Kampot is a charming riverside village that lives underneath the shadow of Bokor Mountain. In the last 10 years the dusty unexplored backstreets of Kampot have turned into one of the crown jewels of any Cambodian Backpacking itinerary. In among the winding Praek Tuek Chhu River, bustling streets and Cardamom mountain range you’ll find unforgettable adventure, a rich Khmer heritage, weeks’ worth of activities and truly delicious places to eat.
If you plan to go backpacking in Kampot, this guide covers everything you need to know from the backpacker basics of what to do, where to stay and where to eat to more secret spots, local suggestions and unmissable activities in our favourite Cambodian town.
How long should I stay in Kampot?
3-5 days is the perfect time frame for exploring Kampot, and Bokor National Park.
Every Cambodian trip NEEDS to include Kampot for at least 3 days, if you have some time available you could easily spend up to a week in these lively streets and adventure filled suburbs.
Rather than staying a couple days in both Kep and Kampot, we recommend spending all your time in Kampot and using it as a base to visit Kep which is incredibly easy to get to from Kampot either by bike, Tuk Tuk, or on a day trip tour. Kep is well worth a day trip but has very little Kampot can’t offer unless you are looking for a couple days simply bathing on the beach.
If like us, you’ve heard countless descriptions of Kampot as a sleepy fishing village and were thinking of quickly passing through, we suggest you think again. Take a look at our massive list of things to do all backpackers must try before leaving Kampot.
Best things to do in Kampot?
Visit a Pepper Plantation
Kampot Pepper Plantation are world renowned for producing the finest selection of spicy, floral and complex flavours of gourmet pepper. Kampot’s pepper production was targeted as a symbol of colonialism and the industry was almost entirely irradicated during the rule and mass genocide of the Khmer Rouge.
Yet in the last decade Pepper Plantations are up and running once more and create the perfect day trip. Enjoy a free tour around the planation’s and afterwards experience a free tasting that will forever change your idea of what pepper can and should taste like. We recommend visiting BoTree Pepper Plantation, or the more commercialised La Plantation. Both offer a free tour and free tastings, but BoTree Plantation is often referred to as the more eco-friendly and sustainable choice as it is a family run organisation that is widely supported by local communities. La Plantation is by far the biggest and most popular plantation to visit however, although the prices are slightly more expensive in the shop and restaurant.
Preah Monivong Bokor National Park
Discover Bokor National Park’s mountain range and you’ll find abandoned French Colonial settlements, Popokvil waterfall, Giant Buddha’s, ancient temples like Wat Samprov Pram, and scenic panoramic horizons overlooking dense rainforest, paddy fields, Kampot town, and the faraway ocean.
Be sure to buy a bunch of Banana’s on your way, to feed the monkeys on your accent up to Bokor Mountain. You can visit Bokor National Park through a group day trip tour service or hire a Tuk Tuk for the day for $20.
See the Salt Fields
The Salt Fields stretch for miles across the southern coastline of Kampot. These man-made salt planes not only create delicious sea salt but stunning photographic opportunities. Many day trip tours include a stop at the Salt Fields where you’ll get a chance to learn about the production and taste of sea salt.
Arcadia Water Park
Adventure awaits at Arcadia. This river front waterpark is always a fun day out equipped with a vertical waterslide, climbing wall, kayaks, a Russian Swing and an inflatable blob. Arcadia is also a popular backpacking hostel so is also an incredible place for solo travellers to meet other thrill-seeking backpackers. Hostel guests can use these facilities for free, but visitors must pay just $6 dollars. Located just 15 minutes from the centre of Kampot it is well worth a day trip.
Rock Climbing and Caving with Climbodia
Tour guides will literally show you the ropes of rock climbing over fantastic rock formations and through prehistoric cave systems. This experience is sure to get your blood pumping and adrenaline flowing as you descend passed stalactites and mountainside flora.
Tours start at £35, which may seem steep (no pun intended) but the guides are incredible and the entire experience is one of the best adventures in Kampot.
Kayaking down Praek Tuek Chhu River and ‘The Green Cathedral’
This Kayking route branches off from the main Praek Tuek Chhu river and gets its nickname from the tunnel like shape on the mangrove forests and palm trees that line the banks of the river. The route is a loop that takes around an hour if you stick to the middle where the current flows fastest. We suggest renting a kayak from Retro Kampot, Meraki or Bophra Prey for as little as $3 an hour.
Cruise to Kep onboard the Crab Shuttle
Why visit Kep on dusty roads, when you can enjoy peacefully floating down Kampot’s river, waving at fisherman, sipping beers and spotting wildlife on a river cruise for just $10. Or book a return for $16 dollars and witness the sunset paint the river orange as it slips underneath the Cardamom mountain range on the horizon.
Visit Phnom Chhngok Cave ‘white elephant cave’
The White Elephant Cave gets its name from the elephant like rock formations that are naturally formed in the cave. Deep inside the cave you’ll find Phnom Chhgnok temple and a caving route that leads you down thorough the mountain cave.
To trek down through the pitch-black cave, we recommend using a guide, as they know their way and have a professional headtorch. The guides will try and charge $5 but you can negotiate the cave tour for $2.
The 45-minute trip to Phnom Chhngok Cave is an experience in itself as you’ll drive through remote rural villages and open fields of crops giving a sneak peek into authentic Khmer life.
