The ancient country of Khmers, bordering Vietnam and Thailand, is still inferior to its neighbors in terms of tourism. She only recently recovered from a protracted civil war that claimed the lives of millions of Cambodians. But the beautiful nature, the wonderful coast of the Gulf of Thailand, the warm climate, the generous land are the basis for future prosperity. In addition to the mainland, Cambodia has 52 islands, of which only 4 are inhabited so far. However, even today tourists have something to do and see here. What is only the ancient capital of the Khmer kingdom of Angkor, recognized as the object of the world masterpiece of architecture of the 10-13th century. During the heyday of the Khmer empire, many amazing temples and luxurious palaces were created here. Today it is the main attraction of the country, a place of pilgrimage for tourists from all over the world. An equally attractive factor for them is a cheap beach vacation. Despite the fact that the beaches of Cambodia are not yet so well developed, the beauty of nature, the friendliness of the locals make up for this shortcoming. Active work is underway to improve national parks, hotels are being built, resort infrastructure is being improved.
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Sihanoukville is one of the fastest growing Cambodian resorts, boasting modern hotels, urban infrastructure and good beaches. Staying on them is an immersion in the world of enchanting nature. Such marvelous sunrises and sunsets, it seems, are nowhere else. The feeling of magical magic will not leave you on Ochitel, the longest stretch of the coast (almost 3 km). The cozy sandy strip is symbolically divided into two halves: southern and northern.
The southern part is practically not ennobled, dotted with many coastal stones. But smooth boulders polished by the surf are not a hindrance. The entrance to the sea is smooth, the water is clean, there is less household waste. Lovers of wild secluded relaxation will love this part of the beach. The northern half of the Ochitel, with a highly developed infrastructure, is in demand by tourists. The abundance of cafes and restaurants, playing with neon lights in the evening, with an inexpensive variety of cuisine, attracts everyone. Locals like to be here in the evenings and on weekends, especially young people.
Until morning, music thunders on the shore, a fire show is held, fireworks are arranged, a fun party lasts all night. During the day, the situation is measuredly calm, they try to clean up the garbage washed ashore at high tide every day. Umbrellas and sun loungers belonging to establishments are offered for a nominal fee. In the evening, tables and soft armchairs are set near the shore. Around there is a large selection of budget hotels from $ 10 and more per day. There is a small park nearby with playgrounds and slides. On the Ochitel you can rent a scooter, ride a boat or yacht to the neighboring islands.
Otres
If you dream of visiting the purest piece of the Sihanoukville coast, with fine white sand and perfectly clear water, then Otres will satisfy that dream. It is located in the southern district of Sihanoukville, more precisely in its suburbs. Here, even in the high season, there is no crowding, unnecessary noise. There is an opportunity to relax from the heart, enjoying the tranquility and tropical beauty of pristine nature. The entire section of Otres is divided into 2 zones, visually and infrastructurally different from each other. There are plenty of housing objects: hotels, hotels, bungalows, guesthouses.
Otres 1st, with typical postcard resort views, many hotels, bars and restaurants, is always packed with holidaymakers. Here you will find a good shelter in a comfortable 3 or 4 star bungalow hotel from 50 to 100 $ on the 1st coastline. Restaurants offer a variety of menus, including a vegetarian one. There are also very cheap bungalows, concocted from branches, existing on the "word of honor" and tiny cafes. On the territory of Otres 1 there is a pharmacy, ATMs for cashing currencies of different countries.
Otres 2 is practically devoid of the benefits of civilization, but this does not spoil it in the least. A wide, clean strip of white sand spreads like a soft carpet underfoot. You can hide from the sun under the crowns of casuarines growing in a line. Young palms lined with yellow brick paths adorn the landscape. Yoga is practiced in the equipped gazebos, and there are toilets. It is good to have a rest here with children: gentle descent into the sea, soft sand, calm, safe.
Independence
The 2-kilometer stretch of the Independence coast attracts with its extraordinary picturesqueness and purity. The eyes are delighted with original sculptures, bridges, designer tables and urns. The right side of it belongs to the 5-star hotel of the same name, which takes care of the state of the beach. Hotel guests use it b / n, other visitors pay for the entrance. There are comfortable sturdy sun loungers and reliable umbrellas.
