Is Kep safe?
Very safe and quiet. Rough boat rides to Rabbit Island and scooter crashes are bigger concerns 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 Kep at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Occasional theft from guesthouses and bags left on beaches; violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | Very quiet after dark; few places stay open late. Carry a torch. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women; the town is small and calm. Usual care on unlit roads at night. |
| Other risks | Rough seas for small boats; Landmines off marked paths in rural areas; Heat Mar–May |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Seafood stalls charging by weight with unclear prices
- Boat touts selling Rabbit Island trips at inflated prices
- Tuk-tuk drivers adding stops at shops for commission
Take care
- Rough sea conditions on boats to Rabbit Island
- Unlit coastal road at night
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 Kep 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 Kep safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women; the town is small and calm. Usual care on unlit roads at night.
Is Kep safe at night?
Very quiet after dark; few places stay open late. Carry a torch.
What is the crime rate in Kep?
Occasional theft from guesthouses and bags left on beaches; 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 Kep?
Police 117 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 118.
More about Kep
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Cambodia Ministry of Tourism
- 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.