Coastal Cambodia Riverside Resort Town
Set on the Kampot River, Kampot Town is the capital of Kampot province.
A lot of Kampots all in one place. A quiet town, best known as the starting point for trips to Bokor Mountain and it’s riverside scene. Kampot is a great escape from the larger cities and towns in Cambodia. Located on a River and close to the ocean. You can also travel to SihanoukVille and Phnom Penh in a few hours, and to Vietnam in only an hour.
Also, the original seaside resort of Cambodia, Kep, is a half hour drive away.
Kampot
Located on both sides of the Kampot River also know as Teuk Chhou, and connected by 3 bridges, (one is for the new train), the East side of Kampot is where most of the restaurants, guesthouses, and market are located. Along the riverfront, on both sides, are several hotels, guesthouses and boating activities, and restaurants with Western and Khmer (Cambodian) hosts. The riverfront is fairly quiet and quite picturesque.
Walk around town, rent a bicycle, a buggy, or rent a baby motorcycle to get around. Also, you can ride motorcycle taxis and tuk tuks (a cart pulled by a motorcycle) for 50 U.S. cents to a couple dollars to most places in town. (up to 4 people in a Tuk Tuk!)
Some attractions downtown, besides the Riverfront, are the central market, and The Old Market. There are many new restaurants, bars, massage and spa places, coffee shops and bakeries, tattoo shops, arts and crafts shops and souvenir shops around town. Towards the ocean on the East side is the port of Kampot and many Cham Muslim communities and schools.
Across the River is Kampot’s Wat or Buddhist Temple which is open to tourists. Past the Wat are Kampot’s salt fields, and further out of town are Kampot’s famous Black Pepper (red, white, and green too!) and Durian farms. Along the riverfront, mostly North of downtown’s bridges, are several guesthouses and restaurants, right on the River. Also, across from downtown is Fish Island, with many new bungalows along the Kampot River.
Best time of year to visit Kampot is between the beginning of November and sometime in March. The weather is cooler (not too hot) and sunny skies. April to June is the Hot Season, and June to October is the Rainy Season. Kampot is still beautiful all year round, but it can be hot or wet.
Around Kampot
Across the River (West Side) the first big road to the right from either bridge, takes you to the Kampot River waterfall. Teuk Chhou Rapids and Tada Waterfall, informal parks for eating, drinking, sleeping, and playing in the water. Take your own motorcycle or get a motorcycle taxi or Tuk Tuk for about $5-7 round trip.
About 20 bungalows or resorts are on the road to the Waterfall as well.
Fishing, paddle-boarding, Jet Skis, Swimming, Kayaking, Sunset Cruises and guided River tours are possible on the River. Check out Kampot Tours and Transport for some suggestions.
Bokor Mountain, at 1 kilometer high, is a nice cool getaway from town (and the heat), and the best part about the mountain is the drive up, on a beautiful new road. Most go up on a rented motorcycle, or as part of a tour group in a bus, van, or in the back of a pickup truck. There’s a waterfall at the top, a casino/hotel, and a luxury hotel. Either great views of Cambodia and Vietnam, or just as often, no views, because you’re in, or on top of a cloud. The entrance to Bokor is about 20 minutes from downtown.
Kampot is also known worldwide for it’s Pepper Plantations (black, green, red and white table pepper) and locally for Durian farms (a giant, pointy fruit, weighing up to 12 kilograms). The Pepper from Kampot is the only food product in Cambodia exported worldwide, and has the Origin Specific label “Kampot Pepper”. Pepper farm tours are a popular activity here.
There’s also: zip-line across the River, football (soccer), the secret lake, windsurfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and day trips to Bokor Mountain.
Other Things in Kampot
Visit a Salt Field
See a Movie
Paintball
Zip-line
Kampot Pepper Farm Tours
Go up Bokor Mountain
Fish
Paddle Boarding
Sunset River Boat Tour
Visit a Cave
Take a Day Trip to Kep
Visit a Buddhist Wat
Exercise by the River
Play Mini Golf
Get a Massage
Visit the Night Market
Tour the Central Market
Kayaking
Bicycle around Town
Sports Bars
Health, Beauty, Fitness and Yoga
See the full list of Activities in Kampot
Getting Here
From Phnom Penh, a taxi or minibus for a 3+ hour trip, about $6. From Kep, a half hour ride by car, tuk tuk or motorcycle. From SihanoukVille, a taxi for about $10/person, leaving from in front of the market, or $50 for the whole car for a 3 hour trip, or a 3 hour bus ride for about $10. Check the SihanoukVille site for departure times. Best way is just a couple hours from the SihanoukVille Port to the Kampot International Port.
Now from Koh Kong, sometimes you can get a morning bus to Kampot for $15 and a 5 to 7 hour ride. Or just get on a boat to the Kampot International Port
And don’t forget the Train!!! Everyday now between SihanoukVille, Kep, Phnom Penh and beyond….
While in Kampot, download PassApp, which gets you Tuk Tuk and taxi rides quickly and cheaply. Starting at only 3,000 Cambodian Riel. (75 cents)
Starting in December 2024, you can get to Kampot by Ship from Vietnam (Phu Quoc Island), and Trat Thailand. Kampot International Tourism Port. Also, SihanoukVille, Rabbit Island and Koh Kong, Cambodia.