The surrounding views are mesmerizing with pristine beauty. Especially when you look around the coast from a wooden pier, with an original gazebo, with a thatched roof. The entrance to the pier from the pretty embankment decorated with tiled paths, gazebos, lawns is amazing! The central part of the strip is less equipped, but there are more trees with spreading crowns. In their shade, you can safely lie without an umbrella. To get a used lounger, you need to order something in a cafe, of which there are several.
The sandy strip is flat, it is pleasant to walk on it. In some places in the water there are boulders, around which crabs and crabs scurry. The water is very clean, the bottom is smooth, the debris is removed regularly. A wide street stretches along the sandy strip. This site is less crowded and quieter, a serene rest is guaranteed. The left edge of Independence, a wild beach, belongs to the Holiday Casino Hotel. Here you forget about all the problems and enjoy communicating with the amazing flora and fauna.
Sokha
The first time you enter the 1.5-kilometer stretch of the Sokha coastline, you immediately fall under the irresistible charm of this place. The wide expanse of fine white sand, bordered by a green stripe, delights with its pristine purity. The azure mirror of the bay beckons with freshness, in general, a piece of paradise! More than half of Sihanoukville's "paradise" belongs to the 5-star Sokha Beach Resort.
Guests of the hotel can use the local infrastructure and the beach free of charge. But here you can swim in the sea and the pool, walk around the territory, other tourists, paying $ 10. There is a free piece of 100 meters in Sokha in the northern part. Local kids and tourists who do not live in the hotel usually splash there. The entrance to the well-warmed water near the coast is shallow. No problem for staying with children.
Pleasant surprises await vacationers in various places in Sokha. At the entrance there is a giant tail, "left by a fairy dragon." And on the slopes, among the green thickets, the intricate roofs of houses look out. The territory of the hotel is decorated with sculptures and gazebos in oriental style, openwork bridges. Impressive design bungalow hotels, placed on stilts right in the water.
Serendipity
In the center of Sihanoukville's coastline is Serendipity Beach. A fusion of Asian exoticism and European chic make this place an arena of unbridled fun in the evenings, with music, wine and dancing. During the day, a soft snow-white strip of sand is quite suitable for a measured, calm rest against the backdrop of amazing landscapes. The shallow and warm sea near the coast attracts families with small children. Divers come here, attracted by the corals growing in the water.
A series of cafes and restaurants offer varied cuisine at any time of the day. It is especially secluded to be on the section behind the pier. It is always not crowded there, even on weekends when locals come to Serendipity. There are many stones near the coast, stopping the flow of tourists.Although the bottom on this stretch is flat and smooth, nothing interferes with swimming. Disadvantages of Serendipity are garbage occasionally washed ashore by the current and an uncomfortable road to the beach.
Prek Treng
Do you want to find yourself in a truly heavenly place, among exotic palm trees and the luxury of white sand? Then head to Prek Treng, located in the northern outskirts of Sihanoukville. You will be captivated by the virgin purity of the surrounding nature, its exotic beauty and the absence of annoying urbanization. It is no coincidence that this corner is chosen by locals who come here on weekends. Perfect purity and divine beauty disciplines visitors, whose hand does not understand to throw a cigarette butt or napkin on the sand.
On weekdays, there are very few people here, there are no merchants, loud music. But at the same time, Prek Treng is not devoid of amenities for vacationers. Here are built nice nice gazebos, where you can hide from the sun, organize a picnic with barbecue. You need to take food and drinks with you - there are no cafes and bars nearby. There are rubbish bins, toilets. Sea blue, shine of sand, amazing landscapes give bliss. A day at Prek Trenge will be unforgettable.
Victory
A charming piece of coastline near the beautifully named Victory Beach in Sihanoukville attracts romantic people who do not pretend to be comfortable in everyday life. They are not afraid of the proximity of the port, lack of infrastructure, cafes within walking distance. But there is an opportunity to completely immerse yourself in the contemplation of the sea space with ships gliding along it, to splash in clear water. Among the best beaches in Sihanoukville, Victory is ranked 4th.
The dry land also provides an opportunity to indulge in soft white sand, among palms with incredible trunks of shapes and other trees. Their spreading crowns reliably protect from the sun. There are no stones here, unlike other areas, a flat sandy bottom, shallow water near the coast. The local population actively sells fruits and sweets. A full lunch is offered by restaurants located 300 meters from the coast. There are a number of hotels nearby, where you can comfortably stay from $ 9 to $ 70 per day.
