Best Time to Visit Cambodia

Siem Reap, Angkor Wat (Narin BI)  [flickr.com]  CC BY 
License Information available under 'Proof of Image Sources'
On this page, you will find information about the climate and the best time to visit Cambodia. We created climate tables and charts for the locations of Phnom Penh und Sihanoukville. These contain details about temperatures, precipitation and more.

Furthermore, we analyzed all climate data and provide a recommendation about which months are best to visit Cambodia for your holiday.

Climate Overview

Thermometer Symbol 20 °C to 36 °C
Waves Symbol 28 °C to 30 °C
Rainy Cloud Symbol 0.1614.84 in (1 – 16 Days of Rain)
Average Annual Temperature is between 27.6 °C (Phnom Penh) and 28.3 °C (Siem Reap)
Show temperatures in degree

Geographical location

Cambodia is located in Southeast Asia between Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. The kingdom is located on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, its capital is Phnom Penh. Cambodia’s landscape is characterized by a mountain range that surrounds the central plain.

Here lies the lake Tonle Sap, through the east flows with the Mekong one of the longest rivers of the earth. Numerous ruins in the historical cities of Angkor, Banteay Srei, Preah Vihear and Roluos remind of the former Kambuja empire.

Around 14.14 million people live in Cambodia over an area of 112000 square miles. This results in a population density of around 78 inhabitants per square kilometre.

Capital Phnom Penh is connected trough several airports in Asia and a few direct flights from Europe.

Climate in Cambodia

Mönch in Kambodscha (Alexander Mirschel)  Copyright 
License Information available under 'Proof of Image Sources' Cambodia has a tropical, warm and humid climate, which is significantly influenced by the monsoon. In the period November to March there is a somewhat cooler dry season. The southwest monsoon causes a rainy season from about mid-May to the end of October. Usually a large part of the rainfall falls in the second half of the day.

During this period, 70 to 80 percent of the annual precipitation falls. In Phnom Penh, for example, up to 10.04 in per month can fall. Due to the proximity of the equator, the temperature fluctuations are quite small. The hottest month in all regions of Cambodia is April, with midday temperatures of 40 °C and more.

The coldest months are December and January with about 26 °C. In the capital it never gets colder than 30 °C during the day, at night temperatures can drop to a minimum of 21 °C. In the southwestern coastal town of Sihanoukville, the temperatures are similar, but it usually doesn’t get colder than 24 °C at night. The water temperatures are in the range of more than 28 °C all year round.

Best Time to Visit Cambodia: Overview

JanuaryJan
Best time to traveltime
PerfectPerf. climate in
Cambodia
FebruaryFeb
Best time to traveltime
PerfectPerf. climate in
Cambodia
MarchMar
Best time to traveltime
but very hotbut very hot
AprilApr
Good time to traveltime
hottest monthhottest month in
Cambodia
MayMay
Suitable time to traveltime
Transition to Rainy SeasonTransition to Rainy Season
JuneJun
Rainy SeasonRainy Season
hot and wethot and wet
JulyJul
Rainy SeasonRainy Season
up to 13.43 in of rainof rain
AugustAug
Rainy SeasonRainy Season
up to 14.84 in of rainof rain
SeptemberSep
Rainy SeasonRainy Season
up to 12.64 in of rainof rain
OctoberOct
Rainy SeasonRainy Season
up to 11.46 in of rainof rain
NovemberNov
Good time to traveltime
End of Rainy SeasonEnd of Rainy Season
DecemberDec
Best time to traveltime
PerfectPerf. climate in
Cambodia

When to travel to Cambodia?


For Cambodia, the best time to travel during the dry season is between November and mid-May, with extremely high temperatures in the months of April and May, and the heat is generally perceived as unpleasant for Europeans. Ideal for a Cambodia trip is therefore above all the travel season from mid-December to the end of March.

The rainy season in Cambodia from June to October makes roads impassable in many regions and is accompanied by air humidity of up to 90 percent. However, anyone planning a visit to Angkor Wat could experience a special charm during this time. The humid season brings with it a blooming rainforest and many of the artificial water basins and lakes are filled.

Best Time to Visit the Regions

Find the best time to visit the regions (Cambodia) in the following overview.

LocationBest Time to Travel
Phnom PenhJanuary, February, November, and December
SihanoukvilleJanuary, February, November, and December
Siem ReapJanuary, February, March, November, and December

Climate Charts Cambodia

In the following, you will find climate charts for the regions.

Furthermore, there are some charts you can use for quick comparison of climate between the regions.

Show Climate Chart for    

Phnom Penh

Climate Chart Phnom Penh
Show temperatures in degree

Sihanoukville

Climate Chart Sihanoukville
Show temperatures in degree

Day Temperatures

Show temperatures in degree

Night Temperatures

Show temperatures in degree

Average Temperatures

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Precipitation

Source of Data: German Weather Service (Offenbach) and Wikipedia

Climate Tables Cambodia

In the following, you will find some climate tables for Cambodia, containing information about Temperatures, Precipitation, Water Temperatures, and Hours of Sunshine.
Show climate table for    

Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Phnom Penh (Cambodia)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Day Temperature31°32°34°35°34°33°32°32°31°30°30°30°
Night Temperature21°22°23°24°24°24°24°25°25°24°23°22°
Precipitation (inch)0.310.351.262.875.835.836.026.19.1310.045.041.46
Hours of Sunshine889876564778
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Phnom Penh is 27.6 °C.

