Preah
Sihanouk
Province
Preah Sihanouk known as “Kampong Som” province is located along
the sea and South Western side
of Cambodia. It takes about 4 hours by
bus from
Phnom Penh
and it is 250 kilometers.
Preah Sihanouk is gradually
developed, and a few new towns
are under construction. This
only international seaport of
Sihanouk Ville makes Cambodia develop
faster, now it also serves as a
port for import, export cargos
and tourist cruise boats.
Security at the moment is not a
problem for tourists who would
like go on vacation. The number
of tourists is still low, but it
will increase rapidly. White
sand beaches are innate and
unruffled. Ochheuteal, Sokha,
Otress, Independence are popular beaches for
sunbathing, snorkeling; swimming
and relaxing. Unfortunately,
some of the beaches are
controlled by private companies.
Town of Preah Sihanouk was
constructed in 1950 during the
French time (1863-1953). It
served as a beach and industrial
town. It is best suited for
industrial purposes because
cargos are transported in and
out every day making this port
very busy. The beaches attract
local and foreign tourists from
Phnom Penh
and overseas. Recently, the airport of Sihanouk Ville
was reopened for tourists from
Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Angkor Beer
factory produces local beer.
There are many companies that
like to invest to this region.
In the near future new towns
will be constructed near the old
one.
General Information:
How to get in?
You can reach Sihanouk Ville
from
Phnom Penh city
by bus or taxi and it takes
about 4 hours and costs you
around US $5. Recently, Siem
Reap airways have flights from
Siem Reap to Sihanouk Ville
directly and this will increase
the number of tourists. If you
visit Kampot and want to
continue to Sihanouk Ville it
will take just about one and a
half hour. Tourists can come to
Sihanouk Ville from Koh Kong
province, where the
international border serves as
the doorway between Cambodia and Thailand. Buses
and boats can reach Sihanouk
Ville from Koh Kong.
Bank & ATM:
ANZ royal bank has a branch in
this town. Money can be changed
from USD to Riel and other
currencies. There are other
Cambodian public banks as well.
You can freely use credit cards
without any problem. There are
many ATMs through which you can
get money. These ATMs charge 2
US dollars per transaction.
Preah
Sihanouk Hotels:
You can get good accommodation
at Preah Sihanouk. There are
many new hotels, resorts,
bungalows and guesthouses
recently built in this town and
along the beaches. The
Independence Hotel, built in
1963 is a 4-star hotel with an
excellent sea view. The tariff
ranges from US $150 to US $250
per room per night. This hotel
owned the Independence beach
recently, but it still allows
non-guests to this hotel too to
swim there. Make sure to book
your hotel through
www.asiavipa.com.
Sokha is the only local 5 star
hotel in Preah Sihanouk. Stay in Sokha Hotel to swim at Sokha Beach,
which is the most beautiful beach of Preah Sihanouk.
Tariff ranges from US $120 to US
$260.
Mid-range hotel along Ochheuteal
beach is Golden Sand, with
swimming pool. The rooms are
clean and food is good. Tariff
ranges from US $25 to US $60 US
dollars.
What
to do and see?
Besides swimming and snorkeling,
at the beaches, tourists can do
their diving at Remote Island to see varieties of fishes and
others marine creatures. Price
of diving with professional
guide is 70 US dollars. You can
also hire water motorbikes at US
$30 per hour. If you want to
just drink and chill out you
need to visit Otress beach,
because it is a calm private
beach.
Ochheuteal beach:
is the most popular beach for
swimming, dining, snorkeling and
driving (water Moto). This beach
is calm, sand is white, and
tourists can stay until
midnight. Local and foreign
tourists swim here together.
Restaurant and bars are located
along the beach; BBQ of sea food
is the mostly served food at
lunch and dinner. Boat trip to
the island can be organized by
local agents and the price
varies depending your
negotiation skills. Internet
cafes can also be found at Ocher
Teal.
Sokha beach:
This beach is owned by Sokha
hotel, the only 5 star hotel in
Sihanouk Ville. This beach is
the most beautiful of all
beaches of Cambodia. Locals are not allowed to
swim there; it is reserved only
for tourists who stay at Sokha
beach hotel. Sand and water is
white and clean, calm.
7 Chann beach (Independence
beach):
Named after the hotel which was
built during the French time, 7
Chann that means 7 stories of
the hotel building. This beach
is private owned as well;
presently the hotel has enlarged
their beach line about 500
meters. This Beach is not
reserved for the guests of the
Independence
resort & spa. It provides the
best atmosphere for the
honeymooners.
Otress beach:
It is 10 minutes drive by
motorbike from Ocher Teal beach.
This beach is still natural and
calm. Tourists enjoy their
vacation here, because there are
not so many people like Ocheu
Teal beach. The restaurant & the
bar that are located along the
beach have friendly staff. This
beach is clean & has beautiful
sunsets.
Ream Beach:
The
Khmer movie, “Snam Sne Samut
Ream”, was filmed here. This
beach is quiet, very few people
swim here, because it is far
from town. There are many
restaurants with hammock for
welcoming the tourists.
Unfortunately, coconut trees
were cut recently, if not it
would have a beautiful view
during the sunset.
Other beaches and places to see:
There are many more beautiful
beaches such as Victory, Hawaï
and Hunsen.
Kbal Chay water falls:
You need to set aside a half day
for your trip to Kbal Chay water
falls and Ream beach together.
It is popular falls even among
the local people and you can
swim here.
