Weather & Climate

Cambodia Weather & Climate

When is the best time to visit Cambodia?
Cambodia can be visited at any time of year, because even during the rainy season the weather in Siem Reap and other parts of Cambodia is never so bad that it makes it impossible to visit. Whatever the weather in Siem Reap is like, you could always take a tour around the Angkor temples.

Cambodia is not affected by tsunamis, earthquakes, typhoons or tropical cyclones.
By the way, my name is Savuth and I am the author of this website. I am a Cambodian guy who has lived in Siem Reap for life so I know the Siem Reap weather pattern very well. Below I have given a month by month guide of what the weather in Siem Reap is normally like each year. I hope my weather guide helps you plan your trip to Siem Reap and if you need any further help in planning your trip then please e-mail me at: "angkortrail@gmail.com" & " angkorsavuth@yahoo.com".

Cambodia and Laos have a two-season weather pattern. Set between 13 and 17 north of the equator, the region has a warm tropical climate perfect for those seeking a change from the temperate European or North American climate.

The weather patterns are influenced by the wet and dry seasonal winds of Southeast Asia, which create two distinct seasons - dry and wet (also known as Green Season because of the vibrant color the rains bring).

When planning to travel in the region, it´s a good idea to consider three weather related factors:
-For tranquil, crowd-free travel and great hotel deals, travel outside of the peak, dry season months of November to March.
-Consider your tolerance of temperatures and humidity - often high by Western standards.

My Senior Travel Advisors live in the region, (most for many years!) and so are well acquainted with the weather patterns and will be happy to give frank advice based on your travel dates.

Month By Month Weather Information

Cambodia Weather in January - green beauty
The dry NE monsoon is well established with generally fine, dry weather. January in Cambodia is quite lovely. The weather is at its mildest, rainy days are very unusual (sunrises and sunsets are very reliable), and water levels around the Tonle Sap are still high, so boat trips are still good. These ideal conditions mean that prices are very much at their highest, with New Year deals at the top

Is January a good time to visit Cambodia?

Average of 9 hours per day sunshine with little chance of rain.
Temperatures range from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF)
Crowd avoidance research is important throughout the month.
Visit the flooded forests and fishing communities of beautiful Tonle Sap with water levels high.
Swim under the 20m waterfalls in the Kulen Mountains.

For more ideas on what to see and do in Cambodia browse the extensive example itineraries or contact us with your requirements and we will get a proposal out to you usually within a day. Visit Cambodia another month? If your time is flexible and you want to compare the benefits of traveling at different times of the year the please ask me for specific advice.

Cambodia Weather in February
The dry NE monsoon is at its height with generally fine, dry weather. The temperature in February is noticeably warmer than January, particularly by the end of the month. It is still generally dry, but water levels are starting to become difficult for boat travel. This is definitely still the high season, however, and last minute hotel bookings can be difficult, particularly if Chinese New Year falls here. Temple sites remain crowded with Asian visitors, especially.

Is February a good time to visit Cambodia?

Average of 10 hours per day sunshine with little chance of rain.
Temperatures range from 21ºC (69ºF) to 32ºC (89ºF)

Cambodia Weather in March - quiet season begins
The weather in Cambodia in March becomes generally fine though slightly hotter then February. The humidity is fairly high, making it feel warmer then it truly is, but the rare thunderstorms do much to cool down the temperature.

Touring highlights in March

Average of 10-12 hours per day sunshine with bright mornings and a thunderstorm possibly once a week.
Temperatures range from 24ºC (75ºF) to 34ºC (93ºF)
Crowd avoidance slowly becomes easier as the large tourist group season starts its decline.

For more ideas on what to see and do in Cambodia browse the extensive example itineraries or contact us with your requirements and i will get a proposal out to you usually within a day. Visit Cambodia another month? If your time is flexible and you want to compare the benefits of traveling at different times of the year the please ask me for specific advice.

Cambodia Weather in April - fruit explosions
The weather in Cambodian April is determined by the last month of the dry NE monsoon with generally fine weather, but very humid. A week of light showers, nicknamed the 'Mango Rains' is not uncommon towards the middle of that month. April can be very hot indeed. The high season is now over, and some very competitive hotel deals start to appear, as tourist numbers drop. With fewer crowds, and still mostly dry days, this can be a good time to visit - but the heat means that the middle of the day should be avoided. Bookings can be difficult over the Khmer New Year (mid April), as many businesses close over the holiday.

