Kampot is famous for its pepper. Apparently before the Khmer Rouge, the pepper could be found in every fine-dining restaurant in Paris. It's turned in to a sleepy town. There is tourism but it's quiet, relaxed and never in your face. You can definitely make your own fun and have a drunken night out if you want to. I ended up staying a week and was sad to leave, so I returned two years later and stayed for two weeks. Some people might say there's not much to do but it's the type of place that I love and reminded me a lot of Pai in northern Thailand.
Don't miss:
- Scooter ride up Bokor Hill.
- See the pepper fields at La Plantation and do a cooking class at Khmer Root Cafe.
- Drive to Kep for a crab lunch and visit the crab market.
Food
Please use my Cambodia food guide which has all of my favourite places and dishes for the best food in Kampot.
Accommodation
The Magic Sponge
Probably the most popular hostel in town, so it is usually booked up. It has free mini golf which is a good way to start an evening. They also have a TV room with a selection of DVDs. I shared a massive twin room with a fan ($6 each) but it got uncomfortably warm in the night. The American owner is friendly but can be full-on at times.
Khemra Guesthouse
I think there are two guesthouses next to each other. I stayed at Khmera II. It was $8 for a twin room with a fan. I had a corner room with two windows so the air flow kept it nice and cool. Fantastic location right by the market too.
Vibola Guesthouse
Great little guesthouse with a pool. We had a room with a little seating area by the pool. Great location and cheap too. I think we paid $15 for a twin room.
NY NY Hotel
Directly opposite the Magic Sponge with lovely A/C and really nice large rooms for $15. I only moved out because there was building works that woke me up at 7am.
Hour Kheang
This Khmer-run place has a perfect location and nice A/C rooms for $15. Helpful staff too.
Mad Monkey Hostel Kampot
Everything is more expensive than it should be, but it's a nice relaxed place with plenty of socialising every night (mostly at their rooftop bar).
Nightlife, bars & cafés
Rikitikitavi
Happy hour cocktails at sunset are great here. The food is decent too but quite expensive. Their ice creams are great too and loads of choices.
Epic Arts Café
Nice little cafe with some tasty food. It's linked with a bakery and shop.
Le Comptoir
Great little French wine bar. The house red is actually decent and it goes well with their cheese platter. I had many evenings sat here.
flowers Nanobrewery
Only open Saturday to Monday but it sounds like a nice little brewery run by a Japanese guy who also makes sushi.
Sights & Activities
Kampot Market
Pretty good market that's used by locals so it's not touristy. There are some great options for real Cambodian food for a cheap lunch.
Ecran Movie House
Private cinema with about 2000 films to choose from. A large bed, A/C, big widescreen TV and good sound system. Great way to have a relaxing night.