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City Municipality in Kep, Cambodia
Photo: Aine Hickey, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kep is a small seaside town in Cambodia, popular with lots of Cambodian beachgoers and a fair number of international visitors, who come not just for the beach but also for the dense forest you can hike through on the hill behind the town.
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Angkaul Beach was once the swimming beach for the Cambodian elite in the 1960s. The trip there might be long, but it is worth every minute. The 2-km-long beach is clean with white sand and totally deserted except some fishermen. Now there are 6 deck chairs and parasols and a small shop selling cold drinks for the few tourists going there. The water is shallow but clean.
Around Kep there are 3 major caves, some with small shrines inside. The biggest and most impressive is near Kompong Trach (30 km from Kep). It boasts beautiful limestone formations and a nearby swimming cave.
There are around 100 or more old French villas, mostly destroyed by the Kep locals, returning after the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime (and not by the Khmer Rouge as most travel guides tend to make you believe) and some of them overgrown like Angkor Wat, quite a spooky feeling. Some of them have been restored, but most of them are owned of rich military officials who are waiting to sell it at the highest price.
An absolute must is to visit the Pepper plantation. The pepper used to be the number one pepper in the world and all the good French restaurants had it. It is having a revival with a local NGO (Farmlink) helping promote and plant it again.
A single, kilometre-long crescent of sand near the tip of the Kep peninsula. Tasty street food and fruit as well as beachwear is for sale along the road behind the beach. Busy on weekends, mainly with Cambodian visitors, but often deserted during the week. The road through Kep traces the coastline to the beach and then circles back on itself. Cars and vans must pay admission to drive the loop (2,500-5,000 riel). Motorcycles and pedestrians are free. The loop is one-way only and the police do occasionally enforce the law, levying fines against violators.
Kep Mountain
There is an easy trail going full circle around the hill above Kep in the national park. It's a wonderful piece of jungle, in which it is quite probable to see some monkeys and other animals. The trail is about 8 km long (a 2-3 hour walk). If you don't want to walk, the path is big enough to ride a bicycle or a motorbike. There are even some small benches to enjoy the view and have a rest during the walk.
Bungalows on Rabbit Island are quaint and cheap (from US$5 a night). The island is generally pretty quiet and is a gem of coastal Cambodia. Development is slow, though there is now a massage shack directly on the beach.
Great massages (Thai, oil, or steam) for only US$7, next to the Kep Lodge.
Rent catamarans, kayaks, and even a speedboat. They also have a restaurant with some special foods.
While Kep Beach doesn't have the world's nicest sand, it's still enjoyable to go for a swim in the calm, cool water, as lots of Cambodian children do every day. There are wooden lounge chairs spread along the beach, occasionally with a Cambodian woman requesting US$1 to use them. Lots of cold drink vendors nearby and a decent place to watch the sunset too. Don't believe the gloom and doom that some guide books write about the beaches in Kep, they're actually quite nice. Also, going for a swim at night in the sea off Rabbit Island results in phosphorescent (bio luminescent) algae glowing all around you, which is a charming experience.
Set in a beautiful, quiet and green area, and is a good spot to unwind near the sea. Serves imaginative food with an emphasis on Asian (sea)food. Try the Khmer fish wrap, chilli & rum prawns or Asian beef stew. With comfortable chairs, a lounge bed, jazz music and a beautiful garden this place is not only about food and provides a pleasant upmarket alternative in Kep. Showers available for swimmers (guests only).
The comfortable bar is replete with pool table and offers a good selection of Khmer and Western dishes including Swiss specialties cheese fondue and raclette. Music and liveliness can be enjoyed until midnight. Happy hour (17:30-19:00) lubricates the sun's decent over the infinity pool. Mojiot and draft beer available.
Like all the other restaurants near the crab market, Kep Thmey is noted for crab and shrimp in green pepper.
Established and popular but possibly becoming complacent in success. Located towards the end of the row of seafood restaurants near the crab market. Shrimps or crabs with spicy sauce are notable, although this applies to all the restaurants on the row.
Its elevated position offers breeze and good views overlooking Kep and the ocean. The small menu offers burritos, pizzas and pancakes. There's a range of detailed maps of Kep and its surroundings. The helpful French owner has been living in Kep since 2004 and provides interesting company. Mountain bikes are available for rent. A good place to relax with a cold beer or a cappuccino.
