Kampot

Understand

Kampot's main draw is its relaxing riverside setting. While there is a sizable town (population approximately 40,000) set back from the river, most tourists will spend most of their time enjoying the river. Most tourist businesses are scattered along the riverside promenade or are within one or two blocks of it. The riverside's main reference points are the "old bridge", a mongrel of various styles and temporary parts thrown together after its breaching in the Khmer Rouge days, and the French-built market building, which is being restored. Back from the river, the town is centered on the bizarre "durian roundabout" featuring a huge statue of a durian. From where the buses drop passengers, walking down the wide boulevard leads towards the river and the French-built market. Kampot in the 2020s has grown to attract a certain crowd, namely older white men from various western countries, and the town has developed to serve this market. You might call them sex pests, and they are everywhere. Girl bars have sprung up along the boulevards. If you are male and foreign, expect to be catcalled on the street in the evening. It is still a charming river town with fantastic architecture, but not quite the family or young persons' destination it once was. It has a Starbucks now.

Getting there

By road The trip Phnom Penh-Kampot (148 km) can take 2½-5 hr depending on traffic and road conditions (Feb 2020). From Ha Tien, Vietnam: As of 2024 May, online e-Visas is not accepted at Prek Chak International Border Check Point, so you will have to pay US$35, for an on-arrival visa. Visa touts will ask for US$38 to expedite the process but it's no faster as you will still need to x-ray baggage and scan fingerprint. Travel agencies in Ha Tien including ones right by Ha Tien ferry port, can arrange minibus to Kampot for US$19. Process: Vietnam minivan takes you to Prek Chak border at which point you cross the border on foot, then on Cambodian side switch to a Cambodian minivan to continue journey, ending at Champa Mekong Travel and Tours agency on street 724 Kampot. Total trip distance about 47 km.

By bus All of the buses, with the exception of Giant Ibis, end at the central Kampot bus station which is about 150 m from one of the main guesthouse streets in Kampot. Walk to the Salt Workers Monument and take the first turn to the left. From Phnom Penh:

Ekareach Express - about five buses a day from Phnom Penh. Hua Lin buses depart at 07:00 and 12:00 from their bus station on St 182 near Olympic Market via Kep to Kampot. Sorya (air-con) buses depart at 06:45, 07:30, 09:30, 12:45, and 13:45 from their bus station next to Central Market. In the high season (Oct-May) there may be an additional bus at 09:30. The bus travels to Kampot via Kep and the trip takes about 3 hr. The fare is US$5. Paramount Angkor Express buses depart at 07:30 and 13:30 from their bus station near Olympic Market. The bus travels directly to Kampot (does not go via Kep) and the trip takes about 3 hr. The fare is US$5 Giant Ibis buses depart at 08:00 and 14:45 from St 106 next to the Night Market on Riverside. This company promotes itself as a luxury service. Tickets are US$8 and the bus arrives at the Durian Roundabout (approximately 300 m from the bus station) in Kampot. After Kampot the bus

Getting around

Getting around Kampot is easy on foot or on a bicycle, given the town's small size and flat terrain. Or, hire a motorcycle (100-125 cc scooter or 250 cc dirt bike, from US$5 per day) or bicycle (from US$1 per day) from hire shops near the durian traffic circle, or from just about any guesthouse or tour shop. You can hire a tuk-tuk or a taxi using the PassApp app on your phone. (As of 2023, Grab isn't used by drivers in Kampot like it is in Phenom Penh). Unless you somehow have a Cambodian ABA Bank account, you'll be paying cash. Exact change helps but good luck with that. It used to take about 2 hr by motorbike from Kampot to the Ha Tien border with Vietnam. The scenery is beautiful. If you start early you can catch the 10:00 ferry to Phu Quoc Island. The border procedure is hassle-free.

See

The most impressive sights in Kampot are the river and surrounding hills, which grandly frame views from the riverside promenade. Kampot retains many of its colonial buildings and there are many interesting old structures in various states of repair. The two cinemas stopped screenings long ago but the buildings represents a charming, art deco vision of the future. The market, an angular structure similar to Battambang's, is undergoing renovation.

Bokor Mountain (1-2 hr out of Kampot). Bokor National Park is being destroyed by a large hotel development. The eerie charm of the abandoned French hill station that included a shell of a church and the isolated upland nature reserve are rapidly becoming a tacky resort. The road up the mountain is now paved and provides easy access. The cooler climate and sublime views from the mountain remain and may provide some reason for a visit.Animals have become much harder to spot. The waterfall, which only flows in the wet season, may still provide some sanctuary.Tours still run up the mountain and cost approximately US$10, depending on bargaining skills. Lunch is included. The excursion can still be worthwhile provided it is viewed as an insight into Cambodia's Great Leap Forward rather than as an atmospheric expedition into a remote and haunting environment.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 ranger station which is basic but comfortable and, contrary to some reports, offers food and French wine. Free. (updated Feb 2018) Kampot Mangroves (From Kampot and around). A traditional Khmer longtail boat floats you to beautiful places where the flora, fauna and people dwell harmoniously. Voyage up the Kampot River and towards the heart of Bokor National Park. Pepper farms (N of the Kep hills and Hwy 33). Inquire in town about how to see pepper being grown and processed. Guided tours are easy to arrange. One option is to visit The

Do

Kampot has a relaxed and sleepy atmosphere apart from the droves of motorbike riding school children that flock here when school is in session. It is a great place to go and just soak up the atmosphere and catch your breath for a couple of days. Do Kampot Province by dirt bike: Ride enduro style through the Elephant mountains, take on the hill climb up Bokor or relax.

Kayak and Boat Trips. Standard Boat Tours (morning and evening cruise) available (US$5), kayak tours (US$9) or daily rent (US$7) (e.g., at Captain Chim's Guesthouse at the Old Market). Look around and compare different operators, as the boat tours range from spring break backpacker partying to calm, romantic, and family friendly. You can buy moderately priced food and drinks on board, and if you do a sunset tour you might see fireflies. Minigolf (At the Magic Sponge Guesthouse). Play a few fun rounds of 9-hole mini golf for free. Have a