We all crave a bit of solitude and a break from the hustle bustle of city life. We’ve been on a lookout for places that can quiet a clouded mind, soothes the eye and makes us alive with the freshest air one can breathe. We wanted all of this but on a budget, and away from the usual hotspots for beach getaways.
We found all this and more in the quaint island of Koh Rong in Cambodia. The ultimate paradise with secluded beaches and clear turquoise water and gorgeous views. Keep reading to know more about this tropical getaway!
Koh Rong is an island in the Sihanoukville province of Cambodia. It comprises of 7 bays and 28 beaches, so there is something for everyone! We chose the Coconut Beach as it was said to be more secluded with white sand and clear water, just what we were looking for!
We stayed at the Coconutbeach Bungalows, a hidden oasis in the almost secluded stretch of white sandy beach. The owner siblings, Pia and Robbie, really go above and beyond to make your stay as pleasurable as can be. We stayed in their wooden bungalows which were $50 a night, but you can also choose to camp in their comfortable tents for as little as $8 a night! If you bring your own camping equipment, you can camp on their site for free!
We arrived at Coconut Beach after a full day and a half of travel, red eyed and exhausted (Bangkok-Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville-Koh Toch-Coconut Beach, whew!). We were not expecting such gorgeous water quality and zero garbage, we were very pleasantly surprised. We spent the first few days just relaxing by the beach and doing absolutely nothing else!
On one of the days, we took the day boat trips that are on offer at the Coconutbeach Bungalows, which we definitely recommend. With 10 other guests at the resort, we went beach hopping, snorkelling, fishing, and later had a barbecue with dancing and alcohol on the boat! All this for just $10, which was well worth it.
The boat took also Koh Toch beach which is the ‘party’ beach and the main pier of the island, for lunch. It wasn’t really for us as it was too crowded, dirty and with construction noise everywhere. If you’re looking for cheap stay, alcohol and parties with loud music, this is the place to go. We did however find a great lunch place, a sort hole in the wall kind of place. The menu was Thai and it was delicious!
We also hired a motorbike one of the days and went beach hopping with a Dutch couple. Long beach (Sok San Beach) was hands down the best we saw in the entire island. There are not many places to stay here, as you can see by how deserted the place is. It was definitely a slice of heaven that we were lucky to chance upon.
How to get there: Buva Sea ferry runs from Sihanoukville Pier to multiple ports on Koh Rong island for $20-$25 return, which is the best option. You can either fly to Sihanoukville airport or take a 5 hour bus (Giant Ibis) from Phnom Penh.
Currency: Cambodia mainly uses dollars. Be sure to bring enough cash as ATMs are scarce on the island.
Visa: Visa on arrival is for $20. Make sure to carry a passport photo.
Food: Do try the Fish Amok, the national dish of Cambodia! Western, Thai and Khmer cuisines are widely available in most places.
We hope you enjoyed reading about our trip to Koh Rong! If have any questions for us, please leave them below and we will be sure to answer them. Until next time!
Vega Chauhan
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