🗓️ Best Time to Visit
When Should You Visit Siem Reap?
Top months: Nov · Dec · Jan · Feb. Compare 12-month weather, festivals, and pricing on one page to find your match.
Quick Answer
The best time to visit Siem Reap is Nov · Dec · Jan · Feb. These months balance pleasant weather, festival programming, and manageable crowds — the canonical first-visit pick.
Siem Reap by Season
🌸 Spring (Mar-May)
Avg 36°C / 24°C
- • Dry season hot transition
- • Pre-Songkran shoulder window (best value-for-quality)
- • Khmer New Year Chaul Chnam Thmey (April 13-15) — Cambodia's biggest festival
☀️ Summer (Jun-Aug)
Avg 33°C / 25°C
- • Monsoon continues
- • Royal Plowing Ceremony (late May/early June)
- • Korean June break
★ Top Pick
🍁 Fall (Sep-Nov)
Avg 32°C / 23°C
- • Wettest month of the year
- • Pchum Ben Festival (Buddhist ancestor remembrance, late Sept-early Oct)
- • Korean Chuseok approaches
★ Top Pick
❄️ Winter (Dec-Feb)
Avg 32°C / 21°C
- • Peak dry season — best weather of the year for Angkor
- • Western Christmas-New Year tail (book accommodation 2-3 months ahead)
- • Chinese + Lunar New Year approaches late month
Month-by-Month at a Glance
| Month | Temp (°C) | Rain | What to Pack | Crowds·Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ★ January | 32/21 | 1d | Tropical light — t-shirts, shorts, dress, sandals year-round. Bring a light evening jacket for the 21°C dawn during Angkor sunrise excursions. Modest temple cover-up mandatory (cover shoulders + knees + closed shoes). SPF 50+ sunscreen + sunglasses + hat for the full day. | High |
| ★ February | 33/21 | 1d | Same as January — tropical light + light evening cover. February is statistically Siem Reap's driest month (5mm rainfall, 1 rainy day). UV index 10 — SPF 50+ mandatory. | High |
| March | 35/23 | 3d | Hot tropical — t-shirt, shorts, hat, sunglasses, SPF 50+. UV index 11 (extreme) — sunscreen every 2 hours. Quick-dry fabrics for sweat. 3L+ daily water. | Mid |
| April | 37/25 | 4d | Hottest month of the year — light tropical, hat, SPF 50+, 3L+ daily water. Khmer New Year (April 13-15) water-fights — waterproof phone case + dry bag mandatory if visiting Pub Street. | Mid |
| May | 35/25 | 13d | Hot + humid + monsoon arrives. Quick-dry shirts, light rain jacket, insect repellent (DEET), waterproof phone case. Modest temple cover-up + closed shoes. | Low |
| June | 34/25 | 14d | Monsoon — quick-dry shirts, light rain jacket, waterproof shoes, insect repellent, modest temple cover-up. Phare Circus tent stays dry. | Low |
| July | 33/25 | 15d | Monsoon — quick-dry, rain jacket, waterproof shoes, insect repellent. Cool 33°C / 91°F highs feel manageable. | Mid |
| August | 33/25 | 16d | Monsoon continues — same as July. Quick-dry, rain jacket, insect repellent. | Mid |
| September | 32/24 | 18d | Wettest month — quick-dry, rain jacket essential, waterproof shoes, insect repellent (mosquito peak season). | Low |
| October | 32/24 | 16d | Monsoon tapering — quick-dry, light rain jacket, insect repellent. Late October brings drier conditions. | Low |
| ★ November | 31/22 | 7d | Dry season starts — light tropical, light evening cover, modest temple cover-up. Cool 22°C dawns ideal for Angkor sunrise. | Mid |
| ★ December | 31/21 | 2d | Cool dry — light tropical day + light jacket for cool 21°C dawns (Angkor sunrise). Modest temple cover-up. SPF 50+. | High |
★ = recommended season. Full month guides on the monthly weather pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Siem Reap?
The best time to visit Siem Reap is Nov · Dec · Jan · Feb. These months offer the most pleasant weather and full outdoor activity calendars. January is statistically Siem Reap's best month — only 1 rainy day, 10mm rainfall, 32°C highs, and 21°C cool dawns ideal for the Angkor Wat sunrise. The trade-off is the year's peak pricing (hotels tr
What's the price difference between peak and off-season in Siem Reap?
Prices vary significantly by season. Weekday departures during shoulder season offer the best value.
Is it okay to visit Siem Reap in winter?
Siem Reap winter averages 32°C / 21°C. It's cold, but you trade weather for off-season pricing and seasonal events (Christmas markets, indoor museums, winter festivals). Bring a heavy parka, scarf, and gloves.
Should I visit Siem Reap during summer holiday season?
Siem Reap mid-summer (July-August) averages 33°C highs. This is the most expensive season — airfare and hotels peak — but outdoor festivals run at full capacity. Book 3-6 months ahead and prepare for heat.
What's the cheapest month to visit Siem Reap?
May, June, September, October is the off-season — flights and hotels are at annual lows. Trade-off: this is usually cold or rainy season, so adjust packing and indoor-activity weight accordingly.
Why you can trust this guide
Jimmy Kong
TripPick founder · Travel content creator
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.
8+ years analyzing travel data
30+ countries visited
Live exchange rate verified