Main restaurant at the Veranda Natural Resort with a great view of the gulf, especially at morning and sunset. Beside their popular bakery shop, the restaurant offers seafood dishes, as well as Western and Asian food and brunch. The brunch is a lovely indulgence for a fair price. The service is excellent as well.
Holy Crab is one of the nicest of the generally basic restaurants at the Crab Market. You can still find the seafood staples you should try in Kep, but everything is served in a nice ambiance. Wonderful for a leisurely dinner or enjoying a nightcap by the water.
A popular hang out for local expats, also a cosy place to enjoy an excellent sea side pizza and some great cocktails. They now boast an upstairs terrace overlooking the ocean. A truly stunning place for Kep's famous sunsets.
Charming wooden rooms or fan/air-con, cheaper rooms with shared bathroom in concrete building. Traditional Khmer-style, tropical garden with stylish huts, views on the national park. Restaurant serving fine and traditional Khmer & Western food. Friendly family atmosphere. Free Wi-Fi. Motorcycle rental is available.
Guesthouse with 6 bungalows, each with shower and fan or air con. Restaurant serves world food. Pool table, petanque, book exchange. The young garden is becoming established.
All rooms have hot water and TV. The only Western TV channel is Fashion Channel. The adjoining restaurant looks good, but isn't.
One of the fanciest places in all Cambodia, this complex has only three seaside villas. Book two and they'll guarantee that the entire place is yours. Great swimming pool, free Wi-Fi. A real private hide away.
Five bungalows with air-con and private balconies set in a tropical garden. Infinity pool with salt water with view of the National Park. The lounge with sofas and pool table offers panoramic sea view.
Offering great views from the Deluxe bungalows down to the Gulf of Thailand. Thirteen private bungalows with hot shower, minibar, tea and coffee maker, desk and a big private terrace with a hammock and sofa - full breakfast included. A popular infinity salt-water swimming pool, free bicycles, fast & free WiFi all over the lodge, a book exchange and lots of games can be found at the Lodge. New first floor restaurant, with lounge. Has a lively bar, pool table and restaurant serving local and Swiss food. Can also be used as a meeting room. Outside guests can use their pool when consuming US$5/person for free .
info@raingsey-bungalow-kep.com
Eight wooden bungalows set in a tropical garden. Private balconies give access to the palm-shaded swimming pool. Air con, en suite bath, hot water, restaurant with sea views. Wi-Fi.
Small 13-room hotel. All rooms are smartly decorated and have sea views. Small pool, comfortable restaurant and bar.
Set in a beautiful garden next to Kep Lodge overlooking the sea with both Bokor Hill Station and Phu Quoc in view, this place offers a wide range of accommodation ranging from US$4 double fan basic rooms, tree house style rooms through to shared bathroom rooms to rooms with private baths.
On the sea, villa with six rooms is on a two-hectare property with a six hole golf course, an infinity swimming pool and a tennis court. It is private and has all the amenities.
Dorm and single/double rooms with shared bathroom. Free Wi-fi.
Rustic, romantic bungalows amid the trees near Kep National Park. Helpful staff, wifi, several pet dogs and even a squirrel. Tasty, if a bit pricey, breakfast and dinner are available.
There is an ATM near the pharmacy. Veranda Natural Resort and Kep Lodge also offer cash advances on Visa and MasterCard cards but levy a service charge of 5%.
Crowded, noisy, humid outdoor market selling fresh seafood, plus drinks, dresses, and swimsuits for the tourists. Beachwear here is about half the price you'd pay at the shops by the beach.
A limited selection of wine, spirits, beers, snacks, and some Western food. There is also a fridge and you can buy cheese, butter and sliced meat. Also have milk and tea.
Sells beads from all over the world for very reasonable prices. Lily, the owner, has been doing this for years and their collection is huge and very tasteful. They also have a small school for free, teaching French to the local people.
The only decent pharmacy in town. If you need hand sanitizer, shampoo, rubbing alcohol, or basic over-the-counter medication, this is the place to go.
Tuk-tuks are plentiful. Short trips around town should cost US$1–2, the price for a full day is between US$12–25. Some roads can be a little bumpy, but there is no major dust irritation like in Siem Reap or Phnom Penh.
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