Kampot Travel Guide
City City in Kampot, Cambodia
Kampot’s riverfront and faded colonial facades set the scene for pepper-farm tours and trips up Bokor National Park. Eat crab at a riverside shack, visit pepper plantations, or take a slow boat along the river to watch small-town river life.
Why Visit Kampot? #
Kampot attracts visitors with its slow riverside pace, spice‑farm heritage and nearby natural escapes. Renowned Kampot pepper farms and riverfront cafés create a flavorful culinary scene, while fishermen and seafood stalls add coastal freshness. Outdoor enthusiasts head to Bokor National Park and the coastal Bokor plateau for hiking and colonial ruins, and sunset cruises on the Kampot River are a relaxed way to see town life. The mix of pepper farms, riverside charm and easy access to nature keeps travelers lingering.
Top Things to Do in Kampot
All Attractions ›
.jpg?width=600)
- Kampot riverside promenade - Walk Kampot's riverside promenade to see colonial buildings and local cafés.
- Bokor Hill Station - Drive up Bokor Hill Station to explore abandoned colonial buildings and hilltop views.
- Kampot pepper plantation tour - Tour a Kampot pepper plantation to taste and learn about pepper cultivation.
- Phnom Chhnork cave temple - Explore Phnom Chhnork limestone cave with a 7th-century temple and stalactites.
- Coastal salt fields - Visit coastal salt fields at sunset to see traditional manual salt-harvesting techniques.
- Teuk Chhou Rapids - Cool off at Teuk Chhou Rapids for riverside swimming and local picnic spots.
- Kep and Rabbit Island - Hop to Kep for crab markets, then boat to Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island) beaches.
- Kampong Trach and Bokor National Park - Explore Kampong Trach limestone caves and trails inside Bokor National Park.
Best Time to Visit Kampot #
Kampot is nicest in the cool, dry months (November-February) when humidity is low and breezes keep things pleasant. The monsoon brings dramatic green scenery but heavier rain.
Best Time to Visit Kampot #
Kampot's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 33°C. Heavy rainfall (3050 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. The driest month with just 23 mm and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is hot, feeling like 29°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm).
Comfort
Weather
March
March is hot, feeling like 31°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is the hottest month, feeling like 33°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (142 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is hot, feeling like 34°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (282 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (382 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (554 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (564 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (454 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is hot, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (306 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (145 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 23°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
How to Get to Kampot
Kampot is mainly reached by road from Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville - regular minivans and buses offer the best balance of price and frequency. Trains occasionally serve Kampot but bus/minivan is the reliable choice for most visitors.
Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH): The main airport for reaching Kampot. From Phnom Penh, buses and private minivans to Kampot take about 3-4 hours; expect fares of roughly $5-10 for a shared minivan and $15-30 for private transfers.
Sihanoukville International Airport (KOS): Closer for coastal arrivals; from Sihanoukville to Kampot the road trip is 2-3 hours by bus or taxi and costs around $4-8 on public buses or $20-40 by private taxi.
Bus / Minivan: The most common way to reach Kampot from Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville. Minivans and buses depart regularly; expect 3-4 hours from Phnom Penh (~$5-10) and 2-3 hours from Sihanoukville (~$4-8).
Train: Cambodia’s Royal Railway has limited service; while trains have run on the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville line with a stop at Kampot at times, schedules are subject to change and buses remain the more reliable option.
How to Get Around Kampot #
Kampot’s small riverside town centre is very walkable; tuk-tuks, motos and bicycle rentals make short trips easy and affordable. Buses connect to Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville; tuk-tuk rides in town typically cost a few dollars depending on distance-negotiate beforehand.
Where to Stay in Kampot #
- Various guesthouses (Kampot town) - Multiple cheap guesthouses near river.
- Kampot Mountain Guesthouse (Facebook) - Basic rooms, good value.
- Veranda Natural Resort & Spa - Boutique riverside resort, comfortable.
- The Columns - Kampot - Stylish mid-range hotel near centre.
- Knai Bang Chatt (Kep, short drive) - Luxury beachfront resort, 30-40 minutes.
- Pavilion Hotel Kampot - High-end option in town.
Where to Eat in Kampot #
- Rikitikitavi - Riverside café with relaxed vibe
- Epic Arts Café - Community-run cafe, local dishes and coffee
- Kampot Pepper Company shop & café - Pepper tastings and light meals
- The Rusty Keyhole - Bistro-style menu and craft beers
- Various riverside restaurants - Fresh seafood and casual Cambodian fare
- Guesthouse restaurants - Home-cooked meals in small establishments
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Kampot's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Kampot #
Kampot’s nightlife is relaxed-riverside bars and cafés are the main draw, with occasional live music and a friendly, low-key atmosphere. The riverside promenades and night market are the town’s evening focal points.
- Kampot Night Market - Evening market with street food, crafts and local snacks.
Shopping in Kampot #
Kampot’s shopping is small-scale: pepper shops, local produce stalls and craft boutiques line the riverside and market areas. For souvenirs look for certified Kampot pepper and small artisan stalls; the night market is a popular place to sample local food and goods.
- Kampot Night Market - Evening market with street food, crafts and local snacks.
