Getting to Kampot

Kampot may be approached directly from Sihanouk Ville, Phnom Penh and from Vietnam via the Prek Chak (‘Ha Tien’) and Phnom Den international border crossings.

SIHANOUK VILLE to/from KAMPOT

From Sihanoukville, travel north on National Route #4 to Veal Renh (43km). Turn east on Route #3 to Kampot. Route #3 and #4 are both paved and in good condition. 1½ - 2 hours, 110km total.

Bus Service One bus company, Virak-Buntham, offering regularly scheduled full size buses between Sihanoukville and Kampot. Bus departs Sihanoukville bus station for Kampot/Kep at 7:45AM. Bus departs Kep to Sihanoukville at 11AM and Kampot for Sihanoukville at noon.

Mini-Bus Service

G’Day Mate/Outback Tours Daily, a/c mini-bus service between Sihanouk Ville and Kampot. $7.50/pax. Book a day in advance. The bus will pick you up at your guesthouse. Call 012-1707857
SHV to/from KPT : 8:30AM, 11:30AM

Taxis In Sihanouk Ville, taxis can be found opposite the market (Phsar Leu) and at the downtown bus and taxi station. In Kampot, taxis wait at the taxi stand. Price Sihanouk Ville to/from Kampot is $4-$5/person for shared taxi and $20-$25 for a private taxi.

PHNOM PENH to/from KAMPOT

Road Large sections of National Route #3 (NR3) to Kampot are presently under construction, passable but rough. Currently there are two possible routes from Phnom Penh to Kampot. Both follow follow National Route #2 south to Road 22 at Takeo. Turn right and follow about 10km to NR3 (the corner with the market.) Turn left at NR3. At this point you have a choice. NR3 directly to Kampot is the most direct route but sections of road are in rough condition. Alternatively proceed about 7km to the fork in the road at Road 31, which is in excellent condition. Take Road 31 and continue south to Kampong Trach city. Turn right at Kampong Trach town and proceed through Kep and on to Kampot.

Taxis ~25,000R/person for a shared taxi. ~$35-$40 for a private taxi. 3 hours duration. In Phnom Penh, Kampot-bound taxis depart Phsar Dumkor. In Kampot taxis depart the taxi stand.

Bus There are at least two bus companies offering regular a/c buses between Phnom Penh and Kampot including Phnom Penh Sorya. In Phnom Penh the Phnom Penh Sorya buses depart from the station on Charles de Gaulle, next to the Central Market. In Kampot, the buses arrive/depart from the bus stand (see map). Tickets can be purchased there or through your hotel/guesthouse (~13,000-14,000R).

Phnom Penh Sorya Transport
PP to KPT : 7:30AM, 9:30AM, 1:45PM
KPT to PP : 6:45AM, 7:30AM, 12:30PM



VIETNAM to/from KAMPOT

The Prek Chak/Xaxia (‘Ha Tien’) checkpoint is the nearest, most easily accessed border crossing from Kampot/Kep. The crossing lies near the Vietnamese towns of Ha Tien and Rach Gia which are the jump off points to the Phu Quoc Island.

The road from Kampot to the border crossing is, for the most part, in fair condition, taking about 1h15m-2 hours to traverse, though longer in the wet season. Take Route 33 east from Kampot to the intersection of Route 31 at Kampong Trach town. Turn south on Route 31. All but the last few kilometers to the border is sealed. There is also a shorter cut off road from Route 33 before Kampong Trach town. It is slightly shorter but the road is rough hardpack dirt, which deteriorates significantly in the wet season. A tuk-tuk to the border costs about $15-$20; a car taxi is $20-$25 for a private taxi and $5/pax for a shared taxi; and a motorcycle taxi to the border costs about $7-$8. Some motorcycle taxis from Kampot are also able to cross the border with you and take you as far as Ha Tien for an additional $2-$3. For those coming from Vietnam, motodups usually wait at the border crossing to take travelers to Kep or Kampot.

The Phnom Den/Tinh Bien border crossing near Chau Doc Vietnam is an alternative border crossing with Vietnam accessible from Kampot. It is not a regular taxi route but taxis to the crossing can be hired for about $30-$40 for the whole car. 2-3 hours. Contact your guesthouse to arrange a taxi.
 

For more on international border crossings see the Overland page.

Getting Around Kampot
The town is small and motodups are common. Foreigner price for motodup: 1000-1500R across town. Motorcycle rental: 100cc ($3-$5/day) and 250cc ($5-$7/day). There are a couple of motorcycle shops just off the traffic circle in the center of town. Cheang Try Rental (012-974698) is very helpful. All hotels and guesthouses can help you arrange motorcycle rental, motodups, cars and taxis.  

