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| Krong Kep | ||
| province | provincial | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 35.990 () | |
| height | unknown | |
no value for height on Wikidata:  | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Kep(Khmer: កែប) is a coastal city with provincial status in Cambodia. In colonial times, Kep was an important seaside resort. After that, the place crumbled visibly. A lot has been invested in the place in recent years. So it has meanwhile blossomed into an insider tip for a quiet beach vacation.
getting there
- Kampot: The easiest way is to get one Tuk tuk to take (around 10 USD).
- Phnom Penh: Kep is behind Kampot. Take one of the minibuses that run from Phnom Penh to Kampot twice a day (7am and 1pm) and then take a motorcycle taxi or taxi in Kampot. For a while now the bus has been going to Kampot via Kep, so as soon as you see a beach you are in Kep. It is easier and faster to take a taxi, which will take you to Kep for around $ 40-50. Kep is about 23 km south of Kampot.
Arrival from Vietnam: The border crossing has been open since May 24, 2007 Prek Chak / Xa Xia ("Hà Tiên-Crossing") also open to foreigners. The next big place in Vietnam is Hà Tiên. The drive from the border to Kep on Route 33 takes about an hour and a quarter. The price is currently $ 5-15 for the Motodup and $ 10-25 for the Tuk-Tuk and should settle somewhere in the lower half of the range. On the Vietnamese side, mopeds drive for $ 2-4 Hà Tiên and Ba Hon to the border. There are boat connections from both cities Phu Quốc.
mobility
As everywhere in Cambodia, you can also find tuk tuks or motodubs in Kep, which drive around. After 7 p.m. these are rare and it is better to organize the transport beforehand. If you want to drive yourself, you can rent a moped for $ 5 / day. Many guest houses also have bicycles to borrow free of charge. The Led Zep Café at Strand also offers mountain bikes for $ 2 per day.
Tourist Attractions
- The "city" was Cambodia's most important seaside resort until the early 1970s. The villas are ruined by the rule of the Khmer Rouge and the civil war. The ruins are still visible. Nevertheless, many foreign Cambodians come here again at the weekend. If you want to relax for a few days, you will probably feel at home here. Overall, however, this place is not necessarily a must.
- Cave pagodas in the delightful surroundings of Keps.
- Beautiful, intact national park with an eight km long path leading around the mountain, a 'sunset rock' with a breathtaking view of Bokor and the surrounding islands.
- Pepper plantations near the Voir mountain; Kampot and Kep are world famous for their very tasty pepper.
activities
Snorkeling:
- There are good snorkeling opportunities on the island Rabbit Island (Koh Tunsay) or at Brandon Rock (Koh Saran), with an intact coral reef. A boat must be chartered. A description of the island can be found under trips.
- The Sailing Club now offers the opportunity to borrow Hobby Cats or to look at the mangroves with a kayak. They also have a speedboat that can be rented by the hour or by the day.
- The Kep Plantation has several horses with which you can ride yourself or be driven around in a Khmer carriage. Very popular with families with children.
- The Eco Lodge "Jasmine Valley" has a skate facility with a half board.
- Just below the Jasmine Valley is a butterfly farm with thousands of butterflies, small café on site.
- The best way to get to know the local area is by scooter (most guest houses rent scooters for $ 7-8 / day). Since Kep is very small, you can easily set off on your own and discover the area. There are also guided tours organized by the Kep Lodge or the Rega guest house.
Massage:
- Seeing Hands 5 massage, On the river road. Mobile: (0)12-503012. Shiatsu massage performed by the visually impaired Khmer.
- Lida Khmer massage. Mobile: (0)12-953427. offers you the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing massage (Thai, oil, foam).
shop
There are several small supermarkets (at Rabbit Island Pier, next to the beach, by the veranda) where you can buy snacks, drinks, cheese, etc., at the local market and at the crab market at the very end behind the restaurants. There is an ATM at the crab market by the restaurants and at the market square. In the Kep Lodge and in the veranda you can also withdraw cash for a small fee. Most hotels have wifi and some even offer a guest computer. The Don Bosoco School has a small internet café (with a snack bar) with a fast connection. You can only get souvenirs at the crab market at the moment, if you intend to buy more, you should do so in Kampot.
It is recommended to buy Kampot pepper in Kep, which you can get pretty cheap everywhere.
kitchen
In the "center" of Keps, directly on the bay, fresh seafood - grilled or soup - is offered. A little further on the coastal road towards Kampot is the cancer market with many simple but good restaurants with a view of the sea. A culinary highlight of Kep are certainly the excellent crabs and prawns, which are best eaten fresh in small restaurants. The goods can of course also be bought directly at the market, but should be consumed with caution due to freshness that is difficult to understand.
nightlife
- Tucan bar (at the crab market). Very cozy bar.
- Pizzeria Bar Baraka (at the crab market).
- There are also some bars in the local hotels (e.g. the Jungle Bar of the Veranda Resort, or the popular Kep Lodge Bar). The Kep Rock Cafe is located at the Shiva Rondel.
accommodation
Inexpensive
- Vanna bungalows (opposite "veranda"). Mobile: (0)12-755038. Accommodation with simple kitchen; Bungalows with a view of the evening sun, with a large pool. New spacious bungalows.Price: $ 20-80.
- Visal Sak Guesthouse, a little out of town, price $ 6 for a clean room with a private bathroom.
medium
- Kep Lodge. In June 2007 opened guesthouse below the national park with only ten private bungalows. The lodge offers hot water showers, a swimming pool, free bicycles, WiFi internet and snorkeling trips - good breakfast included. For a short time now, the lodge has also been offering deluxe bungalows with air conditioning, TV, DVD, etc. Especially the bungalows on the first floor (Lychee and Rambutan) are highly recommended, as they offer an unforgettable view over the sea, with a sofa and hammock.Price: $ 28-70.
- Veranda Guesthouse & Resort (on the mountain; across from the ASPECA orphanage). Mobile: (0)12-888619, Email: [email protected]. Mini-lodge and bungalows, restaurant, bar, laundry service, 24-hour security.Price: $ 60-400.
- The Beach House. Mobile: (0)12-240090, Email: [email protected]. Guest house overlooking the sea, restaurant, bar, rooms with air conditioning and hot water, satellite TV, pool.Price: $ 35-50.
Practical advice
trips
- Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay). This is an offshore island, with only a few bamboo huts, where you can also spend the night cheaply. There are white dream beaches covered with coconut palms and quite clear water. There are snorkeling spots on the rocks, no corals, but lots of fish. In the meantime, there are also simple overnight accommodations on the island. Your guest house in Kampot or Kep can organize a boat tour to the island for you. The drive from Kep takes 20 to 30 minutes.
- Bokor Hill Station. Bokor Hill is a few miles west of Kampot. On a mountain in the national park there is an abandoned station from the French colonial era.
There is now an immense casino there, the street has been completely rebuilt and much of the charm of the past has unfortunately been lost.
- Near Kampot and Kompong Track there are some caves worth seeing.
literature
Web links
- www.visitkep.com - Website of the Kep Tourism Group, the association of all hotels and restaurants in Kep - lots of information, maps and a forum for any questions.
- www.kepcity.com - Website of the city of Kep
