Kampot is a relatively small riverside town that exudes tranquility and charm, but is most renowned for its pepper plantations.
The town has long been a weekend getaway destination for resident’s of Phnom Penh, mostly because of its relaxing atmosphere and natural beauty, particularly the Kampong Bay River, which passes through the center of town.
Consequently, a top activity is admiring the Kampong Bay River from a riverside cafe or from the deck of of a small boat taking you up river on a lazy afternoon. A number of guesthouses are on the river, and boats take visitors on river journeys day and night, as river swims are even more spectacular under the stars, when fireflies illuminate the trees above you and bioluminescent plankton light up the river.
From a travelers perspective there is just enough to do here, including admiring colonial architecture while cruising around on a bicycle, that you can leave feeling like you have gotten to see and learn some interesting things while having plenty of time to simply enjoy the slow pace of the town.
Kampot town is also the base for day-trips up Bokor National Park, including Bokor Mountain, which features stunning panoramic views over Cambodia and Vietnam, as well as the abandoned ruins of a small ‘town’ that is currently being transformed into a 5-star resort and spectacle. Other popular day trips and activities include waterfalls, caves, durian farms, the beaches of Kep, a Secret Lake, and a Teuk Chhouu Zoo.
Kampot is well developed in terms of being a tourist friendly town. The locals understand the sights you want to see and are happy to oblige you. Spending a few days in mid-sized, Kampot would be the perfect addition to a tour of the other popular southern destinations of Cambodia or if you want a romantic getaway from the urban madness of Phnom Penh. What is great about Kampot is that it works for a range of travelers; you can really mash up your experience here.
Where to Go
- Bokor National Park: a ruined French colonial resort town on Bokor Mountain which is, ironically, no longer part of the national park.
- Kampot Traditional Music School: A music school for orphans and disabled children in southern Cambodia.
- Kampot Caves: (and Secret Lake) Explore sacred caves and a delightful swimming hole.
- Popokvil Falls: A two-tiered waterfall in Bokor National Park
- Tek Chhouu Falls: This waterfall and rapid section of the river is close to Kampot and when it actually has water, can be used for swimming and hanging out.
- Teuk Chhouu Zoo: A dilapidated, small, privately-run zoo near Kampot.
When to Go
Kampot shares its tropical climate with the rest of Cambodia; a ‘dry season’ that lasts from November to May and a ‘rainy season’ that runs from June to October. Temperatures are relatively constant (i.e. hot) throughout the year but humidity can vary. There are times of the year that are noticeably cooler or hotter, and as is normal for a monsoon climate, times when heavy rain is nearly constant. Kampot is fine to visit during most of the year, though the hottest months from March to May can be too hot for comfort.
Humidity and rainfall may vary through the year, but Kampot is typically hot. Few visitors will experience something they would call cool. Temperatures in the day range throughout the year from above 100°F in the early afternoon to around 70°F at night.
The hottest time of the year in Kampot is toward the end of the dry season, when daytime temperatures can be dangerously hot. During the wet season, although copious amounts of rain are dumped on Kampot with monotonous regularity, rainstorms and thunderstorms often last just one or two hours in the afternoon.
Things to Do
In Kampot town there aren’t a wealth of activities. Most visitors to town enjoy relaxing bike rides to admire the colonial architecture, sitting by the river to watch people fish, or enjoying cocktails over sunset from a riverside bar or cafe. In the evening, the students from the Kampot Traditional Music School frequently offer music and dance performances.
From town it is also possible to arrange a number of day-trips, including trips to nearby Pepper Farms. A number of farms are open to visitors, including Ta Li and Ta Ly. Other farms in the area include those growing the stinky Durian fruit and those growing cashews.
One of the top attractions is to experience river life on a boat trip that can be arranged by many guesthouses and tour operators in town. Boat trips by day are great for spotting wildlife, especially birds, while night trips are great for spotting fireflies and swimming with bioluminescent plankton.
Kampot is also the base for day-trips to Bokor National Park, including the ruins of Bokor Hill Station, which features stunning panoramic views over Cambodia and Vietnam, and and Popokvil Falls.
Other popular day trips and activities include Teuk Chhouu Falls and Kampot Zoo, several Kampot Caves and Secret Lake (including Phnom Chhnork, Phnom Rung Damrei Saa, and 100 Rice Fields Cave), the beaches of Kep and nearby Rabbit Island, and Kampot Caves and Secret Lake.
Getting There
Kampot is a popular destination and can be accessed most easily via Phnom Penh which has buses, vans, or private cars that leave though out the day. The trip usually only takes about 4 hours with a brief stop for the wc and a snack. Enroute you will pass through Kep which is one of the nearby towns on the coast.
Kampot is located 140km from Phnom Penh on National Road 3. It is possible to get to Kampot via bus, share taxi, or private car/motorcycle. By bus the trip takes 3.5-4 hours (including stops); by car the trip takes around 3-3.5 hours.
