Are you wondering whether you should travel to Cambodia during the rainy season? The answer is a resounding yes. Running from May to October, this period is often misunderstood as a time of relentless monsoons. However, the reality is quite different. The weather typically features bright, clear mornings followed by brief, refreshing afternoon downpours rather than all-day rain. These short showers actually bring the country to life, turning the dusty countryside into a vibrant, emerald green paradise.
By visiting during the rainy season, you are rewarded with dramatically fewer crowds at major attractions like Angkor Wat, making your experience much more intimate and peaceful. Furthermore, traveling during these low-season months allows you to take advantage of significantly lower prices on flights and accommodations.
If you are prepared for occasional afternoon showers, the green season offers an incredibly authentic, beautiful, and cost-effective Cambodian adventure.
What is the Weather Like During the Rainy Season in Cambodia?
The rainy season in Cambodia lasts from May to October, with average temperatures hovering around 30°C.
- Early Rainy Season (May to July): These are the hottest months, with temperatures reaching 32°C to 35°C. Rainfalls are usually short and sporadic, offering a tranquil greenness to destinations like Angkor Wat.
- Late Rainy Season (August to October): Rainfall peaks September. While urban areas and main attractions remain accessible, rural roads in the far north (Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri) and some southern coastal areas can become challenging to navigate due to heavy downpours.
Chart showing average temperatures and rainy days in Cambodia.
Why You Should Travel to Cambodia in the Rainy Season
- Lush, Vibrant Landscapes: The rain transforms the dry, dusty countryside into a vibrant emerald paradise. Tonle Sap Lake swells to its full glory, and the jungles surrounding Angkor Wat become intensely green and photogenic.
- Fewer Crowds at Major Sights: You can explore the magnificent temples of Angkor without elbowing through thousands of tourists, making for a much more peaceful and intimate experience.
- Cost-Effective Travel: Hotels, resorts, and tour operators often offer significant discounts and low-season promotions, allowing you to upgrade your stay or save money.
- Vibrant Indoor Activities: When it rains, it’s the perfect excuse to dive into Cambodia’s rich culture. Visit the National Museum, take a traditional Khmer cooking class, or explore the covered local markets like Phsar Thmei (Central Market) in Phnom Penh.
Sunset against a clear blue sky and lush scenery after the rain in Cambodia
Best Places to Visit in Cambodia During the Rainy Season
1. Phnom Penh
Ideal for history buffs and food lovers seeking a mix of indoor attractions and urban convenience, Phnom Penh offers plenty of activities regardless of the weather. During the rainy season, you can spend your mornings exploring the majestic Royal Palace and the National Museum of Cambodia before the afternoon showers arrive.
When the rain starts, it is the perfect time to retreat to the covered stalls of Phsar Thmei (Central Market) to shop for local handicrafts or relax in one of the many French-colonial cafes scattered across the city. As the culinary heart of the country, this season provides a cozy backdrop to savor authentic Khmer dishes; warming up with a hot bowl of Nom Banh Chok or enjoying Amok curry at a riverside restaurant is a must.
Furthermore, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Killing Fields offer deeply moving historical insights that are primarily indoor or easily navigated with an umbrella. The rain also washes the dusty city streets clean, providing a refreshing, cooler atmosphere for evening strolls along the lively Sisowath Quay.
Independence Monument in Phnom Penh
2. Angkor Wat (Siem Reap)
Perfect for photography enthusiasts and temple explorers, Angkor Wat is spectacularly beautiful during the wet months and offers a completely different aesthetic compared to the dry season. The rain transforms the sprawling temple complex into a lush, moss-covered sanctuary, with the surrounding moats and ancient reservoirs full of water perfectly reflecting the iconic ruins.
Without the massive high-season crowds, you can peacefully explore the intricate bas-reliefs and the enigmatic smiling faces of the Bayon temple, or wander through the root-strangled corridors of Ta Prohm at your own pace. The weather usually features clear mornings and heavy, short afternoon downpours, giving you ample time to tour the main sites early in the day.
After a morning of temple hopping, you can head back to Siem Reap town to enjoy a traditional Apsara dance performance, visit the Angkor National Museum, or relax at a boutique spa while the rain falls outside.
Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Siem Reap, Cambodia; it is the largest religious monument in the world and a national symbol of the country.
3. Tonle Sap Lake
Nature lovers and those interested in unique local lifestyles should definitely visit Tonle Sap Lake between June and October to witness an incredible natural phenomenon.
