Things to Do in Cambodia in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Cambodia
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak dry season conditions with minimal rainfall - you'll typically see just 15 mm (0.6 inches) across the entire month, which means maybe one or two brief showers at most. This is genuinely the best weather window Cambodia offers all year.
- Angkor Wat at its absolute best - early morning temperatures around 22°C (72°F) make those sunrise temple visits actually pleasant instead of brutal. The moat water levels are perfect for reflection photos, and the surrounding forest is still lush from the rainy season that ended in November.
- Tonle Sap Lake reaches its maximum size in December after monsoon season, making floating villages like Kampong Pluuk and Chong Kneas dramatically more impressive. The lake expands from about 2,500 sq km (965 sq miles) to over 16,000 sq km (6,200 sq miles), and you'll see why it's called Southeast Asia's ecological heart.
- Coastal areas like Kep and Kampot have perfect beach weather - 28-30°C (82-86°F) daytime temperatures, calm seas, and virtually no rain. The crab market in Kep is at its busiest as fishing conditions are ideal, and you'll get the freshest seafood of the year at the lowest prices.
Considerations
- High season pricing hits hard - accommodation costs typically jump 40-60% compared to shoulder months, and popular guesthouses in Siem Reap book out 3-4 weeks ahead. International flight prices to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap also spike during the Christmas and New Year periods.
- Angkor Archaeological Park gets genuinely crowded, especially December 20-January 5. Angkor Wat sunrise can mean sharing the viewing platform with 2,000+ people, and popular temples like Bayon and Ta Prohom see tour bus traffic that creates 20-30 minute bottlenecks at narrow passages.
- Air quality in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap tends to deteriorate in December due to agricultural burning in neighboring countries and reduced rainfall to clear the air. The PM2.5 index often reaches 100-150, which is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. Worth checking daily air quality if you have respiratory issues.
Best Activities in December
Angkor Archaeological Park temple exploration
December offers the ideal weather window for temple hopping - mornings are cool enough at 22-24°C (72-75°F) that climbing steep temple stairs doesn't feel like a death march, while the dry conditions mean no mud, no leeches, and reliable tuk-tuk access to remote temples like Beng Mealea. The vegetation is still green from recent rains but paths are completely dry. Sunrise at Angkor Wat happens around 6:15am, and you'll want to arrive by 5:30am to secure a decent spot. The trade-off is crowds - expect 8,000-10,000 daily visitors to the park in December versus 3,000-4,000 in low season. Smart move is visiting less-trafficked temples like Preah Khan or Ta Som during the 11am-2pm heat when tour groups retreat for lunch.
Tonle Sap floating village visits
December is actually the only month I recommend visiting Tonle Sap's floating villages because the lake is at maximum size and the villages are genuinely floating - not sitting on stilts in mud like they are during dry season months. The lake swells to 5 times its low-season size, and communities like Kampong Pluuk and Kompong Khleang are surrounded by flooded forest that's pretty remarkable. Water levels in December typically reach 8-10 m (26-33 ft) depth. The weather is perfect for boat trips with minimal glare and comfortable temperatures. That said, these tours can feel exploitative - you're basically visiting people's homes and schools while they go about their daily lives. Go with operators who work directly with village communities and avoid the pushy souvenir boat sellers.
Kampot riverside cycling and pepper farm tours
Kampot in December is what Cambodia felt like before mass tourism - a sleepy riverside town with French colonial architecture where the biggest decision is which riverside restaurant to watch sunset from. December weather is perfect for cycling: 25-28°C (77-82°F) during the day, zero rain, and gentle breezes off the river. The famous Kampot pepper farms are harvesting in December, and you can see the whole process from vine to table. The countryside is flat, roads are paved, and distances are manageable - most pepper farms are 8-12 km (5-7.5 miles) from town. You'll also pass salt fields, rice paddies, and traditional wooden houses. This is genuine rural Cambodia without the tourist circus.
Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem island beaches
December is peak beach season for Cambodia's islands - calm seas, zero rain, and water visibility reaching 15-20 m (50-65 ft) for snorkeling. The islands are about 25 km (15.5 miles) off Sihanoukville, and the ferry ride takes 40-60 minutes on modern speed boats. Koh Rong has more development and nightlife, while Koh Rong Samloem is quieter with better beaches. The water temperature hovers around 28°C (82°F), and you'll see bioluminescent plankton in the water at night if you swim after dark. December is busy though - book accommodation at least 2-3 weeks ahead, especially for Christmas and New Year when beach bungalows can triple in price. The sand is powdery white, and the jungle comes right down to the beach in most spots.
Phnom Penh street food evening tours
December evenings in Phnom Penh are genuinely pleasant - temperatures drop to 24-26°C (75-79°F) after sunset, and the riverside promenade fills with food stalls and local families. This is when you eat like Cambodians actually eat - not in tourist restaurants but at plastic tables on sidewalks. December is mango season, so you'll find fresh mango with sticky rice everywhere. Street 130 and the Central Market area have the densest concentration of food stalls. Try num banh chok (Khmer noodles) for breakfast, bai sach chrouk (pork and rice) for lunch, and kuy teav (noodle soup) late night. The Russian Market area has excellent evening food stalls that open around 5pm. Dishes typically cost $1.50-3.
Cardamom Mountains jungle trekking
December is the only month I'd recommend trekking in the Cardamoms - trails are dry enough to be passable but the jungle hasn't turned brown yet from lack of rain. This is Cambodia's largest rainforest, covering about 4,400 sq km (1,700 sq miles) in the southwest, and it's home to elephants, gibbons, and sun bears that you probably won't see but it's nice knowing they're there. The landscape is dramatic - waterfalls, river valleys, and mountains reaching 1,500-1,800 m (4,900-5,900 ft). December temperatures in the mountains are cooler than lowlands, around 18-24°C (64-75°F), making hiking actually enjoyable. Most treks are based out of Chi Phat village, which runs community-based ecotourism. You'll stay in homestays and local guides lead treks. This is proper jungle, not a nature walk.
December Events & Festivals
Angkor Wat International Half Marathon
Usually held first or second Sunday of December, this race takes runners through Angkor Archaeological Park on closed roads starting at 6am when it's still cool. Even if you're not running, the atmosphere around Angkor Wat that morning is pretty special with thousands of participants from 60+ countries. The half marathon route passes Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohom. There's also a 10K, 5K, and 3K fun run. Registration typically opens in September and sells out by November.
Bon Om Touk (Water Festival) aftermath
While the actual Water Festival happens in November, December 1-5 still has a festive atmosphere in Phnom Penh with boat racing teams lingering in the city and evening markets staying busy. The riverside is decorated and there's better street food selection than usual. Not a major event but worth noting if you're in Phnom Penh in early December.