The rainy season means emerald-green landscapes and awesome cloud formations. Big accommodation discounts and protective cloud cover make this a great time to visit the temples. South Coast can be busy as Western visitors escape for summer holidays while school is out. In April and May the mercury hits 40°C and visitors melt. October and November are an excellent time for exploration as rains taper off while the dusty dry season has yet to begin. Cooler and windy, with almost Mediterranean temperatures. Book accommodation in advance during the peak Christmas and New Year period.
Cambodia's wet season comes courtesy of the southwest monsoon, which blows from May to October, bringing with it some three-quarters of Cambodia's annual rainfall. Not surprisingly, wet season is characterised by rain, and during the peak of wet season from July to September it can rain every day. Rainy days however tend to have a few hours of heavy rain rather than being all-day downpours, though the latter do sometimes occur -- you will get wet travelling in a Cambodian wet season.
Aside from getting drenched, the main disadvantage of travelling in wet season in Cambodia relates to flooding and degraded road conditions. The bulk of roads in Cambodia are dirt and in wet season they turn to heavily rutted and pot-holed mud pits. Travelling in rural areas, particularly the north and northeast of the country, can be slowed considerably. You will still be able to go just about anywhere, it will just take longer.
A secondary problem are bridges being out, but this is becoming less of an issue as the quality of bridgework is improving. Cambodia's arterial routes -- namely Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Phnom Penh to Battambang and Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville -- are all-weather, sealed affairs and far less of a problem than the unsealed roads.
Tips for visiting Cambodia during wet season
On the upside, monsoonal Cambodia can be a beautiful country to travel in. The dust is all gone -- turned to mud unfortunately -- and the lush greenery of the country returns. Angkor Wat in particular can be stunning in wet season -- the birdlife is far more obvious and the ruins have a special appearance and feel. Observing Angkor Wat with a lightning storm as a backdrop is an electrifying experience (couldn't resist!). Far fewer travellers are in-country, too, so if you prefer to dodge the crowds, the monsoon can be a good time to visit.
Regionally, the Cardamom mountains get the heaviest rain in the country, while the entire coastline gets rough seas and a lot of rain.
Cambodia's dry season runs from October to April, when the dusty northeast monsoon arrives. Blowing like a hair-dryer set to high, the northeast monsoon dries out the country fast. While November and January are quite cool (high C20s) by April, the weather is scorching and oh-so-dry it will take your breath away. Characterised by heat and dust, this season coincides with Cambodia's peak tourist season -- travellers arrive in their droves between November and January to take advantage of the lack of rain and relative cool. By March, travelling can be uncomfortable and hot, while April can be excruciating.
As the country dries out, badly rutted roads get graded and trip times improve dramatically, though they get incredibly dusty. Cambodia's beach strips at Kep, Sihanoukville and Ko Kong bask in brilliant sunshine with clear calm waters -- if you're a beach bum, dry season is the season for you.
Dry season runs from November to April on the back of the northeast monsoon. The months of November to January are cooler, while February to April are hot and dusty. November is the coolest month, April the hottest.
Wet season runs from May to October courtesy of the southwest monsoon. Wet season brings some three-quarters of Cambodia's annual rainfall. July to September are the wettest months.
Pedal your way around the glorious temples of Angkor on this 4-hour guided bike tour from Siem Reap. Glide around the vast temple complex, stopping to pose for photo by Angkor Wat, explore the ...
Venture off-the-beaten-track on this full day bike and kayak tour from Siem Reap and get a taste of rural life in the Cambodian countryside. Pedal your way around the dirt tracks and canals of the ...
Beng Mealea surpasses even the famous Ta Prohm for atmosphere. Romantically draped in jungle vegetation, Beng Melea offers visitors a chance to discover Angkor all over again. The whole site is ...
Simple but flavorsome, Cambodian cuisine makes use of fresh fish from the Mekong and an abundance of Asian spices. Immerse yourself in Siem Reap’s culinary heritage as you enjoy a cooking class ...
Take a stroll through Siem Reap's inner core and experience this small, yet booming tourist town. Begin your tour with a visit to the Royal Gardens and Residence before making your way through the ...
Pleasure you palate with local delicacies and sweet desserts, savoring the flavor of skewered meat, fried crickets and soft-boiled duck eggs. Numbers are limited to only 12 food-lovers per tour to ...
Guest Name: Ms. Lyn
Country: Philippines
City: Manila
N.of Person: 1 pax
Travel date: 23-09-2024
Booked: Ream National Park Kayaking & Boat Trip Day Tour
Tour Style: Beach Break Holiday
Duration: Full Day