When to go · Cambodia
Cambodia, month by month
The best months for Cambodia: Jan, Feb, Dec. Months to avoid: Sep.
Month by month
- JanuaryGreatDry and warm, cool mornings: the best Angkor month. Book Siem Reap beds early.Angkor and the plains: best weather · South coast: best weather · North-east highlands: best weatherCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays
- FebruaryGreatStill dry; Chinese New Year can fill hotels for a week (moves yearly — check).Angkor and the plains: best weather · South coast: best weather · North-east highlands: best weatherCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- MarchMixedHeat builds to 35 °C; temple visits need dawn starts and a long midday break.Angkor and the plains: hot · South coast: best weather · North-east highlands: fineCrowds: Medium
- AprilMixedHottest month; Khmer New Year (14–16 Apr) closes shops and fills Angkor with domestic visitors.Angkor and the plains: hot · South coast: hot · North-east highlands: hotCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- MayMixedHeat plus the first storms; low prices and quiet temples.Angkor and the plains: hot · South coast: fine · North-east highlands: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- JuneMixedGreen season: afternoon rain, lush fields, reflections in the Angkor moats.Angkor and the plains: rainy · South coast: rainy · North-east highlands: rainyCrowds: Low
- JulyMixedShowers most afternoons; the coast and islands are rough.Angkor and the plains: rainy · South coast: rainy · North-east highlands: rainyCrowds: Low
- AugustMixedWet but workable at Angkor; skip the islands.Angkor and the plains: rainy · South coast: storm or typhoon risk · North-east highlands: rainyCrowds: Low
- SeptemberAvoidWettest month: floods on rural roads and around Tonle Sap; Pchum Ben may fall here or in October.Angkor and the plains: rainy · South coast: storm or typhoon risk · North-east highlands: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- OctoberMixedRain eases late in the month; Pchum Ben (lunar, check) closes offices for three days.Angkor and the plains: rainy · South coast: rainy · North-east highlands: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- NovemberGoodDry season begins; the Water Festival fills Phnom Penh (lunar, check).Angkor and the plains: fine · South coast: fine · North-east highlands: fineCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- DecemberGreatPeak season: dry, cooler, crowded at sunrise spots; late-December rates are the year's highest.Angkor and the plains: best weather · South coast: best weather · North-east highlands: best weatherCrowds: High
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angkor and the plainsSiem Reap, Phnom Penh, Battambang, Kampong Cham | Best | Best | Hot | Hot | Hot | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best |
| South coastKampot, Kep, Sihanoukville, Koh Rong | Best | Best | Best | Hot | OK | Wet | Wet | Storm | Storm | Wet | OK | Best |
| North-east highlandsMondulkiri, Ratanakiri | Best | Best | OK | Hot | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best |