Sihanoukville (Kampong Som), Cambodia

Orientation and Arrival in Sihanoukville
The Sihanoukville town area is spread thinly across a peninsula, surrounded on three sides by beaches, with the downtown area near the center of the peninsula a couple of kilometers from the beaches. If you are arriving in town by bus or taxi, you’ll be dropped off at the bus stop downtown. (Located at the front of the new market, Sihanoukville Trade Center, on Omui Street.) If you’re arriving from Koh Kong or Koh Sdach by ferry you’ll disembark at the ferry dock north of town. There are always dozens of motorcycle taxis (motodups), tuk-tuks and a few car taxis waiting for new arrivals. Some guesthouses and hotels offer a free shuttle for pre-booked guests. Look for a placard displaying your name. Car taxis cost $6-$8 from the bus stop to almost anywhere in town. Tuk-tuks are similarly priced. See motodup prices below.

Touts will try to direct you to commission paying hotels. Do not believe stories that the hotel you want to go to is “dangerous, damaged, dirty, closed,” etc. Insist on being taken directly to your requested hotel.

Hotels, guesthouses and restaurants can be found across the entire peninsula, but many are concentrated into three areas:

1) The Downtown Area, about 5 minutes from the beaches by motodup. All regular tourist services are available including several mid-range hotels, budget guesthouses, lots of restaurants and bars, the main market, convenience stores, banks, and the bus/taxi stands. Many of the downtown hotels are within walking distance of the bus stop. Motodup from the bus stop to downtown: 3000-4000R; from the ferry dock to downtown: $1.50-$2.00;

2) Ochheuteal and Serendipity Beaches are currently Sihanoukville’s most popular beach areas and offer a variety of mid-range and budget hotels, guesthouses and bungalows as well as restaurants and bars. Motodup from the bus stop to Ochheuteal: 3000-5000R; from the ferry dock to Ochheuteal: $1.50-$2.50;

3) Weather Station Hill (Victory Hill), above Victory Beach, has long been popular with budget travelers for its hilltop budget guesthouses, bungalows, restaurants and bars. Motodup from the bus stop the Hill: 3000-5000R; from the ferry dock the Hill: 3000R-5000R.