Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor, a sprawling 400-square-kilometer archaeological park that holds the remains of the Khmer Empire's greatest temples. Sunrise over Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious monument, is the headline draw, but this Cambodian city has grown well beyond its temple roots: Khmer cooking classes where you pound kroeung spice paste by hand, nightly acrobatic performances at Phare the Cambodian Circus, floating villages on the vast Tonle Sap Lake, and an emerging arts district along Kandal Village all compete for your time. The food alone is reason to linger: fish amok steamed in banana leaves, fresh rice noodles from the Old Market, and cold Angkor beer on Pub Street after a long day exploring ruins.
Your ideal window for Siem Reap runs from late October through early July, but the sweet spot falls between November and February, when the dry season keeps rain virtually absent, humidity drops to its lowest levels, and temperatures ease to their most comfortable range of the year. November is particularly special: the Water Festival, Bon Om Touk, fills the Siem Reap River with dragon boat races, floating lanterns, and fireworks celebrating the reversal of the Tonle Sap's flow. December brings the Angkor Photo Festival and peak tourist season, so book early. If you prefer thinner crowds and lower prices, February is the least visited month while still offering dry skies and comfortable mornings. The shoulder months of March through June remain within the ideal weather window, though heat intensifies sharply from March into May, so plan temple visits for early mornings during that stretch.
Spring in Siem Reap, Cambodia
March through May is Siem Reap's hottest stretch, and you'll feel it the moment you step outside. Highs average 94.3°F (34.6°C) across these months, with overnight lows that barely offer relief at 78.6°F (25.9°C). Rain is virtually nonexistent, with maybe one wet day across the entire season, so the air stays thick and still. If you're serious about covering the Angkor complex, start at dawn: the temples open around 5:00 AM, and the first two hours before the heat builds are golden for photographing the Bayon's enigmatic stone faces or wandering the tree-root-tangled corridors of Ta Prohm without sweat pooling in your eyes.
Mid-April pushes the thermometer to its peak for the year, with highs reaching 97°F (36.1°C) and lows hovering at 79.8°F (26.6°C). This coincides with Khmer New Year, known as Chaul Chnam Thmey, a three-day celebration in mid-April that transforms the city. Locals parade through the streets near the Angkor Archaeological Park, play traditional games among the ruins, and release caged birds as acts of merit. It's a genuinely festive atmosphere, and one of the few times you'll see Cambodians celebrating alongside tourists at the temples. Many businesses and restaurants close for the holiday, so stock up on essentials beforehand.
Tourism drops to its slowest pace of the year during spring, which means accommodation deals are at their best and the temples are noticeably quieter. Humidity sits at its lowest in March, around 51%, before climbing toward 60% by May. A wide-brimmed hat, reef-safe sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle are non-negotiable for daytime temple visits. Spending afternoons poolside or taking a Khmer cooking class in an air-conditioned kitchen is a smart way to ride out the worst of the heat.
Summer in Siem Reap, Cambodia
The wet season begins to settle in across June through August, turning the landscape a vivid green. Highs average 90.7°F (32.6°C), a few degrees cooler than spring but still decidedly hot, with lows of 78.1°F (25.6°C) keeping nights warm. Showers become more frequent as the months progress, particularly in the afternoons, though mornings typically stay dry enough for temple visits. Humidity climbs steadily, reaching around 69% by August, so lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing makes a real difference.
June stands out as the month with the year's best air quality, dropping into the Good range, a welcome contrast to the haze that lingers earlier in the year. This is also when Tonle Sap Lake begins its dramatic seasonal expansion: water levels rise and the floating villages come alive, with houses, schools, and temples literally bobbing on the water. A boat trip to Kampong Phluk or Mechrey during this period offers views of the lake at its most dynamic. The countryside beyond the temples fills with emerald rice paddies, and a sunset quad bike ride through the fields on the edge of town becomes particularly photogenic.
Despite being the wet season, summer is surprisingly one of Siem Reap's busiest tourism periods, so expect higher accommodation prices and more company at the major temples. Pack a compact rain jacket or small umbrella for the afternoon downpours, which tend to be heavy but brief. Evenings are a good time to catch a performance at Phare the Cambodian Circus, where acrobatics, music, and traditional Khmer storytelling fill the open-air big top nightly.
