Best Time to Visit Cambodia: Seasons, Weather & Festivals Month by Month
Cambodia has two main seasons rather than four: a long dry season and a wet one. The simple answer to when to go is November to February, when it is dry and cooler. But the best time depends on what you want - empty temples, green fields and cheaper hotels mean the wet season is better than its reputation, and the hot months have their own festivals.
November to February: The Cool, Dry Season
This is peak season, and for good reason. Rain is rare, humidity drops, and daytime temperatures sit in the low 30s °C (high 80s °F), with mornings and evenings noticeably cooler. It is the most comfortable time to walk the temples at Angkor and the safest bet for clear skies at sunrise.
The trade-off is crowds. Angkor Wat at dawn gets busy, and the main temple circuit is busiest between about 10am and noon. Book popular hotels and any private arrangements well ahead, and read our Angkor Wat sunrise guide for how to time it.
March to May: Hot Season
Temperatures climb steeply through March, April and May, regularly reaching the mid to upper 30s °C (and higher in Phnom Penh). Angkor is still open and a lot quieter, but the sensible plan is to visit at sunrise, rest through midday, and go back out late in the afternoon.
April brings Khmer New Year, in mid-April, when families return to their home provinces and the country celebrates for several days. It is a wonderful thing to see, but some shops and restaurants close, and transport is crowded around the holiday.
June to October: The Green Season
Rain is the defining feature - usually heavy but short, often in the afternoon or evening - and the landscape turns a vivid green. September and October tend to be the wettest months. The upsides are real: fewer visitors, lower hotel prices, full waterfalls at Kulen and soft light for photography at the temples.
Roads in rural areas can turn muddy and some routes become difficult, so build flexibility into the schedule. Pchum Ben, a major Buddhist festival honouring ancestors, falls in September or October and is a good moment to see local life at the pagodas.
Cambodia Seasons at a Glance:
- Nov-Feb: Dry and cooler - best weather, biggest crowds
- Mar-May: Hot - quiet temples, plan around midday heat
- Jun-Oct: Rainy and green - fewer visitors, lower prices
- Bon Om Touk (Water Festival): Usually late October or November, in Phnom Penh
- Khmer New Year: Mid-April
- Best for the south-coast islands: The dry months
The Water Festival and Choosing Your Dates
Bon Om Touk, the Water Festival, falls in late October or November and marks the reversal of the Tonlé Sap river's flow, with boat races and crowds on the riverfront in Phnom Penh. If you want to be there, book early: the city fills up, and some businesses close during the holiday.
As a rule of thumb: go in December or January for the best weather, go in the green season for value and quiet, and avoid the peak of April's heat unless you are comfortable with it. Pair the temples with a trip to the coast, or a morning at an elephant sanctuary, and the season matters less than the pacing.
Deciding when to go to Cambodia? Write to our team at [email protected] and tell us your dates - we will plan around the weather.