Kampot Hotels and Guesthouses
 

Blissful Guesthouse
Range: $4 - $7

Friendly, inexpensive, clean, western managed guesthouse/restaurant. Most rooms with attached bath.. Free wifi. Quiet area. Receiving lots of good reviews. Some books, postcards, souvenirs and traveler’s sundries. Tours to Bokor, Kep, etc. Free bicycle rental for guests.

Tel: +(855) (0)92-494331
Website: www.blissfulguesthouse.com
 

Bokor Mountain Lodge

Range: $35 - $50

Lovely old French Colonial-era building in a perfect sunset location on the riverfront road. Air-conditioned rooms with CTV and en-suite bathroom. Some rooms with a river view. Free wifi. Picturesque breakfast balcony and a popular restaurant and bar on the ground floor.

Visa/MC
Tel: +(855) (0)33-932314

 +(855) (0)17-712062
E-mail: bokorlodge@gmail.com
Website: www.bokorlodge.com

Cozy Elephant Guesthouse
Range: $4 - $12

Basic, affordable guesthouse 100 meters from the bus station. Clean, fan and a/c rooms, some with en suite bathroom. $2.50 dorm beds available. Friendly little restaurant/bar on the ground floor. Open 24 hours. Free bicycle rental for guests.
Tel: +(855) (0)92-610284

+(855) (0)17-327250

Ganesha Riverside Eco Resort
Range: $5-$25

Nature pure Indian tipis and Mongolian yurts built on the river and a traditional Khmer boat. Camping, bar and restaurant serving excellent Khmer & western food. Relaxation, tours, boat trips, motorbike rental etc. Take a Tuk tuk, boat, taxi or moto and follow signs north on Phnom Penh Road (Route #3). About 4km from Kampot centre. German, Khmer and English spoken. “We love children!”

Tel: +(855) (0)92-724612

+(855) (0)92-285621
E-mail: djfeeds1@ganesharesort.com
Website: www.ganesharesort.com

Hang Guesthouse

Range: $10 - $30

Riverside restaurant, pretty rooms in a beautiful garden with mango and coconut trees, lots of flowers. and a nice view of the river, mountains and the rice fields. 2 minutes outside town. Internet facilities. TV. A/c rooms. Hot water. Free bicycle rental. Tour service. French, English and Khmer spoken.
Tel: +(855) (0)16-357178 , +(855) (0)33-932170
E-mail: hang.guesthouse@gmail.com
Website: www.hang.esmartweb.com 

Kampot Guesthouse

Range: $4 - $20

Villa-style guesthouse in a garden setting. Clean, en suite bathrooms. Reasonably priced restaurant serving Khmer and western food and seafood. Boat trips, countryside tours, Bokor and other Kampot destinations. Bicycles. Internet access. Located on a quiet street.
Tel: +(855) (0)97-7981555, +(855) (0)12-878279

kampotguesthouse@yahoo.com

Kampot Riverview Guesthouse

Range: $7 - $20

Located at the river’s edge. Fan and a/c rooms with cable TV and en suite bathroom with hot water. Riverside veranda restaurant with a nice sunset view of the mountains. Serving reasonably priced western and Khmer dishes. can arrange mini-bus to Sihanouk Ville, and boat trips to Phnom Daung.
Tel: +(855) (0)12-857897, +(855) (0)11-717818
E-mail: kampotriverview@yahoo.com

Little Garden Guesthouse

Range: $10 - $25 Villa-style guesthouse with view overlooking the river and Bokor Mountain. Nicely furnished a/c or fan rooms with attached bathroom. Restaurant in colonial garden setting. Good selection of Khmer and western food, famous for its delicious pizza. Daily specials Information on various volunteer projects around Kampot.
Tel: +(855) (0)12-427572, +(855) (0)33-932396

E-mail: littlegardenbar@gmail.com
E-mail: littlegardenguesthouse@gmail.com

Long Villa 

Range: $3 - $10

Unique wooden ‘long villa.’ Fan and a/c rooms with attached bathroom. Dormitory beds available. Restaurant with seafood dishes, Cambodian and western food, and pizza. Reasonably priced. Pool table. Information. Lots of tour services and guides. Near the market on the north side of town.