Touring highlights in April

Average of 10-12 hours per day sunshine with bright mornings some showers towards the middle of April.
Temperatures range from 25ºC (77ºF) to 35ºC (95ºF)
Crowd avoidance is much better as the large tourist groups rarely come during April.
April is the season of some of the finest tropical fruits Cambodia has to offer, particularly Asian mango's. During this month, there is a overflow of the deliciously perfect yellow fruit, often coming down to as low as $1.50 for a dozen in the local wet market.
This is also the month of the Cambodian New Year. While it may be hard to get bookings during those few days, if you arrive before it begins you may get to enjoy the delights of the many parties the locals have during this time. They are often very happy to have foriegners join them in thier celebrating, with food, drink, traditional dancing, and fun local games a regular part of the celebrations!

For more ideas on what to see and do in Cambodia during April, browse the extensive example itineraries or contact us with your requirements and we will get a proposal out to you usually within a day. Visit Cambodia another month? If your time is flexible and you want to compare the benefits of traveling at different times of the year the please ask me for specific advice.

Cambodia Weather in May - sunny days Cambodia - Weather in May. First month of the wet SW monsoon, with increasing rain and thunderstorms and high humidity. The monsoon have come late more and more often, but in a typical year, the occasional thunderstorms have given way to the regular rains of the monsoon. Days may alternate between hot and dry and cooler with rain. Rains do not last for long, and can generally be worked around. Tourist numbers are now much lower than in high season, and many special offers can be found.

Touring highlights in May

Average of 10-12 hours per day sunshine with bright mornings some showers towards the middle of May.
Temperatures range from 25ºC (77ºF) to 35ºC (95ºF)
Crowd avoidance is easy as large tourist groups are virtually non-existent.
The temperatures in the Angkor complex are typically several degrees lower due to the large amount of trees & forested area that retain cool temperatures

For more ideas on what to see and do in Cambodia during May, browse the extensive example itineraries or contact us with your requirements and we will get a proposal out to you usually within a day. Visit Cambodia another month? If your time is flexible and you want to compare the benefts of traveling at different times of the year the please ask us for specific advice.

Cambodia Weather in June - clouds on the horizon
Cambodia - Weather in June. The wet SW monsoon is slowly becoming established. Humidity is around 50-70% during the day, 80-90% at night, making it feel hotter than it really is. By June, the temperatures are starting to drop, and the fierce heat of March and April eases off as the rain comes in. Rains are frequent, but not usually heavy or long. Travel can be extremely rewarding with the much lower numbers of tourists, although sunrises and sunsets are very much a matter of luck. Tourist numbers at some sites can be as low as 5-10% of peak season levels.

Touring highlights in June

Average of 10-12 hours per day sunshine with bright mornings some showers towards the middle of June.
Temperatures range from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF)
Crowd avoidance is easy as large tourist groups are virtually non-existent.
The temperature in the Angkor complex are typically several degrees lower due to the large amount of trees & forested area that retain cool temperatures

For more ideas on what to see and do in Cambodia during June, browse the extensive example itineraries or contact us with your requirements and i will get a proposal out to you usually within a day. Visit Cambodia another month? If your time is flexible and you want to compare the benefits of traveling at different times of the year the please ask me for specific advice.

Cambodia Weather in July - drops from the sky
Cambodia - Weather in July. The wet SW monsoon is established. July is very much low season, with lower tourist numbers giving good hotel deals, and bargains to be had in the markets. Rain is likely, but runs of dry days are still common. The country is now much more lush and green after a couple of months of rains, and water levels in the lake are starting to rise.

Touring highlights in July

Average of 10-12 hours of daylight though rain will now be a regular occurrence.
Temperatures range from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF)
Crowd avoidance is easy as large tourist groups are virtually non-existant.
The rivers and lakes are filling up so boat trips are more accessible.
The temperatures in the Angkor complex are typically several degrees lower due to the large amount of trees & forested area that retain cool temperatures.

For more ideas on what to see and do in Cambodia during July, browse the extensive example itineraries or contact us with your requirements and we will get a proposal out to you usually within a day. Visit Cambodia another month? If your time is flexible and you want to compare the benefts of traveling at different times of the year the please ask me for specific advice.

