Things to Do in Cambodia in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Cambodia
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Post-monsoon clarity means Angkor Wat looks absolutely spectacular - the moats are full, the stone temples are cleaned by recent rains, and you get those mirror-perfect reflection shots without the haze that builds up later in dry season. Morning light hits the temples around 6:15am and it's genuinely magical.
- Countryside is ridiculously green right now - rice paddies around Battambang and Kampot are at peak lushness, and the Cardamom Mountains actually look like proper jungle instead of the dusty brown you get by March. If you're doing any rural cycling or countryside tours, this is your month.
- Shoulder season pricing kicks in hard - you're looking at 30-40% lower rates on accommodations compared to December-January peak, and attractions like Angkor Archaeological Park (3-day pass currently $62) feel pleasantly uncrowded. You can actually photograph Ta Prohm without 50 people in your frame.
- Tonle Sap Lake is at maximum size after monsoon - the floating villages like Kampong Phluk are actually floating instead of sitting in mud, and bird-watching around Prek Toal is exceptional. The lake expands from roughly 2,500 sq km (965 sq miles) to over 16,000 sq km (6,178 sq miles), completely transforming the ecosystem.
Considerations
- Rain hasn't completely finished - you'll still get afternoon downpours maybe 10 days out of the month, typically between 2pm-5pm. They're usually short (20-40 minutes) but intense enough to halt outdoor plans temporarily. The unpredictability is the annoying part more than the actual rain.
- Humidity sits stubbornly around 70% even on sunny days, which means you're sweating through shirts by 10am. That sticky, clingy feeling is just part of the deal in November - air conditioning becomes non-negotiable for midday breaks, and you'll understand why locals take 2-hour lunch siestas.
- Some coastal areas and islands are still transitioning - Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem can have choppy seas early in the month, and a handful of beach bungalow operations don't fully reopen until mid-November. If beaches are your main goal, late November is noticeably better than early November.
Best Activities in November
Angkor Archaeological Park temple exploration
November is arguably THE month for Angkor - post-rain clarity without peak-season crowds. The sandstone temples have been rain-washed clean, moats and reservoirs are full creating stunning reflections, and temperatures at sunrise (around 24°C/75°F) are actually comfortable for the 2-3 hour morning exploration. Afternoon light around 4pm is also gorgeous, though warmer at 30°C (86°F). The 10 rainy days average means you've got an 80% chance of dry mornings for those iconic sunrise shots.
Kampot pepper farm and countryside cycling
The countryside around Kampot is absurdly photogenic in November - rice paddies are bright green, the Elephant Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop, and the famous pepper plantations are lush after monsoon rains. Cycling tours typically cover 15-25 km (9-15 miles) on flat terrain, which is manageable even in humidity if you start early (7am-8am). You'll visit working pepper farms where you can see the actual vines and taste fresh peppercorns that make Kampot pepper famous worldwide. Morning temperatures around 25°C (77°F) make this pleasant; attempting the same ride at 2pm would be miserable.
Tonle Sap floating village boat tours
November is peak season for Tonle Sap because the lake is at maximum extent - the floating villages are actually floating on deep water instead of perched on stilts over mud. Kampong Phluk and Kampong Khleang are the most authentic (Chong Kneas closer to Siem Reap is quite touristy). The flooded forest around Kampong Phluk is surreal to paddle through, and you'll see the genuine daily life of fishing communities. Boat tours run 2-3 hours, typically departing around 8am or 2pm. Bird-watching at Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary is exceptional this month with migratory species arriving.
Phnom Penh food market tours and street food walks
November evenings in Phnom Penh are actually pleasant for street food exploration - temperatures drop to 26°C (79°F) after sunset, and the post-rain air feels fresher than the dusty dry season. The capital's food scene is genuinely excellent, and guided food walks take you through markets like Phsar Chas (Old Market) and Phsar Thmei (Central Market), plus street stalls locals actually eat at. You'll try num pang (Cambodian sandwiches), bai sach chrouk (pork and rice breakfast dish), and fresh tropical fruits at peak season. The 2-3 hour walking tours cover about 2 km (1.2 miles) at a relaxed pace.
Battambang bamboo train and rural village exploration
The famous bamboo train (norry) runs through countryside that's spectacularly green in November after monsoon rains. The 30-minute ride on bamboo platforms powered by small engines is genuinely fun, and the surrounding villages offer authentic glimpses of rural Cambodian life - rice paper making, traditional houses, and working farms. Battambang itself is Cambodia's most charming provincial town, with French colonial architecture and a relaxed riverside vibe. The area is also known for Phare Ponleu Selpak circus performances (shows at 7pm most evenings, tickets around $15), which are world-class and support local youth training programs.
Koh Rong island beach relaxation and snorkeling
Late November is when Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem really come alive after monsoon - seas calm down, visibility for snorkeling improves to 10-15 m (33-49 ft), and beach bungalows fully reopen. The islands offer genuinely beautiful white-sand beaches and bioluminescent plankton in the water at night (swim in the dark and watch the water glow around you - it's remarkable). Water temperature sits around 28°C (82°F), perfect for extended swimming. Early November can still have choppy ferry crossings, but by mid-to-late month it's reliably smooth. These islands are developing rapidly, so the rustic backpacker vibe is slowly disappearing, but it's still relatively low-key compared to Thai islands.
November Events & Festivals
Water Festival (Bon Om Touk)
This is Cambodia's biggest annual celebration, marking the reversal of the Tonle Sap River flow - a unique hydrological phenomenon where the river literally changes direction. The festival centers on Phnom Penh with three days of dragon boat racing on the river, enormous crowds (we're talking 2-3 million people descending on the capital), fireworks, concerts, and illuminated boat parades at night. The atmosphere is electric and genuinely special if you can handle the crowds. Siem Reap and other cities have smaller celebrations. Note that hotels in Phnom Penh book out months in advance and prices triple during festival dates.
Independence Day
November 9th marks Cambodia's independence from France in 1953. Phnom Penh holds official ceremonies at Independence Monument with speeches, military parades, and evening festivities. It's a national holiday so government offices and some businesses close, but tourist sites remain open. The celebration is more subdued than Water Festival but worth experiencing if you're in the capital - locals gather at the monument area in the evening, and there's a genuine sense of national pride.