In short
The best time to visit Cambodia is generally November to March, in the cooler dry season. April and May are very hot, and the rainy season, from June to October, has its own rewards if you can live with a few showers.
- Best periodNovember to March
- Very hotApril and May
- Green seasonJune to October
- Suggested length8 to 11 nights on the ground
When is the best time to visit Cambodia and Angkor?
Cambodia has a tropical monsoon climate: a dry season, generally November to May, and a rainy season from about June to October. Temperatures stay high all year, often around 30°C or more by day. From November to March travel is at its most comfortable: days are drier, the air is less heavy and long temple visits stay pleasant.
These are also the busiest months around Angkor. To keep room for contemplation, we suggest starting early in the morning, saving the great temples for when the light is best, and using the afternoon for a break or a quieter site such as Ta Prohm or Banteay Srei.
Which are the best months for Cambodia, month by month?
Here is how we read the year, to adjust to your own tolerance for heat and rain.
- JanIdeal
- FebIdeal
- MarGood
- AprPossible
- MayPossible
- JunRainy
- JulRainy
- AugRainy
- SepRainy
- OctPossible
- NovIdeal
- DecIdeal
| Period | Weather | What you gain |
|---|---|---|
| November to February | Dry, cooler | Comfortable visits, landscapes still green in November |
| March to May | Dry, very hot | Fewer crowds, beaches and southern islands |
| June to September | Frequent showers | Lush countryside, often gentler rates |
| October | End of the rains | Tonlé Sap lake at its fullest, washed light |
Our experts' tip
Green-season showers often fall late in the day. Plan temples for the morning: you get quieter sites under a more dramatic sky.
Is the rainy season a bad idea?
Not necessarily. Tonlé Sap lake swells with the Mekong floods: its surface generally grows several times over, usually peaking in September or October. Lake villages such as Kampong Khleang look completely different then. Rice fields are a deep green and visitor numbers drop.
The trade-off is that some country roads and forest or sea excursions become trickier. If you are aiming for the southern islands or the Cardamom Mountains, we clearly recommend the dry season.
Good to know
Exact start and end dates of the rains vary from year to year. We adjust the programme accordingly and advise you when you make your enquiry.
Which trip to Cambodia should you choose by season?
For the dry season, the complete Magic of Cambodia circuit links Angkor, Battambang, Phnom Penh, then the south around Kampot and Kep. If you prefer to travel privately, Essential Cambodia focuses on the major sites with a French-speaking guide. For something more intimate, the small-group trip explores Angkor by bike before ending on Koh Sdach island.
How long should you allow? Our trips range from 6 to 11 nights on the ground. Angkor deserves at least two days, and skipping Battambang or Tonlé Sap would be a pity.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the hottest month in Cambodia?
April is generally the hottest month, just before the rains arrive. Temple visits are then best done very early in the morning.
Can you visit Angkor in the rainy season?
Yes. The temples are open all year, the vegetation is greener and there are fewer people. Just pack a light rain layer.
When should you go to combine temples and beach?
From November to March the sea and sky are generally at their best for extending the trip to the southern islands, such as Koh Rong or Koh Sdach.
Your trip to Cambodia, tailor-made
Tell us your dates and wishes: our team replies with a tailor-made proposal within 24 hours.