Kep Beach
Kep was Cambodia’s top seaside destination until eclipsed in the 1960s by Sihanoukville (and, soon after, decades of civil war). The town is full of ruined shells of old villas, destroyed in the Khmer Rouge days and during the subsequent Civil War and stripped down by the leaving Vietnamese army.
Today’s Kep has recently become established as a Khmer holiday spot and is slowly being rediscovered by travelers. The once very poor Kep beach is now being filled up with snow white sand from Otres Beach and is extended to 50m, still the main beach is located at the idyllic Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island, 20min by long tail boat), just off the coast.
The charm of this coastal resort lies in its peacefulness, its National Park, and its seafood.
A single, kilometer long crescent of sand near the tip of the Kep peninsula. Dining platforms and seafood vendors line the road behind the beach. Busy on weekends 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 (2500R – 5000R). Motorcycles and pedestrians are free. Be aware that the loop is an one-way street and the police do occasionally enforce the law, levy fines against violators.
How to get there:
- From Kampot: A new road smooth and safe connects these two cities, which are 25km apart. Takes 20-40 minute. Bus $2-3. For a motorcycle taxi ($4 – $6) or tuk-tuk (around $8) be prepared to bargain like a local or pay a bit more. Package day tours between the two towns often include a visit to nearby destinations such as Koh Tonsay, the caves between Kampot and Kep, and a pepper plantation. Check bus tickets from Kampot to Kep online.
- From Phnom Penh: The road is paved, smooth and well sign posted. Around 4-5 hours by bus. Several bus companies serve Kep ($7 – $8, Jan 2017) and offer various departure times from 7am through to 1pm. You can book the bus ticket by online from Phnom Penh to Kep or v.v in advance.
- Hiring your own taxi should cost around $40-50 (2.5 to 3 hours). Private taxi can book online for Phnom Penh to Kep or v.v in advance.
- From Sihanoukville: Minibuses take around 2 hours and cost around US$8 (shop around, prices vary). Departures are in the morning.
- From Ha Tien, Vietnam: Motorbike taxis take 45 min and should cost 100,000+ dong (~US$5). Bargain hard and in dollars, it’ll work out cheaper than in dong. It is a 45min journey.