Tel: +(855) (0)92-251418, +(855) (0)12-731400

E-mail: longvillaguesthouse@yahoo.com

Mea Culpa Guesthouse
Range: $20 - $25

Guesthouse and restaurant in a nice garden setting, located in a quiet part of the old French quarter of town. Clean, new nicely decorated fan and a/c rooms with cable TV, DVD player and en suite bathroom with hot water. Balcony. Complimentary tea and coffee. Free wifi. Patio restaurant and bar serving Khmer and international fare including pizzas from a wood-fired oven. Both the guesthouse and the restaurant are receiving excellent reviews from customers.

Tel: +(855) (0)12-504769
E-mail: meaculpakampot@gmail.com

Moliden Guesthouse
Range: $13 - $45

$13 - $45 (breakfast included $25-$45) Unique all wooden guesthouse on the riverfront road at the corner of the Old Bridge. Clean, new rooms fan and a/c rooms with CTV, large en suite bathroom with hot water. Free Internet. Cambodian-Italian restaurant on the ground floor offering a nice riverfront view.
Tel: +(855) (0)12-820779

+(855) (0)12-516199

+(855) (0)33-932798
E-mail: molidenkampot@yahoo.com
Website: http://molidenguesthouse.wordpress.com 
 

Nataya Round House Coral Bay Resort
Range: $50 - $60

Beautiful new resort set amongst manicured gardens on a secluded beach on the South China Sea 15km west of Kampot off of Route #3. Fully outfitted, very well appointed ‘round-house’ style boutique bungalows just a few meters from ocean. Infinity pool and jacuzzis at ocean’s edge and and a long sandy palm-lined beach. Fine dining and drinking venues. Absolutely unique and one of the finest accommodations on the coast.

Tel: +(855) (0)33-690021

+(855) (0)12-822863
E-mail: natayaresort@yahoo.com
Website: www.natayaresort.com

Natural Bungalows

Range: $13 - $68 (breakfast included $25+) Stylish, finished, air-conditioned individual rooms in wooden bungalows at the riverside. Tastefully decorated, well appointed rooms with all amenities. A/c, CTV, en suite with hot water. Most with balconies and a beautiful sunset view over the river. Riverside restaurant and bar. 10% discount on stay of 1 week or more. Located just north of the new bridge.
Tel: +(855) (0)33-932779

+(855) (0)12-819081

Paris Guesthouse
Range: $7 - $15

New family run guesthouse in the on a quiet city center street near the riverfront. Clean, new fan and a/c rooms with CTV and en suite with hot water. Balconies.

Tel: +(855) (0)33-932330

+(855) (0)12-474822

+(855) (0)12-497614

Pepper Guesthouse
Range: $5 - $15

Nicely refurbished villa-style guesthouse on a quite street amongst a cluster of guesthouses. Fan and a/c rooms with cable TV and en suite bathroom with hot water. Free wifi. Bicycles for rent. Restaurant and bar with BBQ. Happy hour 4PM-7PM. All tourist services. Health services.
Tel: +(855) (0)17-822626

Poonleu Nath Guesthouse

Range: $6 - $17

Fan and a/c rooms in a brand new villa style guesthouse in a quiet area ta the edge of town. Cable TV and all new en suite bathrooms with hot water. Free pickup from the bus station.
Tel: +(855) (0)33-932510

+(855) (0)92-162891

+(855) (0)12-971510
E-mail: sam_sinath@yahoo.com

Popok Vel Guesthouse

Range: $7 - $13

Affordable, all newly refurbished hotel near the market with large clean rooms with all the usual amenities: cable TV, fridge, en suite with hot water. Located on the market side of town on the new bridge road.
Tel: +(855) (0)17-456861, +(855) (0)11-902885

Rikitikitavi

Range: $30 - $35

Charming little western-managed guesthouse on the river road in town. Very well-appointed, stylishly finished air-conditioned rooms with all amenities including cable TV, DVD, mini-bar, in-room wifi, spring mattresses and high-pressure showers. Free wifi internet access in room. Excellent rooftop restaurant and bar with a brilliant view overlooking the river.
Tel: +(855) (0)12-235102
E-mail: Rikitikitavi@asia.com

Website: www.Rikitikitavi-Kampot.com

Utopia
Range: $5 - $25

Beautiful, secluded riverside location on the Kampong Bay River. Lovely riverside bungalows with en suite bathroom and on-river balcony for $25. Basic double/ twin room for $5-$6.  Friendly relaxed balcony bar and restaurant over the river edge. Free Wifi in all rooms and bungalow. Boat and jeep hire. Fantastic sunrise view, rope swing and water tubes. Located just off Tek Chhou road. 8Km north of Kampot. Free pick up from bus station if you phone us before.
Tel: +(855) (0)12-407305, +(855) (0)17-724681
E-mail: utopiakampot@yahoo.com

Kampot Restaurants
Kampot has a limited but growing selection of restaurants and bars. Like most southern towns, the emphasis at the Cambodian restaurants is on fresh seafood. There are also a number of foreigner-oriented places serving western and international fare, most located along or near the picturesque river road opposite the riverfront park. Come evening, the riverfront is quite popular, offering a tranquil park setting and an idyllic sunset view overlooking the river and mountains beyond. Just around the corner on the old bridge road, fruit shake (‘tukiluk’) and dessert stands set up in the evenings, catering primarily to local people, but everybody is welcome.

Most of the town shuts down fairly early, with most places along the riverfront closing by midnight, though a couple of the foreigner bars, such as Bar Red, Blue Ray, Wunder-Bar and Honey Bar, sometimes stay open quite late. Currently there are two Cambodian discos offering over-amplified international and Cambodian music, beer and whiskey by the bottle. The Alaska on the riverfront next to the old market and the Amazon across the river both open around 8AM and sometimes run into the wee hours

Akashi Café

Distinctive purple house near the new bridge. Offering simple yet tasty home-cooked food. Good coffee, soups, sandwiches, quiche and daily pasta specials. Homemade wholemeal bread, yogurt, cakes and cookies, ice creams are served. Open for 12:00PM to 5:00pm. Lunch is served until it gets sold out. Closed on Wed. The gates are closed but the doors are open. Just walk on in. Tel: 092-775900. Massage treatments for specific aliments also available by appointments only (2pm-5pm, closed on Wednesdays).

Tel: 092-775900.

Massage for specific ailments also available by appointment only. For more see massage listings below. For appointment call Michael at 012-423180.

Blissful Guesthouse

Large selection of good, inexpensive western and local dishes. Great breakfasts. Full bar open into the evening. Happy hour 4PM-8PM. Comfortable atmosphere. Popular place. Lots of travel and local information available. Guesthouse, souvenirs, books. Open early till late.

Tel: 092-494331

Bokor Mountain Lodge

Lovely old French Colonial-era building in a perfect sunset location on the riverfront road. Serving a variety of Khmer and some western dishes. Italian, Thai, burgers, specializing in fresh crab dishes. Pizzas. Full bar, cold beer, wine and cocktails. Indoor and wonderful curbside seating overlooking the river. Western managed. Wifi internet. 7AM-Late

Tel: 033-932314
Website: www.bokorlodge.com

Jasmine

Popular, stylish, welcoming riverfront cafe serving a good selection of western and Khmer dishes. Indoor and curbside seating with a very nice river view. Great place to enjoy sunset over a glass of wine and have a good, reasonably price western meal. Lots of books and magazines. Wifi internet access.

Open 10AM-10PM.

Tel: 012-927313, 092-963264
E-mail: jasmine011982@yahoo.com

Honey Bar

Friendly little mid-town bar sporting a free pool table, friendly staff and one of the later closing hours in Kampot. Full bar, Reasonable prices. Early evening happy hour. Often one of the last places in town to close for the night.

4PM-Late

Little Garden Restaurant

Well-established, popular, western managed restaurant/bar on the riverfront. Open air garden seating with a river breeze and a sunset view. Good selection of Khmer and western and food. Known for its delicious pizzas. Daily specials. Information on local volunteer opportunities. Daily river cruises leave from here at 3PM.

Open 7:00AM-10:00PM.

Tel: 012-256901

E-mail: littlegardenbar@gmail.com

Website: www.littlegardenbar.com 

Mea Culpa Guesthouse

Pleasantly quiet patio garden restaurant and bar set off the main roads in a tranquil corner of town. Serving Khmer and international fare including excellent pizzas from a wood-fired oven. The restaurant and the pizzas in particular are receiving great reviews from customers. Free wifi. Closed Mondays.

Tel: 012-504769

Moliden Restaurant
Cambodian/Italian restaurant on the riverfront right at the Old Bridge corner. Unique wooden building with a comfortable patio seating area and a nice river sunset view. Good selection of Cambodian dishes and well as Italian including a half dozen pasta dishes and 16 different pizzas. Beer, wine, cocktails. Guesthouse.
Tel: 012-820779

Rikitikitavi

Charming rooftop balcony restaurant and bar with a spectacular view overlooking the river and mountains. A great place to enjoy sunset. Offering a wide selection of western and exclusive Khmer dishes prepared by a professional chef. Very generous portions. Full bar with cocktails, cold beer, a selection of wines and of fine spirits including a nice collection of whiskeys and single-malts. Two for one happy hour 5-7PM. Open 6:30AM - 10:00PM.

