Kampot Travel Guide

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DESTINATION DETAIL

Kampot

Set with picture perfection on the Kampong Bay River near the base of the Elephant Mountains, the provincial capital of Kampot City is of quite a different character than the much more heavily touristed beach town of Sihanouk Ville. Quiet lanes, classic colonical period architecture as well as very few tourists all lend Kampot a quaint, welcoming, small town ambiance. Visitors come to Kampot for a taste of provincial Cambodia, for the relaxed atmosphere and to use the city as a base for touring the countryside and as a stepping stone to the nearby beaches and islands of Kep, the Bokor Hill Station and the rest of southeastern Cambodia. For those interested in charitable, community and volunteer work, Kampot offers several opportunities. Come the end of the day in Kampot, the place to be is one of the little riverside cafes and pubs overlooking the Kampong Bay River – relaxing curbside over a glass of wine, watching the sun slowly set behind the Elephant Mountains

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

1.Getting there & away

NH3, these days in sharp shape, links Kampot with both Phnom Penh (148km, two hours) and Sihanoukville (105km).

Both Phnom Penh Sorya Transport and Hour Lean (012 939917) run two buses daily to midday to/from Phnom Penh (US$4, four to five hours). Both companies take the long way around – via Kep (US$2, 40 minutes) and Angk Tasaom (the gateway to Takeo; US$2.50) – because the Bailey bridges on NH3 aren’t bus-friendly. Both companies have ticket desks around Sokhoda Restaurant (facing the Total petrol station).

Other options to Phnom Penh, via Angk Tasaom, include share taxi (US$4) and crowded-to-the-gills minibus (US$3). Both leave from a stand near the Total petrol station and are easiest to find between 7.30am and 10am.

A moto/tuk tuk/taxi to Kep should cost about US$3/6/10.

To Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh Sorya has a bus (US$3.50, 1½ hours) at 8.30am. Share taxis cost US$3.50, minibuses are US$3, and a private taxi is about US$20. Sihanoukville’s G’day Mate Guesthouse operates a safe, reliable minibus service (017 707857; US$6.50) between Kampot and Sihanoukville on Monday and Friday, with plans to make the service daily. The service is door-to-door, with pick-up and drop-off at your guesthouse or hotel.

There is talk of establishing a regular boat service from Kampot to the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc.

2. Getting around

The average fare for a moto ride around town is 2000r (3000r in the evening). Tuk tuks, the latest addition to the local transport scene, cost about US$1 in town.

Ta Eng Guesthouse can arrange motos/tuk tuks with drivers for US$4/10 a day. Long Villa Tours (012 626698), based at Long Villa Guesthouse, rents out bicycles for US$1 a day and motorbikes for US$4 a day (US$5 for a new one). Orchid Guesthouse hires out 250cc motorbikes for US$12 a day.

Two excellent shops rent out motorbikes, cars and pick-ups:

Sean Ly Motorcycle Shop (012 944687; 7am-8pm) Rents out 125cc bikes for US$3 a day (US$5 for a new one) and 250cc trail bikes for US$10. Can also arrange a car/pick-up with a driver for US$30/60 a day.

Cheang Try Motorbike Rental (012 974698; 7am-8pm) Small bikes cost US$3 a day, new 125cc Hondas are US$6 a day. A car/4WD pickup cost US$30/70 a day, including a driver. The owner speaks good English and often guides tourists himself.