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How can I avoid getting sick in Cambodia?

Author

Christopher Duran

Updated on February 24, 2026

How can I avoid getting sick in Cambodia?

One of the most common ways of getting sick is eating street food and ill-prepared meals. Avoid fresh fruit and salad vegetables unless they have been washed in safe water or peeled. However, sampling the local street food is one of the best things about traveling, and Cambodia is no exception.

Consequently, what diseases can you get in Cambodia?

Here are some of the most common diseases in Cambodia:

  • Malaria. Cities such as Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are free of the risk of malaria, but the rest of Cambodia is exposed to it. Female Anopheles mosquitos spread the disease in Cambodia at night through their bites.
  • HIV/AIDS.
  • Dengue Fever.
  • Tuberculosis.

Likewise, what should you not wear in Cambodia? Don't: Dress Too Skimpy

Local men typically wear collared, short-sleeved shirts and long pants. Although wearing shorts and a T-shirt is fine for tourists, you should try not to cause locals to feel embarrassed by your attire. Avoid short shorts, miniskirts, tight yoga pants, or other clothing that is too revealing.

Also to know, does Cambodia have a safety problem?

Cambodia is pretty safe for travelers, but like elsewhere in Southeast Asia, it does have its share of petty crime – and troubles with the police. So long as you're aware of the issues, you'll no doubt have a safe trip. Cambodia is becoming an increasingly popular destination for travelers to Southeast Asia.

What is the main problem in Cambodia?

Cambodia has a lot of problems. First, Cambodia has problems of basic social environments. The GNP level of Cambodia is very low and it is a low income country. A poor-and-needy ratio exceeds 30% of population, and the population growth rate is high, so poverty doesn't decrease.

Is healthcare free in Cambodia?

One such example is the Cambodian Health Equity Fund, largely financed by the country itself, created in 2000 to increase access to free health care to around 3 million poor people. The Cambodian population and healthcare system struggles with many of the diseases common to the Tropics, in particular in rural areas.

Can you brush your teeth with tap water in Cambodia?

Bottled to drink, possibly to clean your teeth but showering, washing and bathing tap water is fine. Bring as much water from home as possible.

Is it safe to eat street food in Cambodia?

You just need to choose wisely. The safest street foods are those that are cooked in front of you and served hot, which kills off bacteria. And despite what you may have heard, the ice in Cambodia is generally safe to consume. “Street food has two advantages over food cooked in restaurants: transparency and immediacy.

How do you greet someone in Cambodia?

Cambodians traditionally greet each other with palms together, in a manner of prayer. They lift up their hands to the chest level and bow slightly. This is called Som Pas. In general, the higher the hands and lower the bow, the more respect is being shown.

Are there mosquitoes in Cambodia?

During the monsoon season, on the islands, in the jungle, and in rural areas especially, there are a lot of pesky mosquitoes that spread diseases such as malaria and dengue.

Do I need malaria pills for Cambodia?

Low risk areas with additional advice: antimalarial tablets are not usually advised, however, they can be considered for certain travellers who may be at higher risk e.g. longer stay in rural areas, visiting friends or relatives, those with medical conditions, immunosuppression or those without a spleen.

How much do you need per day in Cambodia?

You should plan to spend around ?143,673 ($35) per day on your vacation in Cambodia, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, ?48,214 ($12) on meals for one day and ?21,467 ($5.30) on local transportation.

How common is dengue fever in Cambodia?

In Cambodia, the peak of dengue epidemic period is in the rainy season from May to October. According to a health ministry report, there were 24,684 cases of dengue fever with 23 deaths last year compared with 6,372 cases with three deaths in 2017.

Is Cambodia safe for female Travellers?

Cambodia is a relatively safe country for women travelling alone. Although there have been a few reports of harassment, foreign women are generally respected by the Cambodian people. There is crime in Cambodia so keep your bag close to you in the city and on motorbikes.

What is the best month to go to Cambodia?

The best time to visit Cambodia is between November and April, when it sees very little rain. During this time you'll see clear blue skies making it a great time to enjoy a relaxing getaway on the southern coast.

Why is Cambodia so poor?

Limited human resources and high-income inequality are other influential factors of poverty in Cambodia. According to a study conducted in 2012, about 2.66 million only utilize $1.20 per day to survive. Worse still, 37% of Cambodian children under the age of five suffer from chronic malnutrition.

What should you not do in Cambodia?

In Cambodia, the left hand is used for activities involving the toilet, so you should never use your left hand for anything else. It is considered rude to use your left hand for eating, touching anyone or anything, or to use it to hand something to someone. Your right hand should be used in all of these situations.

