Things to Do in Cambodia in June
June weather, activities, events & insider tips
June Weather in Cambodia
Is June Right for You?
Advantages
- Angkor Wat at its most photogenic - June brings dramatic cloud formations that create stunning temple photography, especially during the 6:00-7:30am golden hour before crowds arrive. The diffused light from cloud cover actually makes midday temple visits more comfortable than the harsh dry season sun.
- Genuine low season pricing across the board - accommodations run 30-40% cheaper than December-February rates, and you'll have real negotiating power for multi-day bookings. A guesthouse that costs $45 in high season typically drops to $25-30 in June, and tour operators are hungry for business.
- Tonle Sap Lake is actually full and functioning as it should be - the water level rises significantly in June, making floating village visits far more authentic than the muddy, depressing low-water months. You'll see the lake ecosystem as locals actually experience it, with fishing activity in full swing.
- Fewer tourists means genuine interactions - temple guides have time for actual conversations rather than rushing through scripts, restaurant owners remember you after one visit, and you'll experience Cambodia's hospitality without the transactional feel of peak season. Angkor Wat sees roughly 40% fewer visitors compared to December.
Considerations
- Rain will disrupt your plans, just accept it now - June averages 10 rainy days, and afternoon downpours lasting 30-90 minutes happen without warning. Dirt roads to remote temples like Beng Mealea can become impassable mud tracks, and some countryside tours get cancelled entirely. That said, mornings are usually clear.
- The heat-humidity combination is genuinely exhausting - 70% humidity at 32°C (90°F) means you'll be drenched in sweat within 15 minutes of outdoor activity. Temple climbing becomes a serious physical effort, and you'll need to plan your day around the heat rather than your sightseeing wishlist. Most locals take a proper midday break for good reason.
- Some coastal islands and beach areas see rough seas - while Sihanoukville and nearby islands remain accessible, boat rides can be choppy and snorkeling visibility drops compared to dry season. A handful of smaller island resorts actually close for June-July, though the main tourist islands stay open with reduced services.
Best Activities in June
Early Morning Angkor Archaeological Park Temple Tours
June mornings at Angkor Wat are genuinely magical - you'll have the main temple complex nearly to yourself between 5:30-8:00am, and the cloud cover creates atmospheric photography conditions that the harsh dry season just cannot match. The sunrise might not be that classic postcard shot, but the moody skies and empty corridors more than compensate. Temple hopping works best before 10am when heat becomes oppressive. The afternoon rain actually helps because most tour groups retreat to hotels, leaving Ta Prohm and Bayon wonderfully quiet around 4:00-5:30pm after showers pass.
Tonle Sap Floating Village Boat Trips
This is actually the RIGHT time to visit Tonle Sap, despite what some guidebooks suggest. June marks the beginning of the flood season when the lake swells to five times its dry season size - you'll see the floating villages as they're meant to be experienced, with houses properly floating rather than sitting in mud. Fishing activity peaks as waters rise, and the whole ecosystem comes alive. The experience feels authentic rather than staged, partly because there are fewer tourists and partly because the lake is actually functioning. Morning trips around 7:00-9:00am offer the best light and activity.
Phnom Penh City Cultural and Historical Exploration
June is ideal for Phnom Penh because you'll spend significant time in air-conditioned museums and covered markets anyway. The Royal Palace, National Museum, and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum are indoor or covered experiences where weather is irrelevant. The afternoon rain pattern actually works in your favor - explore outdoor sites like Wat Phnom or riverfront areas in the morning, retreat to museums during afternoon heat and rain, then emerge for evening riverside dining when temperatures drop. The city's cafe culture thrives in June as locals and expats alike seek air-conditioned refuges.
Kampot and Kep Countryside Cycling Routes
The Kampot region's flat countryside and pepper plantations are surprisingly pleasant in June if you time it right. Early morning rides from 6:30-10:00am let you explore before serious heat sets in, and the landscape is lush and green rather than the brown dustiness of dry season. The area's famous pepper farms are actively growing, and you can visit salt fields that are actually producing. Kep's crab market operates year-round, and June means lower prices and less tourist crowding. The afternoon rain is predictable enough that you can plan around it.
Siem Reap Cooking Class Experiences
June is perfect for cooking classes because you'll gladly spend 3-4 hours in a covered kitchen area, and seasonal produce is at its peak. Morning market visits that typically start these classes are fascinating in June - you'll see monsoon vegetables and fruits that simply are not available in dry season. The classes themselves provide welcome air-conditioned or fan-cooled respite from midday heat. Most classes run 9:00am-1:00pm or 3:00-7:00pm, perfectly timed around the afternoon rain window. You will learn to cook dishes using ingredients actually available during your visit.
Battambang Countryside and Bamboo Train Exploration
Battambang remains underrated and June is a fine time to visit - the countryside is green, the famous bamboo train runs regardless of weather, and you will have the town largely to yourself. The area's colonial architecture and art scene provide plenty of indoor options when rain hits. Countryside tours to villages, rice wine distilleries, and temples work well in morning hours, and the bamboo train ride is actually more fun with dramatic clouds overhead. The evening bat cave exodus at Phnom Sampeau happens like clockwork around 5:30-6:00pm, rain or shine.
June Events & Festivals
Khmer New Year Aftermath and Post-Festival Period
Worth noting that Khmer New Year happens in mid-April, so by June the country has settled back into normal rhythms. This actually works in your favor - temples and sites that were mobbed by domestic tourists during April are quiet again, and locals are back to regular work schedules. June does not have major national festivals, which means you experience everyday Cambodia rather than festival Cambodia.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
This ancient royal ceremony typically occurs in early May, occasionally extending into very early June depending on astrological calculations. If you happen to catch it, the ceremony at the Royal Palace grounds in Phnom Penh marks the traditional start of rice-planting season and involves sacred oxen predicting the year's harvest. It is a genuine cultural event rather than a tourist show, though visitors can observe from designated areas.