Sihanoukville
Top Cities
Hotels In:
- Strung Treng
- Angkor
- Battambang
- Ko Kong
- Kompong Cham
- Kratie
- Phnom Penh
- Siem Reap (Angkor Wat)
- Sihanoukville
Travel Cheap
Cambodia’s only international deep-sea port Sihanoukville (also known as Kampong Som) has become well known for its uninhabited beaches, fishing spots, and scenic trails. The French and Cambodians created Sihanoukville to give the country an independent seaport with the disintegration of Indochina in the 1950’s. Because Thailand's border is so close, many Thai’s have been showing up in Sihanoukville to get a feel for Cambodian culture. The main factory for Angkor, Cambodia’s national beer, is also located in Sihanoukville.
Lay of the land
This province of 868 square kilometers is located in Southern Cambodia. Sihanoukville is bordered by Koh Kong to the northwest, Kampot to the east, and the Gulf of Thailand to the south. There is an estimated 202,000 people living in Sihanoukville, with an even split between males and females.
What to see and do
While Ocheateal Beach is the most visited in Sihanoukville, there are also a lot of other white sand beaches--most of which are unpopulated with tourists like the Thailand beaches close by. Beaches are the number one attraction to Sihanoukville and snorkeling and diving trips are organized frequently. Some bars (like the Fishermen’s Den) also organize fishing trips.
The Independence Monument commemorating Cambodia’s independence from France and the Wat Lew (across the street from the Angkor Brewery) are also popular destinations. Preah Sihanouk Ream National Park (close to the Angkor Brewery) has a scenic bridge, fishing area, river, and multiple beaches. You can get there by taking Highway 4 from Phnom Penh. Dirt bikers can find lots of dirt trails when using the main road from Highway 4 (but going the opposite way) towards Kaw Sampou beach.
Getting around
You have a fifty-fifty chance of encountering a negative moto-taxi driver in Sihanoukville. They are known for “renegotiating” prices after the ride and after you have already agreed on a price. They are also known for intimidating visitors into paying the “renegotiated” fee, and there have been a lot of reports of violence towards those who try to pay the original agreed upon price. Because of this, it is recommended that you just rent a motorcycle (US$3-$5 a day) or bicycle, getting rid of the driver all together. If you don’t want to rent, ask the staff where you are staying for a driver referral. Guesthouses and hotels will rent cars for US$25 a day.
Favorite Nighlife in the Area Favorite Events in the AreaAround Sihanoukville
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Angkor Until 1861, the ruins of the ancient city of Angkor, capital of the Khmer kingdom, existed only in myth. One of the world's marvels, and the worlds largest religious monument, it's a vast and mysterious complex of carved sandston.... |
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Battambang Battambang is the capital of the Battambang province and the second largest city in Cambodia. Battambang literally means “disappearing stick,” and was named after a powerful stick that a legendary Khmer King used to gain and m.... |
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Ko Kong Many people are confused with Koh Kong because they are unsure of whether it is an island, a town, or a province, but it is actually all three. Here’s a little information to help with the confusion: the province of Koh Kong, wh.... |
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Kompong Cham Full of ancient sites, a lively Mekong River island life, and a beautiful waterfall, Kampong Cham is a traveler’s dream destination. Because of its location, it is an ideal trade and transportation hub. During the colonial perio.... |
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Kratie The riverside town of Kratie is the best place in the world to see the endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins. Along with its picturesque sunsets on the Mekong River, most of the town’s action is along the east bank of the Mekong River a.... |
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Phnom Penh A capital city once deserted in a matter of hours, Phnom Penh has a history unlike any city in the world. It is a city which has seen the greatest of good, and the blackest of evil. Founded in the middle of the 14th century by the.... |
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Siem Reap Angkor Wat Siem Reap is known for it Angkor Wat temples. It gets is name, which literally means, “Siamese defeated” from the seventeenth century victory of the Khmer Empire over the army of the Thai Kingdom of Ayutthaya. Angkor and the .... |
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Strung Treng Once called Xieng Teng, Stung Treng was originally part of the Khmer Empire. It became part of the Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, then the Lao kingdom of Champassack, until the French Indochina period when it was surrendered back to Cam.... |
