November-February: Cool and
dry.
Average mid-day temperatures in the mid 20s, sometime
dipping below 20 at night. The monsoon rains trail off through
October and November, and have usually stopped completely by mid
November. These months - November through February - are
generally considered to be the best time of year to visit, with
December and January offering the very best weather of the year
across the country - comfortably warm days, clear skies, no
rain, light breeze, cool evenings. Ideal beach weather in
Sihanoukville. A comfortable time of year to visit the
temples near
Siem Reap. Temperatures begin to creep up a bit through
February and there are occasional, short 'mango showers' in the
afternoon.
March-May: Hot and dry.
The dry season continues, the only precipitation being short
'mango showers' in the afternoons that slowly increase in
frequency and intensity through these months. During these
months river and lake levels are very low, generally making
boat/river ferry travel much more difficult, less reliable and
can greatly increase travels times dramatically. On the other
hand, road travel (bus, taxi, motorcycle) is much easier and
more reliable for lack of rainy season flooding. The temperature
slowly rises through February and March, peaking out in April
and May before the monsoons begin. February and March are still
comfortable but by April mid-day temperatures can hover in the
mid to upper 30s, especially in inland areas like
Siem Reap. It is less breezy at this time of year, the sun
can be quite intense and the air becomes hazier with the rising
humidity. Though sometimes quite hot, the lack of rain still
leaves this a good time of year to visit the temples or the
beach.
June-August: Hot and wet.
The hot season continues but is fairly quickly moderated as the
monsoon rains begin in May and June, cooling, if only a bit, the
hot, humid air. Across most of the country, the monsoon rains
are fairly predictable, usually occurring in the afternoon or at
night. And the afternoon rains usually last no more than a
couple of hours making them fairly easy to plan around,
especially if you are visiting the temples or touring. In fact,
the
Angkor temples are at their aesthetic best during the wet
season. The surrounding moats and reflecting pools are full, the
jungle is lush and moisture bring outs the colours of the moss
and lichen covered stones of the temples. Boat travel becomes
easier and more reliable as the season progresses and the river
and lake levels rise, but some roads sometimes deteriorate or
become temporarily flooded. The pattern of monsoon rains tends
too be different along the coast and the beach towns, where the
rains are more frequent and, when the season is at its peak, may
last for days at a time, though, unlike the rest of the country,
the rain on the coast may stop for days at a time as well.
September-Early November: Cool
and wet.
The air doesn't really begin to cool much until
October or November, but still, its cooler than the hottest
months. In September the temperatures hover in the mid 30s and
slowly drop through the following months. By October, the mid
day temperatures are around 30. In September the rainy season is
just passing its peak. The rains are still very regular and
intense in September, but by October the frequency is usually
dropping off considerably. By the end of October the rains are
close to stopping completely, if they haven't already. As the
rains end through October, the best time of year to visit
Cambodia begins.
The Rainy Season
Many travellers try to
avoid visiting Southeast Asia during the wet season, assuming
that the rains will spoil the visit.
There are obvious
disadvantages to visiting during the rainy season, but
personally it is my favourite time of year in Cambodia. During
the rainy season the temples of Angkor are at their most
beautiful and most photogenic. The reflecting pools and moats
are full, the vegetation is deep green and the wet stone of the
temples is at its most colourful. Also of photographic note, the
rain-washed air of the wet season is particularly clear as
compared to the hazy, smoky skies of the dry season, making
those long shots of the temples and rice paddies that much
clearer. (If you always wanted that shot of from the top of
Phnom Bakheng of the distant Angkor Wat in the jungle illuminated the light of sunset,
this is the best time of year to bring your 400mm lens and give
it a try.) Outside the cities, the rice paddies are full of
water and green with new rice, the jungle is lush and the
countryside is picturesque and alive with growing season
activity. The river and lake levels are high making boat travel
easy. (It's the best time of year to take the
boat from Siem Reap to Battambang, reputedly one of the most
picturesque boat trips in Cambodia.) And it must be said that
there are fewer tourists in the country. The temples are less
crowded, prices are lower and the bars and restaurants are all
happy to see you. And, practically speaking, it does not rain
all of the time or even every day during the rainy season. When
it does rain it usually starts around 2:00PM or 3:00PM and lasts
a couple of hours, making it easy to plan around in most
cases. Toward the beginning and the end of the season the rains
occur with far less frequency.
