Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Experience in Kampot Province

Kampot (Khmer: ខេត្តកំពត IPA: [kɑmpɔːt]) is a province (khaet) of Cambodia. It borders the provinces of Koh Kong and Kampong Speu to the north, Takeo to the east, Sihanoukville to the west and Kep as well as a long coastline on the Gulf of Thailand to the south, Its capital is Kampot town. Kampot has a population of 627,884 and consist of eight districts divided into 92 communes with a total of 477 villages. Touk Meas City is located in Kampot Province. The city is a quiet riverside town just a few kilometers from the Gulf of Thailand. Kampot is well known for its famous black pepper, which is widely available in Cambodia. The town is also famous for its Kampot fish sauce and durian. (Reading Source: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

 Sleepy Kampot sits on the east bank of the Kampot River and enjoys spectacular views across to Bokor and Elephant Mountains, which make up the sizeable Bokor National Park. The town was once a trading centre and until the establishment of a deep sea port at Sihanoukville in the 1950s, Kampot was Cambodia's primary port. A smattering of small fishing boats can still be seen unloading every morning a short walk south of the main town on the dirt road parallel to the river. Given Kampot's proximity to the Vietnamese border, fish often isn't the only catch being unloaded, with smuggling -- particularly of cigarettes -- a handy extra earner for the fishermen.

Today, Kampot is best known for itspepper, which is truly excellent. Pepper plantations as well as a few low-key sites can be visited from town, which also forms an ideal base for trips up to jungle-clad Bokor, a highlight of any visit to the Cambodian coast. Atop Bokor are a church and a casino, remnants from Cambodia's French colonial period. Today they're both in a decrepit state -- the Khmer Rouge and Vietnamese spent a long stretch shooting at each other here, with one team in the casino and the other in the church. Spoiling the misty spookiness is a new casino development, but the road built to access it at least means you no longer have a tough trek to the top.

Kampot is both somnolent and pretty, in a rundown kind of way. Plenty of villas and old shopfront trading houses, especially along the river road, make it a pleasant area to wander through -- thankfully Kampot hasn't lost too many of its older buildings to the glass and brass brigade. Given time and sufficient interest from travellers, many of these buildings will hopefully be retained. The Old Market, long a derelict landmark, has recently been revitalised with shops and eateries and rumours abound about plans for the empty fish market on the riverfront.

Along with its relaxed ambience comes an excellent selection of places to stay, from cheap backpacker-orientated guesthouses through to some fine flashpacker and midrange hotels. Kampot also boasts plenty of decent places to enjoy Cambodian and Western food and just hang out. 

Within town, activities include taking a walk over the once-bombed but now repaired river bridge for a view of the town, enjoying a sunset boat cruise up the Kampot River or just hiring a bicycle and meandering about. You also, of course, need to enjoy at least one sunset over Bokor by the river with a drink in hand. Further afield are some caves just off the road to Kep, the 'Secret Lake', some salt fields and a small waterfall. 






Roads and streets


           
  • NR3: Connects Phnom Penh with Kampot province. The road distant is about 148km. It is paved and in a relatively good condition, but poor in traffic signs. Here like on most highways Cambodia has no control over free roaming cattle and other livestock that regularly block road traffic.

