Cambodia
The best time to visit
When to go to Cambodia
Go in the cool, dry season, November to February, for the most comfortable weather at Angkor Wat and beyond. March to May is intensely hot, and the wet season, June to October, brings afternoon downpours and a green landscape.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Siem Reap. Higher is better. Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Dec.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
Rainy season.
In short
The year at a glance
Cambodia is hot and tropical with three seasons, and Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor, anchors the ratings. The cool, dry months from November to February are the time to come, with comfortable days for exploring the temples and the lowest humidity.
March to May is the hot season, when temperatures soar, and the wet season from June to October brings short, heavy afternoon rains that green the countryside and fill the moats at Angkor. The southern coast around Sihanoukville follows a similar pattern.
Month by month
Cambodia month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Siem Reap.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°C / 90°F | 20°C / 68°F | 2 mm | Ideal 87 | Hot and dry. Siem Reap hotels in January |
| February | 33°C / 91°F | 22°C / 72°F | 5 mm | Ideal 80 | Hot and dry. Siem Reap hotels in February |
| March | 35°C / 95°F | 24°C / 75°F | 25 mm | Great 66 | Very hot and dry. |
| April | 36°C / 97°F | 25°C / 77°F | 55 mm | Great 58 | Very hot with a little rain. |
| May | 35°C / 95°F | 25°C / 77°F | 140 mm | Good 54 | Very hot and wet. |
| June | 33°C / 91°F | 25°C / 77°F | 165 mm | Good 51 | Hot and wet. |
| July | 32°C / 90°F | 25°C / 77°F | 175 mm | Good 52 | Hot and wet. |
| August | 32°C / 90°F | 25°C / 77°F | 190 mm | Good 49 | Hot and wet. |
| September | 32°C / 90°F | 24°C / 75°F | 250 mm | Fair 41 | Hot and very wet, monsoon rains. |
| October | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 250 mm | Fair 42 | Hot and very wet, monsoon rains. |
| November | 31°C / 88°F | 22°C / 72°F | 90 mm | Ideal 80 | Hot with a little rain. |
| December | 31°C / 88°F | 20°C / 68°F | 18 mm | Ideal 90 | Hot and dry. Siem Reap hotels in December |
By region
Where you go changes when you go
Siem Reap and Angkor
Best from November to February, cool and dry for the temples. April is fierce, and the wet season floods the surrounding plains.
Phnom Penh and the centre
Hot and humid, most comfortable in the cool, dry season, with the Mekong high after the summer rains.
The southern coast and islands
Sihanoukville and Koh Rong are best in the dry season, with calm seas and sunny beach days.
Go for
Best time to visit Cambodia for
Angkor Wat
November to February for cool mornings, clear skies and the most comfortable temple-hopping.
The coast and islands
The dry season for Koh Rong and the southern beaches, with calm, clear water.
Green-season photography
The wet months, when the moats are full, the rice is vivid and the crowds thin out.
Avoiding the heat
Skip April and early May, the hottest, most draining time across the country.
On the calendar
What is on, and when
Dry-season temples, Nov to Feb
Cool, clear mornings make this the prime window for Angkor.
Water Festival, November
Bon Om Touk fills Phnom Penh with boat races as the rivers reverse their flow.
Rainy season
May to Oct.
Extreme heat
Mar to May.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Cambodia
Compare hotels and rentals around Siem Reap, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
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Questions