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 Koh
Kong City is the capital of Koh Kong province, a comparatively small
provincial town sitting on the east side of the Koh Pao River about
10km from the Cham Yeam international border crossing with Thailand.
Many travelers see Koh Kong only briefly as they pass through on the
way to/from Thailand, but that is changing and the province is
becoming something of an ‘eco- destination.’
To the north and east of the city, the jungled Cardamom Mountains
cover much of the province, offering trekking, dirtbiking and river
excursion possibilities. Heading the other direction, secluded
beaches line the nearby coastline and tropical island of Koh Kong.
Base your adventures out of Koh Kong City where you can arrange
tours, rent boats, motorcycles, etc. There are a number of mid-range
guesthouses and hotels in Koh Kong and though there is not much to
see in the city there is an international casino and one of the
better zoos in Cambodia located near the border crossing. |
GETTING
to/from KOH KONG CITY
Koh Kong may be approached directly from Thailand via
the Cham Yeam crossing, and from
Sihanoukville,
Phnom Penh and
Kampot by road. Several bus companies offer direct bus service
between Koh Kong,
Sihanoukville and
Phnom Penh. Buses arrive and depart the bus station in Koh Kong.
Bus company offices are clustered along Street 3 in the center of
town.
For more on international border crossings see the
Overland page.
SIHANOUKVILLE to/from KOH KONG
National Route #4 (NR4) connects
Sihanoukville to
Phnom Penh.. Road #48 runs between NR4 and Koh Kong City. The
road from Koh Kong (Road #48) is in fair condition - fully paved but
broken and pot-holed in sections. Road #48 passes through the
jungled Cardamom Mountains. At high points on the road the jungle
canopy can be seen stretching into the distance. ‘Elephant Crossing’
signs dot the side of the road in parts. Road #48 also spans four
picturesque major rivers. Keep your camera ready.
Bus Several bus companies bus companies offer direct daily
bus service between Koh Kong and Sihanouk Ville using full size a/c
buses for $6-$10/person. About 4-4.5 hours duration. Most buses
depart in the morning. Check current schedule.
Taxi Share taxi: 45,000R/person. Up to 6 passengers in one
taxi. Private taxi: $65-$70.
PHNOM PENH
to/from KOH KONG
Taxi About $75 for a private taxi.
Bus Several bus companies bus companies offer direct daily
bus service between Koh Kong and Phnom Penh using full size a/c
buses. $12-13/person. About 5 hours duration. Most buses depart
around 7:45AM and another at midday.
Getting Around Koh
Kong
Motorcycle taxis (motodups) are common and priced about the same as
other Cambodian towns. Motodup drivers expect foreigners to pay
500-2000 riel for short trips in town. From the Thai border to town
is 50B though from they usually want twice that to go from town to
the border. By the day, motodups charge $5-$7. You can rent a 100 or
110cc bike through your guesthouse for about the same price. To rent
a dirt bike contact Neptune Guesthouse.
Koh
Kong Hotels and Guesthouses
Koh Kong offers a pretty good choice of accommodations including
several very reasonably priced guesthouses, a few mid-range places
along the riverfront and upscale rooms the Koh Kong International
Resort. Offering a very unique eco-lodging experience a few
‘eco-accommodations’ are located on and along the Tai Tai River in
the jungled Cardamom Mountains 20-30 kilometers outside of town,
including the 4 Rivers Floating Lodge, Rainbow Lodge and the Neptune
Bungalows.
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Apex Koh Kong
Range: $10 - $25
Fan and a/c rooms with CTV, DVD,
mini-bar and en suite with hot water. Pool. Restaurant serving
Khmer, Thai and western food. Laundry, travel/tour services.
On
Street 8, 150 meters from the ferry dock.
Tel: +(855)(0)16-307919
+(855)(0)89-702002
info@apexkohkong.com
www.apexkohkong.com
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Blue Moon
Guesthouse
Range: $6 - $10
Clean, quite fan and a/c rooms with CTV
hot water and wifi. Motorcycles and tours. Shop selling snacks,
food, meats and cheeses, drinks, wine, spirits, beer and more.
