Kampot Solo Guide: Essential Info (2025)

Heading to Kampot? This short, sharp guide skips the fluff—get the essentials for an epic trip:

TL;DR

• Perfect for: 2–3 days
• Best for: Adventurers, foodies, low-key explorers, nature-seekers
• Why visit: Friendly, chill riverside town with world-famous pepper and epic sunsets

KAMPOT AT A GLANCE

• Population/size: ~40,000 people; small riverside town, easy to get around
• History: Colonial French-Khmer blend; home to Cambodia’s pepper legacy
• Famous for: Legendary pepper, French architecture, sunset river views, easygoing vibe
• Nickname: The Riverside Retreat
• Solo traveler vibe: Super chill, safe by Cambodia standards, very welcoming to solos

ESSENTIAL INFO

• 💰 Currency: Cambodian Riel (KHR) – US dollars also widely accepted
• 🗣 Language: Khmer (plus French and English in tourist spots)
• 🌦 Best time to visit: November–February (coolest, driest, most lively); March–May hot but quieter
• ✈️ From airport:
  • Share taxi from Sihanoukville Airport: KHR 70,000–90,000/seat
  • Bus from Phnom Penh: KHR 10,000–15,000; 3–4 hours
  • New ferry: Daily to/from Phu Quoc (KHR 25,000 one way, easy border)
• 🧳 Safety: Well-lit in main areas but use caution at night; keep valuables close
• 🎭 Cultural tip: Pepper harvest season (Nov–March) packs the town with foodies
• 🎦 Watch on plane: “The Last Reel” (shot in Cambodia, gives you local flavor)

WHERE TO STAY (FOR SOLO TRAVELERS)

• 🛏️ Best hostel: Onederz Kampot. Huge infinity pool and chill garden vibes just outside town — perfect if you want to relax. Private rooms all have pool views, and the on-site restaurant is a solid spot to unwind. One of the most in-demand hostels in Kampot, especially in high season. Book ahead!
• Best areas for hotels:
  • 🏘️ Riverside – Views, sunset bars, laid-back hostels, near food and transport
  • 🧭 Old Town – Colonial shopfronts, close to market and nightlife, walkable everywhere
• Tip: Always book a bed near Riverside/Old Town for best solo scene and walkability

TRANSPORT & NAVIGATION

• 🚶‍♂️ Walkability: Compact center, riverside and old town are easily explored on foot
• 🚌 Local buses: No city buses, but intercity buses to/from Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville
• 🚋 Not applicable: No metro or tram here
• 🚖 Tuk-tuks: Easy to hail, short hops KHR 1,000–5,000; longer up to KHR 15,000
• 🚲 Bike/motorbike rental: KHR 2,000–10,000 per day, explore pepper farms, river loops

TOP 5 THINGS TO DO ALONE

• 🏛️ La Plantation Pepper Farm – Solo-friendly tours, tastings, and peppery conversations
• 🌿 Bokor National Park – Misty mountain hikes, old casino ruins, easy to visit alone, killer views
• 🧠 KITP Observation Deck – Watch ferry traffic, Gulf views, free & perfect for solo journal time
• 🧭 River promenade stroll – Sunset bliss, people-watch or join spontaneous riverside BBQs
• 🎨 Epic Arts Café – Deaf-run; good cause, reflective time, great cakes, friendly to solos
• 🔀 Wildcard: Silent Disco at Epic Arts Café (Fridays) – Dance with locals, no awkward partner needed

WHAT TO SKIP

• ❌ Old Durian Market: Crowded, touristy, and durian is… an acquired taste!
• ❌ Overhyped riverboat sunset tours: Many operators unlicensed; stick to reputable ones or DIY kayak
• ❌ Bokor Hill Casino (new): Lacks history, feels soulless compared to the abandoned one

EATING & DRINKING

• 🧍‍♂️ Solo-friendly: Rikitikitavi – Riverside view, solo travelers swapping road tales, Khmer-Western eats
• 🥃 Quiet pub: The Magic Sponge – Friendly quiz nights, backpacker pub, local Angkor beer
• 🍽️ Don’t miss: Kampot pepper crab – Try it at the Crab Market or Night Market Stall #23
• 💸 Cheap eats: The Rusty Nail – Hearty local fare, ~KHR 8,000/plate
• 🥦 Vegan/veg: Simple Things Café – Well-loved, big veggie menu, community feel
• 🍸 Cocktails: Oscar’s on the Corner – Proper drinks, easy solo banter, great live music

BEST OF KAMPOT IN 1 DAY – SOLO ITINERARY

• Sunrise: Watch the river mist rise from Riverside promenade with an iced coffee
• Morning: Hop on a motorbike to La Plantation for a guided pepper tasting tour
• Lunch: Eat at La Plantation (lunch included if touring), or snack riverside at Epic Arts Café
• Afternoon: Explore Bokor National Park – hike, old French casino, epic views
• Evening: Kayak during golden hour; rent on Riverside (phone case included!)
• Dinner: Kampot pepper crab or street food at Night Market
• Night: Pub quiz/beer at The Magic Sponge, or join a Friday silent disco at Epic Arts Café

LOCAL TIPS & INSIDER WISDOM

• 🎉 Festival tip: Khmer New Year (April) – river parties, temple dancing, water fights
• 📍 Hidden gem: Secret Lake – Swim, kayak, zero crowds, surrounded by green hills
• 📷 Photo spots: KITP Observation Deck for panoramas; Old Town’s French windows for portraits
• 🧠 Etiquette tip: Always smile and greet with a respectful “Chum Reap Suor”
• 🚩 Safety reminder: Avoid unlit backstreets after dark; Kampot quite safe otherwise
• 👀 One last thing: Eat street food with the locals at sunset and you’ll never feel solo here!

Explore More Solo Guides

• Phnom Penh Solo Travel Guide
• Sihanoukville Solo Travel Guide
• Koh Rong Island Solo Travel Guide
• Siem Reap Solo Travel Guide