Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
enticing options; the more remote
bungalows arrange boat transfers for
around $10 each way.
Most Sihanoukville guesthouses also
organize day-trips, such as to Bamboo
Island for around $15 - including a
barbecue and snorkelling equipment - or
$25 to Koh Rong Samloem. A variety of
dive shops in town offer diving trips (see
p.106), including trips for first-timers.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By plane Sihanoukville Airport is located 18km east of
the city. Taxis will take you there for around $20, tuk-tuks
for $12 or you can take a bus for $6. Cambodia Angkor Air
( T 023 6666786, W cambodiaangkorair.com) runs daily
flights to and from Siem Reap with prices starting at $82
one-way.
By bus Buses arrive at the Victory Hill bus station, just
north of Independence Square, a 10min moto ride to
Serendipity Beach. At night, buses often set down and
pick up outside Ana Travels on Serendipity Beach Road.
Destinations Bangkok (2 daily; 12hr); HCMC (6 daily;
10hr); Kampot (8 daily; 2hr 30min); Koh Kong (2 daily;
4-5hr); Phnom Penh (12 daily; 4-5hr); Siem Reap (1-2
daily; 10hr).
By share taxi or minibus Minibuses and taxis usually
terminate at the transport hub by the market, Psar Leu,
and most town-centre accommodation is within walking
distance. For Koh S'Dach, first make for Veal Rinh on the
outskirts of town from where a 7am daily minibus departs
for Poi Yapon, access point to the islands.
Destinations Ha Tien (5 daily; 5hr); Kampot (5 daily; 2hr);
Kep (5 daily; 3hr); Koh Kong (4 daily; 5hr); Phnom Penh
(20 daily; 4hr); Veal Rinh (12 daily; 45min).
By boat Regular fast catamarans linking Sihanoukville
with Koh Touch on Koh Rong island, and Saracen Bay on
neighbouring Koh Rong Samloem, are offered by Koh
Rong Dive Center (booking o ce on Serendipity Beach Rd;
W kohrong-divecenter.com; $25/$35 return; 45/60min).
Other island transfers are arranged either by guesthouses
or dive companies.
about $8/day and a 250cc for $12-15. You'll probably need
to leave your passport as security, and make sure you lock
your moto when you leave it - thefts are common.
INFORMATION
The Sihanoukville Visitors' Guide ( W canbypublications.com) is
a comprehensive, regularly updated tourist guide, available
from guesthouses, restaurants and bars around town.
2
ACCOMMODATION
While the town centre has some decent guesthouses, and
is quieter, its distance from the beaches means that many
travellers opt to stay elsewhere. Budget accommodation is
available all over Sihanoukville, notably along Serendipity
Beach Road, in and around Ochheuteal beach (these
include a handful of dirt-cheap cells in beach bars close to
Chiva's Shack ) and at the increasingly popular Otres Beach,
3km southeast. Weather Station Hill, above Victory Beach,
has a few options, although its profusion of late-night
girlie bars makes the area somewhat sleazy at night.
THE TOWN CENTRE
Gekozy Two blocks southeast of Caltex off Ekareach St
T 012 495825. Small, friendly guesthouse tucked into
the local part of town with smart en-suite rooms, cos y
communal areas with DVDs aplenty and wi-fi. Double $7
Emerald Ekareach St T 097 7527490. Just three basic
yet clean and cosy fan-cooled rooms, one wi th private
bathroom, above a popular Irish pub. Double $8
Small Hotel 7 Makara St T 034 6306161, W thesmall
hotel.info. Smart, great-value rooms with TV, a/c and hot
water, plus a restaurant serving inte rnational cuisine
prepared by a Swedish chef. Double $20
WEATHER STATION HILL
Mealy Chenda West of Ekareach St, above Victory Beach
T 034 933472. Still a popular player on the budget circuit,
thanks to its low p ric es, sociable atmosphere and decent
restaurant. Double $8
SERENDIPITY AND THE SOUTHERN
BEACHES
Beach Road Hotel Serendipity Rd T 017 827677,
W beachroad-hotel.com. This Estonian-run place is
definitely worth the extra dollars. For creature comforts
like a/c, TV and a sw imming pool, there's no better value
in town. Double $24
Big Easy Serendipity Rd T 017 827677. Recently refur-
bished bungalows and with a relaxed backpacker vibe.
Hosts live music, while the live sports shown on the
restaurant's big screen draw s crowds on the weekends
and match days. Double $10
Footprints Otres 2 T 097 2621598, W otresfootprints.tk.
Chilled-out little hostel 10m from the beach with a variety
GETTING AROUND
By moto and tuk-tuk Motos and tuk-tuks are the
principal form of local transport. For motos, reckon on $3
from town to the beaches or Weather Station Hill, and
about twice that for tuk-tuks. It's worth noting that you
pay a premium if you hail a moto or tuk-tuk outside tourist
hubs like Monkey Republic along Serendipity Beach Road.
Motorbike rental If lazing on the beach doesn't provide
enough excitement, and you want to explore Sihanoukville
and the area, the best option is to rent a motorcycle. Most
guesthouses provide this service: a 125cc bike goes for
 
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