Best Time to Visit Cambodia

With lovely warm temperatures year-round there isn’t really a bad time to visit Cambodia. The country’s dry season occurs from November through to May with a slight increase in temperature from March onwards. November to February is arguably the most popular time for tourists when the weather is warm and sunny but not stiflingly hot and the rainfall is much lower, which makes sightseeing far more pleasurable.

The rainy season arrives in June and lasts until late October. This can be a fascinating yet potentially challenging time to visit Cambodia. The rains generally fall in the afternoon providing a refreshing break from the midday heat with largely dry mornings. The rains that do fall are pretty spectacular and turn the country into a waterlogged expanse of lush green and it is generally the quietest time in terms of tourist numbers.

The best time to visit Cambodia does depend on what you are heading to Cambodia for. For instance, the best time to visit the coastal resort of Sihanoukville for beach-side relaxation is between December to April when it is nice and warm and dry. The best time to visit Angkor Wat would depend on whether you want to avoid the rain but take on the crowds, in which case travel between November and March, but if you would prefer less crowds and don’t mind a refreshing shower in the afternoon then May to October would be the best time for you to travel.

The temples of Angkor are Cambodia's star attraction and many travellers prefer to visit when the weather is at its best. And that would be the months of November to March, when temperatures are cool and days are mostly dry - great for exploring ancient temple ruins.

However, this coincides with Cambodia's peak season, which means bigger crowds, less hotel availability and higher prices. If you would prefer to visit when crowds are thinner, consider going in the shoulder monsoon months of June or September/October. It's likely to be wet, hot and humid but the temples will be a little quieter than at other times of the year. Plus you'll get to see Angkor Wat when its moats are filled with water.

Cambodia's charming capital Phnom Penh is largely considered a year-round destination. Like elsewhere, the dry season months of November to February are the best time to visit if you wish to avoid the rains and humid conditions. Though it's usually warm regardless of the time of year. Rainfall peaks in September and October so avoid these months if you hope to get out and about.

Over the years Sihanoukville has become one of Cambodia's most popular beach destinations. It's situated on the south coast, where you'll also find the delightful seaside retreat of Kep. This part of Cambodia experiences the best weather between November and April with lots of sunshine and little rain.

The waters around Cambodia offer ample scuba diving opportunities so if this is of interest, visit between December and June when water visibility is at its best.

Sometimes there are advantages to visiting a country during its rainy season, and Tonle Sap Lake is one of them in Cambodia. During the wet months of July and December, the impressive lake of Tonle Sap is surrounded by vivid green vegetation while the higher water levels mean better access to floating villages and flooded forests.

Cambodia's Chinese population dates back to the 19th-20th century and today the country celebrates Chinese New Year with firework displays, family feasts and street parties in the larger cities. Although not an official holiday, many shops close for the day.

Marking the end of the harvest season, the Khmer New Year is a massive holiday in Cambodia, which takes place over three days. Like neighbouring Thailand, the New Year is celebrated with water-throwing as well as large feasts held and attending local temples.

Held on the 9th November each year, Independence Day is a national holiday with many Cambodians travelling to the capital of Phnom Penh to watch colourful parades and firework displays though such celebrations occur all over the country in order to celebrate Cambodia's independence from France.