Kâmpôt Travel Guide

Kampot is a small town (pop.~40,000) in south-east Cambodia and capital of the province with same name. It is a gateway to Bokor National Park.

Kampot's main draw is its relaxing riverside setting. While there is a sizeable town 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.

Back from the river, the town is centred on the bizarre durian roundabout. From where the buses drop passengers, walking down the wide boulevard leads towards the river and the French-built market.

Kampot has a relaxed and sleepy atmosphere. It is a great place to go and just soak up the atmosphere and catch your breath for a couple of days, either in town, at the beach, along the river, or up on Bokor Hill.

Getting around Kampot is easy on foot or on pushbike, given the town's small size and flat terrain. Alternatively, hire a motorcycle (100cc - 125cc scooter or 250cc dirtbike, from US$5/day) or bicycle (from US$1/day) from hire shops near the durian traffic circle, or from just about any guesthouse or tour shop.

It takes about 2 hours by moto from Kampot to the Ha Tien border with Vietnam the scenery is very beautiful. If you start early you can catch the 10:00h ferry to Phu Quoc island. The border procedure is hassle free.

Finding an English-speaking moto taxi or guide in Kampot isn't too difficult but if you're struggling try Mr Kao Hemg (012645185 or 0977009975).

You can buy locally grown, and of international acclaim, black pepper from the New Market (1km towards Phnom Penh from the central traffic circle), although it is recommended that should you wish to be relatively certain that the pepper you are purchasing really is locally grown, bring a trustworthy local with you. Price starting from US$3 for half a kilo of delicious dried black Kampot Pepper.

Internet access is available downtown.