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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
Long-run averages for December in Phnom Penh
87°F (30°C)
High Temp
71°F (21°C)
Low Temp
1.3 inches (33 mm)
Rainfall
68%
Humidity
9
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Very high UV on sunny days: use sunscreen and seek shade at midday
Making the most of December in Cambodia? Browse tours and activities in Cambodia on GetYourGuide.
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.
Short on time in December? See day trips around Cambodia on GetYourGuide.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Angkor Temple Cycling Routes
December's dry mornings and 75°F (24°C) sunrise temps make pedal-power the smartest way to reach Angkor Thom's back gates before the tour buses. The laterite roads are firm enough for hybrids. You'll hear birds instead of diesel engines on the jungle trail between Preah Khan and Neak Pean.
Booking Tip: Arrange bike rental the afternoon before. Siem Reap shops typically run out of quality hybrids by 8am in December. Look for shops that include helmets and repair kits. Flat tires happen on temple laterite.
Mekong River Dolphin Watching Tours
High but clear water in December means Kratie's Irrawaddy dolphins feed closer to Kampi village. You're spotting them within 15 minutes of boarding instead of the usual hour-long search. Morning boat trips run smoother too. The northeast monsoon hasn't kicked up the afternoon whitecaps yet.
Booking Tip: Book the dawn departure (typically 6:30am). Dolphins surface more frequently before 8am. You'll be back in Kratie for iced coffee while day-trippers from Phnom Penh are still en route. See current tours in booking section below.
Battambang Rice Harvest Photography Tours
December is when the endless green paddies flip to golden-brown. This creates those textbook Southeast Asian vistas. The bamboo train still runs through active fields. You photograph farmers swinging sickles against back-lit stalks. These scenes vanish by January when fields are burned stubble.
Booking Tip: Hire a local guide who knows harvest schedules. Some communes finish cutting by mid-December, others start Christmas week. Sunrise sessions give you mist over the paddies plus that honey light on straw stacks. Worth every riel.
Phnom Penh Night Market Street-Food Walks
Evenings cool enough that grilled pork skewers and num kroch (pumpkin rice-balls) stay warm while you eat them. December sees the last of the rainy-season frogs and crickets at stalls. Early-season coconut candy appears too. Vendors joke it's when Cambodian street food is most 'complete.'
Booking Tip: Start at 6:30pm when stalls fire up but before the 8pm rush. Look for vendors wearing plastic gloves. It's a decent hygiene indicator. The booking widget below lists guided night-market circuits if you want translation help ordering fermented fish paste.
Koh Rong Snorkeling and Bioluminescence Trips
Water clarity peaks in December. Expect 15m (49ft) visibility at Koh Rong Samloem's Coral Gardens versus the 5m (16ft) murk of October. Night swims in Long Set Beach light up with plankton when moon phase cooperates. December's lower humidity makes hanging around in wet swimwear comfortable.
Booking Tip: Book after you arrive in Sihanoukville. Weather windows shift daily. Morning boats have the calmest seas. Afternoon northeast winds pick up and can turn the 45-minute crossing into an hour of slamming through chop.
Where to Stay in Cambodia in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
Public Holidays in December
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
ទិវាសន្តិភាពនៅកម្ពុជា
Known in English as Cambodia Peace Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
ទិវាសន្តិភាពនៅកម្ពុជា
Known in English as Cambodia Peace Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
ទិវាសន្តិភាពនៅកម្ពុជា
Known in English as Cambodia Peace Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
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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Top-rated things to do in Cambodia this December
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