There are two main bus companies that service Kampot: Paramount Angkor and Phnom Penh Sorya. The former is the major player, offering service from the conveniently located Charles de Gaul bus terminal beside Phnom Penh’s Central Market. Tickets are around $5 o.w. and depart at 7:30, 9:30, 12:30, and 2:30 (prices and departure times subject to change). That said, while offering less frequent departures, Paramount Angkor offers nicer busses, friendlier staff, and a slightly faster journey.
Departing Kampot, Sorya busses head out to Siem Reap, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Memot, and Kampong Cham at 6:45 and 7:30 am for highly negotiable prices (it seems). The busses depart the main bus terminal in Kampot. Paramount Angkor busses depart just around the corner from the main bus terminal.
Getting Around
There are numerous tuk-tuk and motodop operators hanging out around guesthouses, hotels, and other tourist venues. They can be hired for trips around town or day-trips beyond town for negotiable rates.
The town is small enough to explore on bicycles, which are available at many guesthouses and hotels, as are motorbikes, which are better for trips to sights outside of town, including the beaches of Kep.
Tip: Inspect motorbikes carefully before renting as it is not uncommon for tourists to be charged extra for minor dents or scratches to the bikes.)
With a larger budget you can hire a private car (with driver) or go on a day trip with a tour in a van, both of which can be arranged at most guesthouses, hotels, and tour operators.
You may also rent a dirt-bike for exploring the bumpy countryside more quickly, though experience on a bike will prevent injuries, which are common among tourist unfamiliar with riding on rugged terrain. (Tip: Helmet laws are enforced in Kampot.)
Where to Stay
The romantic, french colonial town of Kampot is a great place to stay for both backpackers and those looking for something a little more “high end”. High-end did you say? Well, high end in Cambodia only means 45ish USD per night. Most places here are well maintained, clean, and comparable to their rates. But of course we don’t hold back on the down and dirty reviews either. With only a few main areas to stay in, the riverfront, guesthouse street (look for the roundabout with the salt miners statue), or an private, hip, upriver get-away, you will have book a little ahead of time because places fill up fast!
Where to Eat
Kampot has a lot of potential to be a culinary center for southern Cambodia with its proximity to both the sea and the region’s famous pepper farms. The town itself has thus far been unable to harness that potential and still relies of the cafe style alfresco dining that you find all over this post-colonial country.
Cafe style dining dominates the Kampot foodie scene. The prices are slightly lower than Phnom Penh, but Kampot is very much in tune with its tourist clientele so the food and service are a tiny step up from other places in the country. Dining does not include AC, but at least it’s al fresco. It is hot, mosquitos abound
There are a few higher-end eateries along the riverside that have raised the bar, such as Rikitikitavi and Jasmine’s (run by a Khmer women from Santa Barbara California who knows her stuff!). The “guesthouse street” has funky, fun, cheap, and tasty restaurants that should be considered defaults if you don’t know where to turn.
Romantic and hipstery offerings are available up the river in several of the guesthouses located on the riverside. Of course there is always cold beer and fresh coconut juice to be found everywhere.
Where to Party
Kampot is not the most happening town for nightlife. Sunset drinks at a bar, cafe, or restaurant is a popular pastime. There are also often music and dance performaces by students at the Kampot Traditional Music School at 6:30pm. However, there are a few small bars along the riverside and along the road with the highest concentration of guesthouses (between Magic Sponge and Kampot Guesthouse). Otherwise, Kampot’s greatest nightlife attractions are swimming in the river, which frequently has bioluminescent organisms that illuminate the water as you swim, and boating up the river to witness thousands of fireflies lighting up the mangroves at night.
Where to Shop
Shopping in Kampot is sparse and anti-climactic. Make sure you pick up some Kampot pepper and a Kampot pillow (known for its cooling properties). These are usually sold at little stalls along the road in town or at the pepper plantations. A few good finds were a socially responsible dress shop, some recycled reads, and THE best place in town to get your nails done, have a facial AND browse local contemporary art.
Prices for the local one-of-a-kind treasures such as the pillows and pepper will probably run around 10 to 7 dollars respectively.
Need to Know
- What is it: Kampot is a romantic French colonial riverside town near [Bokor Mountain] that is a popular weekend getaway from Phnom Penh.
- What to do: Jump in for a swim especially in the river at night or at [Secret Lake|Kampot Caves and Secret Lake]. While you’re at Secret Lake explore [Kampot Caves|Kampot Caves and Secret Lake]. On another day take a trip to [Bokor Mountain] to see a glimpse of the past and the coming future of the area or visit the pepper farms where they grow the famous Kampot pepper.
- Best time to go: Kampot is best in the dry season, though becomes much more lush and green if you go during the wet season.