When to Visit Cambodia
Climate guide & best times to travel
Cambodia dances to a weather drum that dictates every move you make. Two seasons share the calendar. Dry runs November through April. Monsoon owns May through October. The shift isters the country so sharply that seasoned visitors pick dates like chess moves. Dry season itself splits in two. November to February gifts Cambodia its kindest face. Daytime peaks at 30°C to 31°C (87°F to 88°F); nights drop to 21°C to 23°C (70°F to 73°F). March and April flip the switch. Heat spikes to 34°C to 35°C (94°F to 95°F). Air hangs thick and still until the first storms crack the sky. April in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap can punish the unprepared. The monsoon, settling in by May, is kinder than rumor claims. Rain arrives as afternoon cloudbursts, one or two hours, then stops. Mornings stay clear. Countryside, around the Tonle Sap basin, glows electric green. Yet September and October punch hard. September alone dumps 272mm of rainfall. Rural roads flood. Rivers leap their banks. Inter-province travel can stall. Wet season brings cheaper beds, empty temples, and a softer Cambodia for travelers who stay loose.
Best Time to Visit
Recommended timing for different travel styles.
Beach
November through February delivers the steadiest weather along Cambodia's southern coast and the islands of Koh Rong and Koh Ta Kiev. Seas lie flat and skies stay dry. Daily highs hold at 30°C to 31°C (87°F to 88°F). Warm water, no scorching edge.
Cultural
Stick with November through February. Cooler nights let you chase dawn to dusk. Want temples without tour-bus gridlock? Late November and early December balance comfort and crowd control.
Adventure
May and June offer a vivid bargain. Jungle greens explode. Waterfalls thunder. April's furnace has cooled. You will get soaked. Cambodia's wild corners pay off for travelers who shrug at rain.
Budget
June through September slashes hotel prices and empties the monuments. Angkor at sunrise in July feels nothing like December. Stone does not check calendars. Trade an occasional shower for cheaper rooms and silent corridors. Many call it fair.
What to Pack
Essentials and seasonal recommendations for Cambodia.
Year-Round Essentials
high-SPF sunscreen
Cambodia sits near the equator. UV is fierce year-round. Humidity makes sweat vanish faster than you expect.
quality insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin
Mosquitoes buzz all year. Numbers spike during and after the wet season.
light, fast-drying microfiber towel
Earns its place constantly and takes up almost no space.
refillable water bottle
Practical in Cambodia's heat and cuts down significantly on single-use plastic.
compact flashlight or headlamp
if you're planning pre-dawn temple visits at Angkor before the crowds arrive.
basic first-aid kit with rehydration salts
Sensible given how quickly heat and exertion can affect you in a tropical climate.
dry season from November through April
Clothing
lightweight linen or cotton clothing
Footwear
Sandals handle most days. Bring sturdy walking shoes for temple complexes. Stone can be uneven and slick.
Layering Tip
Pack a light layer. Air-con buses, restaurants, and guesthouses can freeze you. Long rides get cold.
wet season from May through October
Clothing
Quick-dry fabrics
Footwear
Waterproof sandals or shoes that can get soaked and dry overnight are far more useful than anything you'd mind ruining.
Accessories
compact and packable rain jacket or a quality travel umbrella
Plug Type
Type An outlets (the flat two-pin style common in North America) and Type C outlets (the round two-pin European style)
Voltage
230 volts and 50Hz
Adapter Note
Travelers from the United States will need an adapter and should check whether their devices are dual-voltage, most modern phone chargers and laptops handle 110 to 240V automatically, but it's worth confirming on the label before plugging in.
Skip These Items
heavy denim, which becomes a slow-drying burden in the heat
formal attire beyond a single smart outfit for upscale Phnom Penh restaurants
any kind of down jacket or heavy insulation
high heels, which are impractical on temple stone and uneven pavements
a full-size umbrella, which is bulkier than the compact alternatives and tends to get left behind in tuk-tuks
Full Packing Checklist
Interactive checklist with shopping links for every item you need.
View Cambodia Packing List →Month-by-Month Guide
Climate conditions and crowd levels for each month of the year.
January
Sits among the most comfortable months Cambodia offers.
High
31°C (88°F)
Low
21°C (70°F)
Rainfall
13mm
Crowds
High
February
Follows a similar pattern and is broadly considered the peak of the peak season.
High
33°C (91°F)
Low
None
Rainfall
8mm
Crowds
High
March
Marks the start of Cambodia's hot, dry stretch.
High
34°C (94°F)
Low
None
Rainfall
36mm
Crowds
Medium
April
The hottest month of the year in Cambodia.
High
35°C (95°F)
Low
25°C (77°F)
Rainfall
79mm
Crowds
Medium
May
Brings a noticeable shift across Cambodia. The monsoon begins to establish itself.
High
34°C (94°F)
Low
None
Rainfall
119mm
Crowds
Low
June
Settles into the monsoon rhythm.
High
33°C (92°F)
Low
None
Rainfall
145mm
Crowds
Low
August
Brings the heaviest sustained rainfall of the year before September's peak.
High
32°C (90°F)
Low
None
Rainfall
183mm
Crowds
Low
September
The wettest month Cambodia typically sees.
High
32°C (89°F)
Low
None
Rainfall
272mm
Crowds
Low
October
Rainfall beginning to ease, still substantial, but there's a sense of the season starting to turn.
High
31°C (88°F)
Low
None
Rainfall
249mm
Crowds
Low
November
When Cambodia exhales.
High
31°C (87°F)
Low
23°C (73°F)
Rainfall
119mm
Crowds
Medium
December
Brings Cambodia's cool dry season into full swing.
High
30°C (87°F)
Low
21°C (71°F)
Rainfall
33mm
Crowds
High
Ready to plan your trip to Cambodia?
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