The Two Seasons of Cambodia at a Glance
Cambodia has a tropical climate shaped by the Southwest and Northeast monsoons — and that means two clear travel seasons rather than four. The average annual temperature hovers around 27°C, with humidity levels swinging from comfortably dry in the cool months to deeply tropical at the peak of monsoon season. Understanding this two-season pattern is the foundation of any Cambodia weather overview
The dry season runs from November to April, with low rainfall and a temperature range that climbs steadily from a cool 21°C in December mornings to a fierce 37°C in April afternoons. The wet season runs from May to October, with daily showers (often short and intense), lush green landscapes and milder peak temperatures. Each season has its own travel advantages — and its own best time for photography
| Season | Months | Temperature | Rainfall | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry season | November to April | 21-37°C | Low | High (peak) |
| Wet season | May to October | 24-33°C | High | Low (shoulder) |
The Dry Season (November to April) — Peak Tourism
The dry season is the high season for international travelers. Low rainfall, clear blue skies, and the most comfortable temperature range of the year combine to make November to March the universally agreed best time to visit Cambodia. The first half — November to February — is famously cool and dry, with night-time temperatures dropping into the low twenties. The second half — March and April — turns hot and dry, with the mercury climbing fast
This is also the busiest time at the temples. Angkor Wat visiting peaks between Christmas and Chinese New Year, and the sunrise reflection pools fill up well before dawn. To skip the worst of the tourist crowds, plan early-morning departures (4:30 AM hotel pickup is standard for sunrise) and visit quieter outer temples in the late afternoon. Booking a private Angkor tour several weeks ahead is the safest move during these popular tourist months
Accommodation and flight prices rise visibly during the dry season, particularly around international holidays. Boutique hotels in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh routinely sell out from December to mid-February. If your dates are fixed, lock in your booking 6 to 10 weeks in advance — for both lodging and private transport
The Wet Season (May to October) — Green & Crowd-Free
The wet season — sometimes called the green season — is Cambodia at its most photogenic. The countryside turns brilliant green, rice paddies fill with water, jungle temples like Beng Mealea and Ta Prohm look properly atmospheric, and tourist crowds drop dramatically. Daily monsoon-season showers usually arrive in short, intense afternoon bursts, leaving most mornings dry and bright. The temperature range softens, and humidity levels are higher but more bearable than the brutal April heat
The rainy season benefits are real. Hotel rates drop by 20 to 40 percent in many cities, sites like Bayon and Banteay Srei become genuinely peaceful, and the post-rain light produces some of the best photography conditions of the year. May, June and October are particularly attractive shoulder-season months for budget travel and crowd-free experiences. For a fuller programme, our discover multi-day journeys page details routes that work well in the green season
A few practical notes. Rural roads in Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri and parts of the Cardamom Mountains can be slippery during the heaviest weeks (August to September). Ferry crossings to remote islands may run on reduced schedules. None of this is a deal-breaker — but flexibility on your itinerary, and an experienced driver who knows alternate routes, makes a real difference
Month-by-Month Breakdown
Twelve short profiles — temperature, rainfall, tourist crowds and what each month does best. Use it to refine your dates once you have settled on a season
Visiting Cambodia in January
- Avg temp
- 21-30°C
- Rainfall
- Very low
- Crowds
- Peak
- Best for
- Temple exploration, photography
January sits at the heart of high season. Cool mornings, dry days, low rainfall and crystal-clear light for sunrise at Angkor Wat. Tourist crowds peak around the temples, so booking accommodation and a private driver well in advance is essential.
Visiting Cambodia in February
- Avg temp
- 22-32°C
- Rainfall
- Very low
- Crowds
- Peak
- Best for
- Beach vacations, sightseeing
February remains one of the most popular tourist months. Pleasant temperature range, low humidity levels, very low rainfall and bright skies. Ideal for combining Angkor Wat visiting with a few days on the southern coast or a Mekong River cruise.
Visiting Cambodia in March
- Avg temp
- 24-34°C
- Rainfall
- Low
- Crowds
- High
- Best for
- Cultural immersion, countryside
March marks the transition to hot & dry weather. Days warm up significantly but rainfall stays low. Crowds thin slightly at popular tourist sites compared with January and February — a good shoulder season window for budget travel.
Visiting Cambodia in April
- Avg temp
- 26-37°C
- Rainfall
- Low
- Crowds
- Medium
- Best for
- Khmer New Year festivities
April is the hottest month of the year. Mid-April brings Khmer New Year (Choul Chnam Thmey, 13-16 April) — a week-long national holiday with cultural festivals, family gatherings and water blessings in the streets. Plan around closures and book travel early.
Visiting Cambodia in May
- Avg temp
- 25-34°C
- Rainfall
- Rising
- Crowds
- Low
- Best for
- Green landscapes, photography
May opens the wet season. The first afternoon showers cool things down and the countryside turns lush green. The Royal Ploughing Ceremony (early May, dates vary) marks the start of the rice planting season — a beautiful slice of cultural immersion experiences.
