The Best Time To Visit Siem Reap For A Memorable Adventure

The best time to visit Siem Reap is from November to February, when the weather is dry and cooler with low humidity, making you feel pleasant, great for outdoor activities. Read Seni World’s guide to understand the weather and tips.

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Where Is Siem Reap?

Siem Reap is a colourful city positioned in northwestern Cambodia, which is the primary gateway to the world-famous Angkor Archaeological Park. About 320 kilometers from Phnom Penh, Siem Reap sits alongside the Siem Reap River and is surrounded by pretty rural villages, green rice fields, and culturally beautiful landscapes. The city has grown strongly thanks to tourism, so now it has a mixture of conventional Khmer allure and modern facilities.

From Siem Reap, travelers can discover old temples, unique floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake, and impressive countryside sights. Siem Reap is also connected to important tour hubs in Southeast Asia thanks to an international airport with various flights from cities like Bangkok, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. No matter its popularity, Siem Reap still keeps a pleasant and inviting atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for both short exploration and longer cultural trips in Cambodia.

What Is The Best Time To Visit Siem Reap?

The best time to visit Siem Reap is from November to February, when the climate is cool, dry, and comfortable. At this season, temperatures in Siem Reap vary from mild mornings to pleasantly warm afternoons. Therefore, you can have an opportunity to visit famous temples, such as Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm, more enjoyably. The skies are commonly clear, the humidity is low, and the rain is minimal, which is great for photography, outdoor activities, and full-day sightseeing without feeling overheated.

If you want to revel in an atmosphere with fewer travelers even as you still unwind in decent weather, you can choose to travel to Siem Reap in late October or early March. During these months, situations stay comfortable, but well-known attractions are less crowded. Overall, the dry season is the best time to visit Siem Reap, and you can enjoy exciting outdoor activities during this time, including taking part in dynamic festivals, going to local night markets, and enjoying cultural activities.

Siem Reap Weather Overview By Season

Siem Reap has three seasons in a year. It consists of the cool and dry season, the hot and dry season, and the rainy season. Seni World has summarized the Siem Reap weather by month and also the Siem Reap temperature by month for vacationers to refer to. So you can easily check, follow, and schedule a wonderful Siem Reap itinerary:

Season	Months	Temperature (°C)	Typical Weather Experience
Cool and dry season	November to February	From 22 to 30	The weather is dry and cooler with low humidity, making you feel pleasant. This is the best time of year to visit Siem Reap and Angkor temples, as well as enjoy outdoor activities without discomfort.
Hot and dry season	March to May	From 30 to 38	Siem Reap will be very hot, particularly around midday. It is excellent for indoor attractions, but outdoor sightseeing is still good in the early morning and late afternoon.
Rainy or wet season	June to October	From 25 to 32	Frequent afternoon showers and high humidity. The old temples are more dramatic, with travelers being smaller, and hotel prices are regularly lower. Morning sightseeing will often be the most pleasant.

The Cool And Dry Season (From November To February)

The cool and dry season, which is in the period from November to February, is the best time to visit Siem Reap. Throughout these months, the climate is pleasantly mild, and the humidity in the cool and dry season is much lower than in other seasons, making it brilliant for long days of discovering Angkor Wat, biking around old temple complexes, or strolling through local markets. Clear blue skies and steady sunshine create superb lighting conditions for photos, particularly during sunrise and sunset at symbolic temples.

Tourism peaks in this season, so the surroundings become energetic and more colourful. With comfortable weather, there are various interesting things to do in Siem Reap for travelers, such as taking a Tonle Sap boat journey or a countryside tour, or taking part in some cultural shows. However, because of crowds, you need to pay higher accommodation charges and be surrounded by larger crowds at famous sights. Booking lodgings early, as well as starting temple visits early in the morning, will help you enjoy these attractions to the fullest.

The Hot And Dry Season (From March To May)

The hot and dry season in Siem Reap is from March to May, bringing excessive heat and sturdy sunshine, with daytime temperatures frequently rising above 35°C, and sometimes reaching 38°C. Humidity stays mild, but the sizzling midday heat will make outdoor visits challenging. Despite the high temperatures, the climate remains clear and dry, so you can still investigate temples and attractions early in the morning or in the late afternoon to avoid the peak heat.

This season is less crowded, so you can have an opportunity to enjoy a calmer feeling at famous sites like Angkor Wat and Bayon Temple. Accommodations regularly offer better rates, and eating places, as well as tours, are also easier to book in comparison to the high season. Although the heat may also feel overwhelming at times, the hot and dry season is suitable for vacationers who prefer fewer crowds and do not mind the warm weather. You can revel in Siem Reap’s slower and more relaxed pace.