Transportation



By bus from Phnom Penh:
Minor update as at September 2014:
The road between Kampot and Kep has been had extensive work done to it over the past twelve months and is now fully sealed between the two towns.
Hua Lin buses depart at 07:00 and 12:00 from their bus station on street 182 near Olympic Market. The bus travels to Kampot via Kep and the trip takes about five hours.
Capitol buses depart at 07:00 and 13:00 from their bus station near Orrusey Market. The bus does not currently go via Kep and the trip to Kampot can take approx. 3.5 hours. The bus continues on to Kep after setting down passengers in Kampot. The fare is now $US5. Website: http://www.capitoltourscambodia.com
Sorya buses depart at 08:30 and 13.40 from their bus station next to Central Market. In the high season (October to May)there may be an additional bus at 9.30am. The bus travels to Kampot via Kep and the trip takes about five hours. The fare is $7 one way and $US10 for a return ticket . Website: http://www.ppsoryatransport.com/eng/
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 three hours. The fare is $6
Giant Ibis buses depart at 08:00 and 14:45 from street 106 next to the Night Market on Riverside. This company started operating in May 2012 and is promoting itself as a luxury service. Tickets are $8 and the bus sets down at the Durian Roundabout (approx. 300 metres from the bus station) in Kampot. Website: http://www.giantibis.com/
All of the above buses, with the exception of Giant Ibis, terminate at the central Kampot bus station which is about 150 metres from one of the main guesthouse streets in Kampot - walk to the Salt Workers Monument and take your first turn to the left.
Note that these buses do not generally have an on-board toilet but do usually have a 15 minute rest stop at approx. the half way point between Phnom Penh and Kampot. Note also that while there is no difference in the fares charged for locals and foreigners on the Phnom Penh - Kampot route, fares generally increase for everyone during major public holidays/celebrations.
Mini Bus
Kampot Express uses 12 seat Hyundai Starex mini buses and started operating in 2012. They provide an 08:00 and 13:00 service on weekdays with an additional 4.30pm service on Saturday and Sunday. The bus route from Kampot passes - and will set down at - Phnom Penh International Airport. Buses are based in Street 215 in Phnom Penh at the Sokimex petrol station, with the trip taking approx. 2.5 hours depending on the traffic leaving Phnom Penh. In Kampot, the buses set down and depart from their depot on the Southern side of the Durian traffic roundabout in the centre of town. The fare is $US8 for foreigners, with locals paying less, and additional baggage fees may apply. Website:http://www.kampotexpress.com/
Private Taxi: your guesthouse/hotel should be able to arrange this for you and expect to pay between $US35 and $US50 for the whole taxi with the trip taking approx. 2.5 hours depending on the traffic leaving Phnom Penh. Again, prices quoted will generally be higher during major public holidays and you will almost certainly be quoted a higher price if you attempt to negotiate the fare yourself with one of the taxis at Phnom Penh airport.
Shared Taxi : There are a number of shared taxis that regularly ply the route between Phnom Penh and Kampot and your guesthouse/hotel should be able to arrange a seat for you. If you want to make your own arrangements, taxis generally depart from Psar Damkor. Be aware that a shared taxi, generally a Toyota Camry, on this route will normally carry eight people including the driver so if you are a large Westerner, have a lot of luggage or have issues with your personal space, you might want to book two seats at the front of the taxi which in effect gives you the front passenger seat to yourself. Prices are generally around $US5 per "chair" so the front passenger seat to yourself should cost around $US10.
There is no passenger rail service between Phnom Penh and Kampot.
From Sihanoukville, take a shared taxi, minibus or bus. Most taxis depart from the traffic pickup point next to the market. The two hour drive should costs US$3-5/person in a shared taxi, though haggling is required. Bus operators can help arrange a minibus with pickup at your guesthouse. Shared taxis are generally cramped, with up to 7 passengers: 4 in the back, 2 in the front passenger seat and one next to the driver.
Giant Ibis are now operating a return bus service to and from Sihanoukville with departures at 8.30 am and 12 pm in both directions. Price is listed at $7 one way.


Get Around

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 .
Tour Companies, There are approx. ten tour companies in Kampot offering the usual range of services. Prices and what is on offer is often displayed on a billboard at the front of the shop.
  • Kampot Car Rental, newly established business in Kampot with a range of cars for hire from $25 per day. Web site is here: http://kampotcarrental.com/ and email is here: maxcrow@kampotcarrental.com
Note about motorcycle rental
If you are going to rent a motorcycle here, make sure you understand what your liability is if the bike is stolen while you are renting it as moto theft from tourists is starting to be a bit of a problem in Kampot. You might find that the guesthouse or company that rented you the bike will expect you to pay in full for the stolen motorcycle to be replaced and the valuation placed on the stolen bike may be somewhat inflated. Note also that if you are an unskilled motorcycle or scooter rider and you decide to rent and ride one here - and combine that with not wearing a helmet and alcohol consumption - you are really testing your karma. Remember you are a long way from any quality medical care.
Safety, Kampot is generally a very safe town for visitors. However there have been incidents of bags - often containing valuables - being stolen from the front carry basket of pushbikes while the visitor, usually female, is cycling around town. The general technique used by the thieves is for a motorcycle with rider and pillion to pull alongside the pushbike, snatch the bag and then disappear into the distance. Secure your bag and/or limit the amount of valuables it contains.

Geography



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 a number of interesting old structures in various states of repair. The market, an angular structure similar to Battambang's, has undergone an extensive renovation and is now largely open for business.

Bokor Mountain

Bokor National Park, about 1-2 hours out of Kampot, is being destroyed by a US$1bn casino development - the Thansur Bokor Highland Resort http://www.thansurbokor.com/ with the result that the eerie charm of the abandoned French hill station - that included a shell of a church and the isolated upland nature reserve - is rapidly disappearing. 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. Entry to the area is US$0.50 for motorcycles and $US2.50 for cars.
Tigers were rare to start with and will likely soon be non-existent. Gibbons and birds such as the chestnut-headed Partridge, blue pitta and orange-headed thrush will also been much harder to spot in what is now a construction site. The waterfall, which only flows in the wet season, may still provide some sanctuary for humans and animals wanting to get away from bulldozers.
Tours still run up the mountain and cost approximately US$10, depending on bargaining skills. Lunch is included. Except for the Bokor Palace Hotel and old casino, the old French buildings are occupied by the families of construction workers. The excursion can still be worthwhile provided as it is viewed as an insight into seeing 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 does offer food and French wine.












Other

  • Teuk Chhouu, (8km upriver of town on the west (far) bank). An area of rapids with eateries and an island. It is a nice place for swimming, tubing and relaxing, and local vendors sell fruit, coffee and water. Prices for food and drink are somewhat higher here than in Kampot town . Entry fee: $US1 for foreigners. 


  • Phnom Chhnork, (8km east of town on the Kep Road NH33). A pleasant ride through paddy fields and village life to these caves with pre-Angkorian (Funan) shrines and "lost worlds". Just after the rhino statue turn left (there is a sign to Phnom Chhnork Resort), cross the railway into a village. Straight ahead is Phnom Sera with some interesting caves and a quarry which feeds the local gravel industry. Follow the road 90 degrees left and 2 km or so to Wat Ang Sdok, pay the monks and walk across to the mountain. Take a torch $US1.  





  • Secret Lake, (East of Phnom Chhou). An irrigation dam with a picnic area.  
  • Pepper Farms, (North of the Kep hills and NH33), http://www.thevineretreat.com/. Enquire in town about how to see pepper being grown and processed. For a guided tour visit The Vine Retreat in Chamcar Bei village. Most tour operators in Kampot offer visits to pepper farms.  


  • Also recommended are the fresh seafood, especially the crab with local Kampot pepper, and beaches at Kep (25km 25-45 minutes east from Kampot by moto or shared taxi) which makes a fun day trip. Although the beaches are not as nice as those in Sihanoukville (1 small brown sand beach and more rocky), it is quiet and during the week you will likely be the only visitors. Fishing boats can also be taken out to Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island), approximately 45 minutes from the mainland.
  • Cham Fishing Village, about two kilometres out of town past the Governor's Residence on the road that runs along the East bank of the river.
  • Salt Fields , about two kilometres out of town on the Kep road. You will see the fields off to your right (coming from Kampot) and there are a number of access roads.


  • Teuk Chhou Zoo, Located about 8 km out of Kampot towards Teuk Chhouu and not far from the rapids. Admission is $US4 for foreigners and $US1 for locals and it is open daily. Note that Footprints Organization, the NGO that had been operating the Zoo since March 2012 has ceased to be affiliated with it. The Kampot Traditional Music School for Orphaned and Disabled Children, situated across the road from the Acleda Bank building and adjacent to the park that runs down to the Old Market. The school holds occasional concerts - there is a notice board outside the building advising dates and times - and it is possible to attend music rehearsals (Mon to Fri) if you make an appointment. Tel: +855 (0)33 932 992 (Field Manager: Mr. You Chhuy)
  • Old Buildings, There are some fine examples of colonial architecture along the riverside in Kampot including The Governor's Residence, The Red Cross building and the Department of Mines building. There are still a hand full of dilapidated, photogenic shop houses on the streets back from the riverside.
  • Buddhist Wats, within two kilometres of the town centre are half a dozen Buddhist temples. Worth seeing are the hand painted depictions of the life of Buddha on the internal walls of each of the Wats. If your time or interest is limited, Wat Treuy Koh is one of the best examples - go over the old bridge and take your first major paved road to your left. The Wat is approx. 500 metres along this road to your right. This is a great spot to watch the fishing fleet go out just before dusk.
  • Chinese Temples , worth a look if you are spending a little extra time in Kampot. The first has recently been restored and is located on the road that runs along the river front about 100 metres from the new bridge while the second is adjacent to The Vietnam Friendship Monument. .
  • The Old Prison , still in active use and would make a great set if anyone ever decides to do a remake of the movie Papillon. This is not a place where you would want to do time. About 200 metres from the Salt Workers Monument.
  • The 2000 Olympic Stadium, in the center of town behind the Durian Roundabout. Classic Khmer style stadium and the grounds are often used for fairs or live music concerts during public holidays.
  • The Market, large, rambling and well stocked with just about everything that an average Khmer family could need. Have a look at the section behind the fish mongers for examples of local produce: it's well worth a wander around. Watch your feet & your head as the floors can be uneven & the ceilings low. There is a secure parking area at the market that charges 300 Riel to look after your pushbike and 500 Riel for a motorbike.
  • The Old Market, restoration is now complete and the majority of external stalls facing out to the road are now occupied. Kepler's Books has relocated to here and there are a few tour agents, a mini mart, a computer store, a real estate agent, a few restaurants (Cafe Malay, Mira Home Cooking and Veronica's) and a couple of tiny bars.
  • The Night Market , located on the Phnom Penh road at the Northern corner of the Durian Roundabout, this mini fairground opened in November 2013. It features children's rides, Khmer snack food and drinks and a few stalls selling knock off brand name products.
  • Get Out Of Town, head out of Kampot for 1 kilometre in any direction and get off the main roads and you are in rural Cambodia. Some of the local cottage industries include palm sugar and wine making, basket weaving and furniture making using liana and rattan.