Cambodia Weather in August - raining in my heart
Cambodia - Weather in August. The wet SW monsoon is at its height. Although low season, the influx of European tourists on their long summer holiday can cause some shortages (eg in Italian Language guides). The weather is cooling even more steadily, and the colours and reflections after rainfall can make for interesting photographic conditions. Tourist sites on the lake are easily accessible now that water levels have risen.

Touring highlights in August

Temperatures range from 25ºC (77ºF) to 32ºC (89ºF)
Crowd avoidance is more of an issue with the influx of European tourists.
The rivers levels have risen, making boating trips ideal.
The temeratures in the Angkor complex are typically several degrees lower due to the large ammount of trees & forested area that reatain cool temperatures
Visit the flooded forests and fishing communities of Tonle Sap with water levels at their peak.
Swim under the waterfalls in the Kulen Mountains.

For more ideas on what to see and do in Cambodia during August, browse the extensive example itineraries or contact me with your requirements and we will get a proposal out to you usually within a day. Visit Cambodia another month? If your time is flexible and you want to compare the benefits of traveling at different times of the year the please ask me for specific advice.

Cambodia Weather in September - blowing winds Cambodia - Weather in September. The wetter SW monsoon shows the first signs of giving way to the drier NE monsoon but afternoon rain showers are still frequent. Humidity continues to drop along with the temperature towards a low for the year.

Is September a good time to visit Cambodia? September conditions are close to ideal for comfortable touring and the tourist crowds are around the lightest of the whole year with the European Summer holiday's ended. The mornings are generally sunny and warm and the dropping humidity levels create comfortable touring conditions. Hotels are still priced at low season rates and the countryside is lush and green after the long wet monsoon. Tonle sap water levels are high and the lake is very accessible and beautiful.

If your time is flexible and you want to compare the benefits of traveling at different times of the year the please ask me for specific advice.

Cambodia Weather in October - sunshine, showers As October runs into November dry weather replaces the warm rains of the SW monsoon which have dominated since April. With temperatures and humidity falling towards their lows of the year and the countryside vibrant and green this is the best time to visit Cambodia.

Is October a good time to visit Cambodia?
Cambodia can be uncomfortably hot and humid around April and May. By late October conditions are close to ideal for comfortable touring and the country is at its most beautiful with villages surrounded by emerald green rice paddies.

Touring highlights in October

Average of 7 hours per day sunshine with bright mornings and warm rain showers every other afternoon.
Temperatures range from 24ºC (74ºF) to 31ºC (88ºF)
Tourist numbers are low relative during October. Good for
crowd avoidance, hotel and restaurant choice.
Visit the flooded forests and fishing communities of Tonle Sap with water levels near their peak.
Swim under the waterfalls in the Kulen Mountains.

For more ideas on what to see and do in Cambodia browse the extensive example itineraries or contact me with your requirements and I will get a proposal out to you usually within a day. Visit Cambodia another month? If your time is flexible and you want to compare the benefits of traveling at different times of the year the please ask me for specific advice.

Cambodia Weather in November - end of the rains By November dry weather has replaced the warm rains of the SW monsoon which have dominated since April. With temperatures and humidity at their lows of the year and the countryside vibrant and green this is arguably the best time to tour Cambodia.

Touring highlights in November

Average of 8 hours per day sunshine with bright mornings and warm rain showers twice a week.
Temperatures range from 22ºC (71ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF)
Crowd avoidance research becomes important for visiting the main tourist sites.
Visit the flooded forests and fishing communities of beautiful Tonle Sap with water levels near their peak.
Swim under the 20m waterfalls in the Kulen Mountains.

Cambodia Weather in December - dry and sunny By December the NE monsoon is well established with dry and sunny weather. With temperatures and humidity near their lows of the year and the countryside vibrant and green this is a good time to tour Cambodia.
Is December a good time to visit Cambodia?

Average of 9 hours per day sunshine with little chance of rain.
Temperatures range from 21ºC (70ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF)
Crowd avoidance research becomes important especially late in the month.
Visit the flooded forests and fishing communities of beautiful Tonle Sap with water levels high.
Swim under the 20m waterfalls in the Kulen Mountains.

Tailor Made Tour
ATGs was conceived out of a desire to do things better. I find and develop exceptional experiences in Cambodia and allow you to pick and choose the perfect experiences for your vacation.

This tour can be bought "as is", modified slightly, or you can just cherry pick one or two components and speak to me about arranging your own personalized visit to Cambodia.