Nicely situated guesthouse on the Kampot riverside, and an ideal base from which to enjoy this lovely relaxing little city and its surroundings.

Rooms are aimed squarely at flashpackers, and are simple but stylish, and the owners Dom and Denise and their staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. Great restaurant/bar on a balcony overlooking the river, too.

Rikitikitavi
Riverside Road
Kampot
Cambodia

Rikitikitavi@asia.com

www.rikitikitavi-kampot.com

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

This quiet coastal destination around 16 miles from Kampot used to be Cambodia’s beach town in the 1960s, but nowadays the old villas are in ruins. The main draw of visiting Kep is the oceanfront seafood stalls, which there are many to pick from, all serving the same delicious fare of locally caught fish, crab, squid, prawns, snails and many other seafood delicacies. You can go to the seafront and choose your live catch from the fishermen, actually more likely fisherwomen and then your selection will be barbecued for you and brought to your table within fifteen minutes. A full table of assorted seafood with rice, vegetables and beer will set you back around $25 for four people. Before or after eating do visit the quiet beach for a relaxing swim.

The journey from Kampot takes around 45 minutes. You can hire a moto driver for $8 round trip or quite easily do the journey yourself on a hired motorbike.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The 1040 metres high Bokor Mountain was once a playground of the rich and famous during the early 1900’s. However, it is now a hauntingly derelict ghost town. There is so much to see on this former French hill station, such as an old abandoned Catholic church, a derelict French colonial style hotel and casino, a holiday villa, a royal residence and a Buddhist monastery that is built on the verge of the mountain. Also wild elephants and other jungle animals are occasionally seen if you’re lucky.

The view over the Cambodian and Vietnamese coast and islands from the top (1081 metres above sea level) is spectacular. At certain times of the year the mountain gets enveloped by a quick moving thick fog which makes for one of the most eerie yet beautiful sights I’ve ever experienced. It is also possible to stay at a National Park guesthouse on Bokor.

Hire a taxi to take you to the summit; the journey should take around two hours and costs about $20. I would advise against riding a motorbike there unless you are an experienced rider on a dirt bike. I have heard of many near death experiences of foreigners trying to do the journey themselves.

Visited by moto or 4WD vehicle (rates vary so haggle) and it is a two hour trip up a bumpy track.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A visit to the Teuk Chhou Falls is highly recommended, around 12kms from the centre of Kampot. A beautiful spot to while away a hot day, cooling off in the clear river or eating roast chicken with morning glory and rice on one of the many bamboo platforms which are built hanging over the edge of the river. A meal of whole roast chicken enough to feed four with vegetables, rice and beer (plenty) will set you back about $20. Local motos (we recommend Krang, he lives near Little Garden) in Kampot can take you there for no more than $7 round trip. Invite your moto to eat with you, this is part of the pleasure and allows you to meet the locals.

12kms northeast of Kampot - along with Teuk Chhou Zoo.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

I would also recommend a visit to the orphanage, which is a 10 minute journey from The Little Garden Bar guesthouse over the river. It is an orphanage for children who have lost their parents to HIV. It was a very humbling yet positive experience to spend an afternoon with the children, and learn about the work that is done there.

10 min walk over the bridge from The Little Garden Bar.

www.littlegardenbar.com/aspeca
www.littlegardenbar.com/aspeca

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A recommended place to stay is the Little Garden Bar, a villa-style guesthouse off the river, with clean rooms with fans and a nice restaurant serving Khmer and western food. Ten percent of profits go to a local orphanage called the Aspeca Orphanage.

North of the bridge on the waterfront.

www.littlegardenbar.com

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A recommended place to stay is the Little Garden Bar, a villa-style guesthouse off the river, with clean rooms with fans and a nice restaurant serving Khmer and western food. Ten percent of profits go to a local orphanage called the Aspeca Orphanage.

North of the bridge on the waterfront

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A good restaurant is the Bamboo Light Cafe & Restaurant, on the riverfront. Good value delicious Sri Lankan food (if you are in need of a change) and friendly owner make for a lovely evening. The riverfront has many choices, just take a stroll and you will find some good places to eat, both local and western.

South of the bridge on the waterfront.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A beautiful and sleepy province, once known by the French as the Perle de la Cote d’Agate, many French colonial villas are here. This is a great place to get a true feeling of Cambodia. There are not so many foreigners present, which we think makes for a better experience. This is one of our favourite parts of Cambodia.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Formerly a 1920s French hill station, Bokor was abandoned in the 1970s. It's now a conservation area and at about 1000m, the views across to the coast are fantastic and the ruined hill station buildings, now turned rust-coloured by a covering of lichen, make it feel like a ghost town. You can explore the ruined church, villas and fantastic Bokor Palace Hotel with its old ballroom. Very atmospheric, especially as they are often surrounded by mist.

South east of Sihanoukville and around 40km from Kampot – a 2 hour drive by 4WD up very rough roads to the top. $5 entry to the National Park.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends