Why go to Kampot? Is Kampot Worth Visiting?
My ten year old son and I spent two days in Kampot recently. We found Kampot to be very laid back and relaxed, which is so different to Phnom Penh. We felt safe and found it so easy to get around.
Where is Kampot?
Kampot is only 150 km south of Phnom Penh, but you know what? You’d be fooled into thinking you were living in a different world.
It’s situated on a sleepy river and the atmosphere is very laid back in comparison to Phnom Penh.
Getting Around Kampot?
We hired a tuk tuk driver for the greater part of a day and it cost $20USD, probably could have got it a bit cheaper If I’d tried, but we thought that it was a fair price. Our tuk tuk driver had a fairy good basic grasp of the English language which was wonderful for us, he was very helpful.
What to see in Kampot?
Old Buildings in Kampot
I’d heard that in Kampot there were some old buildings, so I asked our tuk tuk driver to take us to see some of the old buildings around town.
I’d read in another travellers blog that the old prison building was great to see. Unfortunately the driver said it was no longer there. He drove me past the site, the prison had been demolished and apartments were being built on the site.
Villages Surrounding Kampot
We went for a drive in the tuk tuk, out of Kampot township we drove through many little villages that we saw a many rice fields. Some fields had kids playing in the water because it had been raining.
I love how kids are just kids can get out and make there own fun in every part of the world.
In one rice fields we saw people fishing, in others the fields were being ploughed.
We drove past many different plantations, including small crops of sugarcane, pawpaws, mangoes, pineapples, all those delicious yummy tropical fruits. Unfortunately it wasn’t quite the right season to taste most of them.
Next on our little tuk tuk tour, we headed to the Kampot Pepper La Plantation.
Kampot Pepper La Plantation, was actually really interesting. I didn’t know a great deal about Pepper, but visiting the plantation I know quite a lot more.
Our plantation guide explained the different types of pepper they grew and the processes they used to manufacture the variety of pepper’s.
We went for a walking tour through the plantations and saw how the plants were planted and harvested. The plantation also grows pawpaws and some other fruits and vegetables too.
If you’re interested they also have water buffalo and you can go for a buffalo drawn cart ride.
Available to purchase they have many types of Pepper. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase and although we didn’t go into the restaurant section, other visitors told us they cook you some beautiful food.
Kampot Night Market
Yes Kampot has a night market it’s, not huge, it’s a bit kitch, but it’s worth a little wander around. It has a variety of food vendors and your usual clothing and electronic vendors. In the centre of the market are a few rides for kids. The rides were quite old and reminded me of going to a local fair as a child. It was fun to look around and my son had a turn on the little dodgem cars. He had a good time.
What else is there to do around Kampot?
If you have more time Kampot, there are an abundance of activities available. Mostly outdoor types of activities are available. Some of the activities include hiking, waterfalls, canoeing, jet skis, rock climbing, kite boarding, river cruises, zipline, jet boat and caving.
We did want to go to the Bokar Hill Station which is a collection of French colonial buildings. It is situated on top of the Bokar Mountain, unfortunately, due to the weather we were advised that it would be all clouded out, and we would barely be able to see anything. Part of going Bokar Hill was to see the amazing view, oh well next time.
Kampot Accommodation Recommendations
Situated along the riverfront we stayed at the Salt River Resort and we very happy with our stay. We ate a couple meals at the next door accommodation which was called Little Salmon River Resort. Both are fairly basic kinds of accommodation, but beautiful spots located right on the river.
Budget Accommodation – Salty River Resort
Mid Range – Mea Cupla Kampot (also does fantastic wood fired pizza)
Top End – Le Bokar Palace
MORE READING ON CAMBODIA –
7 Things you must do in Phnom Penh 2019
What to see in Siem Reap, Cambodia?
So, is Kampot worth visiting? In our opinion a big YES. There is such a variety of activities especially for those who love the outdoors an food.
Book Recommendations
Cambodia Travel Guide Book
Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand, Travel Guide
Angkor Temples Travel Guide
First They Killed My Father – Novel
Cambodia – a Pictorial Guide
Other Products
Cambodian Flag
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