Open 6:30AM - 10:00PM.

Tel: 012-235102
Website: www.Rikitikitavi-Kampot.com

Rusty Keyhole

Friendly, very popular, western-managed bar and restaurant at a new location just outside of town. Great Western and Asian food at very reasonable prices. Good value, good cooking. Daily seafood specials, Tex-Mex, draught beer, the best BBQ Ribs in town, perhaps the country. Ice cream and sweets. Currently the only place in town you can get a draft in a pint glass. Garden seating with a beautiful view of the river and mountains. Sunset happy hour. Lots of dirt bike travel info. 7:30AM-9:30PM. Located about 1km from the fork in the road leaving Kampot for Kep. Turn right at the sign.

Tel: 012-679607

Say Sabok

Near the Old Bridge, riverfront road restaurant and bar with indoor and curbside seating with a nice sunset view. Vegetarian and Khmer food with ginger, green pepper, lemongrass, home spices... Khmer dishes: curry, amok, nems, prawns, frogs , fish, bo-bun…and for western tastes : beef fillet steak, salad, pate, home made chocolate cake and ice-creams. Short but quality oriented menu, Khmer - French run. "Hablo poco espanol, speak English as a frog!" One extra cheap beer a day. Service till late. Tour info. Open 7:00AM - 10:00PM.

Tel: 012-927897

Smile Tour Café

Small cafe/bar at the Smile Tours office serving good breakfasts to start the day, Cambodian coffee, picnic sets and packed lunches. The office opens at 7:00am and is open until late. Free friendly advice is given at the office and from here customers can book buses and hotel rooms and arrange trips around Kampot and Kep.

Tel: 012-908619

What’s Hot in Kampot
Specializing in wine by the glass, travel, tours and information. Also Rogue iPod with an extensive catalogue of music, TV, movies and other downloads. Unique setting on a side street just off the riverfront. Specialty cheese plates, breakfasts, lunches, and night time snacks. Frequent events - trivia, documentary nights and more. Countryside area tours can be arranged at reasonable prices. Small retail and giftshop upstairs offering clothing in western cuts in local fabrics, handmade bags, jewelry and NGO products.
Tel: 016-984156, 016-984157

Wunder-Bar
New late night bar on Route #3 (the road to Phnom Penh) about 200 meters north of the market. Cool decor, full bar, draft beer, pool table and darts. Pool competitions on Tuesdays and Saturdays starting at 7:30PM. Western, Khmer food and BBQ. Open every day from 4:00PM. Open late, often one of the last bars in town to close.

Shopping

Handicraft Café & Quiet Spa Kampot's first souvenir shop, offers a selection of Cambodian and specifically Kampot area souvenirs and handicrafts, and Kampot t-shirts. Serving drinks all day. Spa and massage service.

What’s Hot in Kampot Wine bar and cafe, has a small souvenir shop upstairs offering clothing, western cuts in local fabrics, clothing made to order, handmade bags, Kampot pepper, NGO products.

Books and Information

Kepler’s Kampot Books carries a good selection of used and new novels and Cambodia related titles for buy/sell/trade. Located next to the old market in the middle of town. Website: www.keplerbook.com . Most of the guesthouses and tour operators have local tour and travel information available. Little Garden Bar and the Kampot Dar-laing newsletter all are good sources of information on local charitable and volunteer projects. The Kampot Dar-laing also lists current events and happenings. Another local newsletter, the Kampot Survival Guide, provides an entertaining read and a unique take on touring Kampot. If you are into motorcycling Cambodia, have a chat with Kristian at Rusty Keyhole for the latest. For the history of Kampot, pick up a copy of Robert Philpotts’ The Coast of Cambodia (Blackwater Books, 2000)

Kampot Banks, ATMs and Money
ACLEDA and Canadia Bank both accept Visa and have 24-hour ATMs. Canadia Bank also accepts MC. ACLEDA ATMs access Visa and Gold Dots. Canadia Bank ATMs access Visa, M/C, Cirrus and Maestro. For instant cash transfer, Canadia Bank offers MoneyGram and Acleda Bank has Western Union. All banks offer currency exchange. Moneychangers are located around the market. 

Kampot Communications
Internet: There are several internet places around town, including Kepler’s Kampot Books next to the abandoned market and a few shops along the old bridge road near the traffic circle. Rikitikitavi, Mea Culpa, Bokor Mountain Lodge and The Marchbank Suite offer free wifi in the rooms.

