Kampot is a picturesque town in the southern part of Cambodia, famous for its tranquillity and natural beauty. It is located along the banks of the Teuk Chhou River, southwest of the capital Phnom Penh.
The city is surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, including mountains, pepper plantations and salt fields. The city itself offers a lively food scene, with numerous restaurants and bars serving local and international dishes. Although some negative overtones may emerge at night, as we will mention in the article, one can find the peace and authenticity of Kampot in its countryside and in the warm welcome of its locals.
Getting to Kampot
To reach the quiet town of Kampot, we opted for a bus trip from Phnom Penh, conveniently booked through the online booking service 12.go Asia. The cost of the ticket is around eight to nine euros, and the journey takes a total of about three hours. You can check ticket prices and times here.
The bus was a convenient and comfortable means of transport, taking us directly to the centre of Kampot. From there, it was a piece of cake to reach the hotel we had chosen for our stay, as the bus stop was conveniently located within walking distance.
For those arriving from Sihanoukville, having perhaps spent some time on the enchanting island of Koh Rong, the bus journey time will be similar, as the road conditions may not be optimal. However, the trip does offer the opportunity to admire Cambodia’s beautiful rural landscape.
The downside of Cambodian cities
We arrived in Kampot with high expectations, eager to discover this Cambodian town, a destination for all backpackers travelling in Cambodia. However, from the outset, Kampot, like unfortunately other cities such as Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, did not immediately win us over. There were several moments where we did not feel comfortable. In the evening, in particular, we noticed that some parts of the city seemed a little too promiscuous for our taste.
While we were at the reception of our guesthouse, a retired western man jokingly asked the receptionist not to send girls to his room that night. This made us decide to leave the hotel immediately. Similarly, a friend of ours who had decided to work out at a local gym was approached by an elderly American man who insinuated to him that in Cambodia, by paying, you can get what you want, in a mischievous tone.
The wonder of the countryside
It was sad to see Kampot in this light because of Westerners, because we know that the Cambodian people are extraordinarily kind and welcoming. We got confirmation of this fact when we decided to fully immerse ourselves in the local culture, eating at their stalls and chatting with them. In particular, we had grown fond of a small stand near our hotel, which became our go-to spot every morning for a great coffee for only 50 cents!
But the most tangible confirmation came during our exploration of the surrounding countryside by scooter. During this adventure, we came into contact with the local people in an even deeper way. We were able to appreciate their authenticity, hospitality and the beauty of Cambodian traditions.
Read below about our motorbike tour of the Kampot countryside, where we stayed and what we did. Don’t miss the beauty of the Cambodian countryside!
Where do you rent a motorbike in Kampot?
We rented our motorbike from T-DA Motorbike Rental, in central Kampot. It costs us around 8 euros / 10 USD per day, and we took it for 2 days. The bike was a 125cc Honda Click, and seemed to be in good, well-maintained condition.
If you intend to rent the bike for multiple days, you can ask for a discount. It doesn’t hurt to try!
Note: Travel insurance is a must for any motorbike rentals abroad, especially in south east asia. Although problems rarely arise, you want to be covered in the case that they do. We use SafetyWing and recommend it for anyone travelling around the world.
Points of interest
Interactive map
1. Trapeang Sangkae Mangrove forest
The Trapeang Sangkae Mangrove Forest is a nature reserve encompassing a vast area of mangroves, which are important and delicate ecosystems that are essential for protecting local biodiversity and mitigating climate change. In fact, the area has become a popular destination for eco-tourism and hiking. If you opt for a guided boat or walking tour, the money used will be used for conservation and to support the local inhabitants. We decided to go into the area with our scooter. Observing the surrounding area and the slow pace of the farmers was very pleasant.
Back on the main road, we enjoyed getting lost in the narrow country lanes. We stopped for a thirst-quenching sugar cane juice at a local stand and were immediately surrounded by children and locals. Find the exact location on Google Maps here.
Note: Before visiting the mangrove forest, it is advisable to check the local regulations and respect the natural environment and avoid damaging the mangroves or disturbing the wildlife.
2. Kampong Trach Cave & Phnom Kampong Trach Cave
Kampong Trach Cave and Phnom Kampong Trach Cave are slightly further away from the rest of the attractions, with a motorbike ride of about an hour to reach them. But visiting them is really worth it! The red sandy lanes and limestone mountains typical of the area will give a special backdrop to your drive.
The Kampong Trach Water Cave is particularly interesting because of the presence of water inside the cave, which creates an evocative atmosphere. You can also explore it by boat or kayak, depending on local availability. From the top of the cave, you will have a wonderful view of the surrounding mountains.
The Phnom Kampong Trach cave is full of Buddhist shrines and altars inside, making it truly fascinating. You can explore it on foot, losing yourself in the various spectacular halls and corridors.
