Cambodia Travel Guide - Kampot - Kep - southern Cambodia

Kampot is a quiet, relaxed, laid back, some would say sleepy but charming little town in southern Cambodia. Bokor Mountain Hill Station was the major attraction of Kampot, but it is currently off-limits as a new resort is built.

A 30 minute ride from Kampot lies the once jet set beach resort of Kep. Over the past couple of years wealthy Cambodians have rediscovered the town and began renovating buildings.

Charming Kampot in southern Cambodia Sunset over Bokor Mountain, Kampot, Cambodia

Kampot is a quiet riverside town with views of the mountains and a lazy grid of old colonial houses. There are a few nice guesthouses.

So, what can you do here? Well, this southern area of Cambodia is completely beautiful and as yet untouched by tourists. If you want to be in a rural part of Cambodia that is within an hour moto ride from a National Park, the ocean, caves and miles of rice fields... this is the place for you.

Skip Sihanoukville and save yourself the money. Wander around, chat with locals, and peep the sunset over Bokor. You will discover that not only are the people in Cambodia beautiful... the land is as well.

Kampot Pepper

Kampot Province is renowned for its excellent pepper. By many, peppercorns from Kampot are considered as the finest in the world.

This fine pepper is for sale at the Cambodia Cooking Class. They come in attractive gift bags made of silk and profits go to FarmLink, a foundation to help small farmers in the region.

Kep is famous for its seafood, Cambodia Relaxing Kep in southern Cambodia

A 30 minute ride from Kampot lies the once jet set beach resort of Kep. Nowadays it is a strange, small place with lots of abandoned villas overlooking the ocean.

The beach is small and dirty, but the seafood offered on the wooden platforms there is the best you'll ever get. All kinds of fish, crab, squid etc. And for very affordable prices (although a little bargaining is needed!).

Rabbit Island, Koh Tonsay, off Kep Cambodia

When you want to find a nice quiet beach (see the picture above), rent out a boat to Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island). Interesting to walk around as well.

The main island you see offshore though is Phu Quoc – claimed by Vietnam – but any Cambodian will tell you it was stolen by the Vietnamese and looking at the basic geography of the coastline, they have a point.

Kampot Guesthouse Kep, Cambodia Sunset view in Kep Cambodia

In Kampot travellers on a budget should definitely choose Blissful Guesthouse, run by the friendly Danish Angela.

Near the river is the Little Garden Guesthouse, although unfortunately the rooms have no river view.

A bit more upscale but right on the river and well worth the money is the small Rikitikitavi Guesthouse, run by a Dutch/British couple.

In Kep, Veranda Guesthouse has stylish bungalows in a beatiful ambience at $20-60.

A cheaper option is Le Bout du Monde, a little further up the hill. Same great view of the ocean, Phu Quoc, and Bokor, but much cheaper ($5-25).

The new Kep Lodge is also a good option ($15-28).

Across the road from Veranda is Vanna Bungalows with nice wooden bungalows as well for $10-20.

The cheapest option in Kep is Botanica (around $8).

Around Kampot & Kep

See more things to see around Kampot & Kep.