Things to Do in Cambodia in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
August Weather in Cambodia
Is August Right for You?
Advantages
- Genuine low season pricing - accommodation runs 30-40% cheaper than December-February, and you'll actually have room to negotiate at guesthouses since occupancy hovers around 50-60%. Found family-run places in Siem Reap offering rooms for $15-20 that go for $35+ in high season.
- Angkor Wat without the crowds - you can photograph the temples without 200 people in your frame. Ta Prohm feels genuinely atmospheric when you're one of maybe 30 people there instead of 300. Sunrise at Angkor Wat means sharing the view with 50-100 tourists instead of 500+.
- Lush, green countryside - the monsoon transforms Cambodia into the landscape you see in old photographs. Rice paddies are brilliantly green, waterfalls around Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri are actually flowing, and Tonle Sap Lake is full rather than the mudflat you get in dry season.
- Authentic local experience - August is when Cambodians actually travel domestically for Pchum Ben preparations. You'll see the country as it functions for locals, not the tourist-facing version. Markets are selling seasonal fruits like rambutan and mangosteen at peak ripeness.
Considerations
- Rain will disrupt your plans - not constantly, but those afternoon downpours (typically 1-3pm) can last 45-90 minutes and turn dirt roads into mud. Unpaved areas around smaller temples become difficult to access. Plan indoor activities for early afternoon or accept you'll be waiting out storms in temple doorways.
- Heat and humidity combination is genuinely challenging - 31°C (88°F) with 70% humidity feels like 36-38°C (97-100°F). Temple climbing becomes exhausting by 11am. You'll sweat through clothes quickly, and air conditioning becomes non-negotiable for recovery time. Not ideal if you struggle with heat.
- Some islands and coastal areas see rougher seas - Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem boat transfers can be choppy, and occasionally services get cancelled. Sihanoukville beach weather is unpredictable. If your trip is primarily beach-focused, August isn't your best month.
Best Activities in August
Angkor Archaeological Park Temple Tours
August is genuinely the best month for temple exploration if you can handle heat. The tourist crowds thin out dramatically - you'll have spaces like Bayon and Ta Prohm to yourself for minutes at a time, which never happens November-March. The greenery is intense, with jungle vegetation creating that classic temple-swallowed-by-nature aesthetic. Morning tours (5am-10am) avoid both heat and rain, since downpours typically hold off until early afternoon. The moat around Angkor Wat is full, making the reflection shots actually possible.
Phnom Penh Cultural and History Tours
The capital is actually more comfortable in August than you'd expect - buildings have AC, museums are indoors, and the riverside promenade is pleasant during morning and evening hours. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Killing Fields are sobering but essential visits, and August's smaller crowds mean you can move through at your own pace without feeling rushed. The Russian Market and Central Market are covered, making them perfect rainy-day activities. Royal Palace tours work well 8-10am before heat peaks.
Tonle Sap Lake Floating Village Visits
August is when Tonle Sap is actually impressive - the lake swells to 5-6 times its dry season size, and floating villages like Kampong Phluk and Kompong Khleang are genuinely floating rather than sitting in mud. The water level makes boat access straightforward, and you'll see the fishing communities in full operation. The flooded forest around Kampong Phluk is only navigable by boat during wet season. That said, expect some rain and bring waterproof bags for cameras.
Battambang Countryside Cycling
Battambang in August is brilliant green and genuinely scenic - rice paddies are being planted, the countryside is lush, and the French colonial town has a laid-back vibe missing in Siem Reap. Morning cycling tours (7am-11am) through villages, past rice fields, and to small temples work perfectly before afternoon rain. The famous bamboo train still runs (though increasingly touristy). Phare Ponleu Selpak circus performances (7:30pm shows) are world-class and happen rain or shine in their indoor venue.
Kampot and Kep Coastal Exploration
Kampot's riverside setting and pepper plantations are actually lovely in August - the rain keeps everything green and temperatures slightly cooler than inland. Pepper farm tours show the harvest season preparation, and Bokor Mountain National Park's abandoned hill station is atmospheric in the mist (though roads can be slippery). Kep is quieter in August, meaning the crab market is focused on locals rather than tour groups. Beach time is hit-or-miss with weather, but the seafood is consistently excellent.
Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri Highland Trekking
The northeast highlands are genuinely stunning in August - waterfalls like Bou Sra are at full flow, the jungle is thick and green, and temperatures are cooler than the lowlands (25-28°C or 77-82°F). Elephant sanctuaries around Sen Monorom offer ethical interactions where elephants actually roam forest rather than giving rides. Ratanakiri's volcanic lakes and indigenous villages see almost no tourists in August. Roads are rough and can be muddy, but that's part of why it feels genuinely remote.
August Events & Festivals
Pchum Ben Preparations
While Pchum Ben itself typically falls in late September or early October, August is when you'll see Cambodians preparing for this major 15-day festival honoring ancestors. Pagodas get cleaned and decorated, and there's a particular energy in towns as families plan their temple visits. Markets start selling special offerings. It's not a tourist event, but it gives genuine insight into contemporary Buddhist practice in Cambodia. Worth visiting local pagodas in the mornings to observe daily rituals.