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Things to Do in Cambodia in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Cambodia
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
87°F (30°C)
High Temp
71°F (21°C)
Low Temp
1.3 inches (33 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + The last month before true high season. Angkor Wat at dawn has half the January crowds. Yet hotels still run shoulder-season promotions. You win twice.
- + Rice paddies outside Battambang turn golden for harvest. This creates the most photogenic landscapes of the year along the bamboo train route. Bring extra memory cards.
- + Mekong River levels stay high enough for comfortable boat travel to Kratie's Irrawaddy dolphins. They stay low enough that Koh Trong's cycling trails aren't flooded. Perfect balance.
- + Evening temperatures drop to 71°F (22°C). That's cool enough to enjoy Siem Reap's Pub Street without the usual Southeast Asian sweat-through-your-shirt situation. Finally.
Considerations
- − UV index hits 8 daily. Within two hours outside you'll burn through SPF 30 unless you're religious about reapplication. No exceptions.
- − It's wedding season. Countryside roads get blocked by processions and Phnom Penh restaurants book out fast on weekends. Plan ahead.
- − The northeast monsoon creates unpredictable afternoon gusts. These cancel boat trips to Koh Rong's best snorkeling spots about 30% of afternoons. Check forecasts.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
December in Cambodia brings clear, dry air. Afternoon warmth is not oppressive. The country exhales after the rains. Paths around ancient temples turn to fine red dust. The light takes on a sharp golden quality, at dawn. Locals prepare for Bon Om Touk, the Water Festival. They transform Phnom Penh's riverfront into a temporary city of noise and color. Rhythmic pounding of drums from longboat races competes with the sizzle of street grills. It is a time of celebration. The Angkor half marathon starts predawn. Long evenings are good for a slow bicycle ride. Travel pace quickens. The agreeable weather makes ambitious itineraries feel like discovery. Even trips to remote jungle temples are easier now.
Siem Reap Angkor Airport Taxis (from Airport to Hotel)
transportYou step from the aircraft cabin into the Siem Reap evening. Humid air carries frangipani and tuk-tuk exhaust. A pre-booked airport taxi eliminates haggling. It delivers you into neon-lit chaos. The night market chatter begins beyond your hotel gate.
It guarantees an easy, air-conditioned introduction. You can absorb the first overwhelming sights without negotiation.
Insider tip: Save your driver's name and a local contact number on your phone. The arrival area is a cacophony of voices and waving placards.
Private 3-Days tour at comfortable areas
guided_experienceThis private tour provides an unrushed visit to the Angkor Archaeological Park. Pace is set by your curiosity, not a bus schedule. Feel the cool damp stone of lesser-visited corridors. Hear distant gibbon chatter in the canopy. Your guide will decode stories in the intricate bas-reliefs.
It gives you time and personalized attention. You will understand the scale of the Khmer empire.
Insider tip: Request an early start. See the main temples in soft quiet light before the heat and large groups arrive.
Siem Reap: One-Way Transfer from Hotel to Airport (SAI)
otherThis transfer moves you from your hotel to the departure terminal. It removes last-minute stress. You get a final moment to watch the palm-lined streets blur past.
It protects your relaxed mood. It ensures a punctual comfortable exit.
Insider tip: Confirm pickup time at least 24 hours in advance. Siem Reap's traffic can become dense.
4-Day Excursion of Angkor, Koh Ker, Beng Mealea, Tonle Sap and Waterfalls
day_tripThis expedition goes beyond Angkor. You will see the jungle reclaiming stones at Koh Ker and Beng Mealea. Hear wooden walkways creak over collapsed galleries. Feel spray from remote waterfalls. Watch daily life in floating villages on the Tonle Sap. The air smells of fish and water hyacinth.
It shows the raw power of nature over Khmer ambition. This contrasts with the restored order of Angkor Wat.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes with good grip. You will climb unrestricted moss-slicked ruins at Beng Mealea.
Private Temples Guided Tour (Angkor Wat, Ta Prom & Angkor Thom)
culturalA private guide leads you through Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, and Angkor Thom's Bayon. Taste the dust of ancient causeways. See morning sun ignite lotus-shaped towers. Feel the silence in stone galleries before crowds descend.
It delivers a curated encounter with the masterpieces that define Cambodia.
Insider tip: At Ta Prohm, ask your guide for the quieter eastern entrance. You can have a moment alone with the famous silk-cotton tree structures.
Phnom Penh Bike & Boat Sunset Tour / E-Bike Available
adventureThis tour shows Phnom Penh dynamically. Cycle past faded colonial facades in the French Quarter. Then board a boat to glide along the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers at dusk. Feel the cool river breeze. See the golden spires of the Royal Palace gleam. Hear the city's din soften to a murmur.
It captures the dual rhythm of the capital, from streets to waterways, all at sunset.
Insider tip: Choose the e-bike if you are unaccustomed to the heat. It lets you enjoy sights without exertion in the December warmth.
This month: This tour gives a splendid view of decorated boats if timed around the Bon Om Touk Water Festival in early December.
Where to Stay in Cambodia in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early December (moves with lunar calendar - typically first weekend)
Bon Om Touk (Water Festival)
Cambodia's most photogenic celebration: dragon boat races on the Tonlé Sap with 300-rower boats carved like naga serpents. Phnom Penh's riverfront turns into an open-air concert. Grilled river fish smoke mingles with diesel generators powering karaoke stages. Arrive two hours before sunset to claim river-wall seating. Fireworks reflect off the water around 9pm.
Early December (first or second Sunday)
International Half Marathon Angkor
The only time you're legally allowed to jog past Angkor Wat at sunrise with 8,000 other sweaty people. Laterite dust kicks up as you pass Bayon's stone faces at kilometer 8. Local kids line the route handing out jasmine leis. Registration includes a one-day Angkor pass. This makes it cheaper than a normal ticket if you were planning temple time anyway.
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View Cambodia Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Most tuk-tuk drivers quote in USD but give change in riel at 4,000 per dollar. Carry small dollar bills to avoid losing 5% on every transaction. Smart travel.
Temple passes bought after 5pm count for the next day. Time your Angkor arrival for late afternoon to score a 'free' sunset at Pre Rup. Free is good.
Local phones get priority data during festivals when towers overload. Grab a Cellcard SIM at the airport. Tourists with international roaming often can't get online. Stay connected.
December wedding convoys love to parade past Angkor Wat for photos - if traffic stops for decorated cars, drivers expect you to wait patiently. Honking marks you as clueless
Street-side sugar-cane juice is seasonal in December - vendors press fresh stalks morning and afternoon. Skip carts that pre-juice into plastic drums (ferments fast in heat)
Avoid These Mistakes
Booking sunrise tours that promise 'sunrise at Angkor Wat' then shuttle you to Phnom Bakheng - insist on the reflecting pond viewpoint or you'll watch dawn from a hilltop crush
Assuming December means no rain - sudden 4pm cloudbursts drench open tuk-tuks; store electronics in dry bags, not loose under seats
Wearing shorts to Royal Palace or Silver Pagoda - guards turn you away at the gate, and nearby vendors sell overpriced fisherman pants to desperate tourists
Changing money at the border or airport - rates are 5-8% worse than downtown Phnom Penh jewelry shops that double as money changers
Planning beach days right after temple marathons - sun fatigue is real. Schedule Koh Rong downtime between Angkor and city touring, not as finale
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