As the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, Tonle Sap swells up to five times its dry-season size during the rainy months, flooding the surrounding mangrove forests and agricultural fields. This high water level makes floating villages like Chong Khneas, Kampong Phluk, and Kampong Khleang fully accessible by boat, offering a fascinating glimpse into a community that lives, works, and goes to school entirely on the water.
The rainy season also brings a rich burst of biodiversity, making it a prime time for eco-tourism and bird watching at the Prek Toal Biosphere Reserve, where thousands of rare water birds congregate to breed. Cruising the lake under the dramatic, cloudy skies of the wet season provides a serene and profoundly authentic Cambodian experience.
Tonlé Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, famous for its unique reversing flow and vibrant floating villages
4. Battambang
Art enthusiasts and travelers looking for an authentic, laid-back provincial vibe will find Battambang to be a captivating stop on their rainy season itinerary. Known for its well-preserved French colonial architecture and thriving contemporary art scene, you can easily spend rainy afternoons hopping between local galleries, boutique shops, and cozy cafes in the town center.
When the weather clears in the morning, take a thrilling ride on the famous Bamboo Train (Norry) through lush, rain-fed rice paddies that are at their most vibrant green during these months. In the late afternoon, head out to Phnom Sampeu, located about 11 kilometers from town, to witness the breathtaking sight of millions of bats flying out of the Killing Caves at sunset. This daily spectacle is even more dramatic and photogenic when set against the moody, dramatic clouds of the wet season, offering an unforgettable nature experience.
The millions of bats typically begin their continuous 40-minute flight at dusk, usually between 5:45 PM and 6:00 PM
5. Kampong Cham
For travelers seeking a quiet, off-the-beaten-path experience to observe rural Cambodian life, Kampong Cham is an excellent choice that remains accessible during the wet season. The town’s highlight is the 11th-century Nokor Bachey temple, uniquely constructed from black sandstone, which serves as a serene historical site that feels entirely undiscovered compared to the bustling ruins of Siem Reap.
During the rainy season, the surrounding countryside around the Pros and Srei Mountains turns incredibly lush, offering picturesque views of thriving rural farming communities and emerald-green fields. You can rent a bicycle to explore the riverbanks and small villages, experiencing a quaint, slow-paced lifestyle away from typical tourist trails. While the famous seasonal Bamboo Bridge may be washed away by the rising Mekong River during this time, the ferry rides across the swollen river provide their own unique, scenic charm.
Bamboo Bridge is a famous, nearly 1-kilometer-long seasonal structure connecting Kampong Cham city to Koh Paen Island
Major Events and Festivals During the Rainy Season
1. King Norodom Sihamoni’s Birthday (May 13 – 15)
A three-day holiday is held every year to celebrate the Royal Birthday of Norodom Sihamoni. Born on May 14, 1953, he has been the King of Cambodia since October 29, 2004. On October 14, 2004, he was selected by 9 members of the Council, making Cambodia one of the few elected monarchies of the world. On this day, the King makes offerings to Buddhist monks and the disadvantaged around the country. The country is decorated with pictures of the King and national flags. Celebrations are organized inside the Royal Palace and a firework display is held on the nearby Tonle Sap Lake.
2. Royal Ploughing Ceremony (May)
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony, also known as ‘Preah Reach Pithi Bonn Chrot Preah Neangkol’, is a long-lasting ceremony of the country. This is an ancient ritual which is traditionally held after the full moon day of Pisak (the 6th month of Khmer calendar), which marks the start of the rice-growing season. Since it is a time of the year when the dry season ends and the rainy season begins, peasants start preparing their farming activities for new crops. This ceremony is celebrated outside the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, as well as in Siem Reap.
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is an ancient royal rite held each May to mark the start of the rainy season and the rice-planting year.
3. National Day of Remembrance (May 20)
The National Day of Remembrance, formerly known as National Day of Hatred, falls on May 20 annually to commemorate the Cambodian genocide under the Khmer rouge from 1975 to 1979. This date was chosen because it was on 20 May 1976 that the first mass killing occurred. On this day, people around Phnom Penh come to Choeung Ek Fields, the grave for victims of Khmer rouge, to attend Buddhist ceremonies. It is the time for Cambodian people to retrospectively think about the past in order to prevent it from happening again.
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Planning a trip to Cambodia during the green season requires local expertise so you can make the most of your time between the rain showers. Let our experts optimize your Cambodia itinerary! Get in touch with our team today!
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