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Things to Do in Cambodia in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
High Season · Book Early
January Weather in Cambodia
Long-run averages for January in Phnom Penh
88°F (31°C)
High Temp
71°F (21°C)
Low Temp
0.5 inches (13 mm)
Rainfall
65%
Humidity
10
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Very high UV on sunny days: use sunscreen and seek shade at midday
Making the most of January in Cambodia? Browse tours and activities in Cambodia on GetYourGuide.
Is January Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + This is the sweet spot between the last of the monsoon humidity and the furnace heat that arrives in March. You get that clear, dry air that feels like a cool drink of water after the rainy season, with Phnom Penh's average high hovering at a manageable 88°F (31°C). The light is golden and sharp. Good for photography.
- + Tonle Sap Lake and its floating villages are at their most expansive and navigable, with water levels still high from the October rains. The flooded forest around Kampong Phluk becomes a navigable, sun-dappled labyrinth, and the air carries the scent of wet wood and freshwater fish. Go early. The morning light is worth it.
- + The country's biggest tourism draw, the Angkor Archaeological Park, is pleasant to explore. You can wander the laterite terraces of Pre Rup in the late afternoon without being drenched in sweat, and the moats around Angkor Wat reflect a cloudless sky. Bring water anyway. The sun is still strong.
- + It's the month for seasonal treats. Roadside vendors start selling *kralan* - sticky rice mixed with coconut milk and black beans, packed into bamboo tubes and roasted over charcoal, giving off a sweet, smoky scent you can smell from 50 meters away. Follow your nose. The best vendors have queues.
Considerations
- − This is peak international tourist season, meaning you'll share the causeway to Angkor Wat's entrance with coachloads of visitors. The most famous temple corridors, like the Bayon's smiling faces, can feel like a polite but persistent shuffle between 9 AM and 3 PM. Arrive at dawn. Or skip the crowds entirely.
- − Accommodation rates, in Siem Reap, reflect the demand. While not as stratospheric as European capitals in summer, you'll pay a premium for that dry weather, and the best boutique hotels in French Quarter villas book out months in advance. Plan ahead. The good places disappear fast.
- − The very dryness that makes it comfortable also creates a persistent, fine dust, on rural roads between Battambang and Siem Reap. It coats your skin, gets in your teeth, and turns a white shirt beige by lunchtime. Pack dark colors. Sunglasses are essential.
Short on time in January? See day trips around Cambodia on GetYourGuide.
Best Activities in January
Top things to do during your visit
January in Cambodia delivers the year's best weather. The air is dry. Mornings carry actual coolness, a relief after months of heavy humidity. Average highs hit 88 degrees Fahrenheit. Rainfall? Half an inch for the entire month. This is the driest, most temperate window you'll find. The landscape stays green from earlier rains. Bright sunlight bathes everything. The sandstone of ancient temples turns almost golden. Waters of Tonle Sap lake shimmer. This reliable weather shapes how you travel. Full days of exploration happen without those sudden afternoon downpours. Locals fill outdoor cafes and riverfront promenades in pleasant evenings. Planning ambitious temple circuits or long rural journeys becomes straightforward. For visitors, this climate answers the question of when to come. Outdoor activities work best now. Cycling in Phnom Penh feels comfortable. Trekking through temple complexes does too. Safety concerns in Cambodia usually involve hectic city traffic or remote areas. Clear skies and dry roads in January ease some challenges. Stay vigilant anyway. This month suits anyone building a Cambodia itinerary. Reliable weather lets you link Siem Reap, the capital, and coastal regions without wet-season mud delays.
Siem Reap Angkor Airport Taxis (from Airport to Hotel)
transportA pre-arranged taxi changes everything. Your driver waits in arrivals with a nameplate. You get an air-conditioned car. The short journey passes rice fields and newly built guesthouses. No negotiation needed. You're delivered to your hotel's doorstep. The value isn't just the ride. It is the easy transition from traveler to guest.
It transforms arrival from a stressful transaction into a smooth, welcoming introduction to Siem Reap.
Insider tip: Have your hotel's name and address written in Khmer script on your phone or paper to show the driver. English spellings vary.
Private 3-Days tour at comfortable areas
guided_experienceThis private three-day exploration moves past central Angkor park. You'll see comfortable areas standard tours miss. The intricate pink sandstone carvings of Banteay Srei. The jungle-enveloped ruins of Beng Mealea. You travel in a private vehicle with a dedicated guide. Set your own pace. Absorb details. Light filtering through collapsed galleries. Stories behind delicate lintel carvings. This is a deep, personalized immersion into Khmer history.