The Rainy Or Wet Season (From June To October)

The period from June to October is the Siem Reap rainy season, or also the wet season, which changes this city into a lush and brilliant destination. Afternoon showers are typical, but they usually do not remain all day. Mornings regularly continue to be clear and wonderful for sightseeing. Higher humidity creates a refreshing feeling compared to the dry months, great for nature lovers. You can witness the Angkor temple moats fill up, the rice fields become shiny green, and the landscape is incredibly photogenic.

The rainy season in Siem Reap is also the time with fewer tourists and better rates of both lodgings and eating places. Budget travelers can choose this time to completely enjoy this city. There are some precise experiences for you, such as taking floating village tours, immersing yourself in dramatic stormy skies for memorable photography.

Tips For Visiting Siem Reap In Different Seasons

To have an enjoyable, interesting, memorable, and safe trip in Siem Reap, you should not only learn more about the city of Cambodia’s itinerary, or when is the best time to visit Siem Reap, but also need to remember the following important tourism tips. These tips will help you have a comfortable adventure to Siem Reap and protect yourself more effectively:

When traveling in the cool and dry season:

Book hotels and reserve restaurants and famous shows (like Phare Circus, Apsara Dance) in advance, because this is the peak tourist season. This will help you have better prices and ensure availability.
Wear light layers in mornings and evenings, when the weather can be slightly cool. Besides, you should prepare a light scarf or jacket in case you travel by tuk-tuk at night to keep your body warm enough.
Use sunscreen to protect your skin, because UV levels in Siem Reap are still high despite the cool weather.

Ta Prohm in Siem Rep

When traveling in the hot and dry season:

Schedule outdoor activities before 08:00 AM or when the sun sets to avoid the harsh midday heat and enjoy the cooler temperatures. Besides, let’s choose to unwind in indoor destinations, like a museum, a local workshop, a coffee shop, a spa, or your hotel swimming pool in the midday.
Apply sunscreen with a high level of SPF, wear hats, and sunglasses to protect your skin from intense sun in Siem Reap.
Drink enough water to avoid fatigue and dehydration, especially in case you go out in the sun.
Wear light and breathable clothing (such as linen or cotton), so you can feel more comfortable.
Choose air-conditioned transport when going out, instead of open tuk-tuks during peak heat.

When traveling in the rainy or wet season:

Bring a compact raincoat or a small umbrella in your baggage for sudden showers. You should also wear waterproof sandals or quick-dry footwear because of muddy paths.
Use mosquito repellent to protect yourself, as mosquitoes increase in wet months in Siem Reap.
Be cautious of slippery temple steps when visiting these places in the rainy season, and ensure to walk slowly and carefully.
Be flexible when you plan your journey in the wet season, because heavy storms may delay or cancel your tours or transport. You can arrange morning activities, as rain regularly comes in the afternoon. If you still do not know how to schedule a suitable trip in Siem Reap during its rainy season, let’s contact Seni World for more consulting.

FAQs About The Best Time To Visit Siem Reap

Seni World also listed some FAQs to help you find out more about the best time to visit Siem Reap. Let’s see them more in the part below!

Does Siem Reap flood in its rainy season?

Some roads in Siem Reap rainy season may get waterlogged, but major tourist areas in this place remain accessible. You need to check the real-time situation carefully to arrange a suitable journey to ensure a memorable experience in this city.

Should I visit during the Khmer New Year (April)?

The Khmer New Year in Siem Reap is in April. It is fun culturally that you should enjoy at least once in this adventure. However, the climate is very hot, and some stores and vendors close, so you should prepare snacks and water in your baggage when visiting this celebration.

What season is best for Tonle Sap floating villages?

The rainy season is the best time to visit the Tonle Sap floating villages. This season is when water levels are high, and the scenery is beautiful, wonderful for both sightseeing and taking captivating photos.

Is sunrise or sunset better in each season in Siem Reap?

In the cool and dry season, you can have a chance to witness the best sunrise. Then, if you travel to Siem Reap in the rainy season, you will see dramatic sunsets with clouds. Both are excellent natural images that you can not miss out on.

Can I travel to Siem Reap year-round?

Of course you can. Each season in Siem Reap has its advantages, and all are wonderful for travel if you plan suitably and prepare enough baggage and luggage.

Final Thoughts: Is Siem Reap Worth Visiting?

The best time to visit Siem Reap is from November to February, when the climate is cool, dry, and comfortable, with temperatures varying from mild mornings to pleasantly warm afternoons. There are various wonderful things to do in Siem Reap for travelers, such as visiting Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm, taking a Tonle Sap boat journey or a countryside tour, and participating in some cultural shows. If you want to learn more about this Siem Reap adventure, like what to do and where to stay in Siem Reap, and receive support for the visa process, let’s contact Seni World, a reputable travel operator.

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