Kampot Tourism And Travel Guide

Kampot is an alluring province situated along the southern coastal belt of Cambodia. This town is slowly turning into an economic hub for Cambodia thanks to its excellent production of salt, pepper, fish, and fruits. Kampot's highlights are its scenic riverside backdrop and the splendid landscapes surrounding it. The majestic Bokor Hills that surround the riverside promenade provide incredible viewpoints of the city lying below. Also, Kampot's intriguing array of old colonial architectural structures offer a glimpse into the incredible past of the Khmer empire. Let us read through this travel guide to understand how tourism prospers within Kampot.

By Air:
The nearest airport to Kampot lies within proximity to the central hub of the city, separated by about 23 km to the northwest. Neighboring airports such as Phnom Penh International Airport, Sihanoukville Airport, Svay Rieng Airport, and Koh Kong Airport ply flights in and out of this city. Even countries such as Vietnam and Thailand also enjoy excellent air connectivity to Kampot.

By Road:
Major bus transport operators such as Giant Ibis, Capital Tour, Paramount Angkor Express, Hua Lin, and Sorya ply their buses in and out of Kampot regularly. Coming in through Route 33, these buses provide excellent connectivity to the guesthouses in the primary market area. Those tourists who wish to enjoy smooth commutation can rent a private taxi for approximately 25 USD.

By Water:
Tourists who wish to use waterways to get to Kampot can board the famous Crab Shuttle from Kep. These boat journeys usually take off from Kep in the afternoon and reach Kampot by evening. With low prices lying in the range of 9 to 13 USD, the Crab Shuttle forms an inexpensive and scenic mode of transport for visitors to the beautiful town of Kampot.

Kampot is situated within proximity of the coastal belt of Cambodia and thus experiences a sultry and humid tropical climate. The two seasons witnesses throughout Kampot include the dry season and the wet season. Tourists can explore Kampot throughout the year owing to its pleasant weather.

Dry Season (October to Early May):
Kampot experiences sweltering weather during the dry season on account of the splendid coastal belt that lies in the vicinity. Temperatures usually alternate between 23°C and 32°C. Kampot's dry season is the best time of the year to explore the city. Tourists can venture into the national parks conveniently and visit splendid waterfalls too.

Wet Season (Early May to September):
Kampot's wet season witnesses humid climate with temperatures usually hovering between 26°C and 34°C. Between June and August, the city receives a considerable amount of rainfall. Tourists who visit Kampot during this time of the year can explore the Kampot Provincial Museum or catch up on a Cowboy movie of yore at the Ecran Movie House.

Salt and Pepper Hub of Cambodia:
It only fits that Kampot is known as the "Land of Pepper and Salt," as the city breeds many salt pans and lush green pepper farms throughout its expanse. Some of these picturesque plantation farms include Vine Retreat and La Plantation. Tourists can enjoy delicious organically produced lunch at these beautiful cultivation farms.

Stunning Caves and Religious Shrines:
Kampot is blessed with wonderfully carved out cave temples atop its lush green hillocks. Some of the exquisite shrines situated atop mountains include Wat Sampov Pram, the Phnom Chhnork Cave Temples, and the Old Catholic Church. Besides, the city is studded with splendid caves such as the ones at Phnom Sorsia, where tourists can spot magnificent bats go about their daily routine.

Age-old Cinema Houses:
Kampot is blessed with a few state-of-the-art cinema houses that were built during the colonial era, such as Old Royal Cinema House and Ecran Movie House. These private movie houses screen exciting movies from the Western Cowboy era and offer delicious refreshments to go with them. Tourists can also tap into the rich historical roots of Cambodia at one of the daily shows to enlighten themselves.

Kampot is famous for its unusual blend of Khmer cuisine that ranges from breakfast servings to lunch and dinner offerings. One such popular breakfast item is Bai Sach Chrouk, which comprises a delicious combination of pork and rice served along with veggies and soup broth. A famous dish tailor-made for lunchtime is the Num Banh Chok found at the Teuk Mahek hotel. Num Banh Chok consists of rice noodles submerged under fish broth and covered with several herbs. Other sumptuous local cuisine found here include sour soup combined with delicious pork and fried chilies combined with basil, egg, and pork.

Some of the several shopping arcades spread across Kampot include FarmLink, Bokor Night Market, and Dorsu. FarmLink is famous for its splendid pepper produce, which tourists can take back home in pouches. Visitors can even step in and watch how high-quality pepper is dried outside and sorted inside the sorting chamber. The Bokor Night Market offers a host of shopping items such as jewelry and sneakers along with the tasty street food around its vicinity, such as fried ice cream. Dorsu is a traditional factory outlet that offers impressive wardrobe staples prepared by local people.