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Cambodia is a year-round destination, with Siem Reap welcoming visitors to visit the temples, enjoy fantastic food, and shop for bargains based on travel preferences. Do you prefer to travel in the off-season when prices are lower and attractions are less crowded? Or is it more important to travel during the dry season and pay a little extra to avoid the rain? Year-round temps range from rainy and hot in the rainy season to dry and hot during the dry season. The quick answer says, “travel during the dry season and avoid the rain.” However, the dry season brings crowds to popular attractions like Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Pub Street. Travelers looking to escape the crowds and enjoy a personal experience at the ancient temples will need to eschew seemingly sage advice and travel during the off-season, rain and all. Let’s take a look at average temperatures and rainfall by month, along with low-season and high-seasonality, so you can curate travel plans that are best for your travel preferences. Weather in Siem Reap by Month January The average high is 89 F / 32 C The average low is 71 F / 22 C The average chance of rain is 3% The average monthly rainfall is .2 inches January in Siem Reap is dry and superb. The chance of rain is meager; even if it does rain, it won’t last long. That is the good news. However, with dry weather comes more visitors. If you prefer dry days with cooler temps and little chance of rain, then January is the month for you. Just be prepared to start your site-seeing excursions early to avoid the crowds at the temples. November through February is the peak travel season in Cambodia. February The average high is 87 F / 30 C The average low is 73 F / 23 C The average chance of rain is 3% The average monthly rainfall is .5 inches • The Festival of the Monks, Meak Bocha, is celebrated on February 9. Siem Reap in February is another month with very little rainfall. This is a popular time of year for travelers to visit Cambodia, so expect to see bigger crowds at the temples and higher rates at the hotels. November through February is the peak travel season in Cambodia. March The average high is 85 F / 29 C The average low is 77 F / 25 C The average chance of rain is 11% The average monthly rainfall is 1.1 inches Traveling to Cambodia in March can be a time of heat and humidity. Year-round weather in Siem Reap is hot, with peak temps from March through May. If you want to avoid the crowds at Angkor Wat, March and April is the time to go. However, the heat and humidity can be unbearable for some people. Schedule your site-seeing to depart the hotel early in the morning. Head back midday for lunch and relax by the pool. Then you can head back out in the early evening to avoid the hottest time of the day. April The average high is 87 F / 30 C The average low is 72 F / 22 C The average chance of rain is 26% The average monthly rainfall is 2.2 inches • The Cambodian Water Festival is celebrated in Phnom Penh from April 13 through April 15. Similar to March, traveling to Cambodia in April is a time of high heat and humidity. Peak temperatures in Siem Reap are from March through May. The heat and humidity at this time can be unbearable. It’s best to avoid mid-April as Cambodia’s Khmer New Year is April 13 or 14 through the 16th, a popular time for the locals. Most Khmer people will go home to spend time with family, so many shops and services will be closed. Schedule your site-seeing to depart the hotel early in the morning. Head back midday for lunch and relax by the pool. Then you can head back out in the early evening to avoid the hottest time of the day. May The average high is 89 F / 32 C The average low is 74 F / 23 C The average chance of rain is 57% The average monthly rainfall is 4.6 inches • King Norodom Sihamoni’s birthday is celebrated for three days this month, from May 13 through May 15. Traveling to Cambodia in May is a time of high heat and humidity. Peak temperatures in Siem Reap are from March through June. The heat and humidity at this time can be unbearable. Also, the rains start to pick up in May, adding even greater humidity to the air. May ushers in the beginning of the rainy season in Cambodia. From May through October, Cambodia will receive roughly two-thirds of its annual rainfall. While there are fewer visitors at the temples, you’ll find climbing the steps of Angkor Wat in May can be miserable. June The average high is 92 F / 33 C The average low is 78 F / 25 C The average chance of rain is 60% The average monthly rainfall is 6.6 inches May through September in Siem Reap is the rainy season, with around two-thirds of the annual rainfall during these months. This is also the greenest time of year. June in Siem Reap is the hot season, with average highs in the low nineties F or 33 C. If you struggle with high heat, then you may want to avoid visiting in June. However, for many people, June can be a great month to see Siem Reap if you plan ahead. Schedule your site-seeing to depart the hotel early in the