Koh Kong City
Kong Kong City is the capital of Koh Kong province, a comparatively small provincial town sitting on the east side of the Kah Bpow 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 or 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, dirt biking 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 a few 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 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. There is currently one ATM in Koh Kong, at the ACLEDA Bank at the corner of Street 3 and Route #48. It has Visa card access only. Other systems may be added in the near future. ACLEDA also offers Western Union services.
Things to Do and See in Koh Kong
Koh Kong is, in many ways, a 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 further upstream to spectacular waterfalls and rapids. Or boating the opposite direction to the ocean, secluded tropical beaches along the coast and 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
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
[email protected]
Beaches and Islands
Nearby Koh Yor Beach near Ba Blong Village is a long, narrow, secluded, white sand beach with a few little ocean side seafood shacks. To get to Koh Yor Beach 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, near the Koh Kong Resort.
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.
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, there are a few ‘eco-accommodations’ located on and along the Tai Tai River in the jungle Cardamom Mountains 20-30 kilometers outside of town, including the 4 Rivers Floating Lodge and the Neptune Bungalows.
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
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.apexkohkong.com
Blue Moon Guesthouse
Range: $6 - $10
Clean, basic fan and a/c rooms with CTV and en suite bathroom with hot water. Wifi. Bar and restaurant serving Asian and western food: burgers, fries, sandwiches. Complete tour services including boat trips and jungle trekking. Motorcycle rental.
Tel: +(855)(0)16-946079
E-mail: [email protected]
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
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.ecolodges.asia
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
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.kohkongbay.com
Koh Kong City Hotel
Range: $15 - $30
Large, popular, mid-range hotel right on the riverside with a great sunset view. Clean, nicely furnished rooms with all modern amenities including a/c, cable TV, mini-bar and hot water. Wifi. Conference facilities.
Tel: +(855)(0)35-936777
+(855)(0)12-901902
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://kkcthotel.netkhmer.com
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 CTV and en suite with hot water. Small hotel bar. Travel information. Parking.
Tel: +(855)(0)16-999952
+(855)(0)97-8776789
E-mail: [email protected]
Koh Kong Island Resort
Range: $55+
Brand new bungalows on a pristine beach on Koh Por island, a short boat ride from Koh Kong city. Fan, en suite bathroom with hot water, wifi. Restaurant/bar serving traditional seafood dishes and fusion cuisine.
Tel: +(855)(0)88-5589888
+(855)(0)12-879486
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.kohkongisland.net
Neptune Guesthouse
Range: $10 - $30 (includes breakfast)
Affordable rustic bungalows in traditional Khmer style, stilted wooden houses. Good to usage as a base for trekking and river trips. Restaurant/bar serving western and Khmer food, Motorcycle touring, Cardamom mountains, waterfall, island, river, beach and adventure boat trips.
Located 10 minutes up the Tai Tai River from the road.
Tel: +(855)(0)11-984512
+(855)(0)97-9253000
E-mail: [email protected]
Paddy’s Bamboo Pub & Guesthouse
Range: $2 - $6 (dorm from $2)
Very affordable guesthouse in a traditional-style Khmer house. Fan rooms, some with CTV. Restaurant/bar offering cold beer, spirits and a selection of western and Asian dishes. Travel and tours. Motorcycle rental.
150m east of the roundabout.
Tel: +(855)(0)97-6483841
+(855)(0)15-533223
E-mail: [email protected]