Kampot, Kampot Province, Cambodia
Where pepper is king and time slows to a river's pace. Kampot's faded colonial streets, firefly-lit waterways, and world-famous pepper farms make for one of Southeast Asia's most unexpectedly rewarding port days.
Where pepper is king and time slows to a river's pace. Kampot's faded colonial streets, firefly-lit waterways, and world-famous pepper farms make for one of Southeast Asia's most unexpectedly rewarding port days.
Kampot has two port options: the new Kampot International Tourism Port (for smaller vessels up to 300 pax) and the older Container Port, both roughly 6 km southeast of the town center.
💡 Pro move: Large ocean liners that cannot navigate the river may dock at Sihanoukville Port (~100 km away). If so, Kampot is typically reached by ship excursion bus — a 2-2.5 hour drive each way.
Kampot's new Tourism Port (inaugurated April 2025) handles smaller cruise and ferry vessels; larger ships use the Container Port a few km away.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Expedition & small luxury ships (Ponant, Silversea, etc.) | Kampot International Tourism Port, ~6 km southeast of town📍 | Docked |
| Mid-size cruise ships | Kampot Container Port, ~5 km south of town📍 | Docked |
| Very large ocean liners | Sihanoukville Port (~100 km) — Kampot reached by excursion bus📍 | Docked |
Kampot rewards slow exploration — pepper farms, ancient cave temples, colonial streets, and the nearby crab market at Kep are the headline experiences.
Kampot pepper holds GI status (like Champagne) and La Plantation is the most visitor-friendly farm. Free guided tours explain the growth cycle; taste black, red, white, and rare green peppercorns. The onsite restaurant is excellent. About 30-45 minutes by tuk-tuk from town.
Find Kampot pepper farm tours →A pre-Angkorian Hindu brick temple dating to the 7th century, dedicated to Shiva, sits inside a limestone cave about 8-12 km from town. Entry is about $2 USD. Local children act as enthusiastic (and helpful) cave guides — a small tip is appreciated.
Find Kampot cave temple tours →The fishing village of Kep, 30 minutes away, is famous for its open-air Crab Market. Order fresh crab stir-fried with green Kampot pepper — one of Cambodia's iconic dishes. A small crescent beach is steps away for a swim.
Find Kampot to Kep day tours →A highland road climbs to the eerie abandoned Bokor Palace Hotel — a French colonial ruin wrapped in cloud forest — plus a giant Buddha statue with sweeping Gulf of Thailand views. Full-day excursion; bring a light jacket for the cooler summit.
Find Bokor Mountain tours →Stroll the riverside French Quarter past faded yellow colonial buildings, the Old Market (Phsar Chas), and the iconic Giant Durian Roundabout. Grab coffee at a riverside café and watch fishing boats drift by — entirely free and deeply charming.
Find Kampot walking tours →Paddle a 3 km loop of narrow, palm-canopied waterways off the Tuek Chhu River. The tunnel of leaning trees earns the 'cathedral' name. Kayaks are rentable from riverside guesthouses; guided tours are available.
Find Kampot kayak tours →Kampot's town center is flat and compact — an easy riverside stroll connects the main landmarks in under an hour.
A relaxed circuit through Kampot's most atmospheric streets. Start at the riverfront boardwalk, loop past the Old Market, and finish at the Giant Durian Roundabout — Kampot's most photographed landmark.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Cross the Entanou Bridge to the island opposite downtown Kampot to see the gleaming salt pans. Workers harvest sea salt by hand in the dry season (November to April) — an unexpectedly photogenic scene.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Kampot, Kampot Province, Cambodia (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 85°F / 29°C | 74°F / 23°C | 8 | 6:25 AM | 5:59 PM |
| Feb | 87°F / 31°C | 74°F / 23°C | 8 | 6:23 AM | 6:11 PM |
| Mar | 88°F / 31°C | 77°F / 25°C | 13 | 6:10 AM | 6:13 PM |
| Apr | 88°F / 31°C | 78°F / 26°C | 18 | 5:52 AM | 6:14 PM |
| May | 88°F / 31°C | 79°F / 26°C | 23 | 5:41 AM | 6:17 PM |
| Jun | 86°F / 30°C | 79°F / 26°C | 22 | 5:41 AM | 6:25 PM |
| Jul | 85°F / 29°C | 78°F / 26°C | 25 | 5:48 AM | 6:29 PM |
| Aug | 85°F / 29°C | 78°F / 26°C | 25 | 5:53 AM | 6:21 PM |
| Sep | 84°F / 29°C | 77°F / 25°C | 25 | 5:53 AM | 6:03 PM |
| Oct | 85°F / 29°C | 76°F / 24°C | 26 | 5:52 AM | 5:45 PM |
| Nov | 85°F / 29°C | 76°F / 24°C | 18 | 5:58 AM | 5:36 PM |
| Dec | 85°F / 29°C | 74°F / 23°C | 11 | 6:13 AM | 5:43 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)