Cambodia is an up and coming country on the tourist radar, but still has so much to be explored! Kampot is one of the best examples of that, with a blossoming cultural scene that travelers have started to gravitate towards. It’s location along the river is the perfect setting to stroll through the night market, and sample local delicacies like the famous Kampot pepper. Although there’s plenty to do and see in Kampot Cambodia, our favorite activity by far was the sunset river cruise. Let’s dive right in!

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Kampot Cambodia History

Kampot is a small, but flourishing river town on the southern coast of Cambodia. Many years ago, Kampot was the biggest port in the entire country and commerce flowed freely through the area. Once the community opened its doors to European traders, the biggest export was Kampot pepper.

Starting under French Colonial rule and continuing up until the civil war in 1970’s, the the popular spice was exported and widely consumed in France. Kampot’s glory years as a main port town came to end during Sihanoukville’s rise in the 1950’s, but recent history lives on through the French Colonial architecture around town.

Exploring Kampot

Most of the action in Kampot can be seen on the riverfront where there’s many bars, restaurants, and guesthouses welcoming patrons. It’s become a good mix of local and western food as tourism has started to pick up.

If you wander into the back streets of this interesting little town, you can find plenty of delicious street food as well. Due to its size, you shouldn’t need more than a couple days to explore Kampot Cambodia. Yet you’re sure to have fun with whatever amount of time you have!

Finding the Right Boat

Our favorite thing we did while visiting was the Kampot River Cruise. Here’s some things to consider when choosing a boat that’s right for you:

What kind of crowd is it? You should be able to look at the boat before you get on and tell what type of experience you’re going to have. Some boats cater to the younger backpacking crowd, while others are a more laid back family oriented cruise.

Where do they go? Almost all the cruises do the same route where you’ll see bridges, the sunset, and fireflies. They start boarding between 5:00-5:30pm and take off as soon as they fill up with passengers. It should take about 2 hours to complete, so plan to return after dark.

What do they offer? The ticket prices for the Kampot River Cruise can range, but they’re typically around $5 per person. They all serve food, but your options will differ depending on which boat you choose. We had some delicious clams with Kampot Pepper and lemongrass on our boat. One thing they all offer is 1 to 2 free beers with your ticket. You may have to bargain the 2nd beer into your ticket price though!

Is it a Kampot River Cruise? Sounds silly right? Well there’s actually a couple boats in the harbor that are just stationary restaurants… So make sure you actually get on one that’s going to be floating down the river for sunset!

The Boat Ride

Once leaving the port you’ll head upriver slowly and peacefully. The beginning of the river cruise passes under many low hanging bridges so watch your head! Once you make it past the bridges it’s sunset time. Get comfortable on your provided seat cushion, grab your 2nd Angkor Beer, and watch as the sun dips over the Cambodian mountains.

Fireflies

After sunset the boats will pull off to the side of the river and line up next to each other. We were kind of confused at first by this, but quickly realized this was the firefly spot! Once it gets dark enough you’ll hopefully see them come out in swarms surrounding the boats. This magical moment will be the perfect end to your night in Kampot. Enjoy!

More Things to do in Kampot Cambodia

Kampot Night Market: Food stands set up near the Durian Roundabout. Good chance to try a bunch of different Cambodian street food you may have never heard of.

Visit the Pepper Fields: Awesome day trip from the city. See the spice that made Kampot famous, and learn some history at the same time!

Bokor National Park: For those who want to hike and see some nature. Stunning views of the ocean and Cambodian countryside.

Phnom Chhngok Cave Temple: Great add on to any day trip! Fun place to explore.

Kep Crab Market: Must do for any seafood lover. You can go in, pick your own crab, and have them cook it right there inside the market for you.

Have any questions on the Kampot River Cruise, or want to share your own experience? Comment below!

Safe Travels,

Brigitte & Jake

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Where To Stay In Kampot Cambodia

Ultra Luxury (High End) – Boutique Kampot Hotel – You won’t find many luxury options in Kampot, but this boutique hotel is as close as you’ll get. In a perfect location just outside the main town enjoy all the luxuries you’d expect at this diamond in the rough. It even has a beautiful rooftop restaurant as well!

Fun Vacation (Mid Range) – The Columns – Just a 2 minute walk from the old market, you won’t find a better option for the price on your trip to Kampot. The French colonial architecture and bright colors will draw you in and make you feel right at home in the heart of the town.

Travel Couple (Long Term Travel) – Happy Family Guesthouse – We spent our first night in Kampot here and we were bummed out when we had to leave. The location is within walking distance of everything, and the rooms are clean and equipped with televisions and A/C.

Hostel Life (Budget) – Mad Monkey Hostel Kampot – The popular hostel chain has a branch in Kampot, and it’s the best place to go if you want to meet other travelers. The great parts about Mad Monkey are the tours you can book from the hostel, and the awesome atmosphere you’ll find in the common areas.

For more places to stay on the island of Kampot you can explore the latest prices here!

*By booking through our website we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This allows us to continue our travels and keep providing great content to our readers! You can also bookmark this link for all your future stays*

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