Do

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: in the town, at the beach, along the river or up on Bokor.
Do Kampot province by dirtbike: Ride enduro style through the Elephant mountains, take on the hillclimb up Bokor or relax.
  • Petanque (Boules). Play at Blissful for free. Have a cold beer or Pastis while playing. The court is floodlit, so play morning, afternoon or evening. 
  • Minigolf, (at the Magic Sponge GH). Play a few fun rounds of 9-hole minigolf for free. 
  • Quiz Night, at Blissful Guesthouse, Tuesday nights at 20:00 and Rusty Keyhole2, Wednesday nights at 7.30. Often a good mix of local expats and travelers. Free entry at both venues.
  • Watch a movie, Ecran Movie House is a boutique, 30 seat cinema showing nightly movies starting at 7.30 pm. Huge screen and quality sound system. Located on the North side of the "new" market on the same street as Rusty Keyhole and ABC Bar. Check out the front to see what is showing that night. Admission is $US2.50
  • Take a boat trip, there are a number of tour operators in Kampot offering boat trips on the river. Bart, a Rastafarian looking, Belgian expat, has been boating on the river for the past 7 years and is recommended. Type - Boatman Bart Kampot - into Google for more info. Contact him at (T:(092) 174 280) Paddle Boards are available for rent for $US7 per day at Captain Chims restaurant over the road from the old market.
  • Pick up a free copy of The Kampot Survival Guide while you are in town and have a read. A funny, irreverent and often politically incorrect take on visiting or living in Kampot written by local expats. The KSG blogspot site is here: http://kampotsurvivalguide.blogspot.com/ Or look out for a copy of Coastal tourist information guide containing info and maps of all towns in South-Cambodia.
  • Live Music, check with your guesthouse to see what's on offer while you are in Kampot. During the high season (Nov to March), live gigs or jam sessions might be held at ABC Bar, Madi Bar, OM, The Greenhouse, Wunderbar, Samon's Village, Bokor Mountain Lodge, Bodhi Villa or The Magic Sponge
  • Take a guided Cycle Tour, these are offered by most tour operators. The Four Villages tour run by Buffalo Tours (opposite Blissful) is an interesting way to see rural life surrounding Kampot.
  • Rent a motorbike and explore nearby caves, rock formations and salt fields.