Restaurant/bar serving burgers, sandwiches, snacks, French fries,
coffee and more.
Tel: +(855)(0)16-946079
E-mail:
bluemoonkohkong@yahoo.com
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4 Rivers Floating Lodge
Range: $139 (breakfast included)
Floating lodge on Koh Andet Island,
downstream the Tatai River in the Cardamom Mountains. Unique tented
floating villas with all amenities on the Tatai River in the midst
of lush, spectacular jungle mountain scenery. Large Tents with DVD,
hot water and WiFi. Gourmet restaurant/bar is serving western and
Asian food. About 30 minutes from Koh Kong town by car and boat.
Visa/MC
Tel: +(855)(0)97-6434032
+(855)(0)35-6900650
reservations@ecolodges.asia
www.ecolodges.asia
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Koh Kong Bay Hotel
Range: $35 - $90
Superior hotel on the riverside.
Well-appointed a/c rooms with all modern amenities and the best
sunset balcony view in town. Flat screen TV with cable, DVD, stocked
mini-bar, in-room wifi. Swimming pool and poolside bar. Riverside
dining at The Bay Cafe and Restaurant.
TC
Tel: +(855)(0)77-555590
info@kohkongbay.com
www.kohkongbay.com
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Koh Kong Heritage Guesthouse
Range: $10 - $15
Brand new in-town guesthouse a couple of
blocks off the river. Clean fan and a/c rooms with Cable TV and en suite
with hot water. Small hotel bar. Travel information. Parking.
Tel: +(855)(0)16-999952
+(855)(0)97-8776789
kohkong.heritage@yahoo.com
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Koh Kong Island Resort
Range: $30 - $100 (breakfast
included)
New bungalows on a pristine beach on Koh
Kong island, a short boat ride from Koh Kong city. Fan and a/c and
en suite bathroom. Restaurant/bar serving traditional seafood dishes
and fusion cuisine.
Tel: +(855)(0)88-5589888
+(855)(0)12-879486
info@kohkongisland.net
www.kohkongisland.net
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Neptune
Adventure Bungalows
Range: $25 and up (includes breakfast)
Formerly Neptune Guesthouse, moved to
Tai Tai River, approximately 20 km from Koh Kong City on Road #48 to
Phnom Penh. Rustic wood and thatch bungalows with balconies.
Riverside setting. Free tubes and kayaks for guests. Western, Thai
and Khmer dishes. Boating, kayaking and jungle trekking and tours.
Also visit the Neptune Adventure Pub in Koh Kong town for info and
booking.
Located 10 minutes up the Tai Tai
River from the road.
Tel:
+(855)(0)97-9253000
+(855)(0)88-7770576
neptune.tatai.kohkong@gmail.com
www.neptuneadventure-cambodia.com
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99 Guesthouse
Range: $6 - $15
Brand new downtown hotel with clean, smart, basic rooms with either
fan or a/c. Cable TV, desk, en suite bathroom with hot water and
free wifi in-room. Parking.
#135, 03 Village, Smach Mean Chey Commune, Khem
Rakpumin City, Koh Kong, Cambodia.
Tel: +(855)(0)69-900099
+(855)(0)35-6600999
+(855)(0)35-936799
99guesthouse@gmail.com
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Paddy’s Bamboo Pub & Guesthouse
Range: $2 - $6 (dorm from $2)
Budget guesthouse in an old
traditional-style Khmer house. Fan rooms, some with CTV.
Restaurant/bar offering cold beer, spirits and a selection of
western and Asian dishes. Quiet share balcony. Travel and tours.
Motorcycle rental. 150m east of the roundabout.
150m
east of the roundabout.
Tel: +(855)(0)97-6483841
+(855)(0)15-533223
ppkohkong@gmail.com
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Rainbow Lodge
Range: $50 - $125 (Breakfast Included)
Ecolodge set on 5 hectares of riverside land in the beautiful and
peaceful surroundings of the Cardamom mountains on a river in Tatai,
a small community 20kms from Koh Kong Town. A 10 minute boat trip
from the road brings you to the Rainbow Lodge. Guests can experience
first hand the sights and sounds of the jungle, whilst in the
comfort and safety of traditional Khmer style bungalows. The Rainbow
Lodge aims to provide an eco-friendly venue for guests, employment
and training for the local community, whilst respecting local
culture and environment. Kayaks and rowboats available guests free
of charge. All meals included in price.