Ratanak
The picture of the bounty opens to those who first find themselves on a piece of the Sihanoukville coast of Ratanak. This is the smallest of the local beaches, full of external charm. It is located in a secluded corner surrounded by lush tropical flora and is ranked 5th among its fellows. Low-growing umbrella and tall coconut palms, casuarines, all kinds of shrubs saturate the air with phytoncides. The local inconvenience is large stones in some places of the coast and a rocky bottom, by analogy with the Seychelles.
In general, the lane is well landscaped: sun loungers are installed under exotic umbrellas, cafes are open, a playground with mini-attractions is equipped. Vacationers with children can find good safe swimming areas. In spacious bungalows, on wooden benches under palm crowns, you can just sit, enjoying the surrounding landscapes. It is much better to stay here during the dry season than during the rainy season. Low population is one of Ratanaka's virtues.
Lazy
Enjoy a pleasant 2-hour boat cruise on the bay and you dock off the picturesque island of Koh Rong Samloem, on the magnificent Lazy Beach. At first glance, the ideal purity of golden sand, crystal purity of water and emerald greens captivate. An outrageous picture - monkeys galloping among the pines, absolutely not reacting to your presence. It embraces a sense of absolute unity with tropical nature, despite the presence of modern infrastructure.
Nice bungalows with unusual shapes and comfortable furnishings. Local restaurants, cozy and calm, offer a varied and delicious menu. The combination of pristine peace and the benefits of civilization creates excellent conditions for families with children. Newlyweds looking for privacy on their honeymoon will love it here too. Fans of snorkeling and fishing will enjoy it: not far from the coast there are underwater boulders, where fish of fantastic color live.
Kampot
The southeastern province of Cambodia is home to unique natural and man-made attractions. The main town of the same name in the province attracts tourists with ancient monuments of French colonial architecture. The entire territory of Kampot is an unusually picturesque nature, numerous plantations of black pepper, the Phnom Bokor nature reserve, the Elephant Mountains, etc. On 80 km of the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, there are sandy beaches surrounded by wild nature. Excursions to ancient cave temples leave the deepest impressions. In the small village of Teuk Chhu, there is a grandiose water park Arcadia.
Here you can not only enjoy swimming, but also have fun from the heart. A trip to the water park will bring a lot of fun for children and adults. Tourists are delighted with the exciting attractions. There are volleyball courts, ping-pong, darts, billiards, bike rental. Boat trips are made on rented kayaks and boats. The water park has bars with soft drinks and live music. In Kampot, there are no problems with renting housing from the most budget one in bungalows and guesthouses ($ 5-7) to a hotel from $ 30.
Kep
The smallest province of Cambodia cannot boast of an abundance of beaches. The length of the coastal line here is only 2 km, on which the only Kep Beach is located. Once upon a time, the French, who took a fancy to the 500-meter stretch of the coast, covered the pebble cover with a white layer of sand for greater comfort. A cozy bay with calm waters, the beauty of sea sunsets, a clean coast made this place bohemian for the French. The long war prevented the further improvement of Kep, but in 2013 sand was brought in again and the infrastructure was restored. This site, which is in great demand by Khmers from the surrounding settlements, is well filled with holidaymakers on weekends.
On weekdays, the coastal strip is free, a serene stay of tourists is provided with natural beauty and the necessary attributes of infrastructure. The entrance to the sea is marked by a giant sculpture of a crab - the main symbol of the city of the same name. He "greets" the bathers with a claw raised above the water. There are several restaurants, bars, hotels nearby. Installed ATMs for exchange and withdrawal of money. From street stalls they sell fruits, sweets and various small things. In the eastern corner of Kepa Beach, attention is drawn to the statue of a girl gazing into the sea - a touching monument to the dead fishermen.
The fishing village of Hum Angkol, where there is a beach corner of Angkul Beach, is located 8 km from the town of Kep. A sandy strip of 1.5 kilometers in length is a local wild beach, devoid of any infrastructure. Lovers of unorganized rest are already mastering this space. So far, regular visitors to Angkula Beach are fishermen who go fishing at dusk and return at dawn back. Traces of their activity partly violate the purity of the sand and water near the coast in places of fishing grounds.
Long Set
If you are visiting Koh Rong for the first time, your first thought will be: "This is heaven on earth." And it will be further developed when you visit one of Cambodia's finest beaches, Long Set. Get here by ferry from Sihanoukville. The irresistibly beautiful views seem to have been drawn with a thin brush of a skilled creator. Dazzling white sand, azure-blue surface of the bay, merging with the sky in the distance, makes you freeze with admiration. The narrow coastal strip is edged with a thick fringe of spreading trees, under the crowns of which there are sun loungers.
The water is incredibly clean, the sand is whiter than snow - you can't see this everywhere. Stunning sunsets with changing hues create a marvelous scene.But the real evening fairy tale begins after sunset, when plankton begins to sparkle with silver sparks, washing ashore for the night. You can stay overnight in one of the cheap bungalow hotels nearby. You will get double pleasure if you travel around the whole paradise island on a rented bike.
Sun Juice
On the island of Koh Rong there is another Sok San Beach, which belongs to the hotel of the same name. But if Long Set is a semi-wild paradise, then Sok Sun is a civilized paradise. A snow-white ribbon of velvet sand stretches along the emerald of the bay for 7 km. Even rows of coconut palms spread out in fans, reed umbrella huts adorn the strip. There are light dining tables with chairs in front of the hotel right on the beach. Other areas are equipped with sun loungers and porcini tarpaulins. Everything looks unrealistically beautiful, it just takes your breath away from the surrounding views.
The owners of the hotel do their best to make the holiday of the resort guests as comfortable and interesting as possible. Boat trips to neighboring islands, fishing, diving, snorkeling are organized. In the evening, the residents of the hotel watch the plankton glow. In the midday heat, spa treatments are available. Vacationers visit a nearby authentic village, where they treat themselves to real Cambodian food in local cafes. Although the decoration and interiors of the rooms in the hotel cannot be called chic, but comfort, cleanliness and all the amenities are present in them.
Ko Thmey
An oasis of mangrove groves, tropical birds, stunning ocean landscapes - the Rim National Park includes in its territory the uninhabited islet of Ko Thmei with the beach of the same name. A strip of golden sand, edged with coniferous trees, a calm surface of the ocean, a serene atmosphere attracts many foreign tourists here. Every year there are more and more people who want to relax in an ecologically clean place. From the airport, you can get here (25 km) by taxi overland. From the side of the bay, from Serendipity - by rented boat.
Healing air, clean water, all the delights of the pristine tropics enchant you from the first days of your stay. Tourists are not afraid of the lack of comfortable hotels and infrastructure. Several bungalows are built along the coast. The cost of one night is from $ 15 to $ 60, with a transfer. In the mornings, instead of the hum and rumbling of transport, everyone hears the flooded singing of birds and the quiet whisper of the waves. Swimming, walking, fishing, snorkeling diversify secluded leisure activities.
Koh Rong Samloem
Arriving on the neighboring island of Ko-Thmei, Koh Rong Samloem, immediately remember the words from the song: "all covered with greenery, absolutely all." This charming piece of sushi is covered with dense, sometimes impassable jungle. The stunning views of the coastline of Koh Rong Samloem are overwhelmingly beautiful. You can stand motionless for several minutes, afraid to take your eyes off the sea turquoise and the whiteness of the sand. The natural wonder here is very impressively complemented by an intricate infrastructure. For example, in the form of an elite hotel, whose rooms are arranged in giant "pipes" horizontally mounted on props.
The 1st line is decorated with cute houses in the form of fishing huts, surrounded by benches and tables of the Secret Paradise Hotel. The extraordinary architecture of the famous Moonliqht Resort, which resembles a fairytale tower, amazes. There are also very simple huts, with thatched walls, wooden houses in the trees for plucking heads. Another beach, Leisi Beach, already mentioned above, is also irresistibly beautiful. The combination of unspoiled flora and fauna with the modern comforts of living make a holiday on Koh Rong Samloem a ride of bliss.
As in all countries of Southeast Asia, Cambodia's climate is divided into seasons - dry and wet. A favorable time to relax here is from December to March, the velvet season is December-January. During the day, the air warms up to + 30 °, at night - +20, the humidity is low, there is very little rain. It is always warm here, those who easily tolerate humidity can travel in any season. However, it must be remembered that the land is not yet cleared of mines everywhere, and you can rest in permitted places.