When to go to Cambodia?

This article follows the same spirit as the other articles I’ve written on this travel blog. I like to talk a little about the climate, even if a lot of information can already be found online, while trying to give the article a more personal touch. I had the opportunity to spend a month in Cambodia during my trip through Southeast Asia. It was a great experience that allowed me to discover the country and live some pretty incredible moments. You are probably wondering why I’m writing this kind of article about a country where it is almost always warm. I must admit that, unlike its neighbours, especially Laos and Vietnam, you won’t easily get cold in Cambodia. Fresh at best, if you are well tropicalised, as they say in the islands… So, when should you go to Cambodia? I’ll tell you everything!

In this article, I’ll talk about the weather and the rainy season in Cambodia, but also about the tourist season in the country. You can probably see where I’m going with this. For many world travellers, a trip to Cambodia means visiting the famous temples of Angkor, a world-famous site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and well known for attracting mass tourism. If you are planning a trip to Southeast Asia, here is some information on when to go to Laos.

For those looking for the cheapest airfare from where you live to Cambodia, you can look here.

As mentioned at the beginning of the article, I went to Cambodia during my trip across Asia, for the whole month of April, just after spending another month in Vietnam. Here are the things to know about the climate.

Unlike its Laotian and Vietnamese neighbours, Cambodia does not really have huge climate differences, except in a few areas. We’ll talk about this below.

Well, let’s be honest: it is warm all year round in Cambodia, with average temperatures varying according to the season between 30°C, in December-January, and about 35°C, in April-May. So, don’t worry too much about temperatures when travelling in the country. The centre of the country is still warmer than the seaside in the south and the east of the country, which is slightly higher in altitude… You will probably visit a large part of the country, so in my opinion, it is rather pointless to focus too much on the temperature for your trip. You will quickly get used to the heat, and to sweating, that’s all!

As in any respectable tropical country, Cambodia is no exception and only has two seasons:

• The dry season runs from November to April. This is the best time to visit Cambodia: little rain and generally lower temperatures, around 30/32°. In the east and northeast of the country, it can be a little cooler in the evening and at night. I say this especially for people planning to visit the regions of Mondolkiri and Ratanakiri,

• The rainy season runs from May to October. Let’s say it straight away: it is a hot and very humid period. There is a lot of heavy rain due to the monsoon, but it rarely rains all day long…

If we only consider the climate, which could be debatable anyway, the best time to travel to Cambodia would be the dry season. As in neighbouring Laos, the ideal months would theoretically be from November to March. Overall, you avoid both the rain and the intense heat. The worst period is from May to September, as it rains more… I spent a month there in April and had very little rain. I think you can easily get used to the heat, even if it can be very hot at times.

As mentioned, there are no really major climate differences in Cambodia. Only the regions a little further east and northeast will be slightly cooler. While in Laos you can really distinguish between the north, which is cooler, and the south, which is drier, this is quite difficult in Cambodia.

• The landscapes will be much greener, especially in the eastern and northeastern parts of the country, which are more mountainous,
• One of the big advantages of going to Cambodia during the rainy season is avoiding the crowds of tourists rushing to the temples of Angkor in December-January. The weather will not be as good overall, but it will be much quieter too,
• For nature and landscape lovers, this is the perfect time to go boating on the rivers and admire waterfalls.

• Let’s just say that things are easier to handle when it’s sunny, right? I’m thinking in particular of people crossing the country by motorcycle, we met some, or by bicycle. Travelling is simply much easier than during the rainy season,
• You won’t get wet, but you will see a lot of people, like, really a lot, especially at Christmas time. If you truly want to visit Angkor, this is a point to consider in my opinion,
• If you want to visit and enjoy the southern coast of the country, Sihanoukville, the beaches along the coast and all the Cambodian islands, this is when you should go.

If you are asking yourself this question for your holiday in Cambodia, from a climate point of view, I would say mainly December/January, with cooler temperatures and no rain. On the other hand, from November to February, it is the peak tourist period. Is it really worth it? I’m not sure…

When it comes to tourist numbers, the least visited month is May on average. Between April and June, it is generally quieter. Let me reassure you, or not: there will still be a lot of tourists. The country still welcomed almost 6 million tourists in 2017.

So, for your Cambodia trip, chances are you will at least visit Phnom Penh, Battambang, on the way to the Khmer city of Angkor Wat, and then finish your trip on the beautiful beaches of the south, around Kep. Whatever your itinerary, planning a trip should not focus only on the climate…

Would you still like precise details on the weather in Cambodia by city?

I don’t know whether this should be a deciding factor when choosing your holiday dates in Cambodia, and I don’t think so, but it is still a point worth considering in my opinion. If you are planning to go to the country and visit it, it might also be an opportunity to attend a local festival. This is often a way to see something different and get off the beaten track a little. Another point: it can even influence your trip if you find yourself in a city or capital during a 3-day festival… Note that, unlike in our country, the dates are not exactly fixed every year.

Here are some local holidays to remember:

• The Khmer New Year: this is one of the most important festivals in Cambodia and is often held at the end of the dry season, in mid-April. The festival lasts 3 full days and is an opportunity to see a lot of activity, especially in the countryside,
• Pchum Ben: it is the equivalent of the Festival of the Dead. It takes place in September / October and can last up to 15 days. There are public holidays, so be careful as shops may be closed,
• Water Festival (Bon Om Tuk): this festival celebrates the time of year when the Tonle Sap, the lake right next to Angkor, flows into the river. It takes place every year at the end of October-beginning of November for 3 days. You’ll be able to see dugout canoe races on the river and admire dances and fireworks,
• Visakha Day or Buddha’s Day: usually at the end of April-beginning of May, the 3 main stages of Buddha’s existence are celebrated in all the major cities of the country.

There are obviously many others…

Strictly speaking, it is not a local festival, but every year, a festival dedicated to photography takes place in Sieam Reap. In 2017, it was in early December. More info here.

That’s it, I’m coming to the end of this little article to help you know when to go to Cambodia. A word of advice: don’t worry too much about the weather in a country where it is hot all year round anyway. If you want to avoid tourists, then try not to go during the November-February period, but rather between March and June, for example. I was there in April and it was already quite crowded. Do you want to have an idea of your travel budget for Cambodia? I wrote a complete article on the subject.

Enjoy this country and have a good trip.