When should you go on holiday to Cambodia? Weather in Cambodia: when is the best time to go Holidays in Cambodia when is the best time to go
The holiday season in Cambodia continues all year round– it’s never cold here (it can be either hot or warm). But the best time to visit Cambodia is in November-February, when the country becomes cooler (you won't have to suffer from the sweltering heat). It is worth noting that September-October is not the best time to travel to the kingdom (many snakes appear and malaria becomes more active).
Peculiarities of holidays in Cambodian resorts by season
- September-early November: this period is characterized by humid and cooler weather compared to other months (+28 degrees). From about mid-September to early November, the country experiences intense and almost daily rains.
- November-February: these months are characterized by dry and cool weather (+25-28 degrees). While vacationing in the country at this time, you can enjoy clear skies and pleasant air temperatures.
- March-May: during these months, dry and hot weather prevails in the kingdom (+32-35 degrees), but light rain can sometimes fall in the afternoon. Since local rivers and lakes become shallow after a dry winter, you should not plan boat trips in the spring - it is advisable to devote this time to sightseeing and getting to know tropical nature countries.
- June-August: at this time the country experiences hot (+35-38 degrees) and humid weather, but it is easily tolerated thanks to monsoon rains (these rains are unpredictable, but, as a rule, they fall in the afternoon or at night).
Beach season in Cambodia
You can swim in Cambodia at any time of the year, because even in winter the water warms up to +27-28 degrees.
For relaxation, you can choose the following beaches: Occheuteal Beach, Serendipity Beach, Victory Beach, Sokha Beach, Lazy Beach, Long Set Beach, Koh Thmei Beach. So, on Occheuteal Beach, in addition to water activities, you will find restaurants and evening discos (music and dance evenings are often held here). And Otres Beach offers its guests to live in unity with nature - there are a variety of bungalows on the beach.
If you are one of those who loves a calm and peaceful holiday, then feel free to go to the deserted Sok San beach.
Diving
The best time The best time for diving in Cambodia is February-early May (visibility up to 20-25 meters).
Cambodian undersea world will delight you with encounters with parrotfish, groupers, anthias, pufferfish, clownfish, sergeants, bottom and cat sharks, pelagic fish, barracudas, a variety of corals and sponges. Great places for diving: Koh Island Koun (Koh Kon West, Koh Kon South), Koh Rong Saloem Island (Rocky Bay, Nudibranch Heaven, Cobia Point, Sponge Garden, Victoria's Secret Garden).
On vacation in Cambodia, you will find historical sights, stunning natural landscapes, azure waters of the Gulf of Thailand, and beaches with clean white sand.
IN Lately tourists are trying to find an alternative to their favorite Turkey, Egypt and Thailand and are looking at others warm countries for a vacation trip. I suggest you read about sunny and unusual Cambodia, where you can combine relaxation and excursions. So, a little about holidays in Cambodia.
Weather in Cambodia.
Cambodia, being a southern country, is year-round resort, that’s why those who suffer tend to come here beach holiday and excursions. You can go on holiday to Cambodia at any time. The country has a monsoon climate, so there are 2 seasons.
Season 1 – the rainy season, lasting from May to September, characterized by showers and temperatures from +25 to +30, but this will not interfere in any way, because the rains are variable and usually do not last long;
The 2nd season is dry, which lasts from October to April without any precipitation and temperatures up to +26 degrees and above. The water temperature at the resorts practically does not fluctuate and is +23...+26, except that in winter the water is 2-3 degrees colder.
Sights of Cambodia.
1. Capital is Phnom Penh.
The capital of the state, Phnom Penh, is the largest city with a population of 1.5 million people, standing on the Tonle Sap River, which flows into the Mekong River not far from the city. Holidays in Cambodia most often begin with an arrival at Phnom Penh airport.
The city was founded in 1372. Based on urban legends, the place was noticed by one nun, whose name is Penh, who found 4 Buddha statues, and with her assistance they filled up a hill (in Khmer it sounds like “Pnom”) and placed these 4 statues. Later, a monastery appeared here, which was called Phnom Penh. Now there is a beautiful temple on this site.
