Because Cambodia is not endemic, the main reason US travelers get vaccinated is an itinerary that includes countries or long layovers in the yellow fever zone, or onward travel to other countries that require proof after leaving Southeast Asia. If vaccination is indicated, get it at least 10 days before travel.
Malaria in Cambodia
Discuss whether you need antimalarial medication based on exact lodging, season, and outdoor exposure. If prescribed, options commonly used include atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, or (in selected cases) primaquine or tafenoquine — your clinician will choose based on your health profile and P. vivax considerations.
Atovaquone/Proguanil (Malarone)
Start 1–2 days before arrival, take daily, continue for 7 days after leaving. Well-tolerated with minimal side effects. Good choice for shorter trips. Take with food.
Start 1–2 days before arrival, take daily, continue for 28 days after leaving. Cost-effective option. May cause sun sensitivity and GI upset. Not suitable during pregnancy.
Weekly dosing — start 2–3 weeks before travel, continue for 4 weeks after leaving. Convenient schedule. Can cause neuropsychiatric side effects in some individuals. Discuss risks with your doctor.
Any traveler who develops a fever after being in Cambodia — or within one year of returning — should seek urgent medical care and report travel and any prophylaxis used. Do not self-diagnose or delay evaluation.
Day- and night-biting mosquitoes transmit different diseases in the region. Use DEET ≥30%, permethrin-treated clothing, bed nets when appropriate, and window screens or air conditioning when available.
Recommended Vaccines for Cambodia
The following vaccines are commonly discussed for US travelers to Cambodia. Final decisions depend on your itinerary, medical history, and CDC guidance — review with a travel medicine physician.
Not routinely required for direct US–Cambodia travel. Required in some situations based on prior country visits or long transits through yellow fever risk areas.
Spread through contaminated food and water. Injectable vaccine lasts 2 years; oral vaccine lasts 5 years. Recommended for most travelers.
Transmitted through contaminated food and water. Two-dose vaccine series provides long-term protection. Strongly recommended for all travelers.
Spread through blood and body fluids. Three-dose series. Recommended especially for those receiving medical care, getting tattoos, or at risk of exposure.
Rabies is present; dogs and wildlife are reservoirs. Pre-exposure series is especially useful for longer stays, rural travel, or animal contact.
Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine
CDC notes risk is low for very short trips in urban areas; consider for longer stays, repeated rural/resort exposure, or outdoor activity in rice-agricultural regions — discuss timing (2-dose series) with your physician.
MMR Vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
Measles cases are rising globally. Ensure you have received 2 doses of MMR vaccine. Adults born before 1957 are generally considered immune.
Ensure your Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) booster is up to date — within the last 10 years — before travel to any international destination.
Influenza Vaccine & COVID-19
Annual flu shot recommended before all international travel. Ensure COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are current per current CDC recommendations.
Healthcare System in Cambodia
In Phnom Penh & Siem Reap
Several private hospitals offer emergency rooms, imaging, and intensive care basics. Quality varies; English may be spoken in major private facilities. Public hospitals are often overcrowded and under-resourced.
Outside major cities
Rural clinics may lack essential medicines, blood products, and advanced diagnostics. Serious injury or illness usually requires transfer to the capital or out of country.
Payment Policy
Expect to pay cash or card deposits before treatment at many private hospitals. Carry US dollars and riel. Verify your travel insurance includes evacuation.
Purchase insurance that covers air ambulance to a regional center of excellence. Costs without coverage can exceed $100,000 USD for long-haul evacuations.
Emergency Numbers in Cambodia
Public ambulance response can be slow and uneven. For serious trauma or illness in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, many travelers use private hospital ambulances or rapid taxi transport to the nearest major private emergency department. Carry embassy and hospital numbers in your phone.
US Embassy Phnom Penh
#1, Street 96 (entrance on St. 51 between St. 96 and 102), Phnom Penh
Phone: +855-23-728-402
Emergency (after hours): +855-23-728-000
kh.usembassy.gov
US State Dept 24/7 Hotline
For US citizens in distress abroad:
From US/Canada: +1-888-407-4747
From abroad: +1-202-501-4444
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
STEP Enrollment
Register your trip at step.state.gov before departure. STEP allows the US Embassy to contact you during emergencies, natural disasters, or civil unrest and helps locate you if something goes wrong.
