Cambodia in December

Peak season: dry, cooler, crowded at sunrise spots; late-December rates are the year's highest.

No other month rates higher than December for Cambodia in this guide.

• Angkor and the plains · Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Battambang, Kampong Chambest weather

  Dry and cooler Nov–Feb; April tops 38 °C (100 °F); the green season brings afternoon storms and flooded rural roads, but the moats and rice fields look their best.Dry and cooler Nov–Feb; April tops 100 °F (38 °C); the green season brings afternoon storms and flooded rural roads, but the moats and rice fields look their best.

• South coast · Kampot, Kep, Sihanoukville, Koh Rongbest weather

  The southwest monsoon hits the coast hardest Jul–Sep: rough crossings to the islands and some resorts close.

• North-east highlands · Mondulkiri, Ratanakiribest weather

  Cooler nights; red-dirt roads turn to mud in the rains, so plan Nov–Mar.

• Cardamom and Elephant Mountains: Coast (Kampot, Kep, Sihanoukville, Koh Kong) · Gulf of Thailand shore and islandsbest weather

  Dry season roughly November–March; the southwest monsoon brings heavy rain and rougher ferries May–October.

• Cardamom and Elephant Mountains: Cardamom interior (Pursat, Pailin, Koh Kong hills) · Mountain range and border hillsfine

  Wettest and muddiest in the monsoon; tracks that are passable in February can be impassable in August.

• Eastern Cambodia: Mekong lowlands (Kratie, Stung Treng) · river towns and islandsbest weather

  Dry and cooler from November to February; April and May are the hottest months, often above 35 °C (95 °F).Dry and cooler from November to February; April and May are the hottest months, often above 95 °F (35 °C).

• Eastern Cambodia: Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri hills · Banlung, Senmonorom and the forestsbest weather

  Higher and cooler than the lowlands; nights can drop to around 15 °C (59 °F) in December and January. Wet-season mud makes red-earth roads slippery.Higher and cooler than the lowlands; nights can drop to around 59 °F (15 °C) in December and January. Wet-season mud makes red-earth roads slippery.

• Mekong Lowlands and Central Plains: Phnom Penh and the plains · Capital and the central lowlandsfine

  Hot season March–May pushes past 35 °C (95 °F); the wet season June–October brings short heavy afternoon downpours and flooded side roads. November–February is the comfortable window.Hot season March–May pushes past 95 °F (35 °C); the wet season June–October brings short heavy afternoon downpours and flooded side roads. November–February is the comfortable window.

• North-western Cambodia: Siem Reap and the plains · Siem Reap, Sisophon, Tonle Sap shorebest weather

  Nov–Feb is dry and cooler; Mar–May tops 35 °C (95 °F); the wet season runs roughly May–Oct with afternoon downpours.Nov–Feb is dry and cooler; Mar–May tops 95 °F (35 °C); the wet season runs roughly May–Oct with afternoon downpours.

• North-western Cambodia: Dangrek Mountains and border · Anlong Veng, Samraong, Preah Vihearfine

  Cooler and wetter than the plains; dirt roads to remote temples can be impassable in the wet season.

• Siem Reap30 °C (86 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 3 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 3 rain days
• Anlong Veng30 °C (86 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 2 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 2 rain days
• Banlung30 °C (86 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 3 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 3 rain days
• Banteay Chhmar30 °C (86 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 2 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 2 rain days
• Chi Phat31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 2 rain days
• Chlong31 °C (88 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 3 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 3 rain days
• Doun Kaev29 °C (84 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 3 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 3 rain days
• Kampong Cham31 °C (88 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 3 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 3 rain days
• Kampong Speu31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 3 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 3 rain days
• Kampong Thom30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 2 rain days
• Kampot31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 3 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 3 rain days
• Kep31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 3 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 3 rain days
• Koh Ker30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 1 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 1 rain days
• Koh Kong30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 5 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 5 rain days
• Koh Rong28 °C (82 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 2 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 2 rain days
• Koh Rong Sanloem30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 5 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 5 rain days
• Koh Russei31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 3 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 3 rain days
• Kratie30 °C (86 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 2 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 2 rain days
• Pailin30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 3 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 3 rain days
• Poipet31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 2 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 2 rain days
• Pursat31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 5 rain days
• Samraong30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 5 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 5 rain days
• Senmonorom28 °C (82 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 3 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 3 rain days
• Sisophon30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 2 rain days
• Stung Treng31 °C (88 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 3 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 3 rain days
• Tatai31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 4 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 4 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Angkor half marathon (check dates) check

  Early Dec · Siem Reap

  Some roads close for a morning.

• Angkor Photo Festival and half marathon (check dates)

  Nov–Dec · Siem Reap

  Evening screenings and a race through the park; some roads close for a morning.

Crowds · Cambodia

High

Prices · Cambodia

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Cambodia, side by side.

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Angkor and the plains

  Best weather of the year (Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Battambang, Kampong Cham)

• South coast

  Best weather of the year (Kampot, Kep, Sihanoukville, Koh Rong)

• North-east highlands

  Best weather of the year (Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri)

• Siem Reap

  Cool mornings; book ahead.

• Anlong Veng

  Best months: Nov–Feb

• Banlung

  Best months: Nov–Mar

• Banteay Chhmar

  Best months: Nov–Mar (dry season, road from Sisophon firm)

• Chi Phat

  Best months: Nov–Apr (dry season)

• Chlong

  Best months: Nov–Mar

• Doun Kaev

  Best months: Nov–Feb

• Kampong Cham

  Best months: Nov–Mar

• Kampong Speu

  Best months: Nov–Feb