★★★
Budget
Phnom Penh Infinity Pool Down to $25/N - M Residence
From $43 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
Things to Do in Cambodia in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
March Weather in Cambodia
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
94°F (34°C)
High Temp
75°F (24°C)
Low Temp
1.4 inches (36 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is March Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + March is the final month before the brutal heat arrives - you'll get 95°F (35°C) days instead of 104°F (40°C) in April, making temple exploration bearable
- + The rice paddies around Battambang and Kampong Thom glow emerald green from the just-ended dry season harvest - photographers get those perfect terrace shots without the muddy access roads of rainy season
- + Water levels in Tonle Sap are still high enough for floating village tours (they drop dramatically in April), but low enough that you won't get stuck on muddy boat ramps like in October
- + Local mango season peaks in March - you'll find the sweet Keo Romeat variety at every market, and the mango sticky rice at Siem Reap's Old Market tastes nothing like the tourist version
Considerations
- − The UV index hits 8 by 10 AM - temple exploration becomes a sunburn endurance test without proper protection, and even locals avoid outdoor work between 11 AM and 2 PM
- − March marks the start of water shortage season in rural areas - some guesthouses in Kampot and Kep start rationing showers, and riverside accommodations might have salty tap water
- − Tourist numbers increase for European spring break, meaning sunrise at Angkor Wat draws 2,000+ people instead of the 200 you'd find in September
Best Activities in March
Top things to do during your visit
Cambodia in March is hot and dry. The landscape sits under a bright, commanding sun. Ancient temple corridors offer cool sanctuary. A chilled coconut feels like a revelation. This month pivots between the dry peak and April's building heat. Mornings are for movement. Afternoons bring languid warmth. In Koh Kong's coastal villages, the air carries salt and charcoal. Communities prepare painted fishing boats for races, turning the river into a corridor of splashing oars and cheering crowds. In the capital, a predawn rhythm beats along the Tonle Sap. Rowing crews train with synchronized strokes, slicing through glassy water. Their discipline builds for months. Visiting now means encountering a place in motion. Dry temple paths feel solid underfoot. Evening light casts long shadows across stone faces. The climate defines a visit. Days are consistently hot and dry. Humidity is lower than the steamy wet season. Do not underestimate the sun. This weather creates ideal conditions for exploration. Examine the labyrinthine roots of Ta Prohm. Visit the vast reservoirs of Angkor. Pack light, breathable clothing. Carry plenty of water. Plan demanding outdoor pursuits for the cooler hours. Evenings bring relief. A gentle coolness makes open-air dining compelling. Sunset views along the riverbanks are impressive. This seasonal character shapes every experience. It affects the light on ancient stone. It guides the cadence of local life.
Siem Reap Angkor Airport Taxis (from Airport to Hotel)
transportStepping from Siem Reap Angkor Airport's arrivals hall, you face immediate heat and chaotic taxi touts. Pre-book a Siem Reap Angkor Airport taxi. It cuts through the noise. This provides direct, air-conditioned passage to your hotel. Your driver waits with a name placard. This is a stress-free first impression. Watch dusty palms and roadside stalls blur past the window.
It transforms an overwhelming arrival into an easy, cool introduction to Siem Reap.
Insider tip: Have your hotel's name and address written in Khmer script on your phone. English pronunciations of local streets can be unclear.
Siem Reap: One-Way Transfer from Hotel to Airport (SAI)
otherThe return to Siem Reap Angkor Airport can feel like a reluctant departure. Book a one-way transfer from your hotel. This makes the final leg effortless. Savour your last moments instead of negotiating with tuk-tuk drivers. A reliable car collects you at a precise time. Its cool interior contrasts the street's dry heat. Take a final, quiet drive past familiar markets and wats.
It guarantees a punctual, hassle-free conclusion to your time in Siem Reap.
Insider tip: Schedule pickup at least three hours before a domestic flight. Schedule four hours before an international departure. Traffic on the airport road can become congested.
Private Temples Guided Tour (Angkor Wat, Ta Prom & Angkor Thom)
culturalA private guided tour of Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, and Angkor Thom provides scholarly context. Your guide will point out a delicate apsara's smile in a sunlit corner of Angkor Wat. They will explain the meaning behind the giant stone faces at Angkor Thom's gates. They lead you to the most photogenic silk-cotton tree roots at Ta Prohm before the largest crowds arrive. The experience turns a walk among ruins into a conversation with history.
It unlocks layered stories and hidden details you can miss alone.
Insider tip: Start at Angkor Wat for sunrise. Then proceed immediately to Ta Prohm. Experience its root-choked corridors in relative solitude before the tour buses arrive.
Phnom Penh Bike & Boat Sunset Tour / E-Bike Available
adventureThe Phnom Penh Bike & Boat Sunset Tour captures the capital's shifting rhythms. You pedal along quieter streets, feeling the river breeze. Then you transfer to a boat that putters onto the Tonle Sap. From the water, watch the sky behind the Royal Palace ignite in tangerine and violet. The city's noise softens to a murmur. Fishing boats glide past like silhouettes.
It combines active exploration of local neighborhoods with a serene, outstanding perspective. You see a Phnom Penh sunset from the water.
Insider tip: Opt for the e-bike if you are unaccustomed to the heat. It provides a gentle assist on the bridges.
This month: In March, you may see early-evening practice sessions. Dragon boat crews train for the Water Festival along the river.
Where to Stay in Cambodia in March
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for March travellers.
March Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early March
Koh Kong Fishing Boat Racing Festival
Village fishing boats race 10 km (6.2 miles) down the Koh Poi River in March - the wooden boats painted in neon colors compete for prize money that equals a fisherman's annual income. The riverside party includes grilled squid, cheap Angkor beer, and traditional music that starts at dawn and continues past midnight.
Throughout March
Phnom Penh Water Festival Preparation
While the main Water Festival happens in November, March sees the city's boat crews starting their training on the Tonle Sap River. Visit the dock areas near the Japanese Bridge at 5:30 AM to watch 50-person crews practice their synchronized rowing - the drum beats echo across the water and vendors sell strong coffee and num pang (Cambodian sandwiches) to spectators.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Need the full list with shopping links?
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
Visit Angkor Wat's east entrance at 6:45 AM - 90% of tourists enter from the west for sunrise photos. But the east gate has no ticket check until 7:30 AM and you can explore the inner galleries in peace
Order 'bai sach chrouk' (pork and rice) before 8 AM at Siem Reap's Old Market - vendors stop cooking when the pork runs out, and March's heat means they buy smaller quantities that sell out fast
The 3 PM to 5 PM window is golden for temple photography - harsh midday light softens, shadows create dramatic contrast on carvings, and tour buses leave for lunch
Carry small bills (1,000 and 2,000 riel notes) for temple snacks - vendors rarely have change for $5 bills, and March's mango season means 1,000 riel buys a whole peeled fruit with chili salt
Avoid These Mistakes
Booking sunrise tours that start at 4:30 AM - March sunrise isn't until 6:15 AM, and you'll wait 90 minutes in the dark with aggressive macaques stealing food
Wearing shorts and tank tops to temples - March's heat makes this tempting. But authorities enforce dress codes more strictly as crowds increase, and you'll waste time returning to change
Planning outdoor activities between 11 AM and 2 PM - even locals nap during these hours, and tuk-tuk drivers charge 50% more for midday trips when they could be resting
Explore More Activities in Cambodia
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Cambodia.
See All Cambodia Tours on Viator