KAMPOT

BEAUTIFUL DESTINATIONS YOU MUST CHECK IN KAMPOT

Kampot is a province on the South coast of Cambodia and is 148km from Phnom Penh.  Kampot was once a sleepy city that is now transformed into a very lively destination for the traveling tourist, with a variety of music venues, bars, and restaurants. This city is based on the eastern side of the Kampong Bay River and within a short distance of the elephant mountains.
This city is an excellent base for those that plan to explore the verdant countryside, the superb cave temples, Kep (including the islands and beaches), the Bokor National Park, and other regions of South-East Cambodia. It is a nice optional attraction in Cambodia tour package.

1.PHNOM BOKOR NATIONAL PARK
The 140,000 hectares that make up this national park feature breathtaking natural vistas and an amazing array of wildlife. The wildlife ranges from foxes to tigers, snakes and one of the biggest herds of elephant in Cambodia. There are also waterfalls, exotic flora and hiking trails to explore between the jungles. These are all interspersed with some curious remnants of French colonialism.

2.PHNOM CHHNGOK CAVE TEMPLE
Cambodia is a Buddhist country packed with temples with distinctive features. In Kampot, the Phnom Chhngok Cave Temple, the only cave temple in Cambodia, is a real must-see. Built in the the Funan style, this complex hidden in a cave has a history of more than 1,300 years. Visitors are greeted by elephant-shaped stalactites, not to mention breathtaking views of the hills around Kampot.

3.PHNOM SORSIA
Phnom Sorsia is home to several natural caves. From the parking area, a stairway leads up the hillside to a gaudy modern temple. From there, steps lead left up to Rung Damrey Saa (White Elephant Cave). A slippery, sloping staircase (where one false step will send you into the abyss) leads down and then up and then out through a hole in the other side. Exit the cave and follow the right-hand path which leads back to the temple.


4.KEP THMEY
Kep Thmey, Kampot is one of the most-visited tourist attractions in Kampot. The Kep Thmey, Kampot is one of the popular wildlife parks in Kampot. Kep Thmey in Kampot is a natural wildlife reserve. It is situated in Kep Thmey Village in Beoungtouk Commune in Kampot District in Kampot. The Kep Thmey, Kampot is located 8 kilometers from the Provincial Town of Kampot. The other wildlife parks in and around Kampot are Phnom Chhnok, Phnom Seda Orn and the Phnom Daung.

5.FISH MARKET
Kampot’s up-and-coming dining scene finally has its signature eatery in the form of this restored art-deco masterpiece on the banks of the Kompong Bay River. Plop down in the breezy open-air dining area and dig into Australian lamb cutlets, fish, and chips, or local favorites such as peppercorn crab and fish amok.

6.ECRAN
Ecran (French for a screen) is a little movie-cafe offering big-screen films and a private room for movie watching. Cambodian-related movies such as The Killing Fields, The Missing Picture, and Enemies of the People screen most days at 4 pm, with various cult classics and other movies screened at 7.30pm daily. Drinks and popcorn are available.

7.EPIC ARTS CAFE
A great place for breakfast, home-made cakes, infused tea and light lunches, this mellow eatery is staffed by young people who are deaf or have a disability. Profits fund arts workshops for Cambodians with a disability and it’s possible to learn some sign language at 3 pm every Friday.

ALL THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE TRAVELLING TO KAMPOT

 
1.THINGS TO DO IN KAMPOT
Naturally beautiful and effortlessly enchanting, you’ll slip right into a balance of laid back days on the river, and scenic drives over red dirt roads. Relatively untouched by tourism, its natural beauty puts you on the fast-track to getting back in touch with Mother Earth with rock climbing, river tours, and expeditions into the jungle.
Kampot also has a rich history as it served as the capitol city under French rule. Today, travelers can hop on a motorbike and explore handfuls of abandoned French colonial mansions and churches reminiscent of Indiana Jones-style voyages. All in all, Kampot is unlike any other Cambodian city you’ll find. If you like natural adventure and historical discoveries, don’t skip over this hidden gem of a city.
Let’s explore the best things to do in Kampot
 
CYCLE AROUND KAMPOT’S CITY CENTER
At first glance Kampot is a charming, peaceful town, and it only becomes more enchanting as you get to know it. We recommend exploring the city center by bicycle to get a feel for the area. You can rent a bicycle from your guest house or along the riverside for $1 or $2 per hour.
Kampot’s downtown is small and fairly easy to navigate. Cambodians are extremely friendly, and if you feel lost at any point just ask someone to point you back towards the river. It’s fun riding around exploring without a set route, but we have included some stops below that you may want to check out.

• The Fish Market on the riverside (Built in the 1930s, restored in 2016)
• The Old Market
• The Durian roundabout
• Old Royal Cinema
• The Salt Miners roundabout
• The Lotus Pond
• National Bank of Cambodia (French colonial period)

MOTORBIKE UP BOKOR MOUNTAIN
Bokor Mountain is by far one of the quirkiest and most bizarre places we’ve visited in Cambodia. We recommend going by motorbike so you have the freedom to stop whenever you want along the way. Many guest houses offer motorbike rentals for around $5-$10 per day (depending on the type of bike), or you can rent a motorbike along the riverside in town.
 
VISIT THE PEPPER PLANTATION
You can’t go to Kampot without checking out a pepper plantation! The province’s lush green hills and proximity to the sea create an ideal environment for pepper plants to thrive. Historically, pepper from Kampot was world renowned, until the Khmer Rouge took power in Cambodia in the 1970s and decimated crop growth. The reemergence of the pepper industry today is helping to revive the region, and pepper is regaining it’s fame in the foodie world.
 
EXPERIENCE THE KAMPOT SALT FIELDS
Given the propensity for salt to exist alongside pepper on millions of tables across the world, it should perhaps come of little surprise that Kampot is also home to several man-made salt fields, formed by the trapping of sea water in dry mud fields.
Whilst they’re definitely not as impressive as the salt flats in Bolivia, it provides an interesting look into the lives of local people, plus an appreciation of how hard they work in extreme temperatures to provide a seasoning which we all take for granted.
 
TAKE A DAY TRIP TO KEP & RABBIT ISLAND
Another popular day-trip option is Kep. Once a popular retreat for the French colonists, it’s by the sea, famous for its pepper crab dishes, and has a national park nearby. It’s also the necessary jumping off point for anyone hoping to go to Rabbit Island! You can read more about Kep and what to do there in this article by the South China Morning Post.
How To Get To Rabbit Island from Kampot | You have two choices here. The cheapest way is to take a tuk tuk from Kampot to Kep (40 minutes) and then a boat from Kep to Rabbit Island ($7-10 per person).
Alternatively, you can join ‘The Crab Shuttle” which has daily departures from Kampot to Keep, and onward to Rabbit Island. The leave at 9 am from the riverside in Kampot and cost $25 return Kampot-Rabbit Island, or $15 return Kampot-Kep.
 
KAYAKING THE GREEN CATHEDRAL
This kayaking route is one of our ultimate favorite escapes into nature in Cambodia, especially because so few people seem to know about it! The Green Cathedral is named for the canopy of green that covers you as you kayak through the serene, narrow channels surrounding a small island in the river.
 
KITE SURFING
Kite surfing offers a way to view the untouched nature and pristine coastline of Cambodia. Adrenaline-pumping and fun in the extreme, this activity is perfect for action junkies. It’s also great for casual sightseers on account of the relatively calm waters and tranquil spots around Kampot town.
 
POPOKVIL WATERFALL
A visit to Popokvil Waterfall is a precious opportunity to regain connection with nature and interact with local Cambodians. The spectacular waterfall dropping from the top of the Bokor Mountain inspires travelers to relax. It’s also popular with meditating monks and picnicking folk outside Kampot. Apart from the magnificent waterfall, another reason to visit the attraction is the delicious authentic Khmer food on offer from the huts.
 
2.HOW TO GET TO KAMPOT
Kampot can be approached by road directly from Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh, Kep and from Vietnam via the Prek Chak and the Phnom Den border crossings. Most inter-city travel is done by bus, van or taxi. There is no air service to/from Kampot
NEW: There is now regularly scheduled train service between Phnom Penh, Kampot and Sihanoukville. Buy tickets at the train stations.
 
PHNOM PENH TO/FROM KAMPOT
Most travel by bus between Phnom Penh and Kampot. There are several regularly scheduled daily a/c buses between the cities, including highly recommended deluxe buses from Giant Ibis.. The trip rarely takes more than 3-3.5 hours. It’s easiest to buy tickets from one of the many local tour agents.
Taxis Taxis are the other option, running about $35-$45. If you don’t have your hotel or tour operator arrange it for you, in Phnom Penh taxis can be found at Phsar Dumkor, and in Kampot taxis at the bus/taxi station
SIHANOUKVILLE TO/FROM KAMPOT
Though there are no buses plying the route between Kampot and Sihanoukville, there are regularly scheduled daily vans run by a few different companies, Champa Mekong and Kampot Tours being the more popular. Most tour operators and guesthouses offer van tickets for about $5. The vans are of medium quality, a bit tight, usually a/c and take about 2 hours.
Taxis Taxis are the other option. In Sihanoukville, taxis can be found at the main bus station. In Kampot, taxis wait at the bus stop.
KAMPOT TO/FROM KEP
The road from Kampot to Kep is a 25km trip though scenic countryside – villages and rice paddies. Many ethnic Cham people live along this stretch of road. Unlike the Buddhist Khmer, the Cham are generally Muslims. You may notice Cham women wearing the hijab and Arabic script on some signs.
Boat: The Crab Shuttle offers a daily 2.5 hour boat shuttle between Kampot and Kep via Rabbit Island, running both directions: departing Kampot at 9:30AM and departing Kep at 3:30PM, stopping at Rabbit Island in both directions.
VIETNAM TO/FROM KAMPOT
Vietnam visas are not available at the border. Visas are available at tour operators in Kampot and Kep and at the Vietnamese consulate in Sihanoukville.
To/from Ho Chi Minh City: There are three possible overland routes to Kampot: 1) Moc Bai/Bavet crossing via Phnom Penh; 2) Prek Chak crossing, which is the most popular and convenient; 3) Phnom Den crossing. Get bus tickets from a local tour operator.
Ha Tien is the nearest, most easily accessed border crossing with Vietnam from either Kampot or Kep. The crossing is quite near the Vietnamese town of Ha Tien, which is the primary jump off point to Phu Quoc Island, a popular beach destination.
 
3.THINGS TO BUY IN KAMPOT
If you would like to have something that is unique of Kampot, the section below contains some example.

• Stilt handy bag: vary in size, has a typical brown color and adorned with pieces of colorful fabric.
• Small pillow: they provided a different color. Each kind of product was adorned with the pattern that typical of Cambodia.
• Clothes of Dorsu: which is a shop that sells ethical and produces clothing, they use cotton as the main material. Available clothes are a self – produced T-shirt, dress, jersey tops (made by the shop staffs).
• Art Prints: for diverse items, come to KAMA shop.
• Books: visit the Kepler for the collection of pirated, Xeroxed Book and some best-seller of Cambodia.
• Pepper: if you have visited the pepper plantation, purchase the goods right there as reasonable price and well-qualified.

 
4.THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

• Hire motorbikes if you tend to travel far from the center.
• Try the food of hawkers and vendors.
• Learn Cambodian basic language.
• Bring along your swimsuit to join in the water – based activities
• Learn to bargain at the market.
• Ask for the price first before purchasing something.
• Prepare for cash as many places won’t take cards.
• Bring along toilet paper.

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT KAMPOT

Dry season start from November to May next year. In particular, from November to February is the best period of time to relax in Kampot as the weather is cool and the sun isn’t burning, the temperature is pleasing at 27°C average.

From the end of May to October, it starts to rain. Especially, from June to August, the region suffers heavily rain pour, some area can suffer from a flood. For this reason, your moving will be so much difficult and beaches will not be for bathing.

WHAT TO EAT AND DRINK IN KAMPOT

Cambodia has not only forests, seas, mountains and rivers but also plentiful cuisine. On the country’s tourism itinerary temples, enjoying enlist famous dish is indispensable to the tourists. Cambodian dishes to savor a bit of Thai, a little Vietnamese, both familiar and strange is important both very tasty. If you travel to Kampot, Cambodia, there are many delicious dishes for you.
 
1.Fried crab with pepper
Fried crab with pepper is a specialty of the coastal towns of Cambodia. Tourists come here to never ignore Crab served with green Kampot pepper is grown on farms. Green pepper is more aromatic Kampot famous gourmet worldwide. The two materials are combined together to form haute cuisine in this country.
Even spices also renowned worldwide, although it is dry roasted before export. You can just enjoy the fresh Kampot pepper in Cambodia, and the best with fried crab.

 
2.Fried chicken
Chicken skewer the wings and gizzards, tasty marinade is also delicious. Chickens eat soft, fragrant, sweet very decent, tasty vegetables and more sauces served separately.
 
3.Fish amok
You will not find where the fish processing style flavor as in Cambodia, because people use slok ngor, a local herb to create bitterness. Topping usually are sauce with coconut milk, kroeung, a Khmer curry powder made from lemongrass, saffron, garlic, onion and ginger. If you try this in the restaurant, fish sauce steamed in a banana leaf bowl made to keep the dish always hot before serving customers.
Enjoy a steaming plate of fish amok with sticky rice and soy sauce, add jaggery cup with sweet ginger flavor, diners will be “enchanted” by the country’s temples.
 
4.Ang dtray meuk
In Kampot, you will find lots of street vendors selling physician grilled seafood like grilled squid with golden eggs. They also use Impregnated ink sauce or lemon juice, then the bamboo skewers before grilling. Save ink and soy sauce served with Kampot pepper, garlic, chilli, lemon and sugar.
 
5.Fried red tree ants with beef and fresh basil
You’ll meet a lot of the dishes are made from insects such as locusts, grasshoppers or even large spiders. But the most attractive items for foreigners as tree red ants were fried with beef and fresh basil. You will find very attractive when dishes are laid out with the ants are fried with ginger, lemongrass, garlic, shallots and sliced beef. Many chilis are served with this dish delicious, without crowding is separate from the beef.