Nature & Weather Risks
Heat & Humidity
Tropical heat and seasonal monsoon rains increase risks of heat illness and flash flooding in low areas. Stay hydrated, take breaks in air conditioning, and watch weather alerts during storms.
Flooding & Water Safety
Floodwaters can hide debris, sewage contamination, and downed power lines. Avoid wading through floodwater. Do not drink untreated surface water.
Animal & Wildlife Risks
Stray dogs and monkeys may bite. Snakes (including venomous species) occur in rural areas. Seek care immediately after any animal bite and discuss rabies post-exposure management.
Landmines & UXO
Unexploded ordnance remains in some rural provinces. Stay on marked paths, heed warning signs, and never touch metal objects in the field. The State Department advises particular caution in certain border-adjacent provinces — see current travel advisory maps.
Road Safety
Traffic accidents are a leading injury risk. Wear helmets on motorbikes, avoid night driving on unlit roads, and use vetted drivers. Phone snatching from moving vehicles occurs — do not hold phones near traffic.
Sun & UV Exposure
UV levels are high year-round. Use SPF 30+ sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. Sun sensitivity increases if you take doxycycline for malaria prevention.
Crime, Violence & Safety Risks
Snatch Theft & Robbery
Drive-by phone and bag grabs are common in Phnom Penh and tourist areas. Keep phones secured, avoid walking close to the curb with visible valuables, and never physically resist — injuries occur when victims resist.
Scams & Drink Spiking
Tourist-targeted scams, overcharging, and occasional drink spiking leading to robbery have been reported. Watch drinks closely, use reputable transport, and book tours through established operators.
Cyber & ATM Safety
Skimming devices and online rental scams occur. Use indoor bank ATMs when possible, shield PIN entry, and verify property listings through trusted platforms.
Personal Safety Tips
Avoid walking alone late at night. Use app-based rides or hotel-arranged cars. Keep copies of passport separate from originals. Limit displays of cash and jewelry.
Civil Unrest
Demonstrations can arise with little notice. Avoid protests, monitor local media, and follow curfews or security guidance if issued.
Border & Restricted Areas
Follow State Department Do Not Travel guidance near the Thai border. Some remote areas have higher mine/UXO risk — research routes in advance.
If arrested or detained, ask immediately for US consular notification. Contact the US Embassy in Phnom Penh at +855-23-728-000 (emergency) or the 24/7 State Department hotline at +1-888-407-4747.
Other Health Risks in Cambodia
Very common. Follow strict food and water hygiene; discuss standby antibiotics with your physician.
Daytime Aedes mosquitoes transmit dengue. No vaccine for most US travelers — prevention is bite avoidance.
Mosquito-borne viral disease linked to rural rice-growing cycles. Risk varies by season and exposure; vaccine may be appropriate for some itineraries.
Discuss risks if pregnant or planning pregnancy. Prevention is mosquito bite avoidance.
Reported in the region. Causes fever and debilitating joint pain. Prevent through mosquito precautions.
Practice safer sex. Ensure sterile equipment for any invasive procedures.
Pre-Departure Checklist for Cambodia
- See a travel medicine physician — bring your immunization records and full flight itinerary
- If indicated by routing, get Yellow Fever vaccine and Yellow Card documentation
- If prescribed, obtain antimalarial medication for rural/forest exposure
- Update routine vaccines: MMR, Tdap, flu, COVID-19
- Discuss Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, and Japanese encephalitis vaccine as needed
- Purchase travel health insurance with medical evacuation to a regional center
- Enroll in STEP at step.state.gov
- Save emergency numbers: Police 119 | Fire 118 | US Embassy +855-23-728-000 (after hours)
- Pack DEET repellent, sun protection, and ORS; consider permethrin-treated gear for rural stays
- Carry extra prescription medications and a basic first aid kit
- Avoid Thailand-border restricted zones per State Department guidance
- Do not resist robbery attempts; secure phones and bags against snatch theft
- Drink sealed bottled water; avoid fresh water swimming in endemic areas
