Sihanoukville Cambodia - Top Thrilling Things to Do

Sihanoukville is a comparatively young and still growing seaside resort. The place is not very historic but still the locals are trying their best to please the most demanding nobles offering manifold activities. Left and right there are thousands of touristic agencies offering city excursions, picturesque tours out of town, one/two-days sea trips to the nearby islands, jungle trekking, diving, fishing, spa/ massage, early & late evening entertainment and of course rental services (car, bike and bicycle).

City Tour

The tour around the city i.e. visiting the city port, Victory Monument, Phsar Leu Central Market can be done by yourself looking at the city map just rent a bike or a tuk-tuk and hit the road.

To do the city by tuk-tuk will be no more than USD1-USD2. All peculiarities, destination points, all the stops you plan to do are to be settled beforehand. As for the rent it’s easier to consult with someone from the hotel you’re staying in, the price will be better. But surely you will be able to do it at an agency, guesthouse or café/ bar. In any case if you see something looking like bikes’ parking rush there saying rent word non-stop. Prices will be: motorbike – USD5/ day, car – something USD20- USD50/ day depending on the car, and bicycle extremely popular here btw. – USD1- USD2/ day. The fuel available both in bottles sold along the roads and fill-up station, 1 liter for USD1.

Sea trips

And just in time about sea trips and referred activities: fishing, diving, snorkelling which are often covered by the general programs.

Being one of the most popular and visited places of Cambodian seaside Koh Rong, Koh Rong Samloem and Koh Puos (only 800m walk from Sihanouk across the bridge) islands are really worth seeing. They still have this spirit of wild life in spite of continuous and excessive tourist flow. There’s no electricity, but ok, relax now, they have generators! But even if there were none white sand and bluish-blue water make you forget all continental comforts.

So, you go to the pier to choose the transport (speed ferry for USD10 – one-way, higher speed boat – less people and a little high-priced) and the tour itself since they have different options and package tours as well. And if you really lucky it’s also feasible to find a boat owner and ask him directly. The transfer should be USD20-USD30.

Spa & massage

Those striving for opening the chakras or a hidden talent and gain some new skills are also gonna have a lot of fun in Sihanouk. Multiple massage and spa saloons around town offer back, foot, full body, oil, Khmer, Thai, Chinese types of massage. The price being so-so equal downtown but possibly less on the beach hovers between USD7-USD12. In this way you can meditate and have a piece of oblivion while sunbathing on the beach or entrust your body to the care of the professional in Serenity Spa saloon at Serendipity Rd., Sihanoukville (just a tip).

Moreover massage die-hards can master this art at massage school located downtown behind The Small Hotel or three blocks from Samudera supermarket to the right. 5 hours/day initiation; 1 day - USD40; 3 days - USD100; 5 days - USD150 as per tariff.

Cooking classes

Cooking lovers or becoming-a-chef-dreamers can try hands at it in one of the theme restaurants. The chef of Nyam restaurant at 23 Tola Street on Ochheuteal Beach will kindly assist you for a token consideration of USD20.

Visiting Angkor Brewery

Despite its small size Sihanoukville successfully snagged a piece of country’s food industry and now locates the largest brewery in the country. Angkor Brewery or Cambrew Ltd. with its long history of falls and rises has been in operation since 1966 and currently it is the most modern in the country hence one of its sights. The brewery produces mainly pale/ strong lager, stout and pilsner.

Do not expect to see the whole production cycle or bottling procedure in details during the tour. A lot of guests are coming here for no purpose but one – to get free beer from the generous girl by the bar. The tour itself lasts for 2 minutes or so then its free beer time followed by corner bar for grabbing pizza.

There has been a bunch of rumours about its closing and tour cancellation on the internet as well as contact info including, address, map, working hours, phone numbers, and etc. available to make sure you are awaited and welcomed. These trips are sold at numerous tour agencies in every corner. They practice traditional group excursion booking time, date and price. But it’s also feasible to go there individually (inner circle with no strangers) renting a tuk-tuk. The price should not be high since the place is only 3 km to the north of Sihanoukville.

Sihanoukville temples

Spiritual connoisseurs or simply curious persons will satisfy their hunger visiting the Buddhist temples around Sihanouk. The most famous one Wat Leu, called the Upper Wat is a significant architectural masterpiece resembling those in Angkor. It is situated on Sihanoukville Mountain showing gorgeous view of the whole territory.

Down the hill right at the mountain’s foot you will see Wat Kraom, also known as the Lower Wat due to its position as against Wat Leu. These pagodas are surrounded by quiet and serene woods which makes them an ideal place for having rest.

Around Sihanoukville

The majority of local picturesque sights such as Ream National Park, Buddhist Temples, Kampot town, Kbal Chhay Waterfalls are located in Snooky’s (short for Sihanouk) suburbs. So think about your transferring there in advance.

Ream National Park

Ream National Park situated in 18 km away from Sihanouk is a true adventure. Located in Prek Tuk Sap river estuary the park comprises 200 km2 of adorable untouched mangrove forests, dense jungles and submerged reefs. Booking an excursion at the agency is way more expensive than going there on your own by taxi, for example, which will be USD25-USD30 to any of those out-of-town places as well as Kbal Chhay Waterfalls, crocodile or elephant farms.

Taking an English-speaking guide at place which will be extra USD2 speaking of going to Ream. Let’s not forget about fee-based transport access: USD0.5-USD1 for a bike and USD2-USD3 for a car.

Next step is to decide if it is a hiking tour or a boat trip you gonna have. The price of the hiking tour will be USD5-USD10 depending on the route. And boat trip cost may vary from USD25 up to USD70 again based on duration and route.

FYI: the essential condition for staying in Cambodia is to bargain. Bargain and mingle always and a lot and do it everywhere making a reservation for your tour, staying at a hotel, or looking at a tuk-tuk driver face to face. And one more thing – smile cause they love it!