Cambodia has two main seasons — dry and wet — and your experience will vary dramatically depending on when you visit.
Cool & Dry Season (November to February)
The best time for most travelers. Temperatures are comfortable (22-30°C), humidity is lower, and blue skies make temple photography spectacular. This is peak tourist season — Angkor Wat can be crowded at sunrise, but the conditions are ideal. Book accommodation well ahead, especially for Siem Reap.
Hot Season (March to May)
Temperatures climb to 35-40°C. Exploring temples in the midday heat is exhausting — plan sightseeing for early mornings and late afternoons. The advantage: fewer tourists and lower prices. April brings Khmer New Year (Choul Chnam Thmey), a three-day celebration with water fights, traditional games, and temple ceremonies.
Green Season (June to October)
Afternoon downpours are common but usually short. The countryside turns emerald green, the moats around Angkor Wat fill with water (creating stunning reflection photos), and tourist numbers drop significantly. Temples are quieter, hotels are cheaper. The rain rarely disrupts travel seriously — it’s often just an hour of heavy rain in the afternoon.
Key Festivals
- Khmer New Year (April) — Three days of celebration nationwide
- Pchum Ben (September/October) — Ancestor festival with temple ceremonies
- Bon Om Touk (Water Festival) (November) — Dragon boat races on the Tonle Sap River in Phnom Penh, marking the reversal of the river’s flow