Cambodia Phnom Penh Weather in March — Climate Guide
March in Phnom Penh is high
March is high for Phnom Penh.
March begins Phnom Penh's hot dry season — 35°C / 95°F days + 24°C / 75°F nights. Less brutal than April but already significantly warmer than January-February. Outdoor activities cluster in early morning + late afternoon (the midday heat is rough for walking). The positive: pricing drops 15-20% from January-February peak — boutique $60-130/night, Raffles + Rosewood $350-600/night. Tourist crowds slightly lighter as the high-season tail winds down. Royal Palace + Killing Fields + S-21 + Mekong cruise all still photogenic with clear-blue dry-season skies. The trade-off is heat alone, not haze (Phnom Penh doesn't get the slash-and-burn haze that hits Yangon or northern Thailand). Last comfortable month before April's extreme heat.
Travel score
Hot dry season starts + last comfortable month before April peak
March Weather at a Glance
March averages 95°F / 35°C highs and 75°F / 24°C lows with 3 rainy days and 35mm of rain. Humidity 65%, UV 11 (extreme), sunshine 9 hours. Hot dry season begins. Skies still clear blue.
March Travel Advice
Schedule outdoor activities for early morning (07:00-10:00) and late afternoon (16:00-18:30). Midday (11:00-15:00) = hotel pool, spa, museum, cafe time. Royal Palace + Killing Fields visits before 10:00 AM. Mekong sunset cruise still at peak. Drink 4-5 liters of water daily.
Flying In from Overseas
Western spring break + Easter holidays converge. Flight pricing $400-800 from regional hubs. Direct flights via Bangkok or Singapore. Western travelers seeking shoulder pricing book March for the lower hotel rates.
March Pricing Trends
15-20% off peak: boutique $60-130/night, Raffles $350-600, Rosewood $320-550. Flights via Bangkok $400-800 (slight discount vs Feb peak).
Phnom Penh March Weather Stats
Avg High
35°C
Avg Low
24°C
Rainy Days
3
35mm total
Sunshine
9h
Daily avg
Humidity
65%
comfortable
UV Index
11
Extreme
Wind
6 km/h
Gusts 14
Sea Temp
28°C
Mekong River boat cruise pleasant
Crowds
Busy
At attractions
March Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
42 μg/m³
PM10
72 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
38°C
Nighttime
24°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
6 km/h
Max gust 14 km/h
Activities Recommended for March
March Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- 15-20% hotel discount vs Jan-Feb peak
- Slightly fewer Western tourists
- Still dry-season clear skies + photography
Cons
- 35°C / 95°F days — outdoor heat limits midday activity
- UV 11 extreme
- April's extreme heat imminent
March Events & Festivals
- Hot dry season begins — heat climbs toward April peak
- International Women's Day (Mar 8) — cultural observance
- Spring Equinox + start of pre-monsoon transition
- Western Easter holidays late month sometimes
Phnom Penh in March — Full Picture
March begins Phnom Penh's hot dry season — 35°C / 95°F days + 24°C / 75°F nights. Less brutal than April but already significantly warmer than January-February. Outdoor activities cluster in early morning + late afternoon (the midday heat is rough for walking). The positive: pricing drops 15-20% from January-February peak — boutique $60-130/night, Raffles + Rosewood $350-600/night. Tourist crowds slightly lighter as the high-season tail winds down. Royal Palace + Killing Fields + S-21 + Mekong cruise all still photogenic with clear-blue dry-season skies. The trade-off is heat alone, not haze (Phnom Penh doesn't get the slash-and-burn haze that hits Yangon or northern Thailand). Last comfortable month before April's extreme heat.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Hot dry season begins — 35°C / 95°F days hit hard with low humidity. Light cotton short sleeves + shorts. SPF 50 + wide-brim hat + sunglasses essential. UV 11 (extreme). Modest temple wear. Stay hydrated (4-5 liters daily). Outdoor walking limited to early morning (08:00-10:00) and late afternoon (16:00-18:00).
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
Current35°C
25°C
7.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
32.3°C
25°C
17.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
31°C
23.7°C
15/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
31.3°C
22°C
1.7/mo
Phnom Penh Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January (Best) | 31° | 22° | 1d·10mm | 9h | 65% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
| February (Best) | 33° | 23° | 1d·10mm | 9.5h | 60% | 10 | Very busy | Peak |
| 35° | 24° | 3d·35mm | 9h | 65% | 11 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| 36° | 26° | 6d·75mm | 8.5h | 70% | 12 | Busy | Peak | |
| 34° | 25° | 13d·145mm | 7.5h | 75% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 33° | 25° | 16d·200mm | 6.5h | 80% | 10 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 32° | 25° | 18d·220mm | 6h | 82% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 32° | 25° | 19d·220mm | 6h | 82% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 32° | 25° | 19d·250mm | 6h | 82% | 9 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 31° | 24° | 17d·240mm | 7h | 80% | 9 | Moderate | Low season | |
| November (Best) | 30° | 22° | 9d·100mm | 8h | 70% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
| December (Best) | 30° | 21° | 3d·25mm | 9h | 65% | 9 | Busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Phnom Penh March Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is March a good time to visit Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh in March is high. Tourist crowds are busy and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in Phnom Penh in March?
Phnom Penh March averages a high of 35°C and a low of 24°C.
Does it rain much in Phnom Penh in March?
Phnom Penh March averages 35mm of rainfall over about 3 rainy days.
What should I wear in Phnom Penh in March?
Hot dry season begins — 35°C / 95°F days hit hard with low humidity. Light cotton short sleeves + shorts. SPF 50 + wide-brim hat + sunglasses essential. UV 11 (extreme). Modest temple wear. Stay hydrated (4-5 liters daily). Outdoor walking limited to early morning (08:00-10:00) and late afternoon (16:00-18:00).
What time are sunrise and sunset in Phnom Penh in March?
Phnom Penh March sunrise is 06:15 and sunset is 18:05, with 11h 50min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Phnom Penh in March?
Phnom Penh March air quality (AQI) averages 85, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 42μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Phnom Penh in March?
In March, Phnom Penh is great for Royal Palace morning (08:00-10:00), Killing Fields early morning, Hotel pool + spa midday.
Is March peak season in Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh March crowds are busy and prices are shoulder. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Phnom Penh
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.