5 Reasons to Visit Kampot On Your Next Trip to Cambodia
A small town in southern Cambodia best known for its sleepy riverside atmosphere is quickly transforming into a lively tourist destination. Here, you'll find plenty of restaurants and bars with accompanying live music as you relax along the slow-moving waters. Travelers often pass through Kampot to pick up top shelf pepper or visit the natural beauty of Bokor National Park, but this quaint little town has a lot more to offer, whether you're looking for a full day of adventure or a relaxed afternoon of riverside lounging. Here are five reasons you should visit Kampot on your next trip to Cambodia.
1. Outdoorsy Types Will Love Bokor National Park
Have you ever driven a motorbike bike 45 minutes up into the clouds on a twisty road until you've reached an abandoned city? You can do just that when you visit Bokor National Park, also known as Preah Monivong National Park. Spend some time exploring its abandoned casino, church, houses and crumbled ruins that overlook the entire city. Visitors can take a bus with a group tour but there's so much to explore on your own and cruising through the misty clouds on your own will give you just enough adrenaline to make it the highlight of your Cambodian adventure.
2. Foodies Can Pick Up Fresh Pepper
Kampot is known for producing some of the best black, red and white pepper in the world and being able to see how it's made up close is an unforgettable experience. There are several plantations around town, so rent a motorbike and drive past salt fields and caves on your way to these giant pepper plantations. The 1-2 hour tours at Starling Farm and La Plantation are free and offer complimentary samples — you'll also have the opportunity to purchase neatly packaged fresh pepper to bring home to mom.
3. Feast on Fresh Fish in Nearby Kep
If you're lucky enough to experience all that Kampot has to offer, then the short trip to its neighboring town, Kep, just 25 minutes southeast, will be the icing on the cake. When you drive into this little beach town — whether on a $7 rented scooter, a $6 tuk tuk or a $3 bus — you'll notice a large crab statue perched on the beach, a clear indication that you're about to stumble upon one of the freshest seafood markets on the planet. The fish here are caught in front of your eyes before being chopped, spiced and served to be eaten on the spot. Stay for the sunset and to dangle your feet over the side of the dock as you indulge in the best seafood dinner you've ever had for under $5.
4. Catch the Sunset from a Firefly Cruise
Cruising the river at sunset is beautiful in itself but if you book the Firefly sunset cruise, you'll be rewarded with a spectacular view of bright, glowing bugs lighting up the trees along the river as the sun goes down. There's a specific spot on the river where hundreds, if not thousands, of fireflies hang out, providing you with a memorable, luminescent experience. Book the tour, which is $5 and includes a free drink, at one of several locations around town, including the Naga House, Captain Chim and Mad Monkey. Just don't forget to pack your bathing suit — the boat makes several stops along the way, allowing guests to jump in the water and cool off before sunset.
5. Explore Kampot's Caves and Ruins
There are three caves worth exploring, whether you're experienced enough to go solo or would prefer to hire a tour guide. Kbal Romeas is the closest to town and has a beautiful collection of stalactites and stalagmites. Scoot over to Phnom Chhnok (along the road to Kep) and you'll find the preserved ruins of a temple from the seventh century. My favorite is Phnom Sorsia for the simple reason that upon entering, you're greeted by a large formation of limestone that resembles a giant elephant — this cave also offers the best views of the surrounding paddies. If you're into rock climbing, book an excursion through Climbodia or support the community and hire a local guide to walk you through the history and point out the different rock formations found throughout the area.
What are some of your favorite things to do in Cambodia? Tell us about them, below.
Featured image courtesy of Photoaliona via Getty Images.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.