Things to Do in Cambodia in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Cambodia
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak dry season conditions with virtually no rain - February averages just 10 mm (0.4 inches) of rainfall across the entire month, meaning you can plan temple visits and countryside tours without weather backup plans
- Comfortable humidity levels at 65% make this one of the most pleasant months physically - you'll still sweat climbing Angkor Wat's steep steps, but it's nothing like the 85% humidity of September that leaves your clothes perpetually damp
- Chinese New Year brings incredible energy to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap without the massive crowds of Khmer New Year in April - expect lion dances, special market foods, and decorated temples, particularly in areas with significant Chinese-Khmer communities
- Tonle Sap Lake reaches its maximum depth from monsoon season, making floating village tours actually worthwhile - the water level is high enough that villages look authentic rather than stranded on mudflats like you'd see in May
Considerations
- High season pricing hits its absolute peak in February - budget guesthouses in Siem Reap that cost $12 in September jump to $25-35, and popular hotels near Angkor Wat often require 60-90 day advance bookings
- Extreme UV index of 11 means you'll burn in under 15 minutes without protection - this is higher than most travelers expect, and the combination of temple reflection off light sandstone and limited shade makes sunburn the most common complaint I hear from February visitors
- Dust becomes a genuine issue at Angkor Archaeological Park by late February after months without rain - the red laterite dust coats everything, gets in your camera gear, and makes wearing contact lenses uncomfortable on particularly windy days
Best Activities in February
Angkor Archaeological Park temple exploration
February offers the best conditions you'll get for the temple complex - sunrise at Angkor Wat happens around 6:15am with virtually guaranteed clear skies, and the lower humidity means climbing Phnom Bakheng or Pre Rup for sunset views is actually enjoyable rather than exhausting. The dry moats and clear weather also make this ideal for photography. That said, expect significant crowds at the main temples between 9am-2pm. The smart approach is temples from 5am-9am, break during midday heat at your hotel, then smaller temples like Ta Som or Preah Khan from 3pm-sunset when tour buses have left.
Tonle Sap floating village boat tours
February catches the lake at its deepest point - around 9 m (30 ft) versus 2 m (6.5 ft) in the dry season low point. This makes villages like Kompong Phluk and Kampong Khleang look authentic rather than stranded. The water is still murky brown from sediment, but the scale is impressive and you'll see actual daily life rather than tourist-focused demonstrations. Morning tours from 7am-10am offer the best light and catch fishing activity before midday heat.
Kampot pepper farm visits and countryside cycling
February is harvest season for Kampot's famous peppercorns - you'll see workers hand-picking the drupes and laying them out to dry on bamboo mats. The dry weather makes the red dirt roads actually rideable by bicycle, unlike the muddy mess of rainy season. Temperature peaks around 32°C (90°F) but the countryside is relatively flat, and the salt fields between Kampot and Kep are stunning in the dry season light. Start early - by 11am it's too hot for comfortable cycling.
Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem island beaches
February offers the calmest seas of the year for the southern islands - ferry crossings from Sihanoukville take 45 minutes in flat conditions versus the stomach-churning 90-minute rides during monsoon swells. Water visibility for snorkeling reaches 15-20 m (50-65 ft), and the beaches on the eastern sides of both islands are pristine. The trade-off is that these islands are now firmly discovered - expect beach parties and crowds at Koh Touch, though Samloem remains relatively quiet.
Phnom Penh cyclo food tours
The capital's street food scene peaks in the dry season when vendors set up without worrying about rain - February evenings from 5pm onwards see the best variety. A cyclo tour lets you cover more ground than walking in the heat while hitting spots like the grilled beef at Wat Phnom area, num pang sandwiches near Central Market, and the dessert stalls on Street 13. The cyclo pace is perfect for digesting between stops and actually seeing neighborhoods rather than rushing through in a tuk-tuk.
Mondulkiri elephant sanctuary visits
The northeastern highlands offer cooler temperatures than the rest of Cambodia in February - you're looking at 28°C (82°F) highs versus 32°C (90°F) in Siem Reap. The ethical elephant projects here let you walk with rescued elephants through the forest rather than riding them, and February's dry trails make the treks comfortable. The red dust roads to get there are also actually passable without 4WD, though it's still a rough 6-7 hour drive from Phnom Penh.
February Events & Festivals
Chinese New Year celebrations
The date shifts based on the lunar calendar but typically falls in late January or early February - in 2026 it's January 29, with celebrations running through early February. Phnom Penh's Chinatown area around Orussey Market and Siem Reap's Wat Preah Prom Rath see the biggest festivities - lion dances, incense offerings, special foods like sticky rice cakes and whole roasted pigs. Temples get decorated with red lanterns and locals wear new clothes for temple visits. It's not an official holiday so most tourist services continue normally, but banks and some government offices close for 2-3 days.
Meak Bochea Day
This Buddhist holiday commemorates Buddha's final sermon and falls on the full moon of the third lunar month - February 11 in 2026. Cambodians visit pagodas for candlelit processions at dusk, walking clockwise around the temple three times with lotus flowers, incense, and candles. The ceremony at Angkor Wat is particularly atmospheric with hundreds of monks and worshippers. It's a genuine religious observance rather than a tourist event, but respectful visitors are welcome. Dress conservatively with covered shoulders and knees.