Visiting Cambodia in June
- Avg temp
- 24-33°C
- Rainfall
- Medium
- Crowds
- Very low
- Best for
- Crowd-free temples, discounts
June offers some of the best crowd-free experiences of the year. Showers usually fall in short afternoon bursts, leaving mornings dry and photogenic. Travel discounts on accommodation are common and the temples feel quieter — perfect for relaxed temple exploration.
Visiting Cambodia in July
- Avg temp
- 24-33°C
- Rainfall
- Medium
- Crowds
- Very low
- Best for
- Photography, rural countryside
July deepens the wet season. Rice paddies glow emerald, jungle trails turn dramatic, and the light just after rain is exceptional for photography. Some remote rural roads may be muddy, which is one good reason to travel with an experienced local driver.
Visiting Cambodia in August
- Avg temp
- 24-33°C
- Rainfall
- High
- Crowds
- Very low
- Best for
- Photography, slow travel
August brings the heaviest reliable monsoon rhythm. Daily showers, often intense but short. Tonle Sap lake expands dramatically, lifting floating villages high above the dry-season waterline. A great window for a slow Mekong River cruise.
Visiting Cambodia in September
- Avg temp
- 24-32°C
- Rainfall
- Highest
- Crowds
- Lowest
- Best for
- Pchum Ben festivities, photography
September is the wettest month — and the quietest in terms of tourist crowds. Pchum Ben (the Festival of the Ancestors) usually falls in late September or early October, with pagodas filled with offerings and locals returning to their home provinces.
Visiting Cambodia in October
- Avg temp
- 24-31°C
- Rainfall
- High
- Crowds
- Low
- Best for
- Shoulder season value, festivals
October is a true shoulder season month. Rains begin to ease in the second half, prices stay friendly, and Pchum Ben observances continue. Temperatures dip slightly — a comfortable window for countryside experiences and Angkor Wat visiting.
Visiting Cambodia in November
- Avg temp
- 23-31°C
- Rainfall
- Low
- Crowds
- Rising
- Best for
- Bon Om Touk Water Festival
November opens the dry season and brings the spectacular Bon Om Touk (Water Festival) to Phnom Penh, usually mid-November. Hundreds of decorated boats race on the Tonle Sap river. Crowds rise quickly toward month-end as the high season returns.
Visiting Cambodia in December
- Avg temp
- 21-30°C
- Rainfall
- Very low
- Crowds
- Peak
- Best for
- Christmas in Cambodia, all activities
December offers the most comfortable weather of the year — cool mornings, dry days, low humidity. Christmas and New Year are popular tourist months for international travelers. Book private drivers, accommodation and Angkor Wat tours weeks in advance.
Best Time by Destination
Cambodia is small enough that you can move between regions in a single trip — but each destination has its own ideal window. If you plan to combine the temples, the coast and the highlands in one itinerary, an experienced driver makes the logistics much smoother. We hire a private chauffeur for every booking so your schedule bends to the weather, not the other way around
Best Time for Angkor Wat
For Angkor Wat visiting, November to February is unmatched — cool mornings, low rainfall, sharp light for sunrise photography at the reflection pools. The temples draw their biggest tourist crowds at this time, so arrive at the gates early (4:30 AM for sunrise) and prefer quieter sites like Banteay Srei or Beng Mealea in the late afternoon.
Best Time for Phnom Penh
The capital is enjoyable year-round but at its best from late November to early March. The Bon Om Touk Water Festival (November) transforms the riverside into one of the largest cultural festivals in the country. Avoid the peak heat of April unless you are comfortable with high temperature range and tropical sun.
Best Time for the Cambodian Coast (Sihanoukville, Kep, Kampot)
For beach vacations on the southern coast, November to April delivers the most reliable sunshine and the calmest sea. Kep, Kampot and the islands of Koh Rong shine in the dry season. May to October brings warm rain showers, lower prices and quieter beaches — a fair trade for some travelers.
Best Time for the Highlands (Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri)
The eastern highlands feel coolest from December to February and are most accessible during the dry season. Wet-season roads in Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri can be challenging — slippery red clay and swollen river crossings. This is one region where it really pays to hire a private chauffeur who knows the terrain.
Cambodian Festivals & Cultural Events
Six cultural festivals shape the Cambodian travel calendar. Each is worth timing your trip around — or planning around, depending on the kind of experience you want. Public-holiday closures and local crowds can affect transportation and accommodation, so check the dates carefully
Khmer New Year (Choul Chnam Thmey)
13-16 April
The most important festival in Cambodia. Three days of family gatherings, traditional games, pagoda visits and water blessings. Many businesses close, transportation is busy, and major roads can fill up — book ahead.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony (Bonn Chroat Preah Nongkoal)
Early to mid-May (varies)
Ancient royal ceremony marking the start of the rice planting season. Held outside the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, it draws large local tourist crowds and offers a glimpse of traditional Cambodian agriculture and ritual.
