Best time to go to Cambodia for a perfect weather and where to go?
Julie Parment and Tony Samson last update: 16/04/2024When is the best time to go to Cambodia?
The best time to travel to Cambodia is in winter, from November to February. It will be an opportunity to escape the French temperatures and enjoy some sunshine! Of course, it is possible to visit the country the rest of the year, but the climate will be hotter and more humid. If that doesn't bother you, don't hesitate, the country is so beautiful that it would be a shame not to enjoy it!
Inheritor of a rich and tumultuous past, Cambodia has a lot to offer its visitors, especially to those interested in cultural discoveries and architectural heritage.
When to go to Cambodia if you want to align your trip with a significant event in the country? Here are the main ones not to miss according to your interests:
- Chinese New Year takes place every year at the end of January or beginning of February. Not only is it the ideal season to travel to Cambodia, but you can also experience the most important Asian cultural event!
- The flow reversal of the Tonlé Sap River occurs at the end of the monsoon (around late October or early November). It is a unique natural phenomenon in the world that happens when the swollen waters of the Mekong River flow into the Tonlé Sap Lake. Cambodians celebrate it in a festive way, offering a unique opportunity to share a special moment with the local population!
- The Angkor Wat International Half Marathon takes place in early December amidst the famous temples of Angkor. If you are a running enthusiast, this is an event not to be missed! Especially considering the breathtaking backdrop...
What to pack in your suitcase? Let's be clear: it's hot all year round in Cambodia! So, there's no need to pack too much. Here is a basic checklist, knowing that you can find everything on-site:
- Light cotton clothes,
- Open-toed shoes, but also sneakers, especially for visiting Angkor,
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen,
- A sweatshirt for air-conditioned places,
- An umbrella or a light raincoat if you are traveling during the monsoon.
Where and when to go based on the weather?
Central Plains
Phnom Penh, Sambor Prei Kuk, Kampong Cham...
East of Cambodia
Kratie, Banlung (Ratanakiri), Sen Monorom (Mondulkiri)...
North West of Cambodia
Siem Reap (Angkor), Battambang, Poipet...
South-West and Coastline
Sihanoukville, Kampot, Koh Kong...
To get all the information about the climate and weather in Cambodia for a specific month, click on the corresponding link below:
Cambodia in january Cambodia in february Cambodia in march Cambodia in april Cambodia in may Cambodia in june Cambodia in july Cambodia in august Cambodia in september Cambodia in october Cambodia in november Cambodia in december
Best time to travel to Cambodia by cities
Climate and Weather in Cambodia
The climate in Cambodia is tropical, as in many countries in Southeast Asia, such as Thailand, Laos, or Vietnam. It is very hot all year round, with slightly more bearable temperatures in winter, especially around the month of January. At this time, rains are also less frequent, making the country more pleasant to visit.
Like all tropical countries, Cambodia experiences two distinct seasons:
- The dry season corresponds to winter and extends from November to April. The weather in Cambodia is quite dry and mild during this period. It is the coolest time of the year, with temperatures rarely exceeding 30°C (86°F) . Furthermore, the days are very sunny, and rain is rare. However, due to the lack of rain, water levels in rivers are often low, making some boat trips impractical, depriving tourists of certain beauties of Cambodia, such as boat rides on the Mekong River in Phnom Penh or towards Tonle Sap in Siem Reap.
- The rainy season, also known as the monsoon, extends from May to October. This season is very hot and particularly humid, with rains that can be quite heavy in the late afternoon and numerous floods. However, these floods are relatively short. Average temperatures are around 35°C (95°F) , making it the hottest period of the year in Cambodia. The pervasive humidity increases the sensation of stifling and heavy heat, quite challenging for those not accustomed to the climate of Southeast Asia. On the other hand, as Cambodia is at a relatively low altitude, the rains significantly increase the levels of lakes and the Mekong River, enhancing the landscapes' stunning beauty.
Cambodia can also be affected by typhoons between mid-October and mid-November. These tropical cyclones from the Pacific are nevertheless rarer than in neighboring countries as they first pass through Vietnam and Laos before reaching Cambodia in a weakened state. Apart from heavy rains, they often go unnoticed.
The country also experiences climate variations depending on its geography:
- In Angkor, the monsoon retreats slightly earlier than elsewhere. Additionally, winters there are cooler than in the rest of the country.
- In Phnom Penh, the capital, the peak of rainfall is reached in October, while elsewhere it is usually in August.