It offers the luxury of time and attention to understand the Khmer Empire's scope, not just its famous monuments.
Insider tip: Discuss your specific interests with your guide on day one. Architecture, photography, or religious history. They'll tailor commentary and stops.
Siem Reap: One-Way Transfer from Hotel to Airport (SAI)
otherThis one-way transfer provides a reliable conclusion to your Siem Reap stay. The arrival service gave you a beginning. This gives you an end. Confirmed pickup time eliminates uncertainty. No last-minute taxi hunts. important for early morning flights when the city sleeps. The drive back to the airport offers final glimpses of the waking city. An orderly end to your Cambodian travels.
It guarantees a punctual, hassle-free departure. Focus on your journey ahead, not logistics.
Insider tip: Confirm pickup time with the local operator the evening before departure. Avoid misunderstandings.
From Siem Reap: Angkor Wat and Floating Village 3-Day Trip
day_tripThis three-day trip contrasts the monumental and the aquatic. Angkor's temples deliver awe. Tonle Sap lake delivers a busy, floating world. Communities live on the water. One day you're tracing Angkor Wat's bas-reliefs. Next day you're on a boat watching houses, schools, and markets bob on the water. Children shout. Generators hum.
It captures Siem Reap region's two defining landscapes. The ancient stone empire. The living, water-based culture that persists.
Insider tip: Bring small denominations of local currency for the floating village tour. Buy snacks or souvenirs directly from floating vendors.
Private Temples Guided Tour (Angkor Wat, Ta Prom & Angkor Thom)
culturalA private guided tour of Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, and Angkor Thom brings stones to life. Your guide points where giant roots of Ta Prohm squeeze over galleries. They explain meaning behind immense stone faces at Bayon. They find perfect vantage points for Angkor Wat's reflection in its ponds. History becomes tangible. Immediate.
It unlocks narratives and symbolism hidden in plain sight. Sightseeing becomes understanding.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, covered shoes you can slip off easily. You'll remove them before entering certain sacred spaces within temple compounds.
Phnom Penh Bike & Boat Sunset Tour / E-Bike Available
adventureThis tour has a dynamic perspective of Phnom Penh. Busy, fragrant streets transition to serene river flow. The Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. You pedal or glide on an e-bike past French colonial buildings and busy markets. Then board a boat. Watch the sky erupt in oranges and purples. The sun sets behind the city's silhouette. Cool river breeze hits you.
It combines active urban exploration with a peaceful, classic Phnom Penh river sunset. One fluid experience.
Insider tip: Choose the e-bike option if you're unsure of your cycling stamina in the city's warmth. Gentle assist on busier streets.
Where to Stay in Cambodia in January
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for January travellers.
Public Holidays in January
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
ទិវាបុណ្យចូលឆ្នាំសកល
Known in English as New Year's Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
ទិវាជ័យជម្នះលើរបបប្រល័យពូជសាសន៍
Known in English as Victory over Genocide Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
ទិវាបុណ្យចូលឆ្នាំសកល
Known in English as New Year's Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
ទិវាជ័យជម្នះលើរបបប្រល័យពូជសាសន៍
Known in English as Victory over Genocide Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
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View Cambodia Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Buy your Angkor temple pass after 5 PM. It's valid the next day. They'll let you in that evening. Catch sunset at Phnom Bakheng. Explore a smaller temple. You get a free half-day.
Find *kralan* on roadsides leaving towns, not in markets. Look for charcoal grills and smoking bamboo tubes. Follow your nose. The scent guides you.
If Angkor Wat's main gate crowds up, walk left around the north moat side. A lesser-known back entrance often has no queue. Enter directly into the outer gallery. Skip the wait.
Skip Phnom Penh's packed riverfront for evening drinks. Head to the old FCC building rooftop at sunset. The Tonle Sap and Mekong confluence view matches. The crowd doesn't. Expect expats and savvy travelers.
Avoid These Mistakes
Don't attempt all of Angkor in one marathon day. Heat and scale will crush you. Pick three temples maximum. Start at dawn. Retreat for long lunch and rest from 12 PM to 3 PM. Return for late afternoon light. Pace yourself.
Don't underestimate the dust. It invades cameras, lungs, bags. Seal electronics. Wear a buff or mask on long dirt-road tuk-tuk rides. Leave favorite clothes home. They'll suffer.
Don't book just one night on the islands. Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Sanloem boats run infrequently. Weather delays happen. One night wastes half your time in transit. Stay two nights minimum. Feel the slower pace.
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