Practical tips for traveling through Cambodia
April 30, 2023
Content
Koh Rong Samloem is the tropical island with white sandy beaches in Cambodia that you want to visit. A stay on this island is all about unwinding. Unlike the better-known island of Koh Rong, there is not much to do there. Enjoy relaxing days on one of the lovely beaches, and take a hike through the jungle when you do want to do something active. Curious about all our tips for a nice stay on Koh Rong Samloem? In this article you can read how to get there, what you can do and of course we share good hotel tips.
Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem?
When touring Cambodia you will undoubtedly want to visit one of the two islands, but which do you choose if you cannot visit both? Let this information get you started in choosing between the islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem.
Do you need a vibrant environment, meeting other travelers and are open to fun parties? Then Koh Rong is the island you should go to. Koh Rong is a lot bigger and the amenities and developments there are also a lot better than on the island of Koh Rong Samloem. You'll find lots of great restaurants, beautiful resorts and several beautiful beaches to explore.
Koh Rong Samloem, on the other hand, is a lot smaller than Koh Rong, but just as tropical and a lot more pristine. Facilities and development are lagging behind here, so the atmosphere here is much more relaxed.
The island of Koh Rong Samloem
There are two areas to consider visiting on the island of Koh Rong Samloem, and they are Saracen Bay and M'Pai Bay. Saracen Bay is the most obvious destination as this is a vast bay where you will find a number of fine restaurants and hotels. This is also the location from which you can best explore the beautiful pristine beaches.
Located in the north of the island, M'Pai Bay is an authentic fishing village on Koh Rong Samloem. Here you can experience how the locals have been living their lives on the island for years. And that is an experience that will always impress you. While staying on Koh Rong Samloem, would you also like to take a look at M'Pai Bay? Then we can recommend that as an excursion from Saracen Bay. A cab boat runs between the two bays and a round trip costs $10 per person. Keep in mind that the last cab boat leaves at 5pm.
It is important to know that there is no ATM on the island of Koh Rong Samloem. So take plenty of cash with you!
Discover the most beautiful beaches on Koh Rong Samloem
Picture the following: vast sandy beaches, meters-high palm trees and crystal clear sea water. This is no doubt how you picture the beaches of Koh Rong Samloem right now. Therefore, it will be a dream come true when you walk on one of the beautiful beaches of Koh Rong Samloem, because in reality it is even more beautiful than we can describe in words here.
Lazy Beach
A favorite with us is Lazy Beach, a beautiful golden sandy beach that you can easily reach on foot from Saracen Bay. Near Leng Meng Beach Bungalows, you'll find a sandy path that leads to the beach. It takes you about 20 minutes to get to Lazy Beach. It is a lovely beach to spend the day. You can have lunch at Beach Bar Lazy Beach where you can also rent snorkels.
Sunset Beach
The most beautiful beach you can find on Koh Rong Samloem is Sunset Beach. You can reach this crazy bay on foot from Saracen Bay. Near the pier and dive store, you'll find a path that leads you through the jungle to Sunset Beach. Get ready for a challenging 20-minute hike, a hike you'll prefer to cover in sturdy shoes rather than flip-flops.
The bay at Sunset Beach is small but nice with a few bungalows, a restaurant and hammocks among the trees. Here it really feels like you are on a remote part of the island. A paradise you won't want to leave. As the name of the beach suggests, Sunset Beach is the ideal place on the island to watch the sun disappear behind the horizon.
Saracen bay
Saracen Bay is the most famous beach on Koh Rong Samloem. Compared to the other two beaches, the sandy beach is not golden yellow but rather very white. Saracen Bay therefore certainly belongs in the list of the most beautiful beaches on Koh Rong Samloem. In the morning you can see the sun rise beautifully here, after which the life in this bay quickly gets going. Another great tip to do on Koh Rong Samloem is to hike to The Old Lighthouse. This hike takes about 1 hour from Saracen Bay.
How do you get to Koh Rong Samloem?
There is only one way to reach Koh Rong Samloem and that is by boat. Several ferries depart daily from the port of Sihanoukville. Often these ferries call at both the island of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem. So it is also possible to take the boat from Koh Rong to Koh Rong Samloem. You buy a ticket at the pier in Sihanoukville. A return ticket costs $25 per person. Want to take the boat to M'Pai Bay? Then make sure you get on the G.T.V.C. boat.
Where to stay on Koh Rong Samloem?
Most bungalows to stay in can be found at Saracen Bay, but you can also choose to stay at M'Pai Bay. When booking accommodation on Koh Rong Samloem, it is especially wise to look at the amenities. One accommodation we can definitely recommend is Bamboo Jam by the cozy atmosphere and colorful bungalows and Saracen Bay Resort Because of the beautiful bungalows and lovely sunbeds on the beach.
Accommodations on Koh Rong Samloem
Tips for traveling through Cambodia
A beautiful destination in Asia, Cambodia is much loved by adventure travelers and backpackers. The country's national symbol, and the world's largest religious structure, is Angkor Wat. A special location that attracts millions of tourists every year and will undoubtedly be the highlight of your tour of Cambodia. Curious about our tour tips? This is the ultimate itinerary for 2 weeks of Cambodia!
more inspiration for a trip through Cambodia
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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