As the capital, Phnom Penh has many attractions, and some are worth mentioning.
Royal Palace.
is not only the main attraction of Phnom Penh, but also the current residence of the king. This attraction must be included in your vacation in Cambodia.
The palace was built in 1866, but the first building was built back in 1434. After some time, the king and his court left for Udong, located north of the capital, and his capital residence was destroyed. And only in 1866 a whole complex of buildings was rebuilt, where the new head of state settled.
Yellow market.
The central market is a “gathering” of all the city’s traders. The first bazaar on the site of the market was assembled back in the 13th century, and now this place is visited daily by up to 100,000 people. What is there that isn’t sold there! Moreover, unlike most markets in South-East Asia Perfect cleanliness is maintained here. You can also visit a small cafe on the outskirts of the market and try something exotic. Any vacation in Cambodia should end with buying gifts for friends and relatives at the yellow market.
Silver Pagoda.
This pagoda is the main Buddhist temple of the country, and also a chapel for the king and his court. Located on the territory Royal Palace. If you get there, you can see golden statues of Buddha, as well as the most famous statue, Maitreya Buddha, decorated with 9584 diamonds weighing from 15 to 25 carats. At the entrance to the temple you must take off your shoes and remove your hats. While vacationing in Cambodia, do not forget to perform all the necessary rituals. In the Silver Pagoda in particular, you need to rub the silver tiles.
2. Sihanoukville.
is a small city in southwest Cambodia. Population 200 thousand people. Usually all travelers end their vacation in Cambodia there in order to fully relax.
Sihanoukville is home to the state's largest port, and tourism is developing rapidly in the city thanks to the numerous beaches located around the town.
The city was founded in 1950 with investments from France and the United States. A little later, a highway was built from Phnom Penh. After civil war the city fell into decay, but in the 1990s it began to grow, because... Foreigners began to come here, and they raised Sihanoukville from the bottom by opening hotels and building infrastructure for tourists.
Also 20 km from the city is the Ream National Park, and 10 km away is the Kbal Chhay waterfall.
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3. Siem Reap.
Siem Reap is the capital city of the province of the same name in northwestern Cambodia, with a population of 172,000 people. Visiting Seam Reap is the most common type of holiday in Cambodia - sightseeing - temples.
The settlement was founded in 802, and until the 19th century there was a small village on this site, but the French discovered ancient capital Khmer Angkor and temple complexes and Angkor Thom, which positively influenced the further development of the city. The first hotel here was opened for tourists in 1929. Now Siem Reap ranks first in Cambodia in terms of population growth, largely due to the attractions included in the list world heritage UNESCO.
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The city is predominantly Buddhist, but there is a large Muslim diaspora occupying an entire area, and a Catholic community of Europeans and Vietnamese living in a floating village on . 
4. Cap.
Kep is a tiny town of 10,000 people and is the capital of the province. This is the most relaxing holiday in Cambodia that you can imagine. The province itself was founded only 6 years ago, so the city is quite small, but its main advantage is the beaches. In the first half of the 20th century, the city flourished due to the flow of holidaymakers, mainly from France, but after the Civil War the city “died”. Now it is being rebuilt, because there are excellent beaches here, but unlike the beaches of Sihanoukville, the sand here is dark, and coral reefs begin 50-100 meters from the beaches, attracting both environmentalists and divers. 20 km from the city is national park Kep, where various types of tropical plants are collected. 
Prices for holidays in Cambodia.
1. Prices for tours.
Cambodia, although a poor country, prices for tours are very high. Although any vacation in Cambodia can be divided into 2 types: economy class vacation and more expensive. A good 3-star hotel for two can cost more than 100,000 rubles for 10 days, for a four-star hotel you will have to pay about 120,000 rubles, and the price of a five-star hotel is already creeping up to 140,000 rubles. In the high season the price is higher than in the low season by about 15,000 rubles. Although when independent travel Finding budget options is not difficult. Prices for guest houses range from three hundred rubles per night, you can also find very good hotels from a thousand rubles per night. 
