Getting to Kep

KAMPOT to/from KEP

The road from Kampot to Kep is paved, smooth and picturesque. It’s a 25km, 30-45 minute trip from Kampot though scenic Cambodian countryside - rice paddies, traditional stilted houses and rural life. Have your camera ready. From Kampot, follow the road east to the White Horse Monument. Bear right at the monument (go straight to Kampong Trach.) At the next main turnoff, bear right onto the oceanfront road to the Kep Beach area. Motodups start at about $10 round trip and tuk-tuks about $12-$25 round trip depending how long you spend in Kep. Package day tours to Kep out of Kampot often include a visit to at other nearby destinations such as Rabbit Island, the caves between Kampot and Kep and a pepper plantation. 

Kep Dining
Kep is known for its fresh seafood, especially the crab, which is absolutely excellent - literally straight from the ocean to your plate. In fact, Kep’s most popular tourist activity, next to relaxing at the beach, is partaking of a fresh seafood picnic at the oceanfront. There are dozens of picnic platforms and mats along the road at Kep Beach near the main intersection. Just find an empty platform, sit down and the vendors will come to you. Most vendors have basic English language menus from which you can choose crab, prawns, squid and fish prepared in a variety of fashions. The Kampot Pepper Crab - fried and served cracked with generous bunches of fresh green Kampot pepper corns - is a local culinary classic.

All of the hotels and guesthouses in Kep have restaurants and bars, most quite good. Most serve a wider variety of dishes than the local vendors, fresh seafood dishes as well as variety of western and international dishes. There are also several rustic beachfront seafood shacks along the oceanfront at the Crab Market. The atmosphere is very local and very welcoming. They all have English language menus and the prices are generally a bit cheaper than the seafood vendors at the beachfront platforms. After dark, most of Kep closes down, except for the Riel Bar near the intersection, some of the hotel/ guesthouse restaurants and the seafood shacks at the Crab Market, some staying open as late as 10PM or 11PM

Long Villa Restaurant Seaside restaurant situated right at the Koh Tunsay (Rabbit Island) Boat Dock. Like most places in Kep, the emphasis is on fresh seafood prepared both western and Asian style. Book a boat trip to Koh Tunsay at the restaurant.

Riel Bar, Restaurant & Bakery Regular concerts, exhibitions, performances, dance events and 'be your own DJ - evenings' can turn a visit to Riel Bar into an exciting experience. Full bar, reasonable prices, one of the only places in town open into the evening. Free pool table. Offering homemade pastries, ice cream and whole wheat bread products. Khmer cooking classes on request. Located in between crab market and the hillside guesthouses. Customers that leave their dollars at home and pay in riels receive a discount on their bill.

Tel: +(855) (0)17-902771 (English,) +(855) (0)17-739336 (Khmer.)
Website: www.kep-riel-bar.com .

Kep Guesthouses and Hotels
 

The Beach House

Range: $35 - $50

FRF  On the hillside overlooking Kep Beach. Nicely decorated rooms with a/c, satellite TV, hot water, fridge, en suite bathroom and balconies with picturesque ocean views. Swimming pool, spa. Good restaurant serving Asian and western food. Full bar. Meeting room. 24-hour electricity.
Tel: +(855) (0)12-240090
E-mail: info@thebeachhousekep.com
Website: www.thebeachhousekep.com

Botanica

Range $7-$8

BRF Friendly easy-going place with a smile along the main road, located 2km north from the Crab Market. Restaurant and 5 bungalows in a garden setting where you can play boule or just relax. Serving world kitchen (Belgian, Algerian, Peruvian, Indonesian…) offering a different culinary experience than the typical ‘Western-Asian menus.’ Pool table and Belgian beers. Bicycles 1000r/day for guests, $1/day for non-guests; mountain bikes: $2/day. “Botanica …not a flower shop.”

Tel: +(855) (0)16-562775
E-mail: info@kep-botanica.com 
Website: www.kep-botanica.com

Kep Lodge

Range: $23 - $28 (Breakfast included)

New swimming pool. Fan and sea breeze-cooled thatched bungalows with big terrace. Bordering the National Park and offering a spectacular view of mountains and islands. Six nicely decorated, spacious wooden or concrete bungalows surrounded by a garden and fruit trees. Rooms equipped with comfortable 1.6m mattresses, bathroom with hot water, some with bathtub. Wifi access throughout the lodge. Restaurant serving outstanding Khmer and Western food (some Swiss specialties). The comfortable bar with pool table is a great place for a cocktail or a glass of wine. Western-managed, very friendly staff.

Visa/MC
Tel: +(855) (0)92-435330, +(855) (0)15-463150 , +(855) (0)17-879526, +(855) (0)17-879153
Email: info@keplodge.com

Website: www.keplodge.com

Le Bout du Monde
Range: $15 - $85

B/FRF Traditional wooden bungalows and suites in a lush garden mountainside setting with a sweeping view of the islands and coastline. Traditional decor, all new amenities, mini-bar, hot water, safe in room. Several new houses. Terrace restaurant with a view, serving Khmer and French dishes. Full bar. French, English and Khmer spoken.

