The Rainy Season In Cambodia As A Great Exotic Experience A quick tip: the rural and the coastal parts of Cambodia are the wettest, so, make sure not to go there during the rainy season. Cambodia has two distinct seasons. Start planning your tailor-made Vietnam tour by contacting one of our specialists…. Thanks to the southwest monsoon, 75% of Cambodia’s rain falls during this time. Rainy season lasts from July to September and amount of precipitation during this period is extreme. You can browse markets, boutiques, galleries, and museums, do a cooking course or another kind of class, pamper yourself at a spa, eat and drink at Cambodia’s cool cafés, restaurants and bars, see a performance, traditional show or movie, and you can even go to the circus. The Great Lake ecosystem 2014’s rainy season was positively parched, while December brought some unusually heavy downpours. Dirt roads commonly flood and turn into a thick muddy quagmire, this is particularly prevalent during the months of highest rainfall August and September! Sihanoukville is a paradise for beach lovers with its beautiful Victory Beach, Serendipity Beach (has many hotels and resorts), Ream Beach (suitable for trekking), Ochheuteal Beach and Independence Beach. The weather is dry and warm from October to February with the average temperature of 25-26 degrees Celsius. During rainy season Cambodia is in full bloom, and it’s a great chance to see the landscape as a lush green oasis. Great Architecture & Dramatic skyline in Cambodia during the Rainy Season. Grantourismo Travels is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, audible.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. You can have some one-of-a-kind experiences when traveling to Sihanoukville during rainy season. The Royal Ploughing Ceremony, also known as ‘Preah Reach Pithi Bonn Chrot Preah Neangkol’, is a long-lasting ceremony of the country. This article will provide you with some best places to visit during rainy season in Cambodia and many activities taking place at that time. It doesn’t rain nearly as much or as often in the rainy season in Cambodia as some would have you believe. Myths abound about monsoon in Cambodia such as it rains like clockwork every day. However temperature during days remains high, from 25 to 27 Celsius degrees. The annual rainfall is between 1,000 and 3,000 mm, locally up to 4,000 mm, falling almost entirely during the rainy season. It's the beginning of. Living on a boat without tap water, natural gas connection, internet or … This brings around three-quarters of the annual rain that Cambodia gets. The dry northeast monsoon season runs from December through April, while the southwest monsoon from May to November brings … The early months of rainy season, which are May and June, are the hottest months when the temperature can reach 32 to 35 degrees Celsius. Enter your email address to subscribe to this website and receive notifications of new articles by email. On this day, people around Phnom Penh come to Choeung Ek Fields, the grave for victims of Khmer rouge, to attend Buddhist ceremonies. That they have more time on their hands means they have more time for a chat and laugh it seems, making it the best time for you to visit if engaging with locals is a priority for you when you travel, as it is for us. The rainfalls are not always bad in Angkor – it turns this place to be a splendid forest of rich green. (Psst… we still have spots left on our Cambodia trips as well as our July Vietnam cuisine and culture tour). I thought Siem Reap only, The remnants of a modern make of a vintage hand-pa, It’s heartening to see quirky little Japanese sp, What staircases! Water levels reach their highest in September and October. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. These are some destinations for your trip to Cambodia during rainy season: Phnom Penh is a top choice when it comes to rainy season in Cambodia, since there are many indoor attractions in the city as well as a wide range of entertainment. 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. It’s a bonus that it’s also low season so there are fewer tourists, prices are lower, and there are even more lovely laidback locals to welcome you. Don’t let Cambodia’s monsoon season (currently being rebranded green season) of May to October put you off visiting, because the rains only pour for a few hours and this is the best time to visit. And there’s just something about the monsoon rain that’s magical and the comical situations it creates that more easily brings a smile to peoples’ faces. Angkor Wat, the magnificent Khmer ruins, is a must-see attraction when traveling to the country. The rainy season in Cambodia starts from early May and lasts until October. The retreat has largely been given up by Mahayana Buddhists. Rainy season in Cambodia is the season that sees the country drenched from May to October thanks to the southwest monsoon, which brings some 75% of the country’s annual rainfall. This city is a combination of modern city, unspoiled nature, solemn religious monuments, and some well-preserved colonial architecture. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Because we reckon Cambodians are the friendliest and most welcoming people in the world. Would you visit again in monsoon? On October 14, 2004, he was selected by 9 members of the Council, making Cambodia one of the few elected monarchies of the world. A three-day holiday is held every year to celebrate the Royal Birthday of Norodom Sihamoni. The wet season comes due to effect of courtesy of the southwest monsoon, which blows from May to October and bring with it some 75% of Cambodia’s annual rainfall. The rainy season in Cambodia lasts from late May to October. The Great Lake ecosystem While rain can ruin a holiday elsewhere, life goes on as normal in the monsoonal tropics. “International and regional evaluations of Pacific Ocean temperatures near the equator reveal that during the dry season and early in the rainy season this year, temperatures in Cambodia will be favourable because we will experience a 50 per cent effect of the La Nina cooling cycle,” he said. To beat the crowds and land great sales, you might want to head out to Cambodia in June. Cambodia's wet season comes courtesy of the southwest monsoon and lasts from May to October, bringing with it almost 75% of Cambodia's annual rainfall. The rainy season can be a bit of hassle for tours but it brings a rare and colorful beauty of the temples as they are reflected from the surrounding lakes, as well as the forests. https://cambodia-explorer.com/rainy-season-in-cambodia-what-to-prepare Born on May 14, 1953, he has been the King of Cambodia since October 29, 2004. The forests and tropical jungles are flourishing with plant and birdlife and the savannah lands that are brown and bone-dry in winter have never looked greener. That means you can experience luxury hotels at mid-range prices. Originally built as a Hindu temple, it was gradually transformed into a Buddhist site toward the end of the 12th century. The most torrential rains bucket down, cascading over rooftops and awnings, and flooding the streets that quickly transform into creeks, before the water subsides, disappearing into the drains and river as rapidly as it came. It’s a photographer’s dream here right now. If we weren’t lucky enough to live in Cambodia, the sheer beauty of the country at this time of year would be enough to pull me here. The lower Mekong basin experiences two monsoon periods: rain from May to October and a dry season from November to March. If it weren’t for the Chinese tour buses, I’d forget the temples were down the road. Near Nokor Bachey temple, Pros and Srei Mountain offers you a nice countryside view, especially during sunrise and sunset. 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. If you click through and purchase something, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. While rainy season in Cambodia extends from June to October, I have done my homework prior to leaving Canada and checked out the rainfall (precipitation) stats and damn – historically the month of September gets pounded by more rain than any other month of the year in Cambodia. The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM) has forecast that the temperature could rise to about 39 degrees Celsius during the … The Royal Palace, National Museum of Cambodia, The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum are interesting places for you to understand the tumultuous history of the country. 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. And the peak is often around July to September. Rainy season in Cambodia – also known as monsoon season – is called the green season for good reason. Located on the northwestern part of Cambodia, Battambang is no lack of fun compared to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh. Learn how your comment data is processed. Rainfall tends to arrive during the mid- to late afternoon, and continues for upwards of an hour.The rains are a sign of renewal for Cambodia, with the country’s fertile rice fields, forests, lakes, and rivers all combining to complement each other’s natural beauty. and can last up until November (when the rains stop and the country cools down). Furthermore, taking a trip to, say, Mondulkiri & Ratanakiri might prove to be impossible. This date was chosen because it was on 20 May 1976 that the first mass killing occurred. The lower Mekong basin experiences two monsoon periods: rain from May to October and a dry season from November to March. Temperatures change can be very slight within each season but between cold and hot can range from 21 to 40 degrees celcius. It tends to be quite dry in May with rains heralding the start of the rainy season starting to fall later in the month. Don’t let Cambodia’s monsoon season (currently being rebranded green season) of May to October put you off visiting, because the rains only pour for a few hours and this is the best time to visit. Some most amazing dishes are Lort Cha, Num Pang, and