Best Time to Visit Cambodia and Angkor Wat

Quick answer

The best time to visit Cambodia is November to March, the cool dry season, when Angkor Wat sunrises are clear and temple days are bearable at around 30–33°C. April and May are extremely hot. June to October is the green season, with afternoon rain, fewer crowds, lower hotel rates and the Tonle Sap lake at its fullest.

Month-by-month at a glance

Jan32°Best
Feb33°Best
Mar35°Good
Apr35°Fair
May34°Fair
Jun33°Fair
Jul32°Fair
Aug32°Fair
Sep31°Fair
Oct31°Fair
Nov30°Best
Dec30°Best

BestGoodFairAvoidTemperatures are average daily highs (°C).

Cambodia weather, crowds and what to expect

Monthly weather, crowds and our verdict
Month	High / Low	Rain	Crowds	What to expect
JanuaryBest	32° / 21°	5 mm	high	Cool mornings, clear skies. Busiest month at Angkor; arrive for sunrise early.
FebruaryBest	33° / 23°	10 mm	high	Dry and warming up. Chinese New Year groups add to the crowds.
MarchGood	35° / 24°	35 mm	medium	Getting hot. Equinox sunrise over Angkor Wat's central tower around 20–21 March.
AprilFair	35° / 26°	80 mm	medium	Hottest month, often 36°C or more. Khmer New Year celebrations at Angkor.
MayFair	34° / 26°	160 mm	low	Heat breaks into the first rains. Very quiet at the temples.
JuneFair	33° / 26°	200 mm	low	Green season. Short afternoon storms; mornings are usually clear.
JulyFair	32° / 25°	200 mm	low	Lush scenery and reflections in the Angkor moats. Low hotel rates.
AugustFair	32° / 25°	210 mm	low	Wet but workable. Tonle Sap floating villages are easy to reach by boat.
SeptemberFair	31° / 25°	260 mm	low	Wettest month. Some temple paths muddy; Pchum Ben festival may fall now.
OctoberFair	31° / 24°	230 mm	low	Rain eases late in the month. Tonle Sap lake at its highest.
NovemberBest	30° / 23°	70 mm	medium	Rains end, landscape still green. Water Festival holiday 23–25 Nov 2026.
DecemberBest	30° / 21°	15 mm	high	Coolest, most comfortable month. Book Siem Reap hotels early for Christmas.

Long-term monthly averages. Individual years vary — check a forecast in the week before you travel.

Festivals and events in Cambodia

Mid-April (usually 14–16 April)
Khmer New Year
Angkor Sankranta festivities in Siem Reap. Many locals travel home, so Phnom Penh goes quiet and some shops close.
23–25 November 2026
Water Festival (Bon Om Touk)
A public holiday marking the Tonle Sap's reversal. The government cancelled the Phnom Penh boat races for 2026; provincial events may still run.
15 days in September or October (lunar calendar)
Pchum Ben
Ancestors' festival with early-morning pagoda offerings. The last three days are public holidays and travel gets busy.
Around 20–21 March and 22–23 September
Angkor Wat equinox sunrise
The sun rises directly over the central tower when viewed from the western entrance. Expect large crowds before 5:30 am.

When should you visit Cambodia?

Go between November and March. This is the cool dry season, and for a trip built around Angkor, that matters: you will be walking and climbing temple stairs for six to eight hours a day. December and January are the most comfortable, with mornings around 21–23°C and afternoons near 30°C. The trade-off is crowds at Angkor Wat sunrise and Ta Prohm, and higher hotel rates in Siem Reap.

How hot is Cambodia in April and May?

Very. April regularly passes 35°C with high humidity, and there is little shade inside the bigger temple complexes. If these are your only dates, start at 5 am for sunrise, head back to the hotel pool by 11 am, and return to the temples after 3 pm. Carry more water than you think you need and a hat that stays on in the wind.

Is the rainy season a good time to see Angkor?

It is underrated. From June to October, rain usually falls as a heavy afternoon storm, so mornings are often clear for temple visits. The moats and reflecting pools fill up, the jungle around Ta Prohm and Beng Mealea turns deep green, and crowds thin out sharply. The Tonle Sap lake swells to several times its dry-season size, which makes boat trips to floating villages like Kompong Phluk easier. September and early October are the wettest weeks, when some laterite paths get slippery.

Season	Months	Good for
Cool dry	November–February	Temples, sunrise, families
Hot dry	March–May	Fewer crowds, very early starts
Green	June–October	Low prices, photography, Tonle Sap

Most Indian travellers reach Siem Reap via Bangkok, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, or on IndiGo's direct flight from Kolkata. Overland crossings from Thailand have been disrupted since 2025, so we plan flights rather than border runs.

For the rest of your planning, read things to do in Cambodia, our 5-day Cambodia itinerary and the Cambodia trip cost. Indian passport holders need a visa; see the Cambodia visa guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to visit Angkor Wat?

December and January are the best months for Angkor Wat, with clear sunrises, low rainfall and the most comfortable temperatures of the year. They are also the busiest. For a balance of good weather and smaller crowds, try November or early February. Buy your Angkor Pass from Angkor Enterprise's official counter or website.

Is Cambodia safe to visit in the rainy season?

Yes. The rainy season brings afternoon storms, not constant rain, and Siem Reap and Phnom Penh operate normally. Roads to remote temples such as Koh Ker can get muddy, and boat trips on the Tonle Sap depend on water levels. Carry a light rain jacket and shoes with good grip for wet temple stones.

When is Khmer New Year?

Khmer New Year usually falls on 14–16 April. Siem Reap hosts Angkor Sankranta, with games, music and water play around the temples, while many Phnom Penh residents return to their home provinces. Some shops and restaurants close, and the heat at this time of year is intense, so plan temple visits early in the day.

Is Cambodia too hot for senior citizens?

It can be from March to May, when temperatures pass 35°C. For seniors, plan for December or January, hire a car with air-conditioning instead of a tuk-tuk, and limit temple time to early mornings and late afternoons. Angkor Wat has steep stairs to its upper level, so skip that part if knees are a concern.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.