Sihanoukville is generally safe for tourists, especially on the islands and in resort areas. However, the city has seen rapid changes, and some areas are not so safe, unfortunately. Ochheuteal and Serendipity beaches at night, as well as unregulated island parties, are areas to be particularly vigilant. As always, exercise standard travel precautions, take care of yourself by keeping your valuables out of sight, and don’t walk alone at night. Be wary of people you meet in bars, clubs, and at beach parties. Sexual assaults happen more often in tourist areas like Sihanoukville, so don’t drink too much and be wary of drink spiking.

Initially a small, undeveloped area, it was chosen in the 1950s as the site for a deep-water port to facilitate Cambodia’s international trade. The city was then named after King Norodom Sihanouk, who played a key role in its development. Later, in the late 1990s, Sihanoukville was put on the travelers’ and backpackers’ route for its beautiful sandy beaches and small-town vibes.

From then it grew in popularity with a steady stream of travelers, and soon several tour companies started taking their guests here as well. However, this all changed around 2010 when there was a huge boom in construction from Chinese investors. Many casinos opened up, with the numbers quickly climbing in the hundreds. This changed the footprint of the area significantly, and many people were brought over from mainland China to work because much of the business was being done in Chinese. With this development, Sihanoukville was very quickly thrust into the international spotlight, with travelers looking for a little slice of paradise on the Cambodian coastline. Seeing this popularity, many tour agencies also started to take their groups here. Very quickly, this dirt road town, with basic facilities, was catering to the masses and had a steadily growing crime rate. In early 2022, many tour agencies pulled out of visiting this destination because of these changes.

The currency in Sihanoukville and the rest of Cambodia is the Cambodian riel. You can find it written as KHR in currency exchange. US dollars are widely accepted, and many prices are quoted in US dollars, especially in tourist areas. A small change might be given in riel. ATMs are available but may charge fees. We suggest you bring US Dollars in cash, which avoids the fees charged locally to withdraw money from an ATM.

In regard to tipping, the general rule is to tip around 10% of the bill. For more information about tipping visit: Tipping in Cambodia.

The dry season, from November to April, is the best time to visit Sihanoukville. This season offers ideal beach weather with clear skies, calm seas, and lower humidity. This is peak tourist season due to the favorable weather conditions. Temperatures range from mid-70°F to upper 90°F.

The months of March to May are particularly hot and humid. While still within the dry season, be prepared for humid temperatures.

May to October is considered the wet season. The weather is humid with frequent rainfall. While it can be a good time to experience the lush, green landscape and lower prices, it may not be ideal if you are planning to enjoy the beaches.

In Sihanoukville, the official language is Khmer, but you can generally get around speaking English, especially in tourist areas. While many people may not speak fluent English, most tourist areas will understand and speak well enough for basic communication. We suggest you get a good English-Khmer guidebook or app on your phone and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

The food in Sihanoukville offers a blend of local Khmer dishes and international cuisines. Some must-try items include: Amok Trey (fish curry), Bai Sach Chrouk (pork & rice breakfast), Nom Banh Chock (Khmer noodles), and fresh grilled seafood.

Sihanoukville has a lively nightlife scene, especially in beach areas and near the casinos. Expect beach bars, live music, fire shows, and dance venues. Koh Rong also has a more laid-back island party scene.

Emergency dial 119.

For emergency assistance, you can contact TouristSOS, which operates around the clock in Sihanoukville and Southeast Asia. They offer emergency coordination, ground ambulance, hospital admission, and medical evaluation.

There are various hospitals and clinics in the area to treat illnesses and minor injuries. If the illness or injury is severe, it’s often necessary to transfer to Phnom Penh (4 hours away) or even Bangkok.