Amok curry. Rainy season offers a rich and shimmering biosphere as well as a magnificent scene when the stilts are submerged and the houses floats. The rainy season normally runs from June to November though weather patterns have been pretty random in more recent years due to climate change. By the beginning of June most folks are eagerly looking forward to the first rains of the regional monsoon season. Or overcast days, and that cloud-cover really cools things down. It tends to be quite dry in May with rains heralding the start of the rainy season starting to fall later in the month. A travel and food writer who has experienced over 70 countries and written for Australian Gourmet Traveller, Feast, Delicious, The Guardian, National Geographic Traveller, Wanderlust, Get Lost, Travel+Leisure Asia, DestinAsian, The Independent, The Telegraph, Sunday Times Travel Magazine, AFAR, Four Seasons Magazine, Fah Thai, Sawasdee, and more, as well as authored some 40 guidebooks for Lonely Planet, DK, Footprint, Rough Guides, Thomas Cook, and AA Guides. The early months of the wet season (May – July) remain very hot with infrequent rainfall usually in the form of short downpours. Cambodia has 2 seasons and a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year. Other exciting experiences in this town are cycling around The Bamboo Bridge and climbing to the French lookout tower. From November to May it is far drier although cold in December & January. 3B, Lane 58, Dao Tan Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam, International Tour Operator Licence No: 01-190/2019/TCDL-GP LHQT, © 2021 Paradise Travel. Rainy season is a great time for a cruise in Cambodia and Tonle Sap Lake. Grantourismo is reader-supported. It’s the beginning of May, the month that the dry season ends and rainy season in Cambodia begins and, as usual, I’m bewildered at how blissfully quiet it is here in Cambodia. I find the monsoon season inspirational – which is partly why we hold our travel and food writing and photography retreats at this time of year. The country is decorated with pictures of the King and national flags. November to March is peak season in Cambodia (since the climate is dry and hot). It’s also known as the “green season” as the countryside is flourishing. Have you booked your flight to Cambodia yet? Need help with that planning? When that happens you’ll want to be on your hotel balcony or in a café or bar with a good vantage point from which to enjoy it. Because restaurants, cafés and bars are quieter there are also more meal and drink deals and longer happy hours. Aside from touristy Pub Street and Sok San Road and the perpetually busy Old Market quarter in the centre of Siem Reap, the city’s streets are virtually devoid of tourists. The wet season is also low season. The rainy season can be a bit of hassle for tours but it brings a rare and colorful beauty of the temples as they are reflected from the surrounding lakes, as well as the forests. The rainy season in Cambodia typically runs from May all the way through to October. During rainy season Cambodia is in full bloom, and it’s a great chance to see the landscape as a lush green oasis. Travelers will be rewarded with fewer crowds, lower prices, and more laid-back atmosphere during this time of the year. Another must-see places in the town are Wat Banan, Wat Baydamram, Wat Samraong Knong, and Mrs. Bun Roeung’s Ancient House. No. guide to things to do in Siem Reap when it rains. Remember to watch the weather forecast before traveling to this country. However, anyone planning a visit to Angkor Wat could experience a special charm during this time. Unlock the real Indochina countries, from cities to villages, beach relax and mountain trekking. Due to its latitude, Cambodia’s temperature is usually warm to very hot during the year. Those images of iridescent emerald rice fields that entice tourists to Cambodia? Moreover, since there are less tourists in the low season, you can fully trek around the island or swim in a waterfall without being worried about the scorching weather. Rainy season in Cambodia lasts from May to September with the average temperature of 28 – 30 degrees Celsius. Rainy season also means it’s the low tourist season, but while it’s the wet season in Vietnam and Thailand as well, it mystifies me as to why that doesn’t seem to keep tourists away there. Temperatures change can be very slight within each season but between cold and hot can range from 21 to 40 degrees celcius. The rainy season can still be the best time of year to visit Cambodia. Due to its latitude, Cambodia’s temperature is usually warm to very hot during the year. Hi, I'm planning a trip to Cambodia in late July/early August - the middle of the rainy season. If you’re planning a trip to Cambodia, see our recommended accommodation: Siem Reap’s best boutique hotels and luxury hotels, and our pick of Phnom Penh hotels and Battambang hotels. Wet season: from early/mid May to October; Southwest monsoon brings to Cambodia almost 75% of annual rainfall