2. Currency.
The Cambodian currency is the riel. 1 ruble = approximately 110-125 riel (depending on the dollar to ruble exchange rate). In Cambodia, the American dollar is used along with the national currency; both currencies are accepted at cash registers, vending machines, and in stores. $1 = 3900-4100 riel. The most common banknotes in circulation are 100, 500, 1000 and 10,000 riel, but it is better to keep smaller and larger bills, such as 50,000 and 100,000 riel. As for dollars, it is better to have bills from $1 to $20 with you, otherwise it may be difficult to make change.
3. Costs of living.
If you are not going to live in Cambodia, then everything will be relatively cheap: food, transportation, excursions, and entertainment. The cost of housing ranges from expensive options: an apartment or house can be rented expensively (the price is $600 for a one-room apartment per month + utilities $120), and educating a child in an English-language school costs about $310/month, or you can afford a budget option(guest houses from $80 per month, average house price $250-300 per month).
Typically, prices are higher in tourist areas, but food prices are quite reasonable. The cost of a good lunch in a restaurant costs about 150 rubles per person, and in a cafe you can have a good lunch for 70 rubles. Alcoholic drinks in stores are cheaper than in Russia; real Jack Daniel’s whiskey can be bought for 300-350 rubles. Alcohol is the main component of a successful holiday in Cambodia. It is no coincidence that lovers of good alcohol flock here.
For a Tuk-Tuk taxi one way you can pay from 60 to 100 rubles. ATMs of almost all banks do not charge commission, however, you need to look specifically at each bank.
Cambodia is a beautiful country with a magnificent culture and beautiful ancient temples and pagodas; you can return to this country again and again to experience all its delights.
We have always been fans of traveling to the countries of Southeast Asia, and in last years fell in love with the kingdom of Cambodia. Cambodia is located just a few degrees north of the equator and borders Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. It is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Cambodia's climate is humid tropical and, like most countries in Southeast Asia, it never gets cold here. We will tell you to make your trip as comfortable as possible.
Seasons in Cambodia
The weather in Cambodia can be divided into two seasons: dry - from November to April and wet - from May to October. During dry season in Cambodia There is practically no rain. Air temperature 29-32, water about 30 degrees. The sea is completely calm, without waves. Air humidity at this time is very low for the tropics.
We, like many other tourists, noticed that the air in Cambodia is not as humid as in neighboring Thailand. And the sea is undoubtedly the warmest and calmest, compared to Vietnam and Thailand. It goes without saying that during this time – from November to May best time to go on holiday to Cambodia. Last season we lived in Sihanoukville from October to May and during this time there was practically no rain. Usually, from the beginning of April the wet season begins slowly. But last season was too dry and we got a little tired of the daily cloudless sky and bright sun. But we couldn’t get enough of the guaranteed calm and very warm, almost hot sea! The water temperature from March to May was more than 35 degrees - this is indescribable bliss.
Otres Beach October 2016
Air temperature in Cambodia during the rainy season 28-30 degrees, water 27-28 degrees. The sea remains as calm and comfortable for swimming.
September – early October
At this time the weather is relatively cool and humid. In September, temperatures hover around 30 degrees and gradually decrease over the following months. September-October is the peak rainy season in Cambodia. It rains intensely and almost daily. By the end of October, the amount of precipitation gradually decreases.
November – February
During these months (November to February) tourism is high season, When is the best time to go on holiday to Cambodia?. At this time, the weather is the most comfortable: air temperature 28-30, water temperature about 30 degrees. This is the best time for beach lovers.
March – May
From March to mid-April the weather in Cambodia is hot and dry. Daytime air and water temperatures remain consistently above 30 degrees.
From mid-April the rains gradually begin and the wet season begins in May. April and May are the hottest months of the year in Cambodia.
We can say from our own experience that these months are too hot. The air is hot from the very early morning and does not cool down until sunset. Night temperatures differ very little from daytime ones. Russian residents of Sihanoukville told us that even in the summer months the air temperature becomes more comfortable, due to the constant rain and few sunny days.
June August
The weather during these months is hot and humid, but rains slightly cool the air to 30-32 degrees. On the sea coast the intensity of precipitation is higher than in the interior of the country.