For comparison: London 11 °C, NYC 12 °C, LA 17.9 °C

Warmest month: April (29.6 °C)
Coldest month: December (25.7 °C)

Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 54.25 inch

For comparison: London 24.06 in, NYC 41.57 in, LA 12.01 in

Rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation): September, and October
Overall precipitation in the rainy season: 19.17 in

You cannot expect snow in any month in Phnom Penh.

Sunshine
As our climate table shows, March is the sunniest month with an average of 8.6 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 6.8 hours of sunshine per day on average. For comparison: London has 4.1, NYC has 7 and LA has 8.9 hours of sunshine per day on average.

Temperatures, Precipitation in Sihanoukville (Cambodia)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Day Temperature31°31°32°34°32°31°30°31°31°31°31°32°
Night Temperature24°25°25°25°27°26°26°25°25°25°24°24°
Water Temperature28°28°29°30°30°30°29°29°29°29°30°29°
Precipitation (inch)1.110.991.984.918.169.9513.4414.8512.6211.435.442.14
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Sihanoukville is 28.2 °C.

Warmest month: May (29.6 °C)
Coldest month: January (27.6 °C)

The maximum water temperature in Sihanoukville is 30 °C. You can take a bath at these temperatures.

Months with water temperature of at least 21 °C (adequate for beach vacation):
all months

Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 87.04 inch

Rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation): May, June, July, August, September, and October
Overall precipitation in the rainy season: 70.46 in

You cannot expect snow in any month in Sihanoukville.

Highlights and Attractions


Cambodia’s undisputed highlight is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor in the northwest of the country near the city of Siem Reap. A unique backdrop of architecture and nature amazes millions of visitors every year. In the immediate vicinity of the famous Angor Wat are many other impressive temples, including Bayon, Ta Prohm, Angkor Thom and Banteay Srei.

In the capital Phnom Penh, often referred to as the “Pearl of Asia”, numerous sights such as the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda or the Tuol-Sleng-Genocide Museum, which give an impression of a dark part of Cambodia’s past. Hardly known, but beautiful, are Cambodia’s beaches in the Sihanoukville region.

Popular Activities

More attractions

Phnom Penh International Airport Transfers | Phnom Penh: S-21 Prison and Killing Fields Half-Day Tour | Phnom Penh: Mekong River Sunset Cruise | Best of Phnom Penh: Half-Day Private City Tour | Phnom Penh’s Killing Fields: 4-Hour Guided Tour | Phnom Penh: Killing Field & Village Car or Mini Van Tour | Phnom Penh: Tour of Tuol Sleng Prison and Choeng Ek Memorial |

Current Weather and Forecast

Current Weather in Phnom Penh (Station Tu?l Tumpung)
scattered clouds     scattered clouds, 26 °C
Clouds: 40 %       Wind: 7 mph S
Air Pressure: 1008 hPa       Humidity: 89 %
Last updated: 7th Feb 2023, 09:42 pm
The next days …
8th Feb 20239th Feb 202310th Feb 202311th Feb 202312th Feb 202313th Feb 2023
overcast clouds23 °C to 34 °Csky is clear24 °C to 34 °Cfew clouds24 °C to 34 °Cfew clouds23 °C to 35 °Covercast clouds24 °C to 34 °Covercast clouds24 °C to 35 °C
23 °C to 34 °C24 °C to 34 °C24 °C to 34 °C23 °C to 35 °C24 °C to 34 °C24 °C to 35 °C
Clouds: 92 %Clouds: 3 %Clouds: 12 %Clouds: 24 %Clouds: 88 %Clouds: 97 %
No PrecipitationNo PrecipitationNo PrecipitationNo PrecipitationNo PrecipitationNo Precipitation
Weather information provided by OpenWeatherMap. (CC BY-SA)
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Important Regions and Cities

We have extended climate information for the following region:

Cambodia: Experiences of our Visitors

There are 3 reviews for Cambodia holiday already. Average rating is 4 of 5 stars.
  1. Avatar Preview
    Friedrich, 62 years old was there in November

    tropically warm, mostly sunny, during the day sometimes smaller rain showers, but warm rain

    Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good

  2. Avatar Preview
    Susanne , 49 years old was there in July

    It rained every day towards evening, otherwise it was pleasant. Much fewer tourists than in the high season over Christmas

    Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good

  3. Avatar Preview
    Brigitte, 61 years old was there in November

    Temperatures around 30° C, muggy, because of occasional heavy rain showers

    Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good

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Cambodia-2410 - Angkor Thom's Taxi !! (Dennis Jarvis)  [flickr.com]  CC BY-SA 
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Sihanoukville (Damien @ Flickr)  [flickr.com]  CC BY 
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Royale Palace & Silver Pagoda (Phalinn Ooi)  [flickr.com]  CC BY 
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Cambodia: An unforgettable journey

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