Essentials
- City
- Kep Town, Kep Province, Cambodia
- Population
- Approx. 40,000 (Province total)
- Internet Speed
- Average 25-45 Mbps; Fiber optics increasingly available in guesthouses.
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 4,050 KHR. Dual currency system; USD used for large transactions, KHR for change.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. Use 20L filtered jugs (approx. $1.50) or bottled water.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/C/G sockets. Power outages occur occasionally during rainy season.
- SIM Card
- Cellcard or Smart; approx. $5-$10/month for 20GB+ data. Available at local kiosks.
- Banking for Expats
- ABA Bank (Mobile app is essential), Canadia Bank; ABA has an ATM near the Crab Market.
- Accommodation
- Boutique villas, eco-lodges, and long-term bungalow rentals ($300-$700/month).
- Cashless Friendly
- High for local use via KHQR/ABA Pay; Credit cards accepted only in upscale resorts.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local Facebook groups like 'Kampot & Kep Noticeboard'.
- Budget Accommodation
- Kep West or Captain Chim’s Guest House ($15-$25/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Kep Beach area for convenience and proximity to the water.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Pepper Road or the hillsides near Kep National Park for quiet and reliable Wi-Fi.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None dedicated; most nomads use Kep West or resort lounges like Veranda Natural Resort.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Led Zep Cafe (slopes of National Park) for views, or Arts Cafe for reliable Wi-Fi.
- Networking Events
- Informal meetups at The Sailing Club on Friday evenings.
- Social Events for Expats
- Kep Expo events or weekend gatherings at the Kep Sur Mer strip.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- PassApp or Grab (mostly for tuk-tuks coming from Kampot).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Kep Motors; approx. $5-$7 per day for a 125cc scooter.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Kep Beach (white sand imported) or Angkol Beach (secluded, 20 mins away).
- Top Regional Airline
- Cambodia Angkor Air (via Sihanoukville KOS or Phnom Penh PNH).
- Top International Airline
- Qatar Airways, Thai Airways (via Phnom Penh).
- Highway Access
- National Road 33 connects Kep to Kampot and the Vietnamese border (Prek Chak).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Kep Railway Station (Royal Railway) for trains to Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville.
- Public Transport Passes
- None; travel is via private tuk-tuk or shared minivan ($8-$12 to Phnom Penh).
- Regional Travel
- Giant Ibis or CTT Transportation (Vans) for inter-city travel.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Kep Provincial Hospital (basic); Sonja Kill Memorial Hospital in Kampot (30 mins) for quality care.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Vanna Hill Resort (occasional retreats) or Samanea Beach Resort.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Most expats use hotel pools or hike the National Park; no commercial HIIT gyms.
- Laundry Services
- Local shops along the main road near Kep Beach; $1 per kg.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- NHAM24 (limited selection compared to Kampot).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Kep Crab with Kampot Green Pepper (approx. $8-$15 at Crab Market).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- The Simple Things (Vegan-friendly) or any local place serving 'Chha k'hnyai' (ginger stir-fry).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Charly’s Ice Cream near the Crab Market.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Kep Local Market (Phsar Kieb) for fresh produce.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- L192 or Foodpanda (for shops); most use Facebook Marketplace.
- Grocery Delivery
- None specific; most residents travel to Kampot’s 'Thai Huot' for western goods.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Sailing Club (Sunset drinks) or Touch of Irish.
- Local Brewery
- Flowers Nanobrewery (located in nearby Kampot but widely served).
- Wine Bars
- Knai Bang Chatt (The Sailing Club) has the best selection.
- Street Food Stalls
- Crab Market (Phsar Kdam) waterfront stalls for grilled squid sticks ($1).
- Popular International Cuisine
- La Baraka (French/Pizza) or Mealea Restaurant (Fine dining).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Giant Crab Statue and the Sihanouk Villa (Abandoned ruins).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Kep Provincial Museum (small collection of local history).
- Historical Sites
- Abandoned Modernist Villas from the 1960s 'Golden Era'.
- Religious Sites
- Wat Samot Reangsey.
- Annual Events
- Sea Festival (end of year, rotating location) and Khmer New Year (April).
- Cultural Districts
- The waterfront strip between the Crab Market and Kep Beach.
- Theater Venues
- None; traditional dance occasionally performed at upscale resorts.
- Local Markets
- Crab Market (Phsar Kdam) - specialized in seafood and pepper.
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic sets at Kep West on weekends.
- Street Art
- Minimal; mostly hand-painted seafood signs at the market.
- Cooking Classes
- Kimly’s Cooking Class at the Crab Market.
- Art Galleries
- Asasax Art Gallery (Local Cambodian artist).
- Historic Buildings
- Old French Gendarmerie building ruins.
- Local Heritage
- Seafood harvesting and salt production in nearby fields.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay) - 20 min boat ride, $10 return.
- National Parks Nearby
- Kep National Park (8km circular trail through jungle).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The 'Stairway to Heaven' trail in Kep National Park.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Sunset Rock in Kep National Park.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Kep National Park - look for hornbills and macaques.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Quiet stretches of Angkol Beach.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- J&T Express or Virak Buntham (VET Express).
- Tech Repair Services
- Small phone shops near Kep Market; major repairs require a trip to Kampot.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Available at some resorts like Veranda.
- Language Classes
- Private tutors found via 'Expats in Kep' Facebook group.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Don Bosco Vocational School Library.
- Community Centers
- Kep Expo (community and event space).
- Gaming Lounges
- None; mostly mobile gaming at local cafes.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Ha Tien Vegas (Just across the border in Vietnam).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000 for Hard Title).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $32,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $66,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $700 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $42,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $80,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $48,000).
- Corporate Tax
- 20% Standard rate.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 14% for residents and non-residents.
- Tax System
- Residency based on 182+ days; taxed on worldwide income for residents.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 20% for monthly income over 12,500,000 KHR (~$3,000).
- VAT
- 10% Standard rate.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules currently enforced.
- Property Tax
- 0.1% annually of the property value exceeding $25,000.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 4% Transfer tax on the property value.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Foreign income often untaxed if not remitted, but system is evolving.