Kampot

Riverside Charm and Pepper Fields

Kampot is a small coastal town in Cambodia known for its relaxed atmosphere and rich history. Once famous for pepper plantations, it still produces some of the country’s best spices. The area features quiet beaches with calm waters, making it easy to unwind after exploring nearby attractions like Bokor National Park or the ancient temples of Phnom Penh. Local markets sell fresh seafood and handmade goods, while riverside cafes provide a place to enjoy traditional Khmer dishes. Kampot’s slow pace appeals to travelers seeking genuine cultural experiences away from crowded tourist spots.

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Town in Cambodia

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.2

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	5
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	6

Read details

3/5

English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and by tour operators. Most locals working in tourism are used to international visitors, but in markets and rural areas, basic Khmer or French is helpful.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Kampot Summary

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Great for riverside relaxation and countryside exploring. Kayak along calm rivers, cycle through rural villages, visit pepper farms and enjoy laid-back cafés.

Place score

6.6

Best at:

Walkable

Cosy towns

Rivers

Natural sites

Guided tours

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

❤️ 8

Couples

Cambodia – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type C Type A: Type C: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Cambodian Riel (KHR) £1 ≈ KHR 5,428.92
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payment options are available in larger cities, particularly in tourist areas. Credit cards are accepted in many establishments, but cash is still preferred. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated in Cambodia but not mandatory. In restaurants, a 5-10% tip is common. Taxi drivers and hotel staff also appreciate small tips.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally permitted, especially in designated areas. However, excessive drinking in public places may be frowned upon.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places, such as restaurants, bars, and public transport.

Khmer New Year (April)	A major festival with national celebrations and events
Pchum Ben (Sept-Oct)	A festival for honouring ancestors, with cultural events and ceremonies

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 117 (Police), 119 (Ambulance), 118 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Grab
Other:	Cambodia is famous for the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, vibrant markets, and rich cultural heritage. It is a popular destination for history and adventure enthusiasts.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Kampot, Cambodia

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High season:	Jan. - March, Dec.
Shoulder season:	April, Nov.
Crowdedness:	5 (Moderate tourist numbers)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Dry season November to April is best for Bokor National Park, river cruises and cycling

Kampot Pepper Festival, mid February: local pepper and food stalls, music and tours

Khmer New Year, mid April: many shops close and buses and guesthouses fill up for three days

Don't miss

🌶️ Visit La Plantation pepper farm and taste world-famous Kampot pepper
🌄 Explore Bokor National Park and see eerie colonial ruins
🛶 Kayak the Green Cathedral river loop early morning
🏘️ Stroll through Kampot town’s French colonial architecture
🌅 Take a sunset river cruise along the Praek Tuek Chhu river

You've been here?

Why travel to Kampot?

Kampot is perfect if you’re looking for a mellow escape from Cambodia’s busy cities. The town’s riverside setting is ideal for sunset cruises, kayaking or just unwinding at a bungalow with a view. Foodies will love touring the pepper plantations and sampling dishes spiced with the region’s famous pepper. The countryside is dotted with caves, waterfalls, salt fields and durian farms and Bokor Mountain offers cool air and sweeping views. The vibe is friendly and creative, with plenty of cozy cafés, live music and a lively night market. But Kampot isn’t for everyone: the pace is slow, nightlife is low-key and roads can be dusty or muddy, especially in the wet season (May–October). The river is generally clean, but check local advice before swimming. Renting a motorbike is popular but Cambodian traffic can be chaotic – always drive carefully and wear a helmet.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Phnom Chhngok Cave Temple
2 Angkoy Leng Riverside
3 Old French Bunker
4 La Plantation Pepper Farm

🎡Places for activities

1 Night market
2 Provincial Museum
3 Preah Monivong National Park
4 ស្ទឹងព្រែកទូកមាស (Stung Prek Touk Meas River)

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Secret Lake
2 Salt fields
3 Phnom Chhngok Cave Temple
4 Green River
5 Bokor Mountain Lodge
6 Tada Waterfall

🛍️Shopping

1 night market
2 Sothy's Pepper Farm

🎈Events

Kampot Writers & Readers Festival
River Festival
Local food fairs
Khmer New Year celebrations
Music nights at riverside bars

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Rent a scooter or tuk-tuk to explore pepper farms.
Visit La Plantation for free tours of world-famous Kampot pepper fields.
Take evening river cruise to watch fireflies light up mangroves.
Climb Bokor Hill Station for abandoned French colonial ruins and sea views.

How to travel to Kampot

Kampot is about 2.5–3 hours by bus or minivan from Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville. Buses are frequent and affordable. The nearest airport is in Sihanoukville; taxis and transfers are available. The train from Phnom Penh is a scenic, slow option. Roads can be bumpy in places.

Access summary

From Phnom Penh Airport (PNH): Bus, shared minivan or taxi, about 3–4 hours.
From Phnom Penh city: Frequent buses/minivans via National Highway 3, roughly 3–4 hours.
From Sihanoukville: Coastal highway bus or taxi to Kampot, usually 2.5–3 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Kampot

Accommodation ranges from riverside bungalows and boutique hotels to backpacker hostels and guesthouses. Many places offer great views and relaxed vibes. Book ahead in high season (Nov–Feb). For a quieter stay, choose a riverside spot outside the main town.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Veranda Natural Resort

Kep Bay Hotel and Resort

Kampot Sweet Boutique

9.1

Rainforest Hotel by NSUN

9.0

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Kampot

Kampot is compact and easy to explore by bicycle, tuk‑tuk or on foot. For countryside adventures, rent a motorbike or join a tour. Tuk‑tuks and motorcycle taxis are affordable for short trips. Roads can be rough outside town, especially after rain, so drive slowly and be cautious.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-65 %

Daily expenses in Kampot are around 65% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to KHR) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£25	£42	£108
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£6	£14	£30
🍝 Food per day	£12	£22	£63
🚕 Transportation per day	£6	£6	£14

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£11
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.20
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.20
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.80
☕ Cappuccino	£1.40
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£0.95

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.50
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£7.50
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£3.60
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£25
🤧 Cold medication	£4.10
💇 Basic haircut	£3.40

Safety information overview

General safety

Kampot is generally safe, with low crime. Take care when swimming in the river and always wear a helmet if riding a motorbike. Petty theft can occur — keep valuables secure, especially in markets and on buses.

Health & Medical

Basic medical care is available in Kampot, but serious issues require travel to Phnom Penh. Tap water is not safe to drink — use bottled or filtered water. Mosquitoes can be a nuisance, especially in the wet season.

Accessibility

Town center and riverside are accessible, but many roads and paths are uneven or muddy, especially after rain. Some guesthouses and attractions may have steps or limited accessibility for those with mobility issues.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe to drink. Stick to bottled or filtered water, which is widely available. Bring a reusable bottle for refills at hotels and restaurants.