Sihanoukville
Cambodia

"This article is mainly about
Serendipity Beach in Sihanoukville"

sihanoukville cambodia serendipity beach backpacking tips asia

Serendipity Beach -- Sihanoukville Cambodia

Welcome to Sihanoukville in Cambodia!

So why should you visit Sihanoukville?

  • If you're backpacking in Cambodia, and want to take a break from the scorching sun, visiting Sihanoukville is your best bet! There's nothing more refreshing than taking a dip in the ocean when the temperature hits over 30 degrees! ;-)

In this article you`ll find:



But...

I think Sihanoukville is a place you're going to either love or hate.

I neither loved it nor hated it. We visited in April 2010 and I liked the fact that the beach was spacious, and the water was clear.

But compared to other beaches I've seen in Southeast Asia, like Thailand and Malaysia, Serendipity beach is not the best beach I've ever been to; the accommodation right on the beach is expensive, trash everywhere and the lack of atmosphere. I can overlook a trashy beach, but when it lacks atmosphere -- that sets the score for me!

And you'll notice the poverty in Cambodia.

The limbless beggars walking on the beach was a big minus… It's not relaxing or comfortable when they come to you and beg, and it certainly doesn't feel good when you have to reject them :-( And since there were few travelers in the area, the beggars came to us more often. It was hard. And it was depressing.

Unfortunately, we didn't have the time to visit the other neighboring beaches in Sihanoukville. A couple of travelers we met at Monkey Republic told that Otres beach was a lot nicer than Serendipity, and that Sokha was a lot cleaner.

So check them out if you have the time! ;-)

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How to get to Sihanoukville

By air:

Thorn Tree forum: About Sihanoukville Airport

From Bangkok by bus: This is one way of getting to Sihanoukville from Bangkok --

A) Take the bus from Ekamai bus terminal in Bangkok. Your final destination is the town of Trat. It cost us 241 B with Cherdai Tour, and the bus left at 9.30 pm.

B) From Trat, you can take a Songthaew to the border. We paid another 150 B for that ride.

C) The Hat Lek/Koh Kong border opens at 07.00 am.

D) The bus and boat from Koh Kong to Sihanoukville leaves at 08.00 am.

From Koh Kong, it takes 4 hours with the bus company Virak Buntham. We paid 500 B for the bus from Koh Kong to Sihanoukville.

From Phnom Penh with Mekong Express: 07.45 am and 14.30 pm (about 3-4 hours)

Otherwise, buses leave for Sihanoukville from most major towns. You can get a bus from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville, but it usually means that the bus stops by Phnom Penh. We traveled the other way around: Sihanoukville to Siem Reap with Virak Buntham, and it stopped by Phnom Penh. The bus ride took 10 hours. The road from Sihanoukville to Siem Reap was paved and in good condition.

Where's the bus station in Sihanoukville?

North of Ekareach street.

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Leaving Sihanoukville Cambodia:

Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh with Sorya Transport: leave at 7.15 am, 8.00 am, 9.00 am, 12.15 pm, 13.15 pm and 14.15 pm.

Sihanoukville to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) with Sorya: leave at 7.15 pm.

Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh with GST Express bus: leave at 07.15 am, 08.15 am, 12.30 pm, 13.30 pm.

Sihanoukville to Battambang with GST: 07.15 am

Sihanoukville to Siem Reap with GST: 07.15 am

Sihanoukville to Siem Reap with Virak Buntham: Great, comfortable air-con buses. Leave at 8.00 pm.

To save time on traveling, you should consider taking the night bus to Siem Reap. If you want to get picked up and you're staying near Serendipity, the Virak Buntham buses will wait outside Seahorse guesthouse near the main road.

Otherwise, buses to Kampot and Koh Kong leave the bus station.

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First, some important places to know about in Sihanoukville Cambodia:

  • Ambulance: 119
  • Police : 117
  • Fire: 118
  • Tourist police Phone: +(855)(0)97 7780008
  • CT Clinic is known for providing the best medical service in Sihanoukville Cambodia Address: 47 Borei Kamakor Street Phone: + 855 (0) 8188 6666
  • Pharmacies is a 10-15 minutes walk from the Golden Lion roundabout. Otherwise go to downtown, to Ekareach Street. You can also get basics at the local supermarkets near Serendipity
  • Banks and ATMs available around Ekareach Street, and a few ATMs near the roundabout. ATMs dispense in $ dollars.
  • You can get internet access at your bungalow/guesthouse. Otherwise, there are small internet shops along Serendipity beach.


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Sihanoukville Articles



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Where to sleep

Need a place to stay in Sihanoukville?

Where can you find a cheap place to stay?

Welcome to Sihanoukville accommodation!



sihanoukville restaurants cambodia food culture backpacking tips asia

Where to eat and drink

Hungry?

Let`s go and grab something to eat!

Welcome to Cambodia food 2 -- Sihanoukville



sihanoukville cambodia bamboo island golden beach backpacking tips asia

Activities in Sihanoukville Cambodia

Here's our review of our snorkeling trip including Bamboo Island (Koh Russei).

Welcome to Cambodia beaches of Bamboo island!

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You`re done with Sihanoukville Cambodia, where do you want to go next?

Read useful general info about the Angkor Temples.

Going (back) to Phnom Penh?

Heading for Siem Reap?

Crossing the border over to Thailand? Read about Bangkok here.

Going North to Southern Laos? Read about Pakse and the Bolaven Plateau.

Get an interactive Cambodia Map and detailed bus information for Cambodia

Read about Cambodia History

Read about Cambodia Culture

Return from Sihanoukville Cambodia to Backpacking Tips Asia Homepage.

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