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.

 

Click to learn more about weather in Cambodia

Click to return to Cambodia FAQs

Our tours in Cambodia

9 Days From 1444

Travel from Vietnam to Thailand on a South East Asian adventure that explores Cambodia...

6 Days From 2608

Uncover the mysteries of incredible Angkor Wat on a Premium tour of Cambodia. Travel...

6 Days From 1467

Unearth the essence of Cambodia on a leisurely journey that spends time seeing the...

13 Days From 5955

Be immersed in the rich historic and cultural heritage of Vietnam and Cambodia on this...

14 Days From 2140

See the Best of Cambodia on a trip from the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, via the...

Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

12 Days From 1547

Hit Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City on a 12-day adventure through Cambodia with Intrepid....

9 Days From 1103

Follow the ancient trails on a trip to Thailand and Cambodia. Explore the temples of...

24 Days From 10890

Discover the highlights and traditions of Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia on this 24-day...

13 Days From 3744

Uncover the dramatic histories of these two beautiful countries on a trip through the...

9 Days From 2280

See the best of Cambodia, learning about its history and customs as you cycle, trek and...

12 Days From 1496

Travel to Cambodia on a 12-day adventure from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok. Explore...

9 Days From 1060

From Bangkok you'll hit the ancient streets and temples of Angkor in Siem Reap, get...

12 Days From 1496

Dive headfirst from Ho Chi Minh City into real Cambodia, visiting Phnom Penh, Siem Reap...

9 Days From 2130

Munch your way through Cambodia on this mouth-watering food adventure from Phnom Penh...

13 Days From 3855

See Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand from two wheels on this 13-day adventure from Ho Chi...

8 Days From 1584

Encounter Cambodia's complex history and welcoming culture on a small-group family...