Best time to visit Cambodia
Everyone has a different favourite season in Cambodia – it all depends what you want to get out of your trip.
The dry months of November to February would seem like the best time to visit Cambodia - and they certainly are if you're heading to the beach, particularly blue-skied December and January. However, the monsoon season from June to October offers lush green paddy fields, dramatic skies and wonderful reflections in the pools around Angkor Wat, with the soggy stones revealing deeper colours. In between the late afternoon showers, you'll also find fewer crowds and cheaper prices. The air is also clearer at this time, as the rain washes away haze and smoke. Heat-fearers should head down during the second half of the rainy season, when temperatures are lower and sightseeing more pleasant.
Phnom Penh Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
21
31
6
FEB
22
32
8
MAR
23
34
29
APR
26
35
68
MAY
26
34
166
JUN
24
33
156
JUL
24
32
149
AUG
26
32
162
SEP
25
31
245
OCT
24
30
263
NOV
23
30
115
DEC
22
30
27
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When to visit Cambodia
Our top Cambodia Vacation
Vietnam and Cambodia 15 day tour, tailor made
See two wonders of the world in just two weeks
From
£1768
15 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
Everything is tweak-able, giving you the freedom to build a unique and personal trip for your chosen date. Upgrade your accommodation for all - or just part - of your trip, slow down the pace with few extra nights here and there or add a few more active adventures along the way.
Everything is tweak-able, giving you the freedom to build a unique and personal trip for your chosen date. Upgrade your accommodation for all - or just part - of your trip, slow down the pace with few extra nights here and there or add a few more active adventures along the way.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Cambodia or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
Responsible Travel recommends
Nathan Horton, from our supplier Nathan Horton Photography, lives in Phnom Penh and runs photography tours in Southeast Asia. He shared with us his best time to visit Cambodia, especially for photographers:
“A lot of people are afraid to come in the rainy season, but it’s my favourite time of year. Typically we get very dry mornings with long, drawn-out cloudy afternoons and rain for around one hour. The dry season does have its advantages, certainly in terms of good sunrises and sunsets, but the paddy fields are dry. Towards the end of the rainy season you get the beautiful, lush paddy fields, green trees... everything looks a lot prettier. My favourite time to visit Cambodia is October, which is immediately after the rainy season, but before the dry season’s kicked in. So it’s still really beautifully green, but hopefully not raining a lot.”
Our sports pick:
Angkor Wat International Half Marathon
Angkor Wat International Half Marathon
A most unusual race is held each December. The annual half marathon traverses the immense sprawl of ruins around Angkor Wat, including Angkor Thom and Beng Melea. The marathon supports several Cambodian charities working with disabled athletes, underprivileged children and education.
Festivals & events in Cambodia
Bon Chaul Chhnam
Bon Chaul Chhnam marks the end of the harvest and the start of the New Year with three days of brightly decorated streets and cultural and sporting events. Cambodians clean and decorate their homes, make offerings at temples and throw water over each other as a blessing.
Royal Ploughing Day
The land and agriculture are highly significant for Cambodians, and the ox plays an important spiritual role in farming. Each May, next to the Royal Palace, an ox is given a choice of foods, and what he eats is interpreted as a prediction of the success – or otherwise – of the following harvest. Look out for people in colourful Khmer clothing.
Did you know...?
Tonle Sap River is the only river in the world whose flow reverses at certain times of year, depending on the level of the Mekong River. The change of direction in mid-November is celebrated with the Bon Om Touk Water Festival – three days of boat races, fireworks, parades, music and dance.
More about Cambodia
Our Angkor Wat guide has got the low down including: a brief history , how to get there, the best time to visit and even how to pronounce its name...
Food in Cambodia is a revelation. Fish, curry, pork, and some of the most divine spicey pastes you could hope for; welcome to the world of Khmer cuisine...
Our Cambodia map and highlights page features an interactive map, sample itineraries and driving times to help you choose where you'd like to head to first...
Our Cambodia travel advice includes tips on planning, Phnom Penh, health and safety and finding the world’s best coffee - all from Cambodia experts...
We've packed so much into our Cambodia travel guide that it’s bursting at the Siem Reaps. Read on to find out what we rate, and how to travel like a local...
Traveling in Cambodia with kids is a lot more straightforward than you might think with loads of activities for families and plenty of ideas for things to do...
Cambodia's Killing Fields is one such location. No trip to Cambodia, is complete without visiting the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, tough as this may be...
The contrasts between urban and rural life, ancient temples shrouded in jungle, and friendly residents, make photography vacations in Cambodia an enticing prospect...
Visiting Vietnam and Cambodia together provides plenty of opportunities to compare and contrast landscapes, the food and the cultural heritage...
Our responsible tourism in Cambodia page is a worthwhile read, with tips on supporting local initiatives, avoiding orphanage tourism and minimising water use...
There are plenty of things to do in Cambodia - it's not all about Angkor Wat. Discover hiking and biking trails, historical museums and Khmer homestays...
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Photo credits: [Page banner: Balint Földesi] [Intro: Christopher]
[Nathan Horton Quote: Narith5]
[Sports pick: ronan crowley]
[Bon Chaul Chhnam: Sam Sith ]
[Royal Ploughing Day: Xiengyod]
[Did you know...?: Photasia]
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