Cambodia
Kampot
November to April (dry season; avoid May to October monsoon)
$20-60 USD
Khmer (basic English in tourist areas)
UTC+7
About
Discover Kampot
Kampot is a charming riverside town in southern Cambodia, nestled between the Elephant Mountains and the Gulf of Thailand. Long a favourite of travellers seeking a slower pace, the town has built a reputation as one of Southeast Asia's most laid-back destinations — a place where colonial-era French architecture lines the waterfront, salt fields shimmer in the afternoon light, and the air carries the scent of the world-famous Kampot pepper.
The Praek Tuek Chhu River is the town's beating heart. Life here revolves around the water — sunset boat cruises, kayaking through mangroves, and firefly tours that wind through the flooded forests after dark. The surrounding countryside offers equally compelling excursions: Bokor National Park crowns a mist-shrouded plateau with a ruined French hill station, an abandoned casino, and sweeping views across the bay to Vietnam's Phu Quoc island.
Kampot pepper is among the most prized in the world, protected by a geographical indication. The pepper farms around Kampot — including the celebrated La Plantation estate — welcome visitors for guided tours through the vines and tastings of white, black, red, and green varieties. The nearby town of Kep, just 30 minutes away, pairs perfectly with a Kampot day trip: its famous crab market, where freshly caught crabs are served with local Kampot pepper sauce, is an unmissable culinary experience.
The town's colonial heart is compact and walkable, with a riverside promenade dotted with cafes, guesthouses, and restaurants serving everything from Khmer fish amok to wood-fired pizza. The old market area retains a genuine local character, and the surrounding countryside rewards those who hire a motorbike or bicycle to explore at their own pace — cycling out past salt fields, pepper farms, and village temples at sunrise or dusk.
Kampot has grown steadily as a destination without losing the unpretentious spirit that made it popular in the first place. Accommodation ranges from riverside bungalows and boutique guesthouses to the occasional resort. It appeals to slow travellers, digital nomads, and anyone wanting a genuine slice of Cambodian life beyond the temple trail.
Where to Stay
Best Hotels in Kampot
Luxury Hotels
Nataya Round House Coral Bay Resort
A riverside resort set in gardens on Prek Ampil just outside the town centre, Nataya Round House offers distinctive round bungalows, a swimming pool, and a tranquil setting away from the bustle of the main streets. Good value for couples and families seeking a resort experience near Kampot.
Boreirom Teuk Chhou Resort
A local resort property on the Teuk Chhou River with traditional Khmer architecture and a riverside setting that offers a genuinely immersive Cambodian experience. It is a good option for travellers wanting something different from the town centre's more international guesthouses.
Boutique Hotels
Pippali Boutique Hotel
A refined boutique hotel on Street 735 in the heart of Kampot, Pippali blends contemporary design with local materials and warm Khmer hospitality. The hotel offers well-appointed rooms, a rooftop terrace bar, and one of the best swimming pools in town — all within easy walking distance of the riverside and old market.
Rikitikitavi
Kampot's most celebrated riverside property, Rikitikitavi occupies a prime spot on the Praek Tuek Chhu river with sweeping waterfront views. The boutique hotel is known for its outstanding restaurant, attentive staff, and elegant rooms that combine colonial character with modern comfort.
Boutique Kampot Hotel
A well-rated four-star-style property on Ousaphea Village street, Boutique Kampot Hotel delivers a higher tier of comfort in a small-town setting. Spacious rooms, a pool, and a central location make this an excellent base for exploring the river, pepper farms, and Bokor.
Phka Kravan Boutique
An elegant boutique property on Street 735 in Sangkat Kampong Kandal, Phka Kravan offers stylishly designed rooms with a strong emphasis on local character and service. The hotel is popular with couples and design-conscious travellers seeking something more personal than a chain hotel.
Mid-Range Hotels
Kampot River Residence
A riverfront property in Kampong Kreng Village offering comfortable rooms and direct views over the Praek Tuek Chhu. The residence is a good mid-range option for travellers who want easy access to river-based activities and a quiet setting outside the main town area.
TWIN HOME Guesthouse
One of Kampot's highest-rated guesthouses, TWIN HOME sits on Ousaphea street with clean, well-maintained rooms and genuinely warm service. It receives excellent reviews for value and comfort, making it a top choice among mid-range travellers looking for a reliable base in town.
Bamboo Bungalows
A well-established and highly reviewed bungalow property on Tuek Chhu Road, Bamboo Bungalows offers a range of comfortable rustic rooms and bungalows in a garden setting. With nearly 1,000 reviews averaging 8.0, it is one of the most trusted mid-range stays in Kampot.
Kampot Diamond Hotel
A budget-friendly three-star hotel in Kampogbay Village, Kampot Diamond offers solid value for travellers who prioritise location and functionality. The hotel is a practical choice for those on a tighter budget who still want a proper hotel experience rather than a guesthouse.
