Business
- Property Transaction Tax
- 4% Stamp Duty on transfers.
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Land is mostly 99-year leasehold. Approx. $80,000 for a small bungalow lease.
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Remote land leases: Approx. $150-$300 per m².
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Apartment in luxury project: $120,000 (e.g., Royal Sands unit).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Leasehold undeveloped: $60,000+.
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Beachfront villas: $250,000 - $500,000 range.
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A - Limited residential development away from beaches.
- Corporate Tax
- 20% (Standard rate in Cambodia).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 14% for non-residents.
- Tax System
- Residency-based; taxes on Cambodian-sourced income.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 20% for monthly income over 12.5M KHR.
- VAT
- 10%.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None currently in force.
- Property Tax
- 0.1% of property value exceeding 100M KHR ($25k).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Low enforcement; easy business visas for long-term stays.
Essentials
- City
- Koh Rong, Sihanoukville Province, Cambodia
- Population
- Approximately 5,000 residents
- Internet Speed
- 15-40 Mbps via Starlink or 4G LTE; patchy during storms
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 4,100 KHR. Dual currency system; USD is preferred for large payments.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; 1.5L bottled water costs $0.50 - $1.00
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/C/G. Power outages are common; many resorts use generators.
- SIM Card
- Smart Axiata or Cellcard. $5-10 for 20GB-40GB. Best signal at Koh Touch.
- Banking for Expats
- ABA Bank (Mobile app is essential). Very few ATMs; high fees ($5+) at Koh Touch.
- Accommodation
- Guesthouses, Beach Bungalows, and Luxury Resorts like The Royal Sands.
- Cashless Friendly
- Limited. High-end resorts accept cards; local shops require Cash or ABA KHQR.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb is limited; better to negotiate monthly rates in person at Koh Touch or Saracen Bay.
- Budget Accommodation
- Nest Beach Club (Dorms from $7-$12), Dragon Den (Dorms from $5).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Saracen Bay (Quiet/Upscale) or Koh Touch (Backpacker/Social).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Long Set Beach (4K Beach). Better balance of quiet and decent Wi-Fi/Starlink setups.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None officially; Sok San Beach Resort offers dedicated 'business center' desks for guests.
- Best Cafe for Work
- The Swa Café at Koh Touch (Good coffee, relatively stable Wi-Fi).
- Networking Events
- Weekly 'Meet the Locals' mingles at Nest Beach Club on Tuesdays.
- Social Events for Expats
- Full Moon Parties at Police Beach; Koh Rong Community Facebook Group.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No cars/Grab on the island. Only Longtail boats and motorbike taxis.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Moped rentals at Koh Touch for $10-$15 per day. Roads are mostly dirt paths.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Long Set Beach (White sand, bioluminescent plankton at night).
- Top Regional Airline
- Cambodia Angkor Air (Flights to Sihanoukville International KOS).
- Top International Airline
- AirAsia (Direct flights from KL/Bangkok to Sihanoukville).
- Highway Access
- NR4 links Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh; Expressway takes 2 hours.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Sihanoukville Ferry Terminal (GTVC or Buva Sea Speedboats to Koh Rong).
- Public Transport Passes
- Boat tickets: $25 round trip via GTVC Speed Ferry.
- Regional Travel
- Speedboat to Koh Rong Sanloem ($10-$15, 20-minute ride).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- CT Clinic in Sihanoukville (Mainland). The island only has basic pharmacies.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Zen Garden at Saracen Bay (Daily sessions $10-$15).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Jungle Gym (Outdoor weights) at Koh Touch ($2 day pass).
- Laundry Services
- Local kiosks at Koh Touch ($1-$1.50 per kg).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None available. Most guesthouses have in-house kitchens.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fish Amok ($5-$7) and Grilled Squid ($4).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Luna's at Koh Touch (Italian with many veggie options).
- Best Dessert Spots
- The Bagel Shop (Koh Touch) for brownies and pastries ($2-$4).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Local Wet Market near Koh Touch pier for fruit and snacks.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Foodpanda/Wownow (Mainland only); items must be sent via ferry.
- Grocery Delivery
- Not available; residents buy bulk from Sihanoukville's Samudera Market.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Koh Touch beachfront bars (Sky Bar, Monkey Island).
- Local Brewery
- Angkor Beer is the staple ($1 per can). No local island craft brewery.
- Wine Bars
- White Beach Bungalows Bar (Decent selection, $5-7 per glass).
- Street Food Stalls
- BBQ stands at Koh Touch (Meat skewers for $1 each).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Enzo's Pizza at Koh Touch ($8-$12 for a large pizza).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Bioluminescent Plankton (viewable on dark nights offshore).
- Museums & Art Venues
- None. The island is focused on natural heritage.
- Historical Sites
- Old Lighthouse at the top of the hill (requires a jungle trek).
- Religious Sites
- Small Buddhist Pagoda (Wat) near the village of Koh Touch.
- Annual Events
- Khmer New Year (April) - Water fights and island-wide feasts.
- Cultural Districts
- Preach Sihanouk City (Mainland culture hub).
- Theater Venues
- Fire Shows nightly at 8 PM on Koh Touch beach.
- Local Markets
- Koh Touch Village Market (Fresh seafood and local produce).
- Music Scene
- Acoustic nights at Nest Beach Club; Techno at Police Beach.
- Street Art
- Small murals at Dragon Den and various backpacker hostels.
- Cooking Classes
- Sok San Village offers informal Khmer cooking lessons ($20-30).
- Art Galleries
- None.
- Historic Buildings
- Traditional wooden Khmer stilt houses in Prek Svay village.
- Local Heritage
- Fishing culture; Prek Svay is the most authentic fishing village.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Koh Koun (Tiny uninhabited island for snorkeling).
- National Parks Nearby
- Ream National Park (accessible via mainland Sihanoukville).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The central jungle trail connecting Koh Touch to Sok San Beach.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Sky Bar (Koh Touch) for sunset views over the bay.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Mangrove forests on the northern side of the island.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Nest Beach Club (Designated nightly fire pits).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- J&T Express (Delivers to Sihanoukville ports; ferry brings it to island).
- Tech Repair Services
- None on island; basic phone repair shops in Sihanoukville center.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Monkey Island Resort (One table for guests).
- Language Classes
- Informal Khmer exchanges at the local primary school.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- None; bring an E-reader (Kindle).
- Community Centers
- Koh Rong Community Center (Near the pier).
- Gaming Lounges
- None available.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Only available on the mainland in Sihanoukville (e.g., Jin Bei Casino).