Tel: +(855) (0)12-242166, +(855) (0)11-964181
E-mail: contact.leboutdumonde@gmail.com
Website: www.leboutdumondekep.com 

Lida Khmer Guesthouse
Range: $6 - $10

BRF Large, clean, basic fan rooms at the Lida Khmer House Massage. On the main road about 1 km north of the Crab Market intersection, between Kep Lodge and Botanica.
Tel: +(855) (0)12-953427

N4 Guesthouse
Range: $10 - $30

B/FRF Fan and s/c rooms and bungalows with cable TV, en suite bathroom with hot water and some with balcony overlooking the ocean. Meeting room for 40 pax. Located near the base of the mountain opposite the intersection to the Crab Market.
Tel: +(855) (0)12-789031, +(855) (0)92-494338
Email: n4hotel@yahoo.com

Vanna Bungalows

Range: $10 - $20

BRF Quality-constructed fan and a/c bungalows with en suite and hot water. On the hillside with a fantastic view overlooking the ocean. A real ‘feel at home’ atmosphere. Restaurant with home cooked Cambodian food. (Try the Amok.) Western also available. Dining area large enough for functions/meetings.
Tel: +(855) (0)12-755038
Website: www.vannabungalows.com 

Veranda Bungalows and Resort

Range: $25-$70 (including breakfast)
B/FRF  Stylish fan and air-conditioned bungalows with veranda on the hillside. En suite bathroom with hot water. Family bungalows available. Receiving very good reviews. 24 hour security. 24 hour electricity. Wifi. The unique Jungle Bar serves wide variety of Cambodian and international cuisine including Bong Karem gelato ice cream. First bakery in Kep. Full bar and a terrace with comfortable seating and a spectacular sunset view of the ocean and islands. Traveler’s check exchange.

Visa/MC
Tel: +(855) (0)12-888619, +(855) (0)92-948093
E-mail: verandaresort@mobitel.com.kh 
Website: www.veranda-resort.com
 

Things to Do and See Around Kampot and Kep
Bokor Hill Station on Phnom Bokor and Kep Beach are perhaps the most popular day tour destinations out of Kampot with tour operators offering very competitively price tours. The area also offers several other attractions including pre-Angkorian ruins and caves, jungle trekking, bicycling tours, river cruises, island trips, isolated beaches, pepper plantations 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.
 

Sok Lim Tours
Located near Blissful Guesthouse, in Kampot

Tel: +(855) (0)12-801348
www.soklimtours.com

Wild Orchid Adventure Tours
At Wild Orchid Guesthouse, in Kampot  

Tel: +(855) (0)92-226996
orchidguesthousekampot@yahoo.com

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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: In January 2008, Bokor Hill Station was closed to visitors as work began on a new development project, including refurbishing the casino and hotel and the addition of a new hotel complex. Since the beginning of the project, access to the Hill Station has been irregular. As of July 2008, access is limited to those who went as part of a tour group or with a tour guide. Access rules may change again, perhaps allowing visitors individual access once again. Check with your guesthouse for the latest information. Regular all day tours up the mountain run about $15/pax plus a $5 park admission fee and includes transport, guide, lunch and some also include a sunset boat ride back to town. Tour operators can also organize jungle trekking and overnights on the mountain. One immediate benefit of the development project has been the improvement of the road up the mountain, drastically reducing travel times. The Park Office and turn-off to the Hill Station is 37km west of Kampot. 
 

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. 

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.

Kep Beach A single, kilometer long crescent of sand near the tip of the Kep peninsula. Dining platforms and seafood vendors line the road behind the beach. 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. Cars and vans must pay admission to drive the loop (2500R-5000R). Motorcycles and pedestrians are free. Be aware that the loop is an one way street and the police do occasionally enforce the law, levying fines against violators.

Massage

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

Lida Khmer House Massage Traditional Khmer massage - oil, foot, full body for $5-$12. Receiving good reviews from customers. In Kep, on the main road about 1 km north of the Crab Market intersection, between Kep Lodge and Botanica. Open 7AM-10PM .Tel: 012-953427

Seeing Hands 5 Massage NGO-based massage shop offering Shiatsu-style massage by seeing-impaired masseurs and masseuses. Located about 50 meters off the riverfront in Kampot. Tel: 012-503012 

Rabbit Island (Koh Tunsay) Rabbit Island is a small beachy island about 20-40 minutes from Kep by local boat. Make a day trip to the island - going in the morning and returning to Kep in the afternoon - or stay the night. Lazy, secluded white sand beaches and coconut trees. Relatively clear, warm waters. Snorkel around the rocks. There’s no coral but lots of colorful fish. There are now some very basic guesthouse/bungalow facilities on the island - rustic beach bungalows for less than $10 and a couple of rudimentary restaurant/bars. 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. Boats are almost always available. 

River Trips Short sunset river cruises and longer cultural/wildlife/eco trips upriver can be arranged through a tour operator or your guesthouse. Sunset river cruises are becoming more popular, running from Kampot to the rapids at Tekchhou and back. The Boatman runs full runs moon, half and full day estuary cruises and charter adventure cruises. Tel: 092-1742180

Tekcchou Resort and Zoo A picnic area on the Prek Chha river. Popular with the locals, especially on weekends. Lots of food/drink stalls. The cool rapids and river breeze are quite pleasant. Nearby Asian-style mini zoo displaying a variety of local fauna. 8km. Good road. $3 entrance fee for foreigners, 1000 riel for Cambodians. 

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 Little Garden Bar, Blissful Guesthouse or check out the Kampot Dar-laing for more information about volunteer opportunities in the area.

Last updated 08/08