KH
Kampot
A relaxed riverside town known for pepper farms, sunset cruises and the abandoned Bokor Hill Station
A relaxed riverside town known for pepper farms, sunset cruises and the abandoned Bokor Hill Station
The river promenade is lined with old shophouses, cafés and guesthouses. Sunset boat trips run upriver, and some go out after dark to see fireflies.
Bring insect repellent on evening cruises.
Photo: Marcin Konsek, CC BY-SA 4.0
About 40km away by a winding road, the plateau has the shell of a 1920s church, the old Bokor Palace hotel and views over the coast. It is cooler and often misty up there.
Take a warm layer.
Photo: PsamatheM, CC BY-SA 4.0
Farms around Kampot offer free or low-cost tours explaining how black, red and white pepper are grown and processed, with tastings.
Photo: PsamatheM, CC BY-SA 4.0
Just outside town, workers flood flat fields with sea water and rake the salt as it dries. The fields are photogenic at sunset.
Photo: douglasjonesjr, CC BY 2.0
In Kep, women haul crab traps from the sea and cook the catch with fresh Kampot green pepper at seafront stalls. Boats also go to Rabbit Island.
Agree prices before ordering.
Photo: PsamatheM, CC BY-SA 4.0
Try crab with green Kampot pepper, amok (fish curry steamed in banana leaf) and lok lak (stir-fried beef with pepper sauce).
The riverfront has many cafés and international restaurants.
Buses and minivans run from Phnom Penh, usually taking around 3–4 hours. There are also connections to Sihanoukville and Kep.
Tuk-tuks and rented scooters are the main way around.
Cambodia uses the riel (KHR), but US dollars are widely used for most prices.
River, mountains and coast.
Walk the riverfront, visit the salt fields and take a sunset cruise.
Drive up to Bokor Hill Station.
Visit a pepper farm, then eat crab in Kep.
Wear a helmet and check insurance.
Carry small US dollar notes and riel for change.
Afternoon storms are common from May to October.
Use repellent, especially at dusk.
Quick answers for planning time in Kampot.
By bus or minivan, usually around 3–4 hours.
Kampot pepper, the river and nearby Bokor Hill Station.
About 30 minutes by tuk-tuk or scooter.
Yes, it is about 40km by road, under an hour.
November to April, the dry season.
Planning a wider trip? Our Cambodia travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.