Kampot, Cambodia riverfront

Things To Do In Kampot: The Ultimate Travel Guide

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Heading to Kampot Cambodia? Well, you’re about to fall in love. From Kampot’s beautiful scenery to its laid-back vibe, Kampot should be on everyone’s Cambodia must-see list! We have a complete travel guide that covers everything from how to get to Kampot to what to see and do in Kampot just waiting for you below!

Places To Visit in Kampot

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Where is Kampot in Cambodia

Kampot is a river-side town located in southern Cambodia. Situated on the Preaek Tuek Chhu River, Kampot is a peaceful getaway from the bustling cities that many tourists visit while on their Cambodia holiday. To ground you, Kampot is about 155kms / 99 miles southwest of Phnom Penh and 99kms / 61 miles east of the coastal city of Sihanoukville.

Check out our Three Week Cambodia Itinerary

How To Get to Kampot

You have three options to choose from when booking your transportation to Kampot.

  1. Bus
  2. Mini-Van (VIP Van)
  3. Taxi

The most cost-effective way to get to Kampot is by bus or mini-van and the most popular route is from Phnom Penh. However, transportation services from Siem Reap and Sihanoukville are also available options when wanting to get to Kampot.

How To Get From Phnom Penh to Kampot By Bus

The bus ride from Phnom Penh to Kampot takes about 5 hours and costs anywhere from $6 – $8 USD. Sorya is the company that operates the buses from Phnom Penh to Kampot. Their busses are older and honestly run fine, but for around the same price and shorter ride, most tourists opt for the second option, the mini-van (VIP Van)

—-> Check times and ticket prices for busses from Phnom Penh to Kampot at BookMeBus.com

How To Get From Phnom Penh to Kampot By By Mini-Van (VIP Van):

The most popular option tourists tend to take when heading to Kampot from Phnom Penh is the mini-van option. The ride takes around 3 hours (2 hours shorter than the bus option talked about above) and costs anywhere from $6 – $10 USD. There are several companies that operate mini-vans from Phnom Penh to Kampot but Giant Ibis and Champa Mekong are two great companies to go choose to ride with.

—-> Check times and ticket prices for mini-vans (VIP vans) from Phnom Penh to Kampot at BookMeBus.com

How To Get From Phnom Penh to Kampot By Taxi:

The last option is a taxi. Taxies are clean cars that fit up to four passengers. However, the car has a standard-size trunk. So, if you are carrying a lot of luggage, a mini-van will be your better option to take.

Taxis move a lot faster than the two options listed above, so you can expect to get to Kampot from Phnom Penh in under 3 hours. For a more “private ride”, you can expect to pay a higher price. Taxies can cost around $55 USD and can fluctuate around Cambodia’s Holidays. Remember, the cost is split between four people.

—-> Check times and ticket prices for taxi’s from Phnom Penh to Kampot at BookMeBus.com

Another booking option is to book directly with your accommodation or a tour agency in town. However, prior to doing so, check the prices on BookMeBus and compare that to the price your accommodation or tour agency gives you. It’s common for your accommodation and tour agency to tack on a few extra dollars as a “convenience fee” for themselves.

What To Do in Kampot Cambodia

Kampot is picturesque, and quaint, and has no shortage of beautiful sites for you to see and experience. From a party-filled, wet, and wild day to some serene scenery in a National Park were going to give you the best things to do in Kampot.

1. Spend A Day at Arcadia Backpackers

Arcadia Backpackers is a hostel located in the village of Snam Brampi, 5 miles (8kms) from the city center of Kampot. The hostel is nestled on the banks of a river surrounded by lush jungle. Sounds serene right?

The Arcadia hostel is a backpacker haven! Why do you ask? Because it is a waterpark!! Yes, you read that correctly, a waterpark! If you are not staying at the property, you can visit the waterpark for $7 a day per person. The $7 a day gets you endless rides on the rope swing, the blob, and the massive water slide and diving boards on site. Or, just grab an inner tube and float the day away with new friends.

In addition to providing hours of endless entertainment, there is a bar on site that serves up cold beer and cocktails all day and night. A great way to spend a day. We loved every minute of it.

