Cambodia is a country where ancient Khmer temples rise from jungle canopies, freshwater dolphins surface along the Mekong, and plates of fish amok arrive steamed in banana leaves with the fragrance of lemongrass and coconut. The massive Angkor Wat complex near Siem Reap is the reason most travelers arrive, but the country rewards those who linger with the French colonial riverfront of Battambang, the world-renowned pepper farms of Kampot, crab stalls along the coast in Kep, and tropical islands like Koh Rong where bioluminescent plankton lights up the shoreline after dark. Khmer cuisine, gentler and earthier than its Thai and Vietnamese neighbors, ties it all together.
Your ideal window for visiting Cambodia runs from late November through late July, with December through February standing out as the prime months. During this cool, dry stretch, highs settle into the upper 80s°F and rain is virtually nonexistent, making it the most comfortable time to explore Angkor's temples on foot or cruise the Tonle Sap. If you can handle serious heat, mid-April offers a remarkable cultural experience: Khmer New Year (Chaul Chnam Thmey) transforms the country with water fights, temple ceremonies, and the Angkor Sankranta festivities in Siem Reap. Budget travelers will find the deepest accommodation deals from March through May, when the scorching temperatures thin the crowds considerably.
Spring in Cambodia
March through May is Cambodia's hot season, and it earns that title. Afternoon highs average 94.3°F (34.6°C), and the heat radiates off the stone pathways at Angkor well before noon. Mornings are your best friend here: arrive at the temples by 6 AM to catch softer light and cooler air before temperatures climb from overnight lows of 78.4°F (25.8°C). Rain is almost unheard of during these months, with only 2 to 4 wet days across the entire season, so you won't need an umbrella. Humidity sits at its lowest point of the year in March, making early outings surprisingly tolerable.
The cultural highlight of this season is Khmer New Year, Chaul Chnam Thmey, a three-day celebration in mid-April that marks the end of the harvest. Cities empty as Cambodians return to their hometowns for family reunions and temple visits, while Siem Reap hosts the Angkor Sankranta festival with traditional games, Apsara dance performances, and food fairs set against the backdrop of Angkor Thom. Water-splashing fills the streets as a symbol of cleansing and renewal. The Royal Ploughing Ceremony follows in May, when royal oxen are paraded in front of the Phnom Penh Royal Palace to predict the coming harvest. Mid-April also brings the season's peak heat, with highs reaching 96.2°F (35.7°C) and lows staying at 79.3°F (26.3°C), so lightweight, breathable clothing and serious sun protection are essential.
Tourism drops to its slowest levels of the year during spring, which means accommodation deals are plentiful and you'll have popular sites like Ta Prohm and Bayon largely to yourself in the early hours. Pack a refillable water bottle, a wide-brimmed hat, and electrolyte packets to manage the heat through longer sightseeing days.
Summer in Cambodia
June marks the arrival of Cambodia's wet season, and the landscape transforms quickly. Rice paddies flood into brilliant green carpets, and the jungle around temples like Beng Mealea thickens into lush canopy. Afternoon highs average 91.3°F (33°C), still hot but a noticeable drop from the scorching spring months. Showers typically arrive in the afternoon or evening, leaving mornings clear enough for temple visits, boat trips on the Tonle Sap, or exploring Battambang's French colonial riverfront by bicycle.
Rainfall increases steadily through the season. June and July each see rain on roughly 7 to 8 percent of days, but by August, that figure doubles to around 16 percent as heavier downpours roll through. Lows average 77.9°F (25.5°C), so nights stay warm and muggy. A compact rain jacket or travel umbrella is worth the bag space, though most storms pass within an hour. The upside: the countryside is at its most photogenic, with waterfalls in Kulen Mountain National Park and Ratanakiri Province running at full force.
Despite the rain, tourism peaks during these months, particularly in June, so expect higher accommodation rates and busier temple circuits. If you're heading south to the islands, Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem are still accessible by ferry from the coast, though seas can be rougher and some smaller boat services reduce schedules. Bring quick-drying clothing and waterproof protection for electronics.
Fall in Cambodia
September is the wettest month of the year, with roughly 23 percent of days seeing significant rain, so expect regular afternoon downpours and occasionally flooded roads in rural areas. Highs average 88.6°F (31.4°C) and lows sit at 76.8°F (24.9°C), making conditions sticky but slightly cooler than the spring inferno. The Tonle Sap lake swells to its maximum size during this period as the river reverses course, an extraordinary natural phenomenon that defines life in central Cambodia. Floating villages near Siem Reap and Kampong Chhnang are at their most expansive.
October brings the tail end of the monsoon and signals a shift. Rainfall drops noticeably, and Pchum Ben, Cambodia's sacred 15-day ancestor festival, typically falls across late September and early October. Cambodians dress in white and visit pagodas to make food offerings to monks, honoring departed relatives. It's a deeply moving window into Khmer spirituality, though many businesses close or reduce hours during the final three days. By November, the rains largely subside and the crowds begin arriving for high season. The Bon Om Touk Water Festival, usually held in November, celebrates the river's reversal with colorful longboat races on the Tonle Sap in Phnom Penh, concerts, floating lanterns, and fireworks across three days.
Accommodation prices climb through the season, reaching their highest levels by November and December as tourism peaks. If you visit early in the fall, waterproof shoes and a good rain shell will keep you comfortable on soggy temple pathways.
Winter in Cambodia
December through February is Cambodia at its most inviting. The monsoon has retreated, skies are reliably clear, and highs average 88.5°F (31.4°C) with lows dropping to a comparatively pleasant 72.4°F (22.4°C), the coolest nighttime temperatures you'll find all year. Rain is rare, with only 0 to 3 wet days across the entire season. This is the stretch when sunrise at Angkor Wat delivers its sharpest silhouettes and warmest golden light, and when the long boat ride from Siem Reap to Battambang along the Tonle Sap is at its most scenic.
The dry conditions make this the ideal season for covering ground, from the massive Angkor complex (plan at least three days to do it justice) to the pepper farms of Kampot, where you can tour working plantations and taste fresh green, red, and white peppercorns straight from the vine. Kep's crab market is a short drive south, where stir-fried crab with Kampot pepper is the signature dish you'll find at every stall. Down on the coast, Koh Rong's white sand beaches and calm turquoise waters are at their best, and the bioluminescent plankton that glows along the shoreline after dark is easier to spot during these drier, clearer months.
December is the busiest month for tourism, so book Siem Reap accommodation well ahead. February is the quietest month of the year, offering the same excellent weather with fewer visitors and shorter lines at popular temples like Bayon and Ta Prohm. Pack light layers for cooler evenings and a sun hat for midday temple walks.
At a Glance
Monthly weather, visitor crowds, air quality, holidays, and daylight hours to help you plan your trip.
Travel Tips & Safety for Cambodia
Cambodia uses a dual currency system: US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, and ATMs dispense both dollars and the local Cambodian riel. You'll receive riel as change for smaller purchases, but it's essentially unconvertible outside the country, so spend it before you leave. Tuk-tuks are the most common way to get around cities and to the temples, and agreeing on a fare before you hop in is standard practice. Buses and minivans connect Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang, and hiring a driver for the day to cover the Angkor complex is both affordable and practical.
Drink only bottled or filtered water, and stick to busy street food stalls where dishes are cooked fresh. Petty theft and bag-snatching from passing motorbikes occur in Phnom Penh and tourist areas, so keep valuables close and avoid displaying expensive jewelry or electronics. Cambodia's roads can be chaotic, with motorbikes, trucks, and tuk-tuks sharing lanes with limited traffic rules, so exercise extra caution if you rent a scooter.