Why did US bomb Cambodia?

The bombing of Cambodia was part of Nixon's "madman theory" that was meant to intimidate North Vietnam by showing that he was a dangerous leader capable of anything. By seeking advice from high administration officials, Nixon had delayed any quick response that could be explicitly linked to the provocation.

Is Cambodia still communist?

The 1997 factional fighting resulted in the ousting of the government by Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Cambodian People's Party, who remain in power as of April 2020. Cambodia is a member of the United Nations since 1955, ASEAN, the East Asia Summit, the WTO, the Non-Aligned Movement and La Francophonie.

How did the Khmer Rouge kill their victims?

Those killed were either executed as enemies of the regime, or died from starvation, disease or overwork. Historically, this period—as shown in the film The Killing Fields—has come to be known as the Cambodian Genocide.

Is it safe to walk around Siem Reap at night?

Walking: Siem Reap is a great city to explore on foot. It is generally safe although there are the odd incidents of bag snatching. Take the usual precautions such as leaving your passport and valuables in the safe at the hotel, and walk with a group of friends, especially late at night.

Is Siem Reap safe at night?

Be careful not to travel at night, however, as frequent accidents occur at this time. Many tourists are concerned with the landmine issue. While this is not a threat in Siem Reap, tourists should take care when visiting outlying temples, especially in the more remote areas.

Should you tip in Cambodia?

Tipping is very much the norm in Cambodia, especially in the service industry and you should be prepared to tip guides, drivers and porters who assist you during your stay. As a guideline if you are travelling alone we would recommend that you tip your guide $7 per day.

Do I need malaria tablets for Vietnam and Cambodia?

If you are travelling to or through the risk areas in Cambodia, you will need malarial medicine. To order this you will need a prescription from your family doctor, or alternatively, use our online consultation service for a faster turnaround.

What is Cambodia known for?

What is Cambodia Most Famous For?
  • Angkor Wat.
  • The Bayon.
  • Ta Prohm.
  • Tonlé Sap Lake.
  • Apsaras Dance Performance.
  • Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum & Choeng Ek Memorial.
  • Phnom Penh Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda.
  • Koh Rong.

Is there malaria in Siem Reap Cambodia?

There is low risk of malaria transmission at Angkor Wat and in the city centre of Siem Reap. Take meticulous anti-mosquito bite measures if only travelling to these areas. However, if travelling throughout the rest of the country, take malaria suppressive medication.

What do you need to travel to Cambodia?

You will need a valid passport and a Cambodian visa to enter Cambodia. Tourist and business visas are valid for one month from the date of entry into Cambodia. Cambodia offers on-line visa processing. You may also apply in person at the Cambodian Embassy located at 4530 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011, tel.

Is March a good time to visit Cambodia?

The best time of year to visit Cambodia depends on what you intend to do during your travels and if you want to try and avoid the rainy season. The weather is hot all year round, but peaks in March and May when temperatures can reach around 32°C and above.

What do people wear in Cambodia and Vietnam in March?

Packing list for Vietnam
  • Loose, breathable clothing that covers your knees and shoulders.
  • Swim shorts or bathing suit.
  • A sarong.
  • Light jacket or fleece.
  • A hoodie plus warm layers are recommended for the evening during cooler months (especially if travelling to Northern Vietnam)

Is pollution a problem in Cambodia?

Contributors to poor air quality in Cambodia include vehicle emissions, road dust, the garment industry, tourism, agriculture, mining, power generation, and traffic congestion. Available data indicates that Phnom Penh has consistently high levels of air pollution.

Does Cambodia have good healthcare?

Cambodia has made clear strides in healthcare. In 1990 the average life expectancy from birth was just 53.6 years. But between 1997 and 2019 the average life expectancy from birth rose by 13 years, from 56.2 years to 69.3 years, according to United Nations Development Program's data.

Where does Cambodia get their water from?

In a country like Cambodia, the main source of any villager's drinking water will come from rain fall. Water is collected in huge cement structures which store it for a long period of time.

What human rights are being violated in Cambodia?

Significant human rights issues included: torture by the government; arbitrary detention by the government; political prisoners; arbitrary interference in the private lives of citizens, including pervasive electronic media surveillance; the absence of judicial independence; censorship and selectively enforced criminal

Is Cambodia developed or developing?

Least Developed Country Category: Cambodia Profile | Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

How did the Cambodian genocide affect the economy?

Increasing budgetary expenditures, skyrocketing inflation, shrinking export earnings, and a rising balance-of-payments deficit plagued the war-torn economy. The war's most damaging effect was on rice production. In 1972 Cambodia needed to import rice (from Japan and from Thailand) for the first time since independence.