King's Birthday
14 May
Official national holiday honouring His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni. Government offices close. A subdued but visible cultural moment, particularly in Phnom Penh.
Pchum Ben (Festival of the Ancestors)
Late September to early October
A 15-day Buddhist period of remembrance. Locals return to their home provinces to bring offerings to monks and ancestors. Pagodas are exceptionally active and many businesses slow down for the public-holiday days.
Independence Day
9 November
Marks the end of French colonial rule in 1953. Phnom Penh hosts ceremonies near the Independence Monument. A short, mostly symbolic public holiday.
Bon Om Touk (Water Festival)
Mid-November (varies, full moon)
One of the largest cultural festivals in Southeast Asia. Hundreds of long boats race on the Tonle Sap river in Phnom Penh, with parades, fireworks and three days of festivities. Expect heavy tourist crowds along the riverside.
Practical Travel Tips by Season
A handful of Cambodia travel tips drawn from years of driving travelers across the country. Whatever season you choose, a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle goes a very long way — both in the April heat and the August downpours. If you land at Siem Reap-Angkor International, book an airport transfer in advance to start your trip without a queue at arrivals
If you travel during the dry season
- Book accommodation and a private driver 6 to 10 weeks in advance for popular tourist months (December to February)
- Start temple days at 4:30 AM for sunrise — Angkor Wat fills up by 5:30 AM in high season
- Hydration is non-negotiable in March and April. Bring a refillable bottle and carry electrolytes
- Sun protection — wide-brim hat, polarised sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen and light long sleeves for temple visits
- Expect high-season pricing across hotels, flights and tours. Compare options and book early to avoid surcharges
If you travel during the wet season
- Pack a compact folding umbrella and a lightweight rain jacket — usable in 30 seconds when an afternoon shower starts
- Quick-dry clothing and waterproof shoes beat heavy cotton in a downpour. Pack one pair of sandals for puddle days
- Keep your itinerary flexible. The best Mekong River cruise day might be tomorrow, not today — let your driver re-sequence
- Time photography for the 30 minutes right after the rain ends — the light on the temples is unbeatable
- Negotiate calmly on shoulder-season rates. Hotels in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh expect a little flexibility from June to September
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often from travelers planning their first trip to Cambodia
What is the best time to visit Cambodia for good weather?
The best time to visit Cambodia for good weather is November to March. These cool, dry-season months combine low rainfall, comfortable temperature range (21-32°C) and humidity levels well below the May-October monsoon season. Mornings are pleasant, afternoons sunny, and Angkor Wat visiting conditions are ideal for sunrise photography and full-day temple exploration.
What are the main seasons in Cambodia and how do they affect travel?
Cambodia has two main travel seasons. The dry season runs from November to April with low rainfall and rising temperatures (cool and dry until February, hot and dry from March). The wet season runs from May to October with daily afternoon showers, lush green countryside and quieter sites. Both seasons offer different travel advantages — the dry season favours high-season comfort, the wet season favours crowd-free experiences and travel discounts.
When is Cambodia least crowded for travelers?
Cambodia is least crowded for travelers between June and September, the heart of the wet season. Tourist crowds drop sharply, accommodation prices fall, and major sites like Angkor Wat, Bayon and Banteay Srei feel almost empty in the mornings. If you can tolerate short afternoon showers, this shoulder season window delivers exceptional value for budget travel.
Are there specific months best for beaches, Angkor Wat, or other highlights?
Yes. For beaches in Sihanoukville, Kep and the islands, November to April offers the best conditions for beach vacations — calm sea, reliable sunshine. For Angkor Wat visiting, November to February delivers the sharpest light and lowest rainfall. For the highlands of Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri, December to February is most accessible. The southern coast and the temples can both be enjoyed year-round with a flexible itinerary.
Is it possible to visit Cambodia during the wet season?
Absolutely. The wet season (May to October) is increasingly popular with travelers who value crowd-free experiences, photography opportunities and travel discounts. Rains usually fall in short afternoon bursts rather than all day, leaving most of the morning dry and bright. Bring a small umbrella, quick-drying clothes and stay flexible on rural routes — a comfortable, air-conditioned private driver helps a lot.
What should visitors avoid during certain periods?
During April, avoid the midday sun — temperatures can reach 35-37°C and Khmer New Year (13-16 April) closes many businesses for several days. During the heaviest monsoon weeks (August-September), avoid driving yourself on rural roads in Mondulkiri or Ratanakiri — surfaces can be slippery and river crossings unpredictable. Around Bon Om Touk (November) and Pchum Ben (September-October), expect heavy tourist crowds in Phnom Penh and book transportation in advance.
How does the climate vary by region or destination within Cambodia?
Cambodia's climate is relatively uniform but with regional nuances. The central plains (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap) follow the standard two-season pattern. The southern coast (Sihanoukville, Kep) is slightly more humid and exposed to sea breezes. The eastern highlands (Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri) are noticeably cooler — by 3-5°C — with stronger seasonal road impact. The Cardamom Mountains in the west receive the highest rainfall in the country.