Buy


Kampot Pepper Given its reputation for quality, this is probably the most popular purchase made by visitors to Kampot. It is one of only two Cambodian products to be certified with Geographical Indicator http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographical_indication status the other being Palm Sugar produced in Kampong Speu province. For it to meet GI status, Kampot pepper must be grown without the use of pesticides or inorganic fertilizers and be grown in either Kampot or Kep provinces.
In the 2010 season, approx. 17 tonnes of pepper were produced in the two provinces and approx. 10 tonnes of that met the additional pesticide and fertilizer criteria. Of that 10 tonnes, approx. 6 tonnes went directly to overseas markets. Given the increased global awareness of Kampot pepper, http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2103704,00.html demand is now outstripping supply despite an increase in production in 2011 and again in 2012. The harvest for the 2013 season was 22 tonnes - down from the anticipated 27 tonnes due to a hot, dry spell during the fruiting season. Prices for the genuine article sold by reputable outlets in Kampot range upwards from $35 per kilo for black pepper and up to the equivalent of $80 per kilo if buying in small quantities (less than 100 grams) in some form of decorative packaging.
Pepper is widely available in Kampot Market however the bulk of what is sold there is probably sourced from Vietnam - possibly Ha Tien or Phu Quoc Island http://english.thesaigontimes.vn/Home/business/tourism/10596/ or from the Cambodian provinces of Kampong Cham, Kratie or Takeo - and is now very unlikely to be Kampot pepper despite what might be claimed. Some stall holders will truthfully tell you that their pepper is from Phu Quoc Island and not Kampot but fail to see what the fuss is about as Phu Quoc also has a centuries old reputation for producing quality pepper and was historically part of Cambodia (Kampot) until 1939.
Baseline prices for high quality pepper in the market as at July 2014 are Black Pepper ($11.25 per kilo), White Pepper ($12.50 per kilo) and Red Pepper ($17.50 per kilo). Expect slight fluctuations on these prices and expect to pay slightly more if you are buying less than one kilo at a time. Your pepper will be sold to you in a plastic bag - many stalls now prepackage 100 and 200 gram plastic bags with the price printed on them. Do not expect any decorative packaging.
If you want to be confident that the pepper you buy is the genuine article, then buy it from a reputable supplier. The packaging should have a GI logo and possibly a tracking code identifying the farm where the pepper was grown. Given the supply and demand, expect to pay a premium price for authenticity and the quality that should be implicit in that.
If you buy your pepper from the market or one of the many retail outlets in Kampot selling pepper and there are no GI logos or tracking codes on display, then the probability is that you are not buying genuine GI Kampot pepper. Be aware too that buying directly from the farm is not necessarily a guarantee that all of the pepper sold off that farm has qualified for GI status. This does not mean that the pepper you buy in these outlets is bad or necessarily even significantly inferior in quality to the genuine article. It is still very possible to buy a high quality pepper in Kampot for a bargain price. However its only legitimate claim to being Kampot pepper may be that it was purchased in Kampot but was in actuality grown 40 kilometers away on Phu Quoc Island.
Banks, There are four banks with 24 hour ATM services in Kampot. Canadia Bank is located in a new building on the main Big Durian traffic circle. ACLEDA bank is located approx. 150 metres from the bus station on the street running down towards the river. The Cambodian Public Bank is located on the Phnom Penh road three blocks from the Big Durian heading North towards the market. ABA Bank is located on the left of the central parkway on the road between the Big Durian and the 2000 Monument.
Tiny Kampot Pillows Hand made in Kampot, Quilts, Pillows and Cushions, Table Runners and Place Mats, Belts and Bags. Also made in Kampot Bookmarks, Greeting Cards, Prints and Reproduction Indochine Photos, plus a range of Kramas and functional gift items. At the 2000 Traffic Circle. Phone: 085 515 759 Webpage: http://www.tinykampotpillows.com/

Eat
There are plenty of places to eat in Kampot, ranging from the usual street kitchens to proper restaurants providing indoor seating. Most places are only a short walk from the central traffic circle. A delicious breakfast is Koh Kor Num Pain, a thick beef stew served with french bread. Fish and seafood are also plentiful, fresh and delicious.

Blissful, On Guest House Street by Salt Workers Statue. Food 07:15 - 21:30. Khmer and Western cuisine including vegetarian dishes. Weekly Sunday roasts. Relaxing garden area. The accompanying bar closes at midnight. $3-8. Just north of the new bridge are two bungalows with over-the-water dining in stilt huts. Nature Bungalows even has a tiny artificial beach. Just south of the same bridge a Khmer seafood restaurant is also on stilts over the water.
  • Cafe Espresso Kampot, 17 R717 (Across from 333 Bakery in the side street from Epic Arts Cafe),☎ 092388736, http://wikitravel.org/en/Www.espressokampot.blogspot.com. 7am - 11pm. Speciality coffee, roast and ground on site. International menu incl. Australian-style café fare and fresh baked bread & cakes. Free wifi. under $5.00. 
  • Epic Arts Cafe, Old Market Street (North side two blocks from the river). Breakfast until 17:00.Modern cafe cuisine, juices and Italian coffee. NGO run to help local disabled people. A few secondhand books also for sale. moderate - premium. 
  • Kampot Pie and Ice Cream Palace, Behind Little Garden Bar (One block north and one block inland of the old bridge), ☎ 099 65 78 26. 07:00- late. Khmer run bakery with good, cheap fare including brownies and apple pie.  
  • OM, Old Market Street no.38 (in the old french quarter between Old Market and Park), ☎ 090-798152, http://om-kampot.blogspot.com/. 08:30 - 20:30. Restaurant & Organic Shop with affiliated Organic Permaculture Farm, Khmer & Western cuisine healthy food and fresh smoothies. Creperie & juice bar, coffee, teas & cakes, Cambodian specials. A meeting-place for spiritual and ecological communication and education - open 08:30 til 20:30. Free Wifi  
  • Rikitikitavi, Riverside Road, ☎ 012 235 102, http://www.rikitikitavi-kampot.com/. Western and Asian food, atmospheric terrace restaurant overlooking the river and mountains. Notable saraman (Cambodian beef curry) and amok trai (fish curry). A little more expensive but good quality. 
  • The Rusty Keyhole, (on the river, just south of the old bridge and next to the French-built market building), ☎ 092 758 536. Western and Asian food with notable tender BBQ ribs, relaxing river side location. Beer provided in 568ml vessels for those who love the pint.  edit Rusty Keyhole 2 (Restaurant and Sports Bar) is now open at the 2000 Roundabout next door to Tiny Kampot Pillows.
  • Sisters II, Two blocks off of the river (turn beside Bokor Lodge off the river) near the 2000 round about, ☎ 017-777-470. 07:00 - 17:00 closed Sundays. All day breakfast and bakery, great carrot cake (3,000 riel). 
  • Ta ouv, (Just south of new bridge on the river), ☎ 012 987 457. Has two signs with slightly different translations of their name. Often mentioned in guidebooks, it skimps on their trademark green pepper crab (just 1 small crab) and you are better off going to Kep for a tastier, better value version of this local dish. $4. 
  • Moliden, Riverside Road (on corner of the old bridge,Riverside Road,), ☎ 012820779, http://wikitravel.org/en/Molidenkampot@yahoo.com. 07:00 to 23:00. Western and Asian food with notable tender BBQ ribs,Tasty pizzas,kampot pepper steaks, pastas,salads atmospheric restaurant overlooking the river and mountains,sitting in the garden with relax chair.on the river side 2.5 to10. 
  • Café Malay, old market street, close to the river (next to Kepler's book shop and ABC bar), ☎ +855 97 9938641. 09:00 - 22:00. Little Café and restaurant near the old market. Wide range of original Khmer and western food. Home made ice cream, cakes and breads. Pizza. Lavazza espresso, cappuccinos, draught beer and cocktails. Free WiFi. 1 - 8.


