According to wholevehicles, Sihanoukville, formerly known as Kompong Som and now familiarly called Snookiville or even Snuki, is a coastal resort in Cambodia that is famous for having the best beaches in the country. The history of these places goes back thousands of years and is filled with both interesting and tragic events. The city itself began as a French-Cambodian camp carved out of the jungle in the 1950s. Soon the town turned into a bustling port, and its golden beaches attracted the very elite here: even Jackie Kennedy once stayed at the Independence Hotel. During the civil war in the 1970s. the star of Sihanoukville has set, but in the 1990s. The resort began to regain its former glory. At first, only brave backpackers came here, and guidebooks frightened with bullet marks on the streets. But now you are unlikely to find here at least one mention of the then war: even the historical Independence, which was inhabited by ghosts for 30 years, has been rediscovered. And today, bars and restaurants are actively opening in Sihanoukville, and The New York Times has already managed to suggest that this is Asia’s next trendy beach. So come calmly and relax with pleasure (although it’s still not worth appearing on the beach after 21:00 in Sihanoukville – even for men).
The distance from Sihanoukville to Phnopmeni is approximately 229 km.
Guide to Sihanoukville: how to get there and where to stay, what to see and where to sunbathe. The most interesting in Sihanoukville: fresh reviews and photos, places to see, branded entertainment and beaches.
How to get to Sihanoukville
There are no direct flights from Russia to Cambodia, you have to fly with two or three transfers. Aeroflot, Es Seven, Singapore Airlines and other airlines deliver their passengers to the airports of the Middle East, China and Southeast Asia, where you need to transfer to the aircraft of local airlines Air Asia, Vietnam Airlines, Cambodia Anchor Air to Sihanoukville International Airport.
The fastest flight from Moscow to Sihanoukville takes 15.5 hours, but the ticket price will be prohibitive for many. The best option is 4 hours longer, but half the price and, moreover, does not require haste during transplants.
Transport
The main means of transportation around the city is a tuk-tuk (1-3 USD) and a motorcycle taxi (1 USD).
- Can you rent a bike in Cambodia?
Sihanoukville Hotels
At the Snake House restaurant, a 10-minute walk from Victory Beach, there is a 3-star hotel of the same name, which is also managed by immigrants from Russia. Address: Soviet St., tel.: +855 92 742929. SGL 25-30 USD per night, depending on the season.
Oddly enough, but this is not the only “Russian” hotel in Sihanoukville. Mirax Resort 5 * is a private island resort, also owned by Russians. The cost per night here starts from 350 USD for a standard room with breakfast. Address: Koh Dek Koul Island Tel: +855 9274 2929
Cuisine and restaurants
Sihanoukville is a major seaside resort, so it’s no wonder that here you can find a restaurant with almost any cuisine in the world. Even Russian. Not far from Victory Beach is Snake House, run by Russians. The minimum bill is 12-15 USD, the hall is decorated in the form of a serpentarium, there is a mini-zoo.
Along the beaches (especially in the Ochheuteal area) there are many restaurants and food stalls. Many of them prepare seafood with chips for only 4 USD. All bars on Serendipity Beach have a permanent “Happy Hour”, during which all cocktails are offered for 2-2.5 USD, and draft Angkor beer – for 0.5-0.75 USD.
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Sihanoukville beaches
The beaches of Sihanoukville are not as crowded as, for example, Thai ones, but, at times, they are also littered. For diving, you need to sail to the nearest islands.
Beaches (from northwest to southeast):
- Victory Beach (which includes Hawaii Beach)
- Independence Beach with the 7-storey Independence Hotel
- Sokha Beach, which, apart from one 100 m plot, belongs to the Sokha Beach Resort
- Ochheuteal Beach is the most popular beach with many restaurants and bars
- Serendipity Beach – northern part of Ochheuteal Beach
- Otres Beach is the least developed and least crowded beach south of Serendipity
- Koh Poah – “Snake Island”, which is owned by Russian investors. Now there are plans to build a bridge and an island resort. Located 800 m from Victory Beach
Entertainment and attractions
Wat Leu on Sihanoukville and Wat Kraom.