- In Sihanoukville, the most favorable month to enjoy the stunning beaches is February as it is the driest month of the year.
- Eastern Cambodia is generally cooler. However, the best time to explore this region is still winter as during the monsoon season the roads become impassable.
Temperatures and rainfall in Cambodia
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Cambodia and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Phnom Penh, Battambang, Kampot, Koh Kong and Kratie, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Cambodia
Find out when Cambodia has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in Cambodia
The months with low numbers of tourists are: April, May, June, July, September and October. The number of visitors to Cambodia is high in: January, February, March, August, November and December.
- Very low season in Cambodia: May, June and September.
- Low season in Cambodia: April, July and October.
- High season in Cambodia: March, August and November.
- Peak season in Cambodia: January, February and December.
Figure: Visitor index for Cambodia month by month
Average price for flights to Cambodia
A return flight between London and Phnom Penh is generally cheaper if you go in march ($ 766 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 494 more for your airline ticket to Phnom Penh if you go in august.
Where to go in Cambodia?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| Phnom Penh | 92°F | 97°F | 99°F | 97°F | 97°F | 94°F | 92°F | 94°F | 92°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F |
| Battambang | 92°F | 97°F | 101°F | 101°F | 97°F | 94°F | 92°F | 92°F | 92°F | 90°F | 90°F | 88°F |
| Kampot | 88°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 88°F | 86°F | 88°F | 86°F | 86°F | 88°F | 86°F |
| Koh Kong | 86°F | 86°F | 86°F | 86°F | 86°F | 85°F | 83°F | 83°F | 85°F | 85°F | 86°F | 86°F |
| Kratie | 92°F | 97°F | 99°F | 97°F | 95°F | 94°F | 90°F | 92°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F |
| Siem Reap (Angkor) | 90°F | 95°F | 97°F | 97°F | 95°F | 94°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 88°F |
| Sihanoukville | 85°F | 85°F | 86°F | 88°F | 88°F | 86°F | 86°F | 86°F | 85°F | 86°F | 86°F | 86°F |
| Banlung (Ratanakiri) | 90°F | 97°F | 101°F | 99°F | 95°F | 90°F | 88°F | 88°F | 88°F | 90°F | 90°F | 88°F |
| Kampong Cham | 92°F | 97°F | 99°F | 97°F | 95°F | 94°F | 90°F | 92°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F |
| Koh Rong | 85°F | 85°F | 86°F | 88°F | 88°F | 86°F | 85°F | 85°F | 85°F | 86°F | 86°F | 86°F |
| Koh Rong Samloem | 85°F | 85°F | 86°F | 88°F | 88°F | 86°F | 85°F | 85°F | 85°F | 86°F | 86°F | 86°F |
| Poipet | 92°F | 97°F | 99°F | 99°F | 97°F | 94°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 88°F | 88°F |
| Sambor Prei Kuk | 92°F | 97°F | 99°F | 97°F | 95°F | 94°F | 90°F | 92°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F |
| Sen Monorom (Mondulkiri) | 83°F | 90°F | 95°F | 95°F | 94°F | 88°F | 86°F | 86°F | 86°F | 86°F | 85°F | 83°F |
| Beng Mealea | 90°F | 95°F | 97°F | 97°F | 95°F | 92°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 88°F |
| Botum Sakor National Park | 85°F | 85°F | 86°F | 88°F | 88°F | 86°F | 85°F | 85°F | 85°F | 86°F | 86°F | 86°F |
| Kbal Spean | 90°F | 95°F | 97°F | 97°F | 95°F | 92°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 88°F |
| Kirirom National Park | 88°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 88°F | 86°F | 88°F | 86°F | 86°F | 88°F | 86°F |
| Koh Russey (Bamboo Island) | 85°F | 85°F | 86°F | 88°F | 88°F | 86°F | 86°F | 86°F | 85°F | 86°F | 86°F | 86°F |
| Koh Sdach (King Island) | 85°F | 85°F | 86°F | 88°F | 88°F | 86°F | 85°F | 85°F | 85°F | 86°F | 86°F | 86°F |
Legend:
perfect weather
good weather
tolerable weather
bad weather
very bad weather
About Cambodia
What can I do in Cambodia?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for Cambodia reliable?
Climate data for Cambodia has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Cambodia allows us to determine the average for each month in Phnom Penh, Battambang, Kampot, Koh Kong, Kratie, Siem Reap (Angkor), Sihanoukville, Banlung (Ratanakiri), and 25 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.