Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin Cambodia due to crime, unrest, and unexploded ordnance. Exercise increased caution in Cambodia due to crime, unrest, and unexploded ordnance.”
Updated Tue, 15 Sep 2026
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Is Siem Reap safe? 🇰🇭
Cambodia · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Siem Reap scores 64/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes. Siem Reap is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions against petty crime and scams. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Siem Reap 🇰🇭
Cambodia · Assessed 13 October 2026
64
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime68/100FairCrime index 31.6 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment64/100FairMostly positive
Advisories75Good
Stability63Fair
Health74Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 20km from the land border with Thailand.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:29:21Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Cambodia: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-10-09T09:50:14.0259934-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
139k residents
85
City SignalCity Geocoding
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging and armed robbery are uncommon but can occur in isolated areas; avoid deserted streets at night
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag-snatching are frequent in crowded markets, Angkor Wat complex, and during festivals
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
64/100
Reported feel70Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Visitors report feeling safe walking alone in daylight, with a safety score of 85/100, but lower confidence at night at 70/100, reflecting general comfort with standard precautions.
Yes. Siem Reap is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions against petty crime and scams.
Siem Reap maintains a moderate safety profile with low violent crime but persistent petty theft and scams targeting tourists. Visitors report feeling safe during daylight hours, though nighttime vigilance is advised in certain areas. The city benefits from strong tourism infrastructure and community incentives to protect visitors.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026Cambodia’s tourism slump leaves Angkor Wat eerily quiet due to ongoing border tensions— South China Morning Post
- Sep 2026US issues dire robbery warning for Americans traveling to Southeast Asian country due to crime and border unrest— New York Post
- Sep 2026US updates Cambodia travel advisory over crime and border risks, maintaining Level 2 for Siem Reap— Khmer Times
- Feb 2026Border patrol explosion injured four Cambodian soldiers amid rising tensions with Thailand— Wego Travel Blog
Common scams
- Fake temple tours demanding large tips after showing 'secret' areas
- Tuk-tuk drivers receiving commissions for directing tourists to specific shops
- Children selling postcards or begging who lead tourists to shops where adults resell the goods
- Fake donation collectors posing as orphanage volunteers
- Counterfeit US dollars and bills with tiny cuts that cannot be exchanged
Full briefing
Siem Reap remains a functional tourist hub despite ongoing border tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, with the Angkor Wat complex seeing fewer visitors due to regional instability. Petty crime, particularly pickpocketing and bag-snatching, is frequently reported in crowded areas such as Pub Street, the Old Market, and around temple entrances, especially during peak hours and festivals. While violent crime against tourists is rare, muggings have occurred in isolated or poorly lit areas after dark, prompting advice to avoid deserted streets at night. Scams are a persistent concern, ranging from fake temple tours and tuk-tuk commission schemes to child-led begging operations and counterfeit currency, all documented in recent traveler reports. Visitors generally feel safe during the day, supported by visible police presence and a local economy dependent on tourism, but recommend exercising normal precautions, verifying change, and using only licensed services. Staying alert in crowds, securing valuables, and avoiding unsolicited offers significantly reduce risk. The city’s infrastructure, including nearby hospitals and good air quality, supports overall visitor safety when basic vigilance is maintained.
Was this Siem Reap, Cambodia report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Siem Reap districts for visitors: 5 safer, 3 needing caution. See them plotted on the Siem Reap safety map.
Old Market Area (Psar Chas)cautionPetty theft and scams common in crowded markets; exercise normal precautions, especially with valuables.
Pub StreetcautionNightlife area with frequent pickpocketing, overcharging, and scams targeting tourists; avoid isolated spots late at night.
Airport Road (National Highway 6)cautionHeavy traffic and poor lighting increase accident risk; avoid walking alone at night, use registered transport.
Riverfront AreasaferWell-patrolled tourist zone with hotels and restaurants; low violent crime but watch for bag-snatching in crowds.
Sivatha BoulevardsaferMain commercial corridor with consistent police presence; safe for daytime and evening travel, standard precautions advised.
Angkor Archaeological ParksaferMajor temple complex with strong security presence; petty theft possible in crowded areas, but violent incidents rare.
Wat Bo AreasaferResidential neighborhood popular with expats and tourists; low crime, good lighting, and active community watch.
Svay DangkumsaferQuiet residential zone south of city center; minimal tourist scams, low crime, suitable for families and long stays.
07 · After Dark
Is Siem Reap safe at night?
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon but can occur in isolated areas; avoid deserted streets at night
After dark, be most careful around Old Market Area (Psar Chas), Pub Street, Airport Road (National Highway 6). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Siem Reap safety FAQ (2026)
Is Siem Reap safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Siem Reap is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions against petty crime and scams. Siem Reap maintains a moderate safety profile with low violent crime but persistent petty theft and scams targeting tourists. Visitors report feeling safe during daylight hours, though nighttime vigilance is advised in certain areas. The city benefits from strong tourism infrastructure and community incentives to protect visitors. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Siem Reap safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Siem Reap report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Siem Reap should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Siem Reap (2026)?
- Fake temple tours demanding large tips after showing 'secret' areas
- Tuk-tuk drivers receiving commissions for directing tourists to specific shops
- Children selling postcards or begging who lead tourists to shops where adults resell the goods
- Fake donation collectors posing as orphanage volunteers
How does Siem Reap compare with other places in Cambodia (2026)?
Siem Reap ranks #2 of 6 Cambodia destinations we've assessed, scoring 64/100. See the Cambodia safety overview for the full list.
How is this siem-reap safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 15+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: siem-reap.json (CC BY 4.0).