Whether
you're looking for the perfect room, perfect photos, or just a great
evening out, cambodiahome.com is where insiders go to
maximize their experience and discover the best of Cambodia.
It could not be easier to get to
Sihanoukville. The US ploughed a
road through the jungle years
ago, and this remains the road
of the highest quality in the
whole country. You can take a
taxi or a pick up if you are mad
… but there is really no need:
everyone takes the bus these
days – at only US$3.50 for a
four hour trip there is no
reason to go any other way.
Tickets are available at bus
stations at both ends or through
your accommodation. Some arrive
by boat or road from Koh Kong
(after coming from the Thai
border): the boat is around
US$12-15 for foreigners, and
takes around 4 hours; taxi is
around US$15 and takes upwards
of 5 hours depending on the
season. No flights are yet
available (although this is sure
to change – see above).
Getting around Sihanoukville is
interesting. The sights are very
spread out, and orientation can
be confusing. Many choose to
hire their own motorbikes (if
they didn’t bring their own in
the first place). Bank on US$3-5
for a 100cc and US$7-8 for
something bigger. If not,
motorbike taxis are everywhere:
it’s a little more expensive
here than in Phnom Penh or Siem
Reap because the hills eat fuel
for breakfast; in addition,
Sihanoukville is a tough place
to bargain so watch out! Make
sure you get a driver you know
at night: there are a few
colorful characters around this
neck of the woods and it can
help to know somebody.
Accommodation
Everything you could possibly
want, in short. Budget to
five-star, with all types of
accommodation from quiet
forested bungalows to beachfront
party rooms. If you are arriving
by motorbike taxi, don’t listen
to anyone who says your chosen
accommodation has ‘closed down’
or ‘does not exist’ … they are
taking commission to take you
somewhere else. All
accommodation can organize trips
for you, with no problems.
Food
Sihanoukville is used to
catering to tourists: all types
of Asian and Western food are
available. Many like to eat by
the sea on Ochheuteal Beach;
it’s also possible to find some
out of the way and high class
venues for a stylish evening
out. Naturally, the seafood is
great here.
Entertainment
Nightlife can be wild here! The
Sihanoukville crowd likes a
party, and you can rock the
night away in various bars or
discos. There’s not much in the
way of culture in the evenings:
you need Phnom Penh or Siem Reap
for that. Nor is Sihanoukville a
shopping center, beyond the
basics. But if you are here for
a good time, or even for a few
quiet nights by the water with
no distractions, you’ll find a
place that’s perfect for you
here.
There are more than a
dozen islands around
Sihanoukville, many of them
begging to be explored. All
of the islands are
undeveloped and have
beautiful and quiet
environments. This is a
great chance to...
More...
