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Kampot is a small town (pop.~40,000) in south-east Cambodia and capital of the province with same name. It is a gateway to Bokor National Park
Get in
There is a regular twice a day bus service from the bus station on 217th street (near the central market), Phnom Penh to Kampot. Expect to pay around US$4 for the bus (one way). Journey
takes, depending on road conditions, approximately 4-5 hours.
Many guesthouses in Phnom Penh offer transportation directly from the guesthouse to Kampot. Convenient, although slightly more
expensive. Expect to pay US$6 or more.
You can also get to Kampot from Sihanoukville by a shared taxi or minibus. Most taxis depart from the traffic pickup point next to the market. Two hour
drive, US$3-5/person (although they start off asking $5 or more). The bus operators can help arrange a minibus with pickup at your guesthouse also.
Driving from Sihanoukville to Kampot on a 100cc
rented Honda can be lots of fun but if road conditions are poor may take 3.5 hours or more.
Get around
Getting around Kampot is easy on foot,
given the town's small size. Alternatively, hire a motorcycle (100cc Honda Dream, or 250cc dirtbike) from near the central traffic circle. At the time of writing there are at least three different shops
renting motorcycles. Going price starts from US$5/day for a 100cc bike (which is more than enough cubic centimetres) u
It takes about 2 hours by moto from Kampot to the Ha Tien Border, the
scenery is very beautiful. If you start early you can catch the 10:00h ferry to Phu Quoc island. The border procedure is hasslefree.
See
The main reason for most travellers to venture to Kampot is its close proximity to Bokor National Park with its ruined French colonial resort town at the top Bokor Mountain in the Elephant Mountain
range. This is one of the most spectacular sites in Cambodia and well worth a visit. Most guesthouses arrange day trips to the national park, prices and quality of transport varies so check before
booking. At the time of writing day trip prices ranged from a pick-up transport at US$6 per person for a shared taxi with an English speaking guide / driver to US$24 for the whole car for the day (Mr
Cheang Try, a war veteran and now a guide has many great stories to tell about the park, tel. 012 974 698). There is an additional entrance fee to the national park that you have to pay at the entrance
gate to the park. As the road has improved smaller cars, even private cars should be able to get up the mountain.
Most Bokor National Park tours used to consist of a grueling and eventful three
hour ride up the mountain (32km), but as of 2008 the road has improved considerably and the tours now spend more time on the mountain itself rather than on the drive. The tours include seeing the ruined
buildings (includes a Catholic church that the Khmer Rouge squatted at for years during the armed struggle) and the waterfall (which only has water falling during the rainy season), lunch at the French
Casino, and the same 3 hour drive back. While Bokor national park is also an important wildlife reserve the average visitor is unlikely to see much of interest. Tiger are present but very rare, although
Gibbon can often be heard. The area is of note for bird watchers as the only accessible site for the Chestnut-headed Partridge as well as species such as the Blue Pitta and Orange-headed Thrush. Several
tracks enter the forest, one from behind the old tea plantation, the second from near the waterfalls. It is possible to stay at the range station which is basic but comfortable and contrary to reports
some food (as well as French wine) are available.
It is also possible to get up the mountain on a motorbike (250cc dirtbike or 125cc motorbike, both of which can be hired locally), but youwill
need to ask around first as the situation changes.
As of end March 2009 access to Bokor was intermitent due to the construction of a new road. Check with locals before planning on a trip here.
In addition to Bokor, also to be experienced are the fresh seafood(especially the crab with local Kampot pepper) and beaches at Kep (25km 25-45 minutes east from Kampot by moto or shared taxi)
which makes a fun day trip. Although the beaches are not as nice as those in Sihanoukville (1 small brown sand beach and more rocky), it is quiet and during the week you will likely be the only visitors.
Fishing boats can also be taken out to Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island), approximately 45 minutes from the mainland.
Another nice day trip is a visit to Teuk Chrreu, a waterfall/rapids area up the
river from Kampot town. It's a nice place for swimming and relaxing, and local vendors sell fruit and water.
Do
Kampot has a relaxed
and sleepy atmosphere. It is a great place to go and just soak up the atmosphere and catch your breath for a couple of days, either in town, at the beach, along the river, or up on Bokor.
Do
Kampot province by dirtbike: Ride enduro style through the Elephant mountains, take on the hillclimb up Bokor or just get some island R&R or village rural life.
Buy
You can buy locally grown, and of international acclaim, black pepper from the New Market (1km towards Phnom Penh from the central traffic circle), although it is
recommended that should you wish to be relatively certain that the pepper you are purchasing really is locally grown, bring a trustworthy local with you. Price starting from US$3 for half a kilo of
delicious dried black pepper.
Eat
There are plenty of places to eat in Kampot, ranging from the usual street kitchens to proper restaurants
providing indoor seating. Most places are only a short walk from the central traffic circle. A delicious breakfast found in Kampot is Koh Kor Num Pain, a thick beef stew served with french bread. Fish
and seafood are also plentiful, fresh and delicious.
Jasmine Restaurant, Riverside Road (near the old bridge). 10AM-10PM. Offers Khmer and Western cuisine in a comfortable colonial style building
on the waterfront. Featuring photos and artwork and a nice selection of books and magazines, downtempo music, and a great view of the river. Run by a Californian and his Khmer wife. edit
Rikitikitavi, Riverside Road, 012-235102, [1] serves excellent Western and Asian food up in an atmospheric terrace restaurant overlooking the river and mountains. Almost famous Saraman (Cambodian Beef
Curry), Amok Trai (Fresh Fish Curry).
The Rusty Keyhole sells delicious ribs and is a good meeting place in the evenings.
Drink
Kampot has the
best Teuk Rleuek (fruit shake) in Cambodia. Visit any of the numerous vendors located on the main avenues in the evening.
What's Hot in Kampot, St National Road 3 (first left after the main
traffic circle heading towards the Old Bridge), ☎ 016984156, [2]. Wine bar serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, also offers its own unique tours and information. Also in store the Rogue Music Store
and Clothing Shop upstairs selling clothes from the Dorsu Project and TIC range. edit
WunderBar (500 m from the market, direction PP road), ☎ 016774893. Stylish bar with garden area and
great tunes, serve western & khmer food, kitchen open till 11 pm. Big selection of beers, cocktails, fruit juices. Dart, chess and new pool table with competition on thusday & saturday 8 pm,
admission $2. Open 7 days a week, 4.30 pm - late. Swissgerman run. edit
Sleep
There are many guesthouses in Kampot, mostly in the
US$5+ price bracket. It is best just to have a look at the rooms - if you are not satisfied you can always try another place.
Budget
Blissful
Guesthouse [3]. Longest run Western guesthouse in Kampot since 2004. Nice garden restaurant, bar, clean rooms, and laid back atmosphere. Excellent English breakfast.
Long Villa Guesthouse. Near the
market, nice garden restaurant, clean rooms, fan and ac. Also offers tours to Bokor and around Kampot.
Ta Eng Guesthouse
Contact
Internet access is available downtown for (at the time of writing- March 2008) 3000r/hour.
Get out
Kep - another resort town 25km east, famous for seafood, motobike for $3
Sihanoukville - Cambodia's best-known beach resort
Ha Tien (Vietnam) - The border was opened for tourists in 2007.
Motorbike drivers usually ask for US$10 to 15 for a ride to the border, but you can also get a motorbike taxi directly to Ha Tien for US$9 (around 2h). Some of the roads are not paved, but you will get
to see some nice rural areas on the way. There are car taxis leaving for the border around 9AM for US$6 per person.
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