Best Time to Visit Cambodia: A Comprehensive Guide

Cambodia is a small nation located on the Indochina Peninsula in the southeastern part of the continent of Asia. Bordered by Vietnam, Laos, and the Gulf of Thailand, this beautiful country is known for its earthy, old-world charm. Over the years, Cambodia has become hugely popular among tourists from all over the world. From stunning ancient temples to beautiful natural sites, fascinating historical monuments to vibrant cities, this country has a lot to offer and defines diversity in the best way possible.

Best Time to Visit Cambodia

If you’re visiting the country for the very first time, the biggest question on your mind is going to be, “When is the best time to go to Cambodia?”.

Just like some other parts of Southeast Asia, Cambodia also experiences two different seasons: wet and dry. The wet season starts in May and ends in October. During this time, you can expect brief downpours during the day with a few hours of sunshine. The rest of the months fall into the dry season, and this is when the weather remains a little hot, with an average temperature recorded around 20°C.

Ideally, November to January is considered the best season to visit Cambodia, and this is when the country experiences the highest visitor influx. However, the best season to visit Cambodia can also vary depending on your preferences in terms of temperature, rainfall, activities, and a few other things. So, any time of the year is good to plan a trip, as this country has different things to offer in different months.

This blog explains all the things you’ll get to experience in Cambodia in different months:

January

Falling into the peak season for tourists, January is undoubtedly the best month to go to Cambodia. In this month, the temperature remains on the lower side. Plus, there are no chances of downpours either, so you can easily enjoy sightseeing and indulge in all kinds of outdoor activities. However, this is also one of the busiest months in terms of tourism, and finding accommodation can be a little challenging. So, it is recommended to make all the bookings in advance to avoid any kind of inconvenience.

February

Just like January, February is also considered the best time to travel to Cambodia. Although pre-monsoon rainfall starts to appear at the end of the month, this mostly happens at night. So, whether you want to visit any of the temples in Cambodia or explore some other tourist attractions, you’ll not face any problems. However, be prepared to face some crowds, as the clear weather during this month attracts a large number of tourists. Apart from that, you can also witness the Giant Puppet Parade here. This is an annual event held on the last Saturday of February in which children carry handmade puppets and walk through the streets of Siem Reap.

March

March is the time when the country begins to welcome the heat. However, if you want to explore without having to deal with a heavy tourist crowd, this is the best month to visit Cambodia. Around this time, the crowd starts thinning, so you can enjoy sightseeing and other activities in the best way possible. During this time, the jungle on Cardamom Mountain is one of the must-visit places. As the dry weather makes the trekking trails more accessible, you can navigate with ease.

April

April is the month that marks the start of the rainy season in Cambodia. However, the rainfall is not too heavy at this time. So, you can easily explore all the major tourist destinations in the country. Apart from that, April is also known for being the month of the Khmer New Year. This is the time when you can witness a few important celebrations and learn more about the local traditions and culture.

May

With warm temperatures and occasional showers, May is considered the month of mixed weather in Cambodia. Since the rain is sporadic with hot days, this month marks the beginning of the shoulder season in terms of tourism. The major highlight of this month is the Royal Ploughing Ceremony held in mid-May. This is a celebration of the start of the rice-growing season, where two oxen predict the next season’s conditions.

June and July

This is the time when the monsoon season starts to take over the majority of Cambodia. A few parts of the country, including Sihanoukville, Kep, and the Cardamom Mountains, etc., experience heavy downpours in these two months. On some days, the rain can be too disruptive, making it difficult to move around the city. So, this is definitely not the best time to plan a trip to Cambodia.

August

August is considered the peak of the monsoon season in Cambodia, as heavy downpours are more frequent. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t visit the country this month. In fact, this is the best time to witness the rain-washed beauty with greenery all around. For all these reasons, August is the best time for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts planning a trip to Cambodia.

September

Although September is a month nearing the end of the rainy season, there are still chances of short yet heavy downpours. In this month, the monsoon season remains in full swing, taking over the whole country. So, if you’re someone who doesn’t mind stepping out on rainy days, you’ll have a lot to enjoy here around this time.

October

Right before the start of peak tourist season in Cambodia, October has its own charm. This month offers the perfect balance of smaller tourist crowds and pleasant weather. For people who want to witness the natural beauty of the country, there can be no better time than this. From crystal-clear lakes to cascading waterfalls, and dense forests to towering mountain peaks, there is a lot to explore.

November

By this time, the monsoon season is officially over in Cambodia. With dry and cool weather conditions and temperatures not exceeding 30ºC, you can explore almost every part of the country. The major highlight of this month is the Water Festival. This annual celebration marks the reversal of the water flow between the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers.

December

Just like November, this month is also considered the best to plan a relaxing, balmy holiday. During this time, days are clear and sunny, with almost zero chances of rainfall and no humidity. So, whether you’re planning to go sightseeing or want to enjoy some outdoor activities, you’ll not have to think twice before stepping out.

With the help of this detailed guide to the country’s year-round weather conditions, you can easily decide the best month to travel to Cambodia. At Veena World, you can book an all-inclusive Cambodia tour package at any time of the year and plan your trip.