Cambodia is not the safest place in the world to travel. Potential dangers include disease, accidents, crime, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and mines; although, not necessarily in that order. Then again, it's not nearly as dangerous as you might think! With a few precautions, the casual traveler will encounter few if any problems.

Health

The annual per capita expenditure for healthcare in Cambodia is about equal to the price of a latte. Not surprisingly, most folks haven't had a Tetanus booster lately! Many of the diseases here we've never even heard of; others we thought were erradicated decades ago, including Polio. For a thorough summary of potential bugs, suggested innoculations and other precautions, visit the Centers For Disease Control's Web site.

Transportation

Now that you're convinced you'll catch the plague and die in Cambodia, read this: fewer than 1% of all overseas traveler deaths are caused by disease. Want to guess the leading cause of death? Try motor vehicle accidents! Funny how some things never change. So while you're getting poked and jabbed and popping those Lariam tablets, read on.

Surface transportation is downright dangerous in Cambodia. Whether you are an operator or a passenger, the risks are great. Fortunately there are some ways to minimize those risks. First, choose your transportation carefully. By far the safest means of transport is airplane. If you have to go by road, hire a private car. They are usually well-maintained, late model Japanes cars, like Toyota Corollas, and you have the added advantage of having some degree of control over how your driver operates the vehicle. If a car is not in your budget, the next best bet is minibus. Japanese-built and often brand new, the only negative is the drivers are usually intent upon breaking all previous land speed records. Motorcycle is a good option for experienced riders; although, finding a suitable bike can be a challenge.

Mines

Apparently a mine is a terrible thing to waste. Remember when the Clinton administration refused to be party to the World treaty banning land mines? Our fellow Americans won't be feeling too proud when they see first hand the damage these mines can inflict upon the human body. You'll feel even worse should you happen to stumble upon one yourself! Red signs depicting a skull and crossbones are often tacked to trees or stapled to stakes beside the road warning of land mines. Take these signs seriously! Some 6-10 million mines remain scattered across the landscape. Removal is a painstakingly slow process. Just ask the 150 or so Cambodians, many of them children, who each month accidentally help clear the mines one at a time.

Insurance

If you spend any time here at all, you will witness accidents. With a little luck you won't be in one. If your luck runs out, you'll be wanting the best medical care available - read that as it's time to leave Cambodia! Many credit card companies provide emergency referrals and guarantee payments for medical bills for their Gold cardholders. Better yet, consider medical evacuation insurance. These plans provide assistance in getting to a hospital or doctor, including emergency evacuation out of the country if necessary. They also provide consultation and referrals to local doctors. Coverage typically costs a few dollars per day and can be purchased for a couple of weeks or an entire year.

Crime

The Khmer Rouge didn't offer a 401k retirement plan, so many former guerrillas simply roam the countryside with their weapons looking for spare change. (One can only hope former Enron employees don't follow their lead!) There are frequent armed thefts of vehicles, armed extortion attempts on foreigners and numerous incidents of petty crimes in Phnom Penh, such as those from hotel rooms and purse snatching.

One Aussie expat gave an Outside Magazine journalist (who was in Phnom Penh doing a story on our Southeast Asia correspondent) some advice on the best way to survive an armed robbery:

Foreign tourists should be wary even "on" the beaten path in Cambodia. As recently as March 2000, the normally secure speedboat which ferries Cambodia's increasing number of foreign tourists between Phnom Penh and Angkor was hijacked by rogue soldiers armed with AK-47s. The boat's 90 passengers, most of whom were foreigners, were robbed of their money and valuables. Though the hijackers were quickly caught, the incident remains a testament to the country's continuing, inherent instability. In all fairness, these incidents are isolated and rare nowadays. Cambodian Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Veng Sereyvuth, was emphatic when he told WorldAdventures.com shortly after the incident that accountability would be established in each and every incident involving foreign tourists.

Overall, we feel safer in Cambodia than most large cities in the United States or Europe, particularly post September 11. Watch what you eat and drink, hang on to your purse, drive safely and don't sweat it!