Best Time To Visit Cambodia

Cambodia is usually a hot and humid country because of tropical weather conditions. May to October is the low season or the green season in Cambodia, with less heat in the temperature. Surprisingly enough, even when it’s is considered to be the low season, you can enjoy your time in the country to the fullest. The crowd is less, the accommodation options are cheaper, and the weather is not bad at all!

April and November are regarded as the shoulder months in Cambodia. During these two months, the places are neither too crowded, and the other prices are not that high either. The days are generally sunny and the nights are comfortable. You might even get to experience a bit of drizzling now and then. However, the rains won’t be regular or incessant like the wet months.

Dry Season starts from November and stays till April in Cambodia with an average rainfall of 10 mm. From November to January, the weather is cold and pleasant. January is the busiest in the country as the weather is the most suitable for the visitors. Tourist traps like Phnom Penh’s riverside and Angkor Wat usually attract the most of the crowd. So, if you want to avoid the congestion, you can enjoy sunsets at Ta Phrom instead of Angkor Wat and visit Kep’s beach other than Sihanoukville. In February, the weather is similar to that of January. However, in March, it starts heating up a bit! Also, this month can be the best time for a trip to the Cardamom Mountain’s jungle, as the trekking paths are more accessible and mosquitoes are less aggressive. Again, a lazy weekend on the river in the Kampot town is another quite a great activity for March. A long drive to the Bokor Mountain can also save you from the heat of the city. In April, the temperature can rise to 104 degrees F. despite this weather condition; it is the month of celebrations for the locals gets busy with the Khmer New Year. It is even observed as a public holiday and Phnom Penh shuts down too! If you travel to the country during this season, you can enjoy several local festivals. Victory Day is celebrated on the 7th of January, and it marks the start of the fall of Khmer Rouge. Meak Bochea Day is celebrated at the end of January, and it is a famous Buddhist festival. The well-known Bon Om Touk or the Water Festival runs for three consecutive days at the end of November.

The Southwest monsoons make the path for the wet season in Cambodia that starts from May and stays till October. July, August and September are the wettest months in Cambodia with an average rainfall of 50 mm. The temperature in May is a little milder than that of April and is filled with public holidays. International Labour Day, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony and the Remembrance Day are celebrated in May. During mid-May, the locals follow a three days holiday on the occasion of King Sihamoni’s birthday. To avoid the crowd, you can head to the remote region of Mondulkiri. The place is famous for elephants, and the temperature is much cooler. In June, the humidity hits up to 70% in the daytime. Coastal areas, like Kep and Sihanoukville as well as the Cardamom Mountains, can suffer torrential downpour during this month. In July, August and September, the rains are in full swing. However, the rains only happen during the afternoon and not throughout the day so that you can plan your day trips accordingly. In October, the rain subsides a little and hence, an excellent time to travel to Cambodia. The Kulen Mountain waterfalls in Siem Reap and the waterfalls of Mondulkiri and Rattanakiri are great for swimming. Another well-celebrated holiday known as, Pchum Benh, falls in October which is a local event to honour the seven ancestors. October also celebrates the Commemoration Day of King Father Norodom.