Kite Boarding
Kampot is one of the best places in South East Asia to learn how to Kite Board due to miles upon miles of flat, waist high waters and a sandy sea floor. Frank and the team at Cambodia Kiteboarding are true professionals, and masters of the sport. They will quickly help you progress and get you flying across the water. This is a tad expensive with prices starting at $80 for a discovery session but it is a great place to introduce yourself to Kiteboarding.
ATV or Dirt Biking
Exploring the beautiful landscapes of Kampot while speeding through the countryside is a thrill seekers dream. Create giant dust clouds as you wheel spin through dirt tracks and muddy paths with a background of jungle and mountain. Going off the beaten track also gives you an insight into the rural villages and undiscovered jungle paths near Kampot.
Where to eat in Kampot, Cambodia?
Best fine dining restaurant in Kampot – Twenty-Three Restaurant ££££
For a taste of fine dining on a backpacker-friendly budget book a table at Twenty-Three Restaurant. Yep, you read that right, it’s so popular you often have to book to get in during peak season. You’ll understand the buzz around this small unassuming restaurant when you take your first mouthful. The entire menu is carefully curated by Owen a skilful chef serving up dishes like, roasted seabass with truffle mashed potatoes and Bok Choi, famous cheese souffles and white wine marinated Dijon chicken leg that only cost around the $10 mark. Stretch the backpacker budget and treat yourself to the best western fine dining dishes you’ll taste in Cambodia.
Best French Cuisine in Kampot – Auberge Du Soleil £££
Kampot is famous for its French Cuisine and Auberge Du Soleil is without doubt the finest French restaurant in the town. It is actually a fusion of French and Swiss influence, serving up the best of both traditional dishes from both cuisines like Rösti, Raclette, Fondue, and Duck L’Orange. Finding good cheeses in South East Asia is beyond rare but Auberge Du Soleil will give you an amazing selection of cheeses that transport you back to Europe. The steak with Kampot peppercorn sauce was our favourite pick.
Best Khmer Food in Kampot – Lemongrass Bistro £
Lemongrass is a family run restaurant serving up tasty traditional Khmer and Thai dishes. The food here is a favourite with both locals and backpackers for its authentic and cheap meals which cost as little as $2. You can’t go wrong with any famous Cambodian dishes like Lok Lak, Cha Kroeung Sach Moan, and Amok.
Best cheap eats in Kampot – Spice Girls £, Ecran Noodles £, Pita Pita £
Spice Girls – The best stall in Kampot’s market, Spice Girl offers a great range of Khmer dishes. Like many of the best South East Asian food spots don’t be fooled by the plastic chairs, you’ll eat some of the most delicious Khmer cuisine in this little stall. We tried countless Amok curries while in Cambodia and this was undoubtedly one of the very best Sea Bass Amok.
Ecran Noodles – Homemade noodles and dumplings served up in rich flavoursome meat broths. Ecran Noodles is one of the most popular cheap eats in Kampot and has a reputation for serving up some of the best noodles and dumplings in the area.
Pita Pita – For some tasty Turkish food on a budget head straight to Pita Pita. This 24-hour restaurant will give you flashbacks of drunken doner kebabs trips after nights out in England, except this time the food is actually amazing. From homemade houmous and falafels to wraps and burgers this is a favourite for hungry backpackers.
Best Cafés in Kampot – Epic Arts Café ££
A café with a cause, Epic Arts Café dedicates its profits to helping any local people who are unemployed and disabled. The staff are incredibly kind, and the selection of coffee is a brilliant way to start the day!
Is Kampot safe for Backpackers?
Kampot is incredibly safe for backpackers, there is a wonderful local community that openly embraces backpackers visiting their town. Dangerous animals are only found in the surrounding mountainside jungle and the few petty thieves usually only target careless tourists rather than backpackers. So as long as you are careful with your belongings you are extremely unlikely to experience any crime. That being said, here are a few things to watch out for:
Scams – Aside from the usual overcharging and wrong change scams that are found across Cambodia you need to watch out for the picture scam. You’ll be asked to take a photo of someone who will drop their phone, blame it on you and demand compensation.
Petty Theft – The only crime you have to watch out for is pickpocketing or opportunistic thieves stealing unattended bags or valuables. If you are careful with your belongings you are incredibly unlikely to encounter any issues.
Sex Tourism in Kampot – The only major downside of visiting Kampot, and larger Cambodian cities is the clear presence of sex tourism. Like many main streets in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap you’ll witness creepy elderly men loitering at dodgy bars in the hope of exploiting cheap sex workers. The sex tourism industry has also been linked to almost all the major crimes in Kampot as many of the prostitution ring bosses have reportedly robbed, framed or assaulted ‘sex tourists’. Backpackers luckily are almost always not involved in the industry so stay clear of its inevitable risks.
Dangerous Animals in Kampot – You will not encounter any dangerous animals in Kampot town yet if you venture into the rural countryside, jungle or national parks be sure to watch out for venomous snakes and spiders.
The murky water may make you question if there are any Crocodiles in Kampot. Let’s calm your fears, you will not encounter any crocodiles in Kampot. The Siamese Crocodiles native to Cambodia are critically endangered with fewer than 300 in the entire country and none have been sighted in Kampot’s river system.
So, is Kampot worth it?
Kampot is worth a spot on any Cambodian backpacking itinerary, from the adventure that is tucked away in its surrounding mountains, oceans and national parks to its lively streets, culture and diverse cuisine it is often one of the highlights of any traveller’s trip to Cambodia.