Arcadia Backpacker's in Kampot
Arcadia Backpacker’s in Kampot

2. Visit A Kampot Pepper Farm

Believe it or not, but Kampot has the perfect climate for growing pepper. Because of this, Kampot has made a name for itself by growing some of the best pepper to come out of Asia.

La Plantation is an organic and sustainable family project started by a French & Belgium couple, Natalie and Guy, in 2013. The pepper farm grows and harvests pepper by hand all while providing jobs to many people in the rural area. You can get a free tour of the plantation and learn about everything you could ever imagine knowing about pepper. Plus, there is a complimentary tasting afterward.

The ride to the plantation is nothing short of a mini-adventure. Rent a moped from Kampot and head out 20kms (12 miles) east to the village of Bosjheng. Along the way, you’ll ride through rural farming villages on dirt roads that shake your body the entire way. A bumpy ride for sure, but for us, that is part of the story and journey!

You can also book a cooking class at La Plantation as well. Use the farm’s signature pepper as you create mouthwatering local cuisines.

Check out: 8 Amazing Things To Do In Battambang

3. Scooter Through Bokor National Park

Located in the highlands of the Dâmrei Mountains, Bokor National Park is about a 5 mile (8km) ride from Kampot. You’ll need to rent a scooter in town to make the most of the trip. Plan on spending an entire day on this outing.

There is a nominal fee of 2000 riel ($0.50 USD) to enter Bokor National Park While the entrance to Bokor National Park is only 5 miles from Kampot, it’s another 19 miles (32kms) uphill to reach the summit. It’s a beautiful winding ride and along the way, you’ll want to stop and check out a few stops…

  • Lok Yeay Mao Monument – A towering meditating Buddha considered to be the protector of travelers, fishermen, and hunters.
  • Le Bokor Palace Hotel and Casino – French colonial casino that opened in 1925. A little random and eerie to see something so large appear out of no where.
  • Popokvil Waterfall – A several-tier waterfall that literally translates to “swirling clouds” from the mist it lets off. Make sure to visit just after the rainy season or else Popokvil could be more of a trickle versus a waterfall.
  • The Old Catholic Church – Built in the 1920s by French colonists, the story goes that the bankrupt patrons of the casino would choose between confession at the church or hurling their bodies off the cliff on the other side. Happy times, right?
Motorbiking around Bokor National Park in Kampot, Cambodia
Motorbiking around Bokor National Park in Kampot, Cambodia

4. Chow Down at Kep’s Crab Market

Okay, so technically not in Kampot, but close enough. Located 15 miles (25kms) from Kampot, you’ll find Kep. Kep is known for one thing and one thing only, it’s an amazing crab market!

The Kep Crab Market is located on a parking lot with bamboo stilts holding up the blue tarp and blankets that cover a community of women steaming up and cooking fresh crab. Grab a seat where you can find one, order crab by the kilo, and watch the women jump off the dock, grab on a rope and literally pull fresh crab from the ocean right in front of you.

They will steam the crab to perfection. Oh, and don’t be expecting any “crab crackers.” This is a hands-only type of establishment. We got 2 kilos of fresh crab for under $3. Now, that is cheap, but good eating!

Kep Crab Market
Kep Crab Market located just outside the city of Kampot

5. Ride The Crab Shuttle

If you’re looking to explore Kep and don’t want to rent a motorbike or hire a tuk-tuk to get you there, you can book a spot on the Crab Shuttle. The Crab Shuttle is a converted local fishing boat that departs daily at 9AM from Kampot to take riders to Kep. Taking around 2.5 hours (one way), the tickets cost $15 for a round trip fare.

The Crab Shuttle will dock for 4 hours in Kep, allowing you plenty of time to explore Kep before getting back on board. From Kep, you can arrange onward travel to Rabbit Island as well. Just work with the Crab Shuttle and they’ll set it up for you.

Get our Tips For Seeing Angkor Wat’s Sunrise

6. Take a Day Trip To Rabbit Island

After you’ve had your fill of fresh crab in Kep, you can book a boat to take you to Rabbit Island (Kaoh Tonsay). Located just 30 minutes from Kep lays the tranquil and small island of Rabbit Island. Nothing really to do here besides swim in the sea, lay in hammocks, and drink and eat for cheap. Who can say no to $0.75 beers?

Beaches of Rabbit Island in Cambodia

7. Hit The Water On A Stand-Up Paddle Board

A fun activity that (full disclosure), we didn’t have time for is to rent a few stand-up paddleboards (SUP) and head out onto the river for a few hours. There are a handful of companies in Kampot that rent paddleboards but SUP Asia seems to be the most reputable.

With tours ranging from a few hours to a half-day, this is a great way to get out into nature and enjoy scenic Kampot by water.

8. Take a Sunset Cruise in Kampot

What better way to end your day than with a sunset cruise in Kampot? Boat companies like Flying Dragon offer sunset cruises to tourists looking to relax and enjoy a beautiful sunset on the river. Also, know that you can head to the riverfront and talk with other sunset cruise companies. Just know that a cruise should cost in the realm of $5 USD when booking and come with some sort of beer and snack.

Sunset River Cruise in Kampot

Places to Eat in Kampot, Cambodia

You’ll find no shortage of restaurants and cafes in Kampot. Below are a few of our favorites!

  • Laundry Café: If you’re wanting to get some laundry done and craving a good ol’ fashioned burger, look no further than the Laundry Café. Yes, they will do your laundry and while you wait, you can chow down on a super tasty burger
  • Wonderland Ice Cream Shop: In the Cambodia heat, who doesn’t want something sweet to cool down with? From vegan options to every flavor under the sun, you won’t be disappointed with their popsicle and frozen yogurt offerings.
  • Khmer Root Café: If you are looking for authentic Khmer food, head to this bamboo hut establishment. Located in the more “rural” side of Kampot, Khmer Root Café serves up dishes like massaman curry and chicken with Kampot pepper seasoning.
  • The Rusty Keyhole: Okay, to be fair, we need to preface that we had been traveling for 6 months at this point and we were missing western food like crazy. Once we found out about The Rusty Keyhole, we ran (not kidding) to check it out for dinner. The Rusty Keyhole sits along the river and serves up massive slabs of ribs and sides of mashed potatoes. It was the perfect comfort food we were looking for from home. Regardless of how long you’ve been traveling, this place is for real good.

If any of our restaurants up top didn’t tickle your fancy, walk along the main street by the river and you’ll find cafes lining the street. From pizza places to local eats and nicer cafes, you’re sure to find something you like.

The Best Time To Go To Kampot

The best time to go to Cambodia, in general, is from October to April. These months are considered Cambodia’s dry season. To avoid the rain and to make travel as easy as possible, do your best to travel to Kampot during the dry months to be able to enjoy this riverside, laid-back town to its full potential.

How Many Days Do You Need In Kampot?

We loved Kampot, so much that we extended our 2-day trip to a 4-day trip. It’s our recommendation that you spend at least 3-4 days in Kampot. With some much to enjoy within the town of Kampot and not to mention all the amazing things that lay outside the town, you’ll have plenty of things to enjoy during your time here.

Countryside of Kampot

Where To Stay in Kampot

For The Budget Conscious: If you’re looking for a social hostel that has a pool and bar, then look no further than Mad Monkey. This accommodation has a restaurant on-site and can also book any transportation you need, be it scooters or tuk-tuks to get around town or busses to get out of town.

For The Luxury Inclined: A saltwater pool and views of Bokor Mountain, Hotel Five.S is sure to get you feeling relaxed and ready to take on Kampot.

For Something In Between: Apsara Guest House Kampot City offers cozy, clean rooms and friendly, helpful staff await you.

For more accommodation choices and places to stay in Kampot, you can check the latest prices here.

WANT MORE INFORMATION ON CAMBODIA?!

6 Tips For Seeing Angkor Wat’s Sunrise

Three Week Cambodia Itinerary

The Best Orphanage To Volunteer At In Cambodia

8 Amazing Things To Do In Battambang


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Happy Travels,

– Lauren & Jesse Stuart (The Stüs)


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