Kampot is one of Cambodia’s most peaceful places to live a good life. One of its main attractions is its relaxing riverside setting. It’s also one of the best places to visit whenever you feel like escaping Phnom Penh.
Kampot is a province in the south of Cambodia. It’s about 148 km from Phnom Penh.
How to get around Cambodia by Bus
Recommended Hotels to Stay when in Kampot
During one of our most recent visits, we stayed at Pippali Boutique Hotel. It is located along the riverside and a short walk from Kampot city centre. If you’ve got family with kids and need to stay overnight, we highly recommend this hotel. Not crowded. Quiet. Clean. One only downsize is the average breakfast serving.
We booked 3 rooms nearly a week in advance. We paid for one room to commit our booking.
In Kep, we recommend that you check out Le Flamboyant Boutique Resort & Spa (https://www.facebook.com/leflamboyantresort/).
Places to visit when in Kampot
This sleepy town has many historical buildings, such as houses, shopping malls, theaters, hospitals, and so on. That’s probably one of the reasons that it got the interest of the French. There are also Bokor Mountain, which is also attracted to the attention of all national and international tourists.
Monivong Bokor National Park
42km away from Kampot town to the west. At the top of the mountain there is a casino built during the French colonial period for them to play in all seasons. In addition, there is a pagoda called Wat Sampov 5, with a pattern of rocks in the shape of a ship. Five.
Here you can also explore the natural scenery that can not be easily reached: the lush valley of the Blue Forest The secret has a little cloud cover. They can also view the view of Kampot town from the top of the 1,375 meter high. In addition to historical buildings, tourists can visit nature once again, three cold waterfalls and cloudy regions. A cool, dry, and rainy season.
Tek Chhou Resort
It is a natural resort located 8 kilometers from the provincial town of Kampot. Up to the provincial town of Kampot, a major source of fresh water to support the consumption of people around the provincial town.
The beautiful waterfalls see the bottom flowing, sometimes flowing through the large rocky rocks that can be crossed. Crossing the water through a pivotal bridge hanging over waiting for tourists. In addition to bathing, vistors can also admire the landscape of the fruit trees and the people at the side of the falls, notably the famous poultry farms.
Kampot province is not far from the zoo and the Teuk Chhou garden are letting the viewers go out of their way after being back. From the falls at the falls. They often go for a variety of different kinds of animals, including fresh fruits and vegetables, such as tuna, rambutan, and so on.
Kdard La Tente and Kdat Sanaka of Kampot
Kdard La Tente is hidden place in Kampot, where you can really enjoy a wonderful view and good, fresh seafood. Most of the visitors who have been there could easily recognize Koh Tral from Kdard La Tente, which is run by young Cambodians.
It’s just a matter of time that Kampot’s Kdard La Tente would be on top of tourist destination among local, backpackers, expats, and foreign travelers.
These are some best places to see, eat, and stay when you’re in Kep:
- Kep National Park
- Koh Tonsay
- Wat Kiri Sela
- Kep Beach
- Sothy’s Pepper Farm
- Kep Butterfly Garden
- Coconut Beach
- Wat Samathi
Places to eat:
- Crab Market
- Kimly
Cambodia’s Kampot Peppers
Farmers in Kampot have many generations of experience in the cultivation of pepper and produce pepper of the highest quality using a mixture of traditional and modern methods. Kampot pepper is one of Cambodia’s product granted official geographical indication (GI) statuses. In February 2016, Kampot pepper became the first Cambodian product to be recognized by the European Union as a Geographical Indication. It is a certified appellation of original product since 2010.
Cambodia exported about 8000 tons of Kampot pepper at the start of the 20th century. About one million pepper poles still existed in Kampot in the 1960s, generating around 1000 tons. Just 4 tons was collected by the end of the 90s after the collapse of the Khmer Rouge regime.
Everything you need to know about Kampot peppers of Cambodia
Brief history
In Kampot, it can trace back to the 1870s the modern era of intense pepper production. His pepper plantations were burned down in 1873 by the Sultan of Aceh, who did not want to leave his riches to his Dutch enemies. Some of the production then shifted to the Kampot region of Cambodia.
Since at least the 13th century, knowledge of pepper cultivation and processing has been passed on from generation to generation in the Province of Kampot.
Taste and aroma
What does Kampot pepper taste like? The taste and strong aroma of Kampot pepper made it one of the world’s most highly regarded peppers-the unchallenged spice champion in the kitchens of the most famous French chefs, and commonly referred to as “The King of Pepper!”
Kampot pepper provides aromas that are strong but delicate. The flavor, ranging from strongly spicy to mildly sweet, often shows hints of floral and citrus.
The pepper plant grows on traditional wooden poles that are carefully separated by a given distance to ensure adequate food for all crops.
All Kampot pepper cuttings must come from the terroir of Kampot for a new plantation. Every year, natural fertilizer and fresh soil must be applied to each pole of the pepper plant.
Geographical location
Located between the mountains and the sea, this pepper is exceptional due to the special climate and soil type found in the province of Kampot, coupled with the experience of several generations of farming expertise.
The distinctive aroma–heavy yet delicate, aromatic and unmistakable–makes Kampot Pepper worldwide highly appreciated by gourmets.
Kampot pepper is grown on family farms dotting Phnom Voar and nearby valleys northwest of Kompong Trach, where especially pungent peppercorns are developed by the unique climate and farmers ‘ adherence to labor intensive growing techniques.
Price
Kampot pepper is sold for about $15, $25 and $28 per kilogram in three varieties – black, red and white. The season of harvest extends from March to the end of June.
