# Updated Travel Advisory: What Ottawa Travellers Need to Know Before Visiting Cambodia
Planning a trip to explore the ancient temples of Angkor Wat or the bustling streets of Phnom Penh? If Cambodia is on your travel radar this spring or summer, there’s important information you need to review before booking your flights from Ottawa.
The Government of Canada updated its travel advisory for Cambodia on March 10, 2026, maintaining a **Level 2 risk rating — Exercise a High Degree of Caution**. While this Southeast Asian destination remains accessible to Canadian tourists, recent developments mean Ottawa travellers should take extra precautions and prepare thoroughly before departure.
## What’s Changed and What It Means
The latest update removed a previous health notice related to Lunar New Year travel, but the overall advisory remains cautious. The primary concern is an uptick in petty crime throughout Cambodia, along with ongoing border tensions with Thailand that escalated into armed clashes before a ceasefire took effect in late December 2025.
Most concerning for adventurous travellers: authorities are advising against all travel within 50 kilometres of the Cambodia-Thailand border. Land crossings between the two countries remain closed, and the security situation in these areas is unpredictable. If your itinerary includes temple hopping near the northern border regions, you’ll need to revise those plans.
## Safety Risks Beyond the Headlines
Cambodia carries a darker legacy that still affects traveller safety today—it remains one of the world’s most heavily landmine-contaminated countries. While popular tourist areas like Siem Reap town and the main Angkor temple complex are considered cleared, rural provinces including Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, and Kampong Thom still pose risks. Straying from marked paths in these regions could have devastating consequences.
Petty crime, including bag snatching and pickpocketing, has increased in urban areas and tourist hotspots. This makes situational awareness and travel insurance absolute necessities.
## Preparing for Safe Travel from Ottawa
For Ottawa travellers, preparation goes beyond reading advisories and packing light. Cambodia presents specific health risks that require medical attention before you depart. Diseases like dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and hepatitis A are present, and food and waterborne illnesses are common.
A pre-travel health consultation at a specialized travel clinic should be your first step after booking. During this appointment, a travel health physician will assess which vaccinations you need based on your specific itinerary, recommend antimalarial medications if you’re visiting rural areas, and help you assemble an appropriate medical kit. Routine vaccines should be up-to-date, and depending on your activities, you may need immunizations for typhoid, rabies, or Japanese encephalitis.
Don’t wait until the last minute—some vaccines require multiple doses over several weeks, and your body needs time to build immunity before exposure.
Travelling to Cambodia? Before you go, speak with one of our ISTM-certified travel health physicians – virtually, 7 days a week. A pre-travel consultation covers vaccines, medications, and destination-specific health risks. Book your virtual consultation at Orleans Travel Clinic Pharmacy.