Drink


Visit any of the numerous vendors located on the main avenues in the evening for aTeuk Rleuek (fruit shake). Also worth trying is a glass of freshly squeezed sugar cane juice: look for the stalls that have stacks of sugarcane and brightly painted, hand cranked mangles, or a glass of iced tea with freshly squeezed sugarcane & lime juice.
Just about all of the local Khmer restaurants serve beer. In addition, there are literally dozens of night time drinking establishments catering for the locals both inside town and on the outskirts. These range from the quite palatial to the downright seedy - a thatched hut with dirt floor complete with wandering chickens and dogs. These establishments will often serve food (don't expect a Western menu) and frequently provide semi-soundproof rooms if karaoke singing combined with drinking is your thing. They can be located by the large, neon Anchor, Angkor and Cambodia beer signs.
Bars
The following "Guesthouse St" businesses have bar facilities:
Blissful Guesthouse (open until midnight),
Magic Sponge,
Orchid Guesthouse,
Kampot Guesthouse,
Pepper Guesthouse
  • WunderBar (New Location on the riverfront), ☎ 017257364. Stylish bar with garden area and great tunes, serve western & khmer food, kitchen open till 11 pm. Big selection of beers, cocktails, fruit juices. new pool table with a competition on Sunday 20:00, admission $US2. Open 6 days a week, 12.15 pm - midnight.Closed on Monday. Happy hour 4 - 7, free wifi.  
  • OM, Old Market Street no.38 (in the old french quarter between Old Market and Park), ☎ 090-798152, http://om-kampot.blogspot.com/. 08:30 - 20:30. Juice Bar, Restaurant & Organic Shop with affiliated Organic Permaculture Farm. Khmer & Western healthy foods , fresh juices and vegetable drinks served by friendly Khmer girls. Free Wifi  
  • Moliden, Riverside Road (corner of the old bridge / opposite of the river), ☎ 012820779, http://wikitravel.org/en/Molidenkampot@yahoo.com. 07:00-23:00. Stylish bar with garden area and great river view and bokor mountain, open 7 day a week,Big selection of beers, cocktails,wines, fruit juices happy hour 16:00-19:00 sitting in the garden with chair relax 1to5.  edit
  • Naga House, tuek chhou road (across the new bridge from town), ☎ 012 289 916, https://www.facebook.com/nagahousekampot. western and khmer owned. great river side location for swimming, chilling. every saturday night this is the place to be with live music, dj's and partys. happy hours from 4pm till 7. cheap beers and cocktails. open everyday. cheap accommodation bungalows and dorms. nagahousekampot@gmail.com


Sleep


At the budget end of the market, dorm style guesthouse accommodation in Kampot starts at around US$2.50 and separate fan rooms are generally around US$5-8. Air-con rooms generally start around US$13.
There are perhaps fifty guesthouses dotted throughout the city however the majority of these are more oriented to domestic rather than foreign visitors. Half a dozen of the popular guesthouses with foreign visitors are concentrated on "Guesthouse Street" which is now also home to a few budget roadside cafes. There are also a number of guesthouses just outside of town across the bridge and along the riverfront.