morning. Head back midday for lunch and relax by the pool. Then you can head back out in the early evening to avoid the hottest time. July The average high is 88 F / 31 C The average low is 78 F / 25 C The average chance of rain is 58% The average monthly rainfall is 7.1 inches July continues to bring rain to Siem Reap as the rainy season continues through September. However, many people can only travel during the summer due to work and school schedules. If that is you, then don’t let the rainy season stop you. Come prepared with lightweight rain gear and watch the daily weather reports for the best times to schedule your excursions. August The average high is 85 F / 29 C The average low is 78 F / 25 C The average chance of rain is 58% The average monthly rainfall is 8.1 inches August continues to bring rain to Siem Reap as the rainy season persists through September. If you are one of the many people who can only travel during the summer, then don’t let the rainy season stop you. Come prepared with lightweight rain gear and watch the daily weather reports for the best times to schedule your excursions. September The average high is 85 F / 29 C The average low is 77 F / 25 C The average chance of rain is 58% The average monthly rainfall is 8.5 inches • Pchum Ben, or the Festival of the Dead, is celebrated on September 16. September continues to bring rain to Siem Reap as the rainy season persists through the end of the month and possibly into October. If possible, schedule your trip from mid through late September for the best chance of avoiding the rain. Also, many people will return to work or school at the beginning of the month, which means smaller crowds at the famous sites. Come prepared with lightweight rain gear and watch the daily weather reports for the best times to schedule your excursions. October The average high is 83 F / 28 C The average low is 72 F / 22 C The average chance of rain is 52% The average monthly rainfall is 4.6 inches The rainy season finally begins to subside in October, leaving plenty of lush green vegetation in its wake. October is considered the shoulder season in Cambodia. Spend a week in Siem Reap in October, and you’ll have some rain throughout your stay, but it rarely lasts all day. You’ll be met with smaller groups of visitors at Angkor Wat in October and lower prices at the hotels, a win-win. November The average high is 89 F / 32 C The average low is 70 F / 21 C The average chance of rain is 23% The average monthly rainfall is 1.2 inches • Cambodia’s Independence Day is November 9, when Cambodians celebrate their independence from French rule. • November 26 through 28 is when the Cambodian Water Festival, Bonn Om Toeuk, is celebrated. With an average high in the high eighties, the temps have begun to cool down, and the rain has subsided. The dry season in Cambodia starts in November and lasts through April. For many people, November is the ideal month to visit Siem Reap. However, with better weather comes more visitors and higher hotel rates. If you are someone who doesn’t do well with heat and humidity (who does?), then November may be your best month to travel. You should still be aware that Cambodia is a hot destination year-round. Many travelers find it best to plan their sightseeing excursions for the early morning, returning to the hotel for two hours of lunch and relaxation. November through February is the peak travel season in Cambodia. December The average high is 86 F / 30 C The average low is 70 F / 21 C The average chance of rain is 7% The average monthly rainfall is .02 inches • The Sea Festival of Cambodia is celebrated for approximately a week in December. Cambodia’s dry season continues through December. You’ll see very little rain this month. The lack of rain means unpaved roads can become dusty. Hotel rates are at their highest in December, and the popular temples are crowded. You should still be aware that Cambodia is a hot destination year-round. Many travelers find it best to plan their sightseeing excursions for the early morning, returning to the hotel for two hours of lunch and relaxation. November through February is the peak travel season in Siem Reap. When to Avoid Travel to Siem Reap? It’s best to avoid mid-April as Cambodia’s Khmer New Year is April 13 or 14 through the 16th, a popular time for the locals. Most Khmer people will go home to spend time with family, so many shops and services will be closed.November through January is the busiest time of year when you will find crowds at all the most popular sites. Hotel rates are generally higher during the high season months of November through January as well. When Is the Best Time to Visit Siem Reap? For weather, the best time to visit is November through February.For fewer tourists at the famous temples, the best time to visit is April through May and mid-September through October. When Is the Best Time to Visit Angkor Wat? For dry weather, the best time to visit is November through February.For fewer tourists at Angkor Wat, the best time to visit is April through May and mid-September through October.