Perched along the southern coast of Cambodia, Krong Kampot is a charismatic riverside town that embodies the spirit of relaxed Southeast Asian living. This historical French colonial trading spot is set against Bokor Mountain, where mist-covered mornings transition into balmy, tropical days year-round. The region has two distinct seasons - the dry period (November to April) and the wet period (May to October), with temperatures consistently ranging from 25-32°C (77-90°F).

Kampot life trails a leisurely rhythm, with locals congregating at riverside cafes and traditional markets bustling with activity in the pre-dawn hours. Its French colonial architecture underlines its historical relevance, with weather-beaten yellow buildings outlining silent streets that seem stuck in time.

Kampot is globally celebrated for its pepper plantations, producing what many culinary maestros deem the finest pepper in the world. The region's pepper farms, coupled with copious durian orchards and salt fields, shape a unique agricultural landscape. The Kampot River, flowing through the town's heart, offers breathtaking sunset cruises where you can sight fireflies lighting up the mangroves.

Gastronomy lovers shouldn't miss the fresh seafood at the riverside restaurants, particularly the local delicacy of Kampot pepper crab. The Old Market area sparks into life at night with street food vendors selling traditional Khmer meals and French-inspired dishes, mirroring the town's colonial legacy.

Essential experiences include journeying through the spooky deserted French hill station on Bokor Mountain, touring a traditional pepper plantation to understand the cultivation processes, and embarking on a sunset river cruise to view the daily routines of fishing communities lining the riverbanks.