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Voykit pocket guide · Cambodia
Koh Russei
កោះរ៉ុស្សី
Spend 1 night (or a day trip) on Koh Russei; $5 boat each way, $10‑20 hut, 2‑3 h total from Sihanoukville.
Koh Russei (Bamboo Island) is a tiny crescent island 10 km off Sihanoukville. With basic bungalows, shallow beaches and cheap boat rides, a single night covers the beach, shells and relaxed vibe; longer stays add little extra.
- Country
- Cambodia
- Local name
- កោះរ៉ុស្សី
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Avoid
- May–Oct (rainy season)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- US dollars for hotels, tours and restaurants; riel (KHR, about 4,000 to the dollar) for change and small street purchases.
- Daily spend
- Budget $15–$25 excl. flights (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Smart, Cellcard and Metfone sell tourist SIMs at the airports with passport registration; a week of data costs a few dollars.
- Emergency
- Police 117 · Fire 118 · Ambulance 119
- Plugs
- Types A, C, G · 230 V · 50 Hz · Most sockets take flat US and round European pins; newer hotels have UK-style type G.
- Tipping
- Street food: Nothing.; Sit-down restaurant: Round up or leave US$1–2 where no service charge is added.; Tuk-tuk: Round up; US$2–5 extra for a full Angkor day.; Guide day: US$5–10 per person.; Massage: US$1–2 per hour.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Bottled water everywhere; many hotels have refill stations.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, restaurants and at the Angkor ticket office and main temples; squat toilets with a hose or scoop on the road. Paper goes in the bin in older places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Private boat (one‑way) | $5 |
| Bungalow night | $10–20 |
| Shells on beach (collect) | Free |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- KOS · Sihanoukville International Airport
- ≈30 min by road to boat launch
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Language, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
All sites are within walking distance; wear shoes on coarse sand and bring a bucket for DIY showers.
See and do
Known for
- emerald‑blue shallow waters
- coarse sand beach good for shells
- basic bamboo‑style bungalows
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sihanoukville | Private boat from Sunset Café or Ream Beach, about $5 each way, 30–45 min ride | ≈1 h total |
Sleep
- BimBamBoo
- 16 bungalows on beach, $10–20 per night, shared bathroom, mosquito net
- Coasters
- 10 bungalows, basic bar/restaurant, $10–20 per night
- Kenny's Bungalows
- 2 newer bungalows, beach volleyball, $10–20 per night
- Koh Ru
- 10 bungalows on quiet side, $10 per night, shared toilet/shower block
Language
Khmer is not tonal but has many vowels and its own script. English is common in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh tourist trades; French survives among older people. Taxi and tuk-tuk drivers work from map pins, not written addresses.
- 'Suosdey' (hello), 'arkoun' (thank you), 'tlay ponmaan?' (how much?).
- Telegram is the main messaging app for businesses, drivers and guides.
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Sampeah (palms together, slight bow); higher hands for elders and monks; avoid: Firm handshakes with older women
- Head and feet: Keep feet down and pointed away from people and Buddha images; avoid: Touching heads, even children's
- Temples: Shoes and hat off inside, shoulders and knees covered; avoid: Sitting with feet toward the Buddha; women touching monks
- Keeping face: Stay calm and smile when things go wrong; avoid: Shouting or public anger
- Giving and receiving: Use the right hand or both hands; avoid: Tossing money or objects
- Photos: Ask first, especially of monks and at memorials; avoid: Selfies at Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek
Scams and watch-outs
- No ATMs or banks – bring enough cash (USD accepted).
- Water and electricity limited; showers are bucket‑style.
- Boat rides are private; confirm price ($5) the night before.
Koh Russei is low‑risk; watch for strong sun, bring cash (no ATMs), and be cautious on DIY showers and limited electricity.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Koh Russei yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- emerald‑blue shallow waters
- coarse sand beach good for shells
- basic bamboo‑style bungalows
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Koh Russei: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Qxxxx
- Wikivoyage: Koh Russei, revision 4079865 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4079865
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/koh-russei). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.