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KOH RONG Island

Practical Information (2026 Update)

Last fact-checked: September 2026

Quick Answers

Cash: Bring US dollars; there are practically no ATMs on the island.
Payments: KHQR via the Bakong Tourists app where accepted.
Internet: 4G in the main villages, Wi-Fi at most guesthouses.
Power: National grid via submarine cable, outages still possible.
Health: Small clinics and pharmacies only; hospitals are on the mainland.
From Phnom Penh: About 3-4 hours by bus to Sihanoukville, then the ferry.

Koh Rong is no longer the fully "off-grid" island it used to be. A submarine power cable, a growing network of paved roads and mobile internet have made life on the island much easier. Services are still basic compared with the mainland, though, so plan ahead for cash and medical care.

Detailed guide: Visa for Cambodia and Koh Rong: e-Visa, visa on arrival and e-Arrival card

Payments & Money

Digital payments are spreading across Cambodia, but on Koh Rong cash is still essential.

  • Bring cash: There are practically no ATMs on the island. Withdraw enough US dollars in Sihanoukville before taking the ferry. A few guesthouses in Koh Touch offer card cash withdrawals for a fee of around 10%.
  • Bakong Tourists App: The official app of the National Bank of Cambodia lets visitors top up with a Visa or Mastercard and pay by scanning KHQR codes. It is handy where KHQR is accepted, but smaller places may still want cash.
  • Currency: US dollars are used for most prices, Cambodian riel (KHR) for small change. Bring small, undamaged bills, as torn notes are often refused and changing large notes can be difficult.

Power & Connectivity

A 60-kilometer submarine power cable, built by the Royal Group together with Electricité du Cambodge from 2022, now connects Koh Rong to the national grid.

  • Electricity: The main villages and many resorts are on grid power, but outages still happen and some remote places rely on generators or solar. A power bank is useful.
  • Internet & Wi-Fi: 4G mobile internet from the main Cambodian operators works in Koh Touch, Long Set and Sok San, and most accommodation offers Wi-Fi. Cambodia launched 5G in January 2026, first in cities and selected provincial areas, so do not count on 5G on the island. Local SIM cards are cheap and best bought on the mainland.

Health & Safety

  • Medical Services: Koh Rong has only small clinics and a few pharmacies, mostly in Koh Touch, suitable for minor injuries and first aid. There is no ambulance service on the island: for anything serious you need to get to a hospital in Sihanoukville by boat and car (around 2-3 hours), and for major emergencies often to Phnom Penh or Bangkok. An emergency evacuation can cost more than $20,000, so travel insurance that covers it is essential.
  • Sandflies: Common on some beaches, especially around dawn and dusk. Many locals swear by coconut oil as a barrier, together with a good insect repellent.
  • Drinking Water: Do not drink tap water. Use bottled water or the refill stations that many guesthouses and resorts provide to reduce plastic waste.

Island Transport

A network of around 70 km of concrete roads, built since 2020 and largely paved, now links the main villages.

  • Scooters: Available in Koh Touch and Sok San for about $10-$15 a day. Roads are good on the main routes, but some sections are steep or still unpaved, so ride carefully.
  • Water Taxis: Longtail boats still connect the beaches and are the easiest way to reach remote spots such as Lonely Beach.