Fall in Siem Reap, Cambodia
September opens as the wettest month of the year, with rain expected roughly one in five days, but conditions improve dramatically as you move into November. Highs average 88°F (31.1°C) with lows of 76.9°F (24.9°C), making it noticeably more comfortable than the searing spring months. September and October bring Pchum Ben, a deeply spiritual 15-day Buddhist festival typically falling in late September or early October, when Cambodians visit pagodas to make food offerings to ancestral spirits. At the Angkor temples, the ceremonies take on particular power: monks chant at candlelit ruins while locals lay out elaborate feasts at dawn.
By November, the rains taper off and the landscape retains its lush green from the wet season, creating some of the best conditions for photography at the temples. The moats around Angkor Wat fill to capacity, producing mirror-like reflections of the towers at sunrise. November also brings Bon Om Touk, the Water Festival, one of Cambodia's most important celebrations. For three days, dragon boat races thunder down the Siem Reap River, floating lanterns illuminate the water after dark, and fireworks light up the sky above the temples. The Old French Quarter and Wat Bo neighborhood along the riverbanks are the best spots to watch the racing.
Fall is among the busiest periods for tourism, with November and the approach of December driving hotel prices higher. Humidity hovers around 70% through September and October before dropping as the dry season arrives. Bring a light rain layer for the first half of the season and swap it for a sunhat by November. A visit to Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary on Tonle Sap Lake is rewarding in this period, with water levels high enough for easy boat access and migratory birds beginning to arrive.
Winter in Siem Reap, Cambodia
December through February is Siem Reap's most comfortable season and the time most visitors choose to come. Highs average 88.1°F (31.2°C), similar to fall, but the real difference is in the mornings: lows dip to 71.5°F (21.9°C), the coolest you'll feel all year. Those early hours make a 5 AM start for sunrise at Angkor Wat genuinely pleasant rather than merely tolerable. Rain is essentially absent, with a zero percent chance of significant precipitation in January, February, and December, so you can plan multi-day temple circuits without worrying about weather disruptions.
December is the single busiest month for tourism and brings cultural events worth planning around: the Angkor Photo Festival showcases international photography exhibitions at venues across the city, and the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon takes runners on a route through the forested temple complex. The Angkor Zipline canopy course near Ta Nei temple is another way to see the park from a different perspective. The Night Market and Made in Cambodia Market near the river are good evening stops for handwoven silk, lacquerware, and crafts from Artisans Angkor. By February, crowds thin considerably, making it the quietest month of the year, a perfect time for unhurried exploration of less-visited temples like Preah Khan and Banteay Srei, the 10th-century temple famous for its intricate pink sandstone carvings.
One note for February travelers: air quality can dip into the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range as agricultural burning and dry conditions create haze. If you have respiratory sensitivities, consider a face mask for extended outdoor days and check conditions before scheduling a full-day temple circuit. Humidity stays low through the season, around 52-58%, making it the most pleasant stretch for long walks through the Angkor complex. Pack a light layer for those cool mornings and a good pair of walking shoes: the uneven sandstone of Ta Prohm and Beng Mealea demands sturdy footing.
At a Glance
Monthly weather, visitor crowds, air quality, holidays, and daylight hours to help you plan your trip.
Travel Tips & Safety for Siem Reap, Cambodia
Tuk-tuks are the primary way to get around Siem Reap and out to the Angkor temples. Most hotels and guesthouses can arrange a driver for full-day or multi-day temple circuits, and agreeing on a price in advance is standard practice. The US dollar is widely accepted alongside the Cambodian riel; carry small bills since change can be hard to come by. A visa on arrival is available at Siem Reap's airport, though bringing a passport photo and USD in cash speeds the process.
Temple dress codes are enforced at Angkor Wat and other major sites: shoulders and knees must be covered, so pack lightweight long pants and a shirt with sleeves. Drink bottled or filtered water, and be cautious with street ice outside established restaurants. Tap water is not safe to drink.
Petty theft can occur in crowded areas like Pub Street and the Old Market, so keep valuables in a front pocket or crossbody bag. Motorbike bag-snatching, while not common, does happen: carry your bag on the side away from traffic. Mosquito repellent is essential year-round, particularly near the river and Tonle Sap Lake.