Is Kampot safe?
Safe, friendly and quiet. Motorbike crashes, river and road hazards and minor theft matter more than crime.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-07-24.
- Homicide rate in Cambodia: 1.8 per 100,000 people (2011, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Cambodia: 19.6 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 117 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 118.
Safety in Kampot at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Occasional bag snatching and theft from guesthouses; violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | Quiet by 10 pm outside a few riverside bars. Roads are unlit; use a tuk-tuk after dark. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women; the town is relaxed and used to travelers. Usual care on unlit riverside roads at night. |
| Other risks | Motorbike crashes on unlit roads; Flash flooding in the rainy season; Landmines off paths in remote areas |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Tuk-tuk drivers adding stops at pepper shops for commission
- Rental bikes claiming damage on return; photograph first
- Unregistered Bokor tours with extra fees
Take care
- Bokor Mountain road after dark: sharp bends and fog
- River swimming: currents and boat traffic
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Zero tolerance on drugs, including cannabis; police raid bars and run urine tests.
- Cover shoulders and knees at Angkor and other temples or you can be refused entry.
- Don't photograph military sites; ask before photographing monks.
How Kampot compares in Cambodia
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Siem Reap | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Koh Rong | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kampot | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Koh Rong Samloem | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Battambang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kep | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Phnom Penh | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Sihanoukville | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Kampot safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women; the town is relaxed and used to travelers. Usual care on unlit riverside roads at night.
Is Kampot safe at night?
Quiet by 10 pm outside a few riverside bars. Roads are unlit; use a tuk-tuk after dark.
What is the crime rate in Kampot?
Occasional bag snatching and theft from guesthouses; violent crime against visitors is rare. Nationally, Cambodia records 1.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2011).
What number do I call in an emergency in Kampot?
Police 117 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 118.
More about Kampot
Going to Kampot solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Cambodia Ministry of Tourism
- Giant Ibis Transport
- Cambodia e-Visa
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.