Is Koh Rong Samloem safe?
Safe, small and friendly. The real risks are rough boat rides, jungle trails and distance from medical care.
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 Koh Rong Samloem at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Theft from unlocked huts and beaches is occasional; violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | Very quiet by 9–10 pm. Paths are unlit; carry a torch. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women, with many solo travelers. Normal care on unlit paths at night. |
| Other risks | Rough speedboat crossings in the wet season; Currents and few lifeguards; Sandflies, jellyfish and dengue |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Boat tickets sold at inflated prices in Sihanoukville
- Resorts charging steep fees for water or power
- Unofficial 'guides' on jungle trails asking for payment
Take care
- Jungle trails between beaches, especially after rain
- Night swimming without lights
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 Koh Rong Samloem 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 Koh Rong Samloem safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women, with many solo travelers. Normal care on unlit paths at night.
Is Koh Rong Samloem safe at night?
Very quiet by 9–10 pm. Paths are unlit; carry a torch.
What is the crime rate in Koh Rong Samloem?
Theft from unlocked huts and beaches is occasional; 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 Koh Rong Samloem?
Police 117 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 118.
More about Koh Rong Samloem
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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.