Budget City guesthouses

(Under $US15 but guesthouse may also have more upmarket rooms available)
  • White Pigeon Guesthouse, 2000 Traffic Circle (next to Tiny Kampot Pillows). Clean and quiet guest house, in a new building. Rooms with aircon, private bathroom, hot shower, new furnitures, clean sheets and towels, free WiFi all over the place. Meets western standards. $13 with aircon, double or twin beds. Laid back BBQ bar next door with 70's music, pool table and darts. $13. 
  • Blissful Guesthouse, Guesthouse St (100m south of bus station, east of Salt Gatherers' Roundabout), ☎ 092 494 331.Longest run Western guesthouse in Kampot since 2004. Lush tropical garden, restaurant with a wide range of traditional Khmer and Western cuisine, busy bar with great music and a laid back atmosphere. All rooms are fan cooled with private or shared western bathrooms, cold water showers (hot water if the sun has been shining). Double or twin with private bathroom $US6, double room with shared bathroom $US5, single room with shared bathroom $US4, dormitory $US3/bed. 24 hour access. Free wifi. 
  • Magic Sponge, Guesthouse St (east of Salt gatherers' Roundabout), ☎ 017 946 428 (), http://www.magicspongekampot.com/. Funky converted villa run by Westerners with free wifi, 9-hole minigolf course, pool table, 50-inch HD widescreen TV for live sports, great Western and Asian food including excellent Indian dishes. A well stocked bar open late and with incredibly cheap draft beer - especially during Happy Hour between 12:00 and 16:00. A great place to hang out and meet other travellers with no shortage of entertainment. Air-con or fan rooms are spotlessly clean and feature superb quality mattresses and hot showers, and now there is a penthouse dormitory for just US$3 per night per bed. Laundry, travel tickets, motorbike and bicycle rental and up-to-date travel information available. 
  • Orchid Guesthouse, Guesthouse St (east of Salt Gatherers' Roundabout). Another straightforward guesthouse with fan and air-con rooms and food, opposite Pepper. Also rents mountain bikes for $4/day.  edit
  • Kampot Guesthouse, Guesthouse St. Another straightforward guesthouse with fan and air-con rooms and food, next to Orchid. This one has clean rooms, no fridge, great wifi and it's quiet because it's at the end of the street: sponge and blissful sometimes have music... 
  • Pepper Guesthouse, Guesthouse St. Converted villa guesthouse with clean rooms, simple restaurant and wi-fi in rooms run by a friendly Khmer family. Bicycles available for rent at $US1/day and motorbikes for $US4 for a semi-auto or $US10 for an off-road bike. Rooms $US5 (fan) - $US15 (air-con).  
  • NyNy Hotel, Guesthouse St. Three storey building in Guest House Street. Clean and big rooms, Wi-Fi. Fan rooms: One bed (1-2 persons: 6 USD), two bed (2-4 persons: 7 USD), big bathroom. AC available  
  • Paris Guesthouse, Corner of Old Market St (three blocks from bus station). Brand new multi-story purpose built hotel.  
  • Homestay-Café, close to the river, opposite the hospital, ☎ 855-(0)77-526-443. All rooms ensuite with hot water and fan.  
  • Long Villa Guesthouse. West of the new market on New Bridge Street, nice garden restaurant, clean rooms, fan and aircon. 
  • Nature Bungalow, (north of New Bridge 50m). Riverfront bungalows with over-the-water dining.  
  • Ta Eng Guesthouse is on a side street near where the road to Kep bends out of the town grid. Not very cosy. Curfew at 23:30. Rooms start at $US5.
  • Titch's Place, Australian run dorm-room guesthouse located on the riverfront in the block between the old market and old bridge. Roof top bar with views over the river towards the mountains. WiFi. International power sockets for electrical appliances. Separate dorm room available for female guests on request. US$3-$4 Phone: 033 650 1631 Email: titchs.place@yahoo.com