Budget Options
Kampot Guesthouse
A reliable and well-established guesthouse in central Kampot offering simple, clean rooms at very affordable prices. Popular with backpackers and long-stay travellers, Kampot Guesthouse has a laid-back common area and a helpful team who can arrange local tours and transport.
Good Morning Kampot Guesthouse
One of the best-reviewed budget guesthouses in Kampot, Good Morning has earned over 700 reviews with an average of 7.9 by delivering clean rooms, friendly service, and a genuinely social atmosphere. It is a top pick for solo travellers and backpackers wanting to meet other people.
Happy Family Guest House
A friendly family-run guesthouse on Street 3 in Kampong Bay Village, Happy Family offers clean rooms with good amenities at very competitive prices. With an 8.7 rating from nearly 200 reviews, it consistently ranks among the best budget options for guesthouses in central Kampot.
Mad Monkey Kampot
Part of the popular Mad Monkey hostel chain, Mad Monkey Kampot sits on River Road and caters to backpackers and social travellers looking for a fun atmosphere, affordable dorms, and organised activities. A great option for those who want to meet people and get easy access to group tours.
Experiences
Things to Do in Kampot
La Plantation Pepper Farm Tour
Tour one of Cambodia's most celebrated pepper farms, La Plantation, set in the foothills above Kampot. The guided walk takes you through rows of Kampot pepper vines — white, black, red, and green varieties — with expert explanations of cultivation and processing, followed by a tasting session. Kampot pepper holds a protected geographical indication and is widely regarded as among the world's finest.
Bokor National Park Day Trip
A full-day excursion to Bokor Hill Station, perched at 1,080 metres on a mist-wreathed plateau above Kampot. The ruined French colonial casino, abandoned church, and panoramic views stretching to Phu Quoc island on clear days make this one of Cambodia's most atmospheric excursions. The winding mountain road is accessible by motorbike, tuk-tuk, or guided 4WD.
Firefly Tour on the Kampot River
A magical evening boat trip along the mangrove-lined banks of the Praek Tuek Chhu river, where thousands of fireflies synchronise their bioluminescent light displays after dark. Run by local operators, the tours typically depart at dusk and last around two hours, drifting silently through tunnels of glowing trees.
Kayaking in the Green Cathedral
Paddle through the 'Green Cathedral' — a section of the Kampot river where a dense bamboo forest arches overhead to create a cathedral-like canopy of green. The experience is most dramatic in the morning light. Several local operators offer half-day kayaking trips that combine the Green Cathedral with mangrove exploration.
Day Trip to Kep and the Crab Market
Just 30 kilometres from Kampot, the sleepy seaside town of Kep is famous for its freshly caught crabs served with a sauce of locally grown Kampot pepper. The half-day or full-day trip typically combines the bustling Kep Crab Market with a walk through Kep National Park's forest trails and a stop at the sunset viewpoint over the Gulf of Thailand.
Kampot Cooking Class
Learn to prepare traditional Khmer dishes using freshly ground Kampot pepper and local ingredients sourced from the market. Hands-on classes run by local chefs typically cover fish amok, Khmer curry, and a pepper-centric recipe, followed by a shared meal. Classes run daily and suit all skill levels.
Sunset Boat Cruise on the Kampot River
A relaxed two-hour cruise along the Praek Tuek Chhu river as the sun sets behind the Elephant Mountains, painting the water in shades of gold and orange. Boats typically sail past the old colonial waterfront, salt fields, and fishing villages, with cold drinks on board. A quintessential Kampot experience.
Cycling Tour of the Salt Fields
A guided bicycle tour through the flat countryside south of Kampot, past the glistening salt fields that produce much of Cambodia's salt supply. Workers can be seen raking salt into large white pyramids from December to May. The easy cycling route is suitable for all fitness levels and pairs well with a stop at a local village.
Cave Exploration — Phnom Chhnork and Phnom Sorsia
Explore two remarkable cave temple complexes in the hills north of Kampot. Phnom Chhnork features a pre-Angkorian brick sanctuary inside a natural cave chamber, reached by climbing 203 steps. Nearby Phnom Sorsia contains ancient white cave paintings and bat-filled caverns. Both sites are within 15 kilometres of town and easily combined in a half-day.
Kampot Old Town Walking Tour
A self-guided or guided walk through Kampot's old colonial district, where French-era shophouses and civic buildings line the waterfront promenade and surrounding streets. The town retains an unusually intact streetscape of early 20th-century architecture. A good guide will point out the old governor's residence, the Chinese shophouse quarter, and the river market.
Teuk Chhu Rapids and Swimming
A popular local excursion to the Teuk Chhou rapids, around seven kilometres from town, where the river tumbles over rocks into clear swimming pools. The site is busy with Cambodian families at weekends and quieter on weekdays. Simple food stalls and hammocks are available beside the water for a relaxed half-day outing.
Stand-Up Paddleboarding on the Kampot River
Rent a stand-up paddleboard and explore the Kampot river at your own pace. Several rental operators along the riverside offer boards by the hour, with flat water conditions making it accessible for beginners. Early morning paddles are especially rewarding when the river is calm and the light is gentle.
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