Post Office: Located on the river road. Stamps in stock. Reliable service. EMS parcel service.

Phone/Fax: There are a couple of phone shops on Rte #3 near the market. The Internet shops also offer international phone/fax, sometimes inexpensive internet phone.
 

Things to Do and See Around Kampot and Kep
Kampot and Kep are so close to each other that they share many of the same sights and attractions. Kep Beach, Bokor Hill Station, Rabbit Island, countryside tours and river trips are perhaps the most popular day tours out of Kampot and Kep with tour operators offering very competitively priced tours. The Kampot/Kep area also offers several other attractions including pre-Angkorian ruins and caves, jungle trekking, bicycling tours, river cruises, island trips, fishing trips, isolated beaches, pepper plantations, bamboo train rides and some beautiful rural countryside.

Whether you plan to do-it-yourself or book a tour, transportation and/or tours can be found through one of the many local tour operators or through your guesthouse. Shop around for the best price and for exact type of tour you would like to take.
 

Kampot Tours & Travel
Bar, restaurant and all travel and tour services. Bokor, countryside, boating, cycling, ox-carts, Kep, Rabbit Island, transport to Vietnam and Thailand.
Located in Kampot one block off the river road
Tel: +(855) (0)97-9828756

+(855) (0)92-125556

+(855) (0)33-6335556

KeyMan Tours
Tailored tours, trekking, daily mini vans Kep-Kampot-Sihanoukville, sunset river cruises, bicycle rental...
Located in Kampot on the river road.
Tel: +(855) (0)12-981437

Smile Tours
Bokor, jungle trips, Rabbit Island, ox-cart trips, fishing, visas, mini-bus, cooking classes, coastal mini-buses...
Located in Kampot
Tel: +(855) (0)12-908619

+(855) (0)97-8811069
smiletours@hotmail.com 

Sok Lim Tours
Kampot packages, sunset cruises, Rabbit Island, Bokor, jungle trekking, countryside tours, Takeo...
Located in Kampot, ear Blissful Guesthouse.
Tel: +(855) (0)12-719872
www.soklimtours.com

Wild Orchid Adventure Tours
At Orchid Guesthouse, Kampot
Tel: +(855) (0)92-226996
orchidguesthousekampot@yahoo.com

 

Architecture of Kampot
Though suffering a bit the ravages of time, the architecture of Kampot is pleasantly provincial, a mix of red tile-roofed shophouses and old French colonial government buildings. Kampot has been an active settlement for centuries but the location and layout of the modern town was established during the French colonial period in the late 19th/early 20th centuries. Many of the buildings along and near the river were constructed during this period. The south end of town harbors several European-style buildings including the governor’s mansion and the old prison. Most of the other colonial era buildings employ the classic 2-storey ‘Chinese shophouse’ design, many displaying European design elements. Unlike many other Cambodian cities, the shophouses are often individuated in design and facade, lending to Kampot town’s quaint air.

Bokor Hill Station

Tours to Bokor are perhaps the most popular out of Kampot. The Bokor Hill Station on Phnom Bokor (Bokor Mountain) is a mountaintop collection of buildings (hotel, casino, church, royal residence, etc.), constructed by French authorities in the early 1920s as a complement to the already popular Kep resort area. In the 1990s a travel author referred to Bokor as ‘the eeriest place in the world’, and it lives up to that reputation. In its time, Bokor was an elegant getaway for French officials and foreign visitors to old Indochina - a classic colonial ‘hill station’ located in the mountains to allow foreigner visitors accustomed to more temperate climes to escape the tropical heat. But years of neglect have left ghostly ruins - vestiges of a different age, often shrouded in fog and clouds. One thing that the years have not changed is the absolutely spectacular view of the coast and the cool (sometimes cold) mountain air. Bokor Mountain is heavily jungled and trip beyond Bokor, including jungle trekking, can be arranged. Wild elephants and other jungle animal are occasionally seen. The is a small guesthouse near the hill station with $5 rooms, good toilets and very few other services. It can get cold on the mountain, especially at night. Bring warm clothes. News: The road up Bokor Mountain and the area of the old hill station are currently undergoing a development project, including refurbishing the casino and hotel and the addition of a new hotel complex. The area was initially closed to all visitors, but then access was allowed irregularly, sometimes limited to tour groups or trekkers only. As of June 2010, access was again partially open to visitors but limited to trekking up at least part of the mountain. Overnights at the mountain top guesthouse are also possible. Organize a trek through one of the local tour operators. Access rules will probably change again. Check with a local tour operator for the latest information. The Park Office and turn-off to the Hill Station are 37km west of Kampot on National Route 3.
 

Caves near Kampot

Limestone mountains (‘phnom’) dot the landscape between Kampot and Kep. Many contain limestone caves, some adorned with exotic rock formations, and almost all containing Buddhist shines. Make sure to bring a torch and wear shoes suitable for climbing on rocks.

The caves of Phnom Chhnork - Cave #1 Pre-Angkorian ruin set in a limestone cave amongst stalagmites and stalactites that are slowly growing back into the ruin. Small, 4th-5th century AD brick structure associated with the ancient state of Funan. A bit of carving is still visible. Look for the limestone formations near the entrance of the cave in the shapes of elephants. Cave #2 The entrance is about 300 meters from Cave #1 in the same limestone outcropping. Very little in the way of formations, but quite deep, requiring climbing over piles of rock and through small openings. Small shrine.

The cave at Phnom Sla Ta'aun Plain by comparison to other caves, but still an interesting climb. Look for the huge rock balanced in a hole in the ceiling. Small shrine.

The cave at Phnom Sasear, also known as the ‘White Elephant Cave.’ Located next to an colorful pagoda. The stairs up the side of the outcropping provide a beautiful view of the countryside, especially during the wet season. The cave contains a shrine at the base of a limestone formation alleged to resemble a white elephant. 

Countryside/Area Tours

Kampot and Kep provinces harbor some beautiful rural countryside just outside the town areas - bucolic scenery, rice paddies and water buffalos with white egrets riding their backs, countryside pagodas and little villages filled with traditional stilted houses. There is some very nice rural scenery along the road between Kampot and Kep. Keep your camera at the ready. Tour operators offer full and half day area tours the can easily be customized to your requirements, often including visits to the caves, a pepper plantation, Kep, Rabbit Island, Kampong Trach and a sunset cruise on the Kampong Bay River.

Kampong Trach

Kampong Trach is the district that borders Vietnam. The road trip from Kampot to the main town passes though some picturesque rural areas. There is a new side road to Kampong Trach town that skirts the base of Phnom Voar, (where the victims of the 1994 Khmer Rouge kidnappings were held.) These mountain areas of Kampong Trach were one of the last Khmer Rouge holdouts. Kampong Trach town is small and relatively uninteresting. The area’s main attraction is a series of limestone caves and tubes that have been carved into a nearby mountain. The roof of a large cave in the center of a mountain has collapsed, making a small, enclosed jungle. Pagodas and shrines have been built amongst the caves, providing for some excellent photo possibilities. Bring a flashlight and wear good walking shoes. 

From Kampot, take the Kep road, bear left at the White Horse Monument and follow to Kampong Trach. After a few kilometers the road changes to badly broken pavement. The side road mentioned above requires a left turn onto a graded dirt road about 7 km past the White Horse Monument. It is not a straightforward route and it may be better if you go with a guide. Set aside the better part of a day for the trip to the caves and back.

Kampot Pepper and Pepper Plantations
Kampot pepper, grown in Kampot province, has been renowned for more than a century as some of the highest quality pepper in the world - its distinct flavor and pugnacity, intense but light taste with fresh lingering aromas has long been a prized as an essential spice in the finest French kitchens. It is also featured in local Kampot/Kep cuisine such as Pepper Crab (local crab fried in black or green pepper corn) and beef steak in fresh pepper corn sauce. At the beginning of the 20th century the Kampot plantations were in full operation and Cambodia was exporting more than 8000 tones of pepper annually. In 1960, there were 1 million pepper poles in Kampot. But the wars from the 1970s through the 1990s put an end to regular production for almost 30 years. Production was renewed in the late 1990s but faced new challenges. Pepper plantations now dot Kampot province. Most general Kampot area tours pass through the pepper plantations near Phnom Voar. The plantations of Angkor Chey near Phnom Voar offer a particularly good look at the process or growing and preparing the pepper. And it’s a good place to buy the Kampot pepper straight from the source.

Kep Beach

A single, kilometer-long crescent of sand near the tip of the Kep peninsula, bounded by rocks at either end and the oceanfront road along the back. Coarse sand, shallow, warm water. Very average swimming beach. But still lounge, have an oceanside seafood meal and enjoy the cool sea breeze. Dining platforms and seafood vendors line the road behind the beach as well as the oceanfront further down the road near the Big Crab statue. The beach can be quite busy on weekends, but often deserted during the week. The road through Kep traces the coastline to the beach and then circles back on itself. Sometimes cars and vans must pay admission to drive the oceanfront road along the beach area (2500R-5000R). Motorcycles and pedestrians are free. Be aware that the oceanfront road along the beach area is a one way street and the police do occasionally enforce the law.

Khmer Cultural Development Institute
Located in Kampot town. Local school of traditional Khmer music and dance for young Cambodian students. The school allows visitors to observe the students in practice and occasionally holds formal performances.. Check the bulletin board in front of the school for visiting hours to observe practice sessions and performance announcements. Whether attending a training session or a performance, donations are welcome.
 

Massage

Akashi Café - Massage at Akashi Café  For problems such as backache, neck ache, joint and nerve pain, Loss of mobility, etc. Work on the points, lines and nerves. 10 years experience. $12/session (1-1/2 - 2 hours) By appointment only. Located in Kampot at the Akashi Café. Call Michael at 012-423180
 

Kampot Massage by the Blind on the river road in Kampot near Bokor Mountain Lodge offers foot and body massage and Japanese Shiatsu-style massage by seeing-impaired masseurs and masseuses. $4/hour. Tel: 012-662114


Rabbit Island

Rabbit Island is a small tropical island located about 20-40 minutes south of Kep by local boat. The island is blessedly undeveloped and lacks most services except for some rustic bungalows and a couple of rudimentary beach shack restaurants. Secluded white sand beaches dot the edges of the island, backed by a hilly coconut palm interior. Most services are near the west side beach. The surrounding waters are relatively clear and warm, offering some snorkeling opportunities around the rocks. Coral is scarce but colorful fish abound. You can stay on the island or make a day trip of it - go in the morning, lounge on the beach and return to Kep in the afternoon. Rooms/bungalows on the island run $10 or less. Arrange a boat trip to the island through your guesthouse in Kampot or Kep or just go to the Koh Tunsay Boat Dock in Kep town next to the Long Villa Restaurant (see Kep map on page 113.) Boats are almost always available. A round-trip trip to the island and back runs $20 for the whole boat, so bring some friends to split the cost. The round-trip price is the same whether you stay a few hours or a few days. Tour operators and guesthouses in Kep offer day packages starting at about $7/person inclusive.

River Trips

River boat trips out of Kampot on the picturesque Kampong Bay River are becoming more popular. The tour companies and many of the guesthouses (Little Garden Bar) are offer several different sorts of boat trips including short sunset trips upriver to the Tekchhou Rapids; longer cultural/wildlife/eco trips upriver, often combined with trekking in the National Park; downriver trips to the ocean to explore the beaches and sand spits near the river’s mouth; do a bit of ocean swimming; photograph the fishing boats at work or go ocean fishing. A couple of the tour operators including those listed can supply fishing gear. Boat trips are relatively reasonably priced and the tour operators are generally amenable to customizing the trip to your requirements.

Tekcchou Resort and Zoo

A long-popular local picnic area on the Prek Chha river near a set of rapids with riverside dining platforms and lots of food/drink vendors. Though the cool rapids and river breeze can be quite pleasant, the new river dam/hydroelectric project just upstream of the rapids have diminished both the atmosphere and popularity of the area. Nearby Asian-style mini zoo displaying a variety of local fauna. 8km. Good road. Officials sometimes collect an entrance fee, especially at peak times. At last report, $3 for foreigners and 1000 riel for Cambodians.

Trekking around Kep
Offering a fairly easy hiking experience, a trail/service road snakes through national forest land around Kep Mountain - the small mountain near the tip of the peninsula between Road 33a and the Kep town area. The gently sloping trail winds past a couple of old pagodas, though light jungles where you may spy monkeys or other wildlife, and provides many picturesque overlooks along the way. Kampot and the Elephant Mountains can be seen in the distance from the northwest viewpoint, and the trail on the other side of the mountain provides some striking views across the valley to a pagoda on the next mountain and the beaches in the distance. The trail is actually a small, dirt service road that rings the mountain in an 8km loop, part of the road in pretty good condition, some narrow and overgrown. Suitable to hike of for a mountain bike or dirt bike. The trail is most easily and conveniently accessed from the road next to Le Bout du Monde and Veranda Guesthouse. The hiking is fairly easy, but wear stout shoes and take water and mosquito repellent.

Volunteer Work

For those interested in contributing some of their time to the community, Kampot has many volunteer opportunities with NGOs and other charitable organizations (teaching, assistance with children and disabled people, reconstruction projects, etc.) Contact Kampot Interact or check out the Kampot Dar-laing for more information about volunteer opportunities in the area.

Last updated 06/10