Budget Riverside Guest house

  • Moon River Lodge,New addition to the east side river front in a quiet scenic location only a short stroll along the promenade to the old French quarter,has 8 well appointed rooms A/C or fan with en suit bathrooms hot water TV dvd and wifi. Unique retro building with lots of balcony space to laze around on whilst enjoying spectacular 360 degree views of the town river and mountains.A great little B&B.www.moonriverlodgekampot.com phone 855 77 526 443.
  • Bodhi Villa, (1.5km north of New Bridge on the far (west) bank), ☎ +855 12 728 884, http://www.bodhivilla.com/. Simple but charming bungalows on the river and in a lovely garden. The bar over hangs the water, the staff are friendly, prices reasonable and food good.  edit
  • Olly's Place, by the river, 500 metres north from the west side of the new bridge (next to Bodhi Villa), ☎ +855(0)92 605 837, http://www.ollysplacekampot.com/index.html. Comfortable bungalows and rooms with mosquito nets. Paddle-boarding and swimming in the river included. Wind-surfing available. Food and drinks menu. Best value of the three. 
  • Kampot River Bungalow, 100 metres before Olly's place on the west side of the river. Comfortable bungalows and rooms with mosquito nets. Run by a very friendly and caring Khmer family. The food is cheap and consistently good. They will arrange all bookings tours buses etc but never push it on you. There are free bicycles and scooters for hire. This is the quietest and most traditional of the River bungalow choices. Also it is run and owned by warm Cambodian family and staff. $6. 
  • Samon's Village, 50 meters behind Bodhi Villa, https://www.facebook.com/samons.villag. clean and new bungalows with mosquito nets. With terrace and access to the river. Good local food. Very friendly and family-like atmosphere. No party crowd. Get to know the locals who live here and hear traditional music, too. Rent motorbikes, bicycles and kayacs. $8 (shared bathroom), $20 with bathroom. 
  • Greenhouse, Papaya Salad Road (Cross the new bridge, follow Teuk Chhu road for 6km, then turn right on Papaya Salad road when you see the white sign on the right side of the road), ☎ +855(0)88 886 3071, http://www.greenhousekampot.com/. checkin: 2pm; checkout: 12am. Small private bungalows set in an orchard with a fantastic view. Great bar and restaurant in beautiful old wooden Khmer house with a large balcony overlooking the river. Kayaks and paddle boards rental, free wifi, popular swimming spot. The restaurant has a few Kampot Pepper specialities. It is also the only place working with fresh Red Kampot Pepper. $US10-25. 
  • Naga House (river side bar, guesthouse and restaurant), Tuek Chou Road (opposite side of the river), ☎ 012 289 916, https://www.facebook.com/nagahousekampot. checkin: anytime; checkout: 12pm.Clean large room with mosquito net, free wifi (in bar area), boat trip, bicycle/motorbike for rent and any kind of transport organized. Live music, happy hour for beer and cocktail, nice spot to swim and take it easy. Friendly staff, western and khmer owned. dorm $3, room bungalow $6-$9.  

Budget Countryside Homestay Bungalow

  • Kampot Eco-Village Retreat, (phone for free pick up from within kampot or drive over the new bridge and follow the road until the temple on the left side. Now go into the little path on the right hand side and keep going for 600m), ☎ 855-(0)12-719-872. checkin: anytime; checkout: noon. Kampot Eco-Village retreat is a home-stay guesthouse that features traditional bungalows for $U5 and free use of a bicycle as well as Cambodian specialties and western dishes. Friendly family country-side location, motorbike rental available. $US5 per day, $US25 per week, $US80 per month.  

Upmarket

  • Les Manguiers, East Bank of the River (2km north of the new bridge on a rough dirt road.), ☎ 102 489 376 / 012 823 400, http://www.mangokampot.com/. Garden bungalow resort with table d'hote menu, kayaks and boat trips. Very French; trilingual staff. Call for pickup. $10 - 44.  
  • Villa Vedici, East Bank of the River (2km north of the new bridge on a rough dirt road, just north of Les Manguiers.), ☎ +85589290714, http://www.villavedici.com/. Swanky new garden bungalow resort. r $US30, bungalow $US30, big house $US100 (up to 8 ppl).  
  • Moliden Guesthouse, ☎ 012820779. checkout: 12.00pm. Rooms cost 15, 25, 35, and 65 dollars with very relaxing atmosphere. The $US15 rooms have good-sized rooms that have cable TV, hot shower and free wifi. The US$65 rooms are very spacious, cable TV, hot shower, bath, private entrance, free wifi and extremely good riverview of Bokor Mountain which can be seen from the balcony. All rooms include breakfast. 15 to 65.  
  • Mea Culpa Kampot, behind Govonors Mansion, ☎ 012 50 47 69 (), http://www.meaculpakampot.com/. New guesthouse and restaurant in a nice garden setting, in a quiet part of the old French quarter of town. Clean, new nicely decorated fan and air-con rooms with cable TV, DVD player and en suite bathroom with hot water. Balcony. Complimentary tea and coffee. Patio restaurant and bar serving Khmer and international fare including pizzas from a wood-fired oven. $US20-25.  
  • Kampot Riverside Hotel, Riverside Road, between old bridge and Kampot Hospital, ☎ 012 351 764 (), http://www.kampotriversidehotel.com/. checkout: 12:00pm.Eighteen well equipped rooms to make you feel right at home. Sunset Cocktail bar. Free wifi. Cable tv, Air Conditioned. Hot shower. Tea & Coffee making facilities. Room service. Laundry service. Free pick up from bus stations. Rates include breakfast. US$25 - $49.

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