Tel: +(855)(0)12-1602585
www.rainbowlodgecambodia.com
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Koh Kong
Restaurants
The city is small with a couple of dozen restaurants in all,
including just a few foreign-run restaurant and bars. Most of the
restaurants are quite local and the emphasis is usually on seafood.
The Thai food also is particularly good in Koh Kong - the restaurant
at the casino and the Baan Peakmai in town both serve some of the
best in the area. For sunset, whether for dinner or just for
sundowners, The Bay Cafe and Cafe Laurent on the river road near the
bridge both offer the nicest sunset views over the river.
Nightlife in Koh Kong tends to shut down comparatively early, with
most places closing between 10 and midnight. Cafe Laurent and Bob’s
Ice Cream are popular. The latest places open in town are the
Cambodian clubs including the Pisey Club next to Apex Guesthouse and
Pun Pun on the main road, both dark, boxy and loud, offering
cocktail bars and catering primarily to young locals.
Baan Peakmai
Popular, long-running Thai restaurant on the main road near the
center of town. Al fresco dining under thatch roofed gazebos. Large
selection of reasonably priced Thai and Asian dishes with the
emphasis on seafood. The Steamed Sea Bass in Lime Juice is
recommended.
The Bay Café/Restaurant
Dining at the riverside with a fantastic
sunset view. Mediterranean cuisine and seafood and also serving
Spanish, French, Cambodian dishes and even pizza. Good wine
selection, full bar with an extensive cocktail menu. Free wifi.
7AM-11PM.
Tel: 077-555590
www.kohkongbay.com
Bob’s Ice Cream
Riverfront restaurant and bar. Popular place with a loyal following.
Good selection of reasonably priced, nicely prepared western and
Thai dishes. Full bar, cold beer and spirits.
Café Laurent
One of the better restaurants on the
coast. Comfortable, stylish a/c lounge and river’s edge dining
gazebos with a nice breeze and a fantastic sunset view. Western,
Chinese, Khmer and seafood dishes. Pizzas, pastas, steaks, chops and
lots more mains and a very complete dessert menu including Crème
Brulee and Chocolate Mousse. Coffees, teas and a full bar. Big
cocktail menu, excellent selection of spirits, concise selection of
imported wines. Free wifi.
Open everyday, 10:30AM - 11:00PM
Tel: 016-373737
088-8290410
Crab Shack
Family run, ocean side crab shack on the sand of Koh Yor Beach. Cold
beer and soft drinks. Lots of seafood - BBQ, fried, soups...
Secluded beach with few tourists. Nice place to while away the
afternoon.
Koh Kong Heritage
Hotel restaurant on a street side patio terrace. Serving authentic
Cambodian fare as well as international dishes. Vegetarian dishes.
Free wifi. Home delivery.
Tel: 097-8776789
Koh Kong Resort
Casino-hotel complex. Full casino. Several dining venues, with the
focus on seafood, Thai, Chinese and international. Serving some of
the best Thai food in Koh Kong.
Neptune Adventures Pub
Little bar offering cold beer, good food
and drink. Small selection of spirits. Cocktails. BBQ. Open from 7AM
for breakfast till late. Good place to find local travel and tour
info. Booking office for Neptune Adventure Tours.
Tel:
+(855)(0)97-9253000
+(855)(0)88-7770576
www.neptuneadventure-cambodia.com
Paddy’s Bamboo Pub
Little bar and restaurant offering cold
beer, spirits and food at very reasonable prices. Bar open late into
the evening. Lots of local touring info and assistance. Motorcycles
for rent. At Paddy’s Guesthouse.