Kampot Pepper Producers Association (KPPA) and the independent certification body Eco-Cert are responsible for inspecting the plantations.
Check out these Kampot’s pepper farms:
Getting to Kampot from Phnom Penh by bus or mini bus:
- 2 h 36 min (145.6 km) via 41 and NH 3
Buses leaving Phnom Penh for Kampot: Hua Lin, Capitol, Sorya, Paramount Angkor Express, Giant Ibis. Mini buses: Kampot Express and Vibol
From Sihanoukville (now called Kampong Som) to Kampot:
1 h 33 min (95.8 km) via National Highway 4 and National Hwy 3/NH 3
Buses: Stray Asia Bus and Giant Ibis
How to get quickly book a bus a ticket from Phnom Penh to Kampot? Please check out BookMeBus.
More about Kampot
Kampot is bordered on the north of Borseth district in Kampong Speu province, east of Tram Kok district and Kirivong district, South of Takeo province, adjoining the Gulf of West of Kampong Seila, Koh Kong and Preah Sihanouk provinces, as well as long coastline in the Gulf of Thailand.
Cambodia’s Kep
Getting to Kep (Krong Kep) from Phnom Penh by bus is an enjoyable experience than by a taxi (or private car), especially if you’re traveling with small children. If you don’t want to drive by yourself, you can also take a bus (for under $10). There are times when you want to escape Phnom Penh during the weekend to spend a good time a sleepy town like Kep. How to get to Kep from Phnom Penh by bus?
Also: Bus Trip from Battambang to Sihanoukville
Want to escape from Phnom Penh? To where? Think of Kep, a small, quiet town where Cambodians consider as a place for super good seafood.
This is the most beautiful view of the setting sun from a nice place called Knai Bang Chatt Resort Kep.
What’s in a name, Kep? It literally means Saddle. But it’s more than, tropical islands.
Which is the best hotel in Kep? We stayed for two nights at Le Flamboyant Boutique Resort & Spa. It’s nice place for family as it’s very spacious with grass for kids to run around. And there are two good swimming pool (one big for children and a smaller one for adults).
And you can really relax there as it’s surrounded by the most beautiful view of Kep national park. What’s more you need in life to feel good?
Kdat Sanaka
If you’re looking for a camping site in Kampot, I’d recommend you check out Kdat Sanaka, a Cambodian-run eco-tourism resort. It’s the best place to escape from the crowd of Phnom Penh and busy life. Kdat Sanaka is about 3 hour drive from Phnom Penh. From Phnom Penh to Kampot, it’s about 150 km. From Kampot to Kdat Sanaka, it’s about 20 km.
More about Kep
Kep province is one of the four provinces located on the southwest coast of Cambodia. Kep is located a few kilometers away from the Cambodian-Vietnamese border. Kep was once the most popular coastal city of Cambodia. The beautiful beach in Kep is a shady, mangrove forest and black sand. Kep is rich in seafood, but delicious.
Kep province also has many local products such as pepper, salt, fruit, mango, rambutan and many tourist destinations such as beaches, mountains, canyons and resorts. In particular, there are a host of international and domestic tourist destinations.
Koh Tonsay is located about 4.5 kilometers southwest of Kep Province. Tourists are attracted by two white sand beaches and shallow seawas suitable for swimming. The seabed has diverse coral reefs, marine animals and plants, attracting researchers and ecologists to study.
The name Koh Tonsay comes from the word disintegration. On one occasion, to avoid the commander’s command, Prince Sakor Ran was very disappointed because his troops were exhausted. He led the remaining troops across the sea to an island in front of Kep, where the army was separated. As a result, the island is also known as Koh Russey, Koh Samet, Koh Ouay, and Koh Tonsay which we have known today. Another thing happened through the residents who lived there in Kep prior to 1975 that the island was formerly known as the Island of Antilles. It does not make sense to this word.
How to Get From Phnom Penh to Kep by Bus or Mini Van
If you’re planning trip from Phnom Penh to Kep, it can be easier to schedule your trip ahead. Also, these days you can quickly book a bus ticket on the Internet. There are many fast buses running from Phnom Penh to Kep several times a day. This means that you can schedule your departure time easily.
- You can book a bus ticket (Phnom Penh Sorya) for a trip from Phnom Penh to Kep directly (no stopover in Kampot). A more comfortable option is getting to Kep by Cambodia Post VIP Van ($7-$8). The van departs Phnom Penh at 07:45 AM and arrives Kep at 11:45 AM.
- Duration and distance: approximately 3 hr 30 minutes. (145.9 km) via NH 3 and 31
- Departure time: morning (7:30AM; 9:30AM), noon (12:30PM), afternoon (2:30PM)
- Buses and mini vans that run to Kep from Phnom Penh: Champa Mekong, Phnom Penh Sorya, and Cambodia Post.
- Price: $8
- Each bus company has their own boarding point. It may depends on where you stay, you can decide to go which bus station that is very close to you. You can find more information about these boarding points here on the BookMeBus website.
As bus companies compete for customers, they now offer comfortable, basic air-con buses to deluxe air-con buses with entertainment, snacks and onboard toilet. Good price, too. The main road from Kampot to Kep is now in good condition.
From Phnom Penh to Kep by bus (164 km):
You can easily book a bus ticket online or using BookMeBus smart phone app. It’s easy, fast and convenient.
Disclosure: Bus tickets purchased through links to BookMeBus generate affiliate sales for us.
More bus routes across Cambodia to check out: