Things to Do in Cambodia in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Cambodia
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Angkor Wat sees 40-50% fewer visitors than peak season (December-February), meaning you can actually photograph the temples without crowds and experience sunrise at Angkor without fighting for position. The difference is genuinely dramatic - I've counted 200 people at dawn in January versus maybe 80 in April.
- Countryside is still lush and green from the tail end of dry season, before the real heat sets in. The rice paddies around Battambang and Kampot are particularly photogenic, and waterfalls like Kulen Mountain still have decent flow (unlike bone-dry March).
- Hotel and guesthouse rates drop 30-40% compared to high season. That boutique hotel in Siem Reap that wanted USD 180 in January? You'll find it for USD 110-130 in April, often with room upgrades thrown in because occupancy hovers around 60%.
- Khmer New Year (April 14-16, 2026) is the country's biggest celebration - three days of temple visits, water throwing, traditional games, and family gatherings. If you time it right, you'll see Cambodia at its most festive and authentic, though be prepared for some logistical challenges.
Considerations
- The heat is genuinely intense - 35°C (95°F) in the shade feels closer to 40°C (104°F) with 70% humidity. Exploring Angkor temples between 11am-3pm is borderline miserable, and you'll be changing shirts twice a day. This isn't marketing exaggeration, it's the kind of heat that affects your energy and mood.
- Khmer New Year (April 14-16) shuts down most of the country for 3-5 days. Banks close, restaurants close, transport gets chaotic, and hotel prices actually spike during those specific dates. If you're here during the holiday without planning ahead, you might find yourself with limited options and inflated costs.
- Late April marks the transition to wet season, meaning afternoon thunderstorms become more frequent (typically 10 rainy days across the month). These aren't gentle drizzles - they're intense 30-60 minute downpours that flood streets and halt outdoor plans. Worth noting: they usually clear quickly, but timing matters.
Best Activities in April
Early Morning Angkor Archaeological Park Temple Tours
April's heat makes timing critical at Angkor. Start at 5:00am for sunrise (around 5:45am in April), then explore temples until 10:30am before it becomes punishing. The smaller crowds mean you can actually spend time at Ta Prohm without queuing, and the morning light at Bayon is spectacular without tour groups blocking every angle. By starting early, you'll finish the main circuit before the real heat hits, and the slightly overcast skies that April sometimes brings actually improve photography by reducing harsh shadows.
Tonle Sap Floating Village Boat Tours
April sits right before the dramatic wet season expansion of Tonle Sap, so water levels are at their annual low point - which actually makes the floating villages MORE interesting because you see the stilted houses towering 6-8 m (20-26 ft) above the current waterline, showing just how much the lake will rise. The heat is less oppressive on the water with boat-generated breeze, and you'll likely see fishermen preparing for the coming monsoon season. Go in late afternoon (3:30-5:30pm) when temperatures drop slightly to 32°C (90°F).
Phnom Penh Cyclo and Street Food Evening Tours
The capital's street food scene peaks in the evening when temperatures finally drop to tolerable levels around 6pm. April's heat actually enhances the experience because locals flood outdoor markets and riverside areas once the sun sets, creating an energetic atmosphere. The Russian Market area, Central Market surroundings, and Street 278 night market are particularly active. Cyclos (cycle rickshaws) let you cover ground without walking in residual heat while getting breeze.
Kampot Pepper Farm and Countryside Cycling
Kampot's relatively flat terrain and rural roads make it ideal for cycling, and April's green countryside (before the real monsoons hit) is genuinely beautiful. The famous pepper farms are harvesting their dry season crop in April, so you'll see the full process from vine to table. The heat is slightly less oppressive here than Siem Reap, and the riverside town has that lazy, end-of-dry-season atmosphere. Cycle in early morning (6-10am) or late afternoon (4-6pm) only.
Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem Beach and Snorkeling
April offers the last window of optimal beach weather before monsoon season starts in May. Water visibility for snorkeling is still excellent at 15-20 m (49-66 ft), seas are relatively calm, and the islands haven't yet entered their wet season closure period (many businesses shut June-October). The heat is offset by sea breezes, and afternoon thunderstorms, while increasingly common in late April, usually clear within an hour. The beaches are noticeably less crowded than January-February peak season.
Battambang Bamboo Train and Countryside Temple Exploration
Battambang's famous bamboo train (norry) and surrounding countryside temples like Phnom Banan and Ek Phnom are best visited in the cooler months, but April's lower tourist numbers mean you'll have these sites largely to yourself. The bamboo train ride generates enough breeze to offset the heat, and the rural landscape is still green. The temples require climbing, so go early morning only (6-9am) before temperatures spike. Battambang's colonial architecture and art scene offer excellent indoor alternatives when midday heat becomes too much.
April Events & Festivals
Khmer New Year (Chaul Chnam Thmey)
Cambodia's biggest celebration runs April 14-16, 2026 (dates follow traditional calendar). Temples fill with families making offerings, streets transform into water-throwing zones (similar to Thai Songkran), and traditional games like Bas Angkunh appear everywhere. In Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, you'll see massive street parties, while rural areas focus on temple ceremonies and family gatherings. It's genuinely fascinating if you embrace the chaos, but be prepared: most businesses close for 3-5 days, transport gets complicated, and hotel prices spike 50-100% during the actual holiday dates. Book accommodations at least 6-8 weeks ahead if you want to be here during the celebration, or avoid these dates entirely if you prefer operational normalcy.