Tel: 097-6483841, 015-533223
Koh Kong Money and
Banking
Thai baht is the preferred currency in Koh Kong City. Hotel,
restaurant, transportation and even visa prices are set in baht. US
dollars and Cambodian riel are accepted (except for visas), but
generally speaking the tough exchange rate brings a poorer value for
your dollar or riel. Moneychangers are clustered around the main
market. Be careful to get the best exchange rate.
Things to Do and See in
Koh Kong
Koh Kong is, in many ways, a comparatively new and unexplored
destination. The heavily jungled Cardamom Mountain range and rugged
rivers, and the unexplored coast and island beaches offer a number
of eco-tourism and beach hopping possibilities.
The most popular local destinations are nearby waterfalls and
beaches, as well as the casino and Safari World at the Thai border.
But there is potentially much more to see and do in Koh Kong
province. Eco-adventures include touring the unique nearby mangrove
forests and boating up the rivers to spectacular waterfalls, rapids
and jungle scenery. Or boating the opposite direction to the ocean,
to secluded tropical beaches along the coast and the nearby Koh Kong
Island. Other possibilities include jungle trekking and camping and
4WD/dirt bike excursion into the Cardamom Mountains.
Trekking, boating, waterfall trips and the like are most easily
arranged through a local tour operator such as those listed below.
Tour and Dive Operators
Blue Moon
General Koh Kong tours services with the
emphasis on boat trip and tours and jungle trekking. Located at Blue
Moon Guesthouse.
Tel: +(855)(0)16-946079
Koh Kong Eco-Tours
Full tour service offer a wide range of
eco-minded tours. Cardamom Mountain area-waterfalls, Koh Kong
Island, kayaking, mangroves and jungle treks. Located on the
riverfront.
Rithy: +(855)(0)12-707719
kohkongecotours@netkhmer.com
http://kohkongecotours.netkhmer.com
Neptune Adventures
Established 2006. Located on Tai-Tai
River, offering boating, kayaking and trekking and tours to the
islands, waterfalls, and mangrove forest. Rainy season kayaking.
Book at
Neptune Adventure Pub in Koh Kong City or call for pick-up from
Tai-Tai Bridge.
Tel: +(855)(0)88-7770576
+(855)(0)97-9253000.
neptune.tatai.kohkong@gmail.com
www.neptuneadventure-cambodia.com
Paddy’s Bamboo Pub
& Guesthouse
All tour and transportation
arrangements. Trekking, boating, day tours, etc. Motorcycle rental.
Visas
Tel: +(855)(0)97-6483841
+(855)(0)15-533223
ppkohkong@gmail.com
Beaches and Islands
Nearby Koh Yor Beach (Bak Klong Beach)
is a long, narrow, secluded, white sand beach with a just few little
ocean side seafood shacks. Nice, relaxed, ‘lost beach’ atmosphere.
To get to there from town, cross the bridge, turn left at the Buddha
monument and continue south on the dirt road about 4km to the ocean.
The island of Koh Kong in the Gulf of Thailand about 45 minutes boat
ride from Koh Kong City has several unspoiled completely untouristed
white sand beaches.
Koh Kong Safari World
Full fledged animal theme park complete with animal shows and a
small zoological park displaying tigers, bears, ostriches, deer and
several other species. Regularly scheduled crocodile, tiger,
orangutan and bird shows. There is a show of some sort every hour or
so. Though some of the shows, particularly the orangutan boxing, may
not be to everyone's taste, by local standards the animals have the
appearance of being fairly well fed and cared for. Fun place to take
the kids. Open everyday. Located 500m from the border crossing.
Waterfalls
Koh Kong is rich with waterfalls and rapids. The rugged rivers that
run down from the Cardamom Mountains harbor spectacular jungled
falls, some near to town, others farther upstream. Many of the falls
are but a trickle in the dry season and best visited in the wet
season. The Ta Tai Waterfalls are the nearest to town and most
popular local falls, sitting close to the main road about 20km to
the east. The falls are wide and two-leveled with a drop of about
6m, set in a jungle gorge and falls over rapids. Others such as the
Koh Por Falls, Tuo Kokir Rapids and impressive jungle gorge Kbal
Chhay Falls sit father upriver within daytrip distance.
Last
updated April 2013
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