When to go to Cambodia on vacation
Summarizing all of the above, it becomes clear that the ideal season for beach holidays in Cambodia is the time from November to February. The weather during these months is the most comfortable, the days are maximally sunny, and the sea is gently warm and calm.
In principle, any time of year is suitable for an excursion program. But we would still recommend refraining from visiting the country in the summer. Firstly, due to the abundance of rain and also due to the greater likelihood of infectious diseases. Besides, in rainy season in Cambodia insects and snakes become active.
Read also our article Angkor Wat Temple in Cambodia.
When to fly to Cambodia? Around the same time as in Thailand. A tropical monsoon climate awaits you. There are two clearly defined seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The rainy season lasts approximately from May to October. Much rain falls from July to September. It is at this time that the country's main lake, Tonle Sap, overflows its banks. As happens in countries with similar climates, the rains are very heavy, but short-lived.
In general, this is the low season in Cambodia. The dry season lasts from November to April, this is the time that is considered high season in Cambodia. There is almost no rain at this time, and the highest temperatures are observed in March and April. The best time to vacation in Cambodia is easy to determine. The most pleasant weather to visit is during the winter months.
Temperatures throughout the year range between +25°C and +40°C. In the summer months, on average from +26°C to +32°C, in winter from +22°C to +26°C. During the year, precipitation falls from 750 to 2000 mm and humidity remains above 90%. To understand when is the best time to go to Cambodia, decide on your plans. If you want to see the sights, then choose winter time; it is hot here at the beginning of spring. You can swim all year round, but hurricanes occur in the summer. If you are not afraid of rain and want to save money, then you can take the risk of traveling in the summer.
The weather in Cambodia in winter is dry and hot. The water temperature off the coast of the country is around +25°C. It is quite hot in the capital, but throughout the territory the air temperature can drop to +25°C, +28°C. There is an interesting route from Cambodia to South Vietnam, it is by water and goes along the Mekong River. Here the tourist can expect both the vastness of the floods of this famous river and the unusual life of ordinary Cambodians and Vietnamese. With a simple visa and border crossing, traveling between these two countries is not difficult. Around resort town Sihanoukville in Cambodia has unique natural attractions. One of them is the Kbal Chhay waterfall.
The weather in Cambodia in spring is hot and quite dry at the beginning, but by May it already rains. Visit Kep, a small provincial town on the Gulf of Thailand coast in southern Cambodia. It is known to all gourmets of the world as the city of blue crab. From the famous Bokor National Park, at the foot of the Elephant Mountains, you can go to Kampot province, located in the southwestern part of Cambodia.
Think over your route in advance by studying the roads and nuances of traveling around the country. So, to see the beautiful and mystical natural Park Cambodia, Phnom Bokor, you need to move southeast from Sihanoukville. The beginning of spring is considered a good time to visit natural parks and other attractions of the country. But by the end the weather already threatens with showers and floods.
The weather in Cambodia in summer is humid, hot and rainy. The rains are tropical, violent and frequent, but there are fair intervals of sunshine between them. If you decide to travel to the country at this time, choose proven, well-known and big cities, which have good hotels with air conditioning. And, of course, the sights. For example, you can visit Wat Krom, or Lower Temple, second most important Buddhist temple in Sihanoukville.
It is better to postpone a trip to Siem Reap (Siem Reap in other spellings) until late autumn or winter. But if you are determined to see the Angkor Wat temples at this time, you will see that there are slightly fewer tourists here. True, there is enough rain.
The weather in Cambodia stabilizes in the fall, rains are less frequent and weaker. Although there may still be heavy rainfall in October. This is a good time for swimming at seaside resorts and for traveling around the country on excursions. For example, a 40-minute drive north from Sisophon are the ruins of the Banteay Chhma Temple, built in the 12th-13th centuries. At the end of autumn, you can go to Tonle Sap Lake to get acquainted with the floating villages of the inhabitants. You can already try to go to Siem Reap to get acquainted with the ancient temples of this land. Phnom Penh can be visited at any time of the year, but late autumn and winter are best.