The best time to visit Cambodia is between November and May when the country experiences low rainfall and still enjoys warm temperatures. However, the climate in Cambodia is generally hot and humid all throughout the year.
Generally, any time of the year is a good time to travel in Cambodia, with each season having its advantages. The climate in Cambodia is generally hot and humid all throughout the year. Temperatures stay in the low- to mid-30s (Celsius) most of the year, dropping slightly at night. There are officially two seasons in Cambodia – wet and dry. In November–May you can expect dry conditions, while June–October will have the wettest conditions. What's more, there's benefits to travelling in both seasons, depending on what you're looking to get out of Cambodia.
When to visit to miss (most) of the rain
The wet season in Cambodia usually runs from June through to October each year. That doesn't mean you'll avoid all rain if you travel outside of these months, but you'll definitely miss most of it. As in many South East Asian countries, an afternoon storm provides a welcome relief from the humid mornings, so trying to dodge any and all rain will mean you miss out on what's part of daily life in Cambodia. Just before the wet season, in April and May, Cambodia can often be incredibly warm and humid, so taking all of this into account, November–March is the best season to stay comfortable and dry.
When to visit to get those epic Angkor shots
The Angkor complex, just out of Siem Reap, is a bucket-list item on everyone's Cambodian travel must-sees. There's no one perfect time to appreciate these wonders of the ancient Khmer empire, but we want to let you in on a little secret. While many tourists decide that December to March is the best time to visit the temples because it's dry, slightly cooler and less humid than usual, the air is often quite hazy and the complex super busy during this time. There is a reason that this is a busy time – almost guaranteed good weather – but if you're looking for crowd-free temple shots, it's probably not for you. Why not consider going at the start or end of the wet season (May–June and October–November)? While you might find yourself dodging muddy puddles and getting stuck in a mighty rain shower once in a while, there's way less crowds, and there's often sun all morning and bursts of light throughout the day that peek through the monsoon clouds. Picture this: Angkor Wat drenched in an afternoon storm, then the skies calm to reveal glistening temples in the early evening sunlight, without a person in sight. Now that's a pretty epic shot and with a bit of luck, you might get to capture it.
When to visit to beat the crowds
Cambodia's a very popular tourist destination – and we get it. It's beautiful, has a storied history and offers swathes of culture to get stuck into. All of this makes it tricky to find a time when it's crowd-free, but visiting outside of the November–March peak season is your best option. If that's just not achievable and your only opportunity to visit is in the busy period, it's best to steer clear of the Lunar New Year festival (encompassing Chinese New Year and Tet in neighbouring Vietnam), which usually occurs in late January or early February. If you can work around this, you'll still be able to check out the best the country has to offer without too many crowds.
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