Take time to explore this wonderful area that offers both natural beauty and cultural and spiritual significance.
3. Salt fields at sunset
The salt fields in Kampot offer a unique spectacle at sunset. The salt fields consist of terraces of salt crystals. During sunset, the water reflects the colours of the sky and the sun, creating a spectacle of colour and light.
The pink, purple and orange hues of the sky, together with the white of the salt fields and the reflections on the water, offer many opportunities to take spectacular photos.
We rode our scooter and enjoyed the breathtaking sunset from here.
Note: Remember that salt fields are workplaces for locals, so it is important to respect private property and local rules when visiting them.
4. Bokor National Park
On the second day of the motorbike rental, we decided to spend it exploring Bokor National Park. The national park is located at an altitude of up to 1,000 metres, so remember your jacket if you decide to go! The area is very beautiful, with hills covered in lush rainforest. The park offers plenty of opportunities for hiking and trekking with trails that will take you to waterfalls and viewpoints. You can find Bokor National Park on google maps here.
Within the park, you will also find a number of historical buildings, including an old abandoned casino, built by the French during the colonial period. This building was abandoned for many years and has become a symbol of decadence and mystery.
In addition to the historical buildings, there are also places of meditation and worship within the park. We particularly enjoyed:
5. Giant Buddha
One of the most iconic statues within the park is the Sampeou Meas Buddha statue, also known as the ‘Giant Buddha’. This Buddha statue is impressive in size, and offers a spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding area.
6. Wat Sampov Pram
The Wat Sampov Pram, also known as the Blue Temple, takes its name from the predominant shade of its structure, blue. Its architecture is a mix of Khmer and Thai influences, and is characterised by intricate details and religious frescoes decorating the temple walls. One of the most impressive features of the Blue Temple is the large Buddha statue located outside.
The temple sits atop the hill, offering a beautiful view of the hills below. There are also other buildings and structures in the area that reflect the historical and colonial architecture of the region. Again, these buildings appear neglected or abandoned, but carry with them an interesting history.
7. Enjoy a drink and river activities at the Yellow Sun Hostel Kampot
At the end of our excursion to Bokor National Park, we went to enjoy a cool drink in the company of other travellers at the Yellow Sun hostel. They have a beautiful little bar overlooking the river where you can relax and have a chat while watching the sunset. The place is really quiet and worth a visit. If you are interested, they also offer kayak trips during the day to explore the river and surrounding countryside in an alternative and relaxing way.
Other attractions to consider if you have time
We usually don’t like to fill our days with a busy schedule of things to visit. This would leave little time to fully enjoy what we are seeing. For this reason, since we only had two days to explore around Kampot, we decided to make a shortlist and only see the sights that you have just read about in the points above. If you have more time, however, here are a few more suggestions of great things to see in Kampot:
1. Phnom Chngok Cave
Inside Phnom Chngok Cave, sometimes also called Elephant Cave, you can find a famous rock with a shape similar to that of an elephant.
2. Local Fishing villages
Visiting these local villages offers tourists the opportunity to have an authentic experience and learn about the lives of Cambodian fishermen. Some villages also offer boat rides or guided tours to learn more about traditional fishing and marine conservation.
3. Pepper farm
Kampot is renowned for the production of high quality pepper, known as ‘Kampot Pepper’. A visit to a pepper plantation in Kampot is an interesting taste and educational experience that allows you to learn more about the culture and agriculture of the area. Check out ‘La Plantation’ pepper farm here.
4. Kep Beach
We stopped here briefly on our drive to the caves and had lunch and an iced coffee. Kep Beach was very popular with locals and foreigners alike, and offers classic beach style tourism. Sun loungers, cocktails and street food with a picturesque view of the ocean.
You can also spend some time here exploring the small Kep National Park area with some walking / hiking trails and a viewpoint.
Useful Information
- The best time to visit Cambodia is between November and April, when it sees very little rain.
- When booking any bus or train ticket in South East Asia we always use 12.go Asia. It is often easier to book online rather than in person!
- Travel insurance is a must for any holiday abroad, especially South East Asia. Although problems rarely arise, you want to be covered in the case that they do. We use SafetyWing and recommend it for anyone travelling around the world.
- When spending money abroad we use the WISE international debit card. You can withdraw up to 200 euros in cash per month free of charge. After that, you only pay a very low withdrawal fee.
- Cambodia is a popular tourist destination, and hotels and hostels book up far in advance, especially in peak times. Best to book before you arrive to avoid any issues!
What to do next?
Next stop for us after Kampot was the beautiful Cambodian islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem! You can reach Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem from the port city of Sihanoukville, and busses and trains depart daily from Kampot to here. Check out bus and train prices and times here on 12.go Asia.
For more articles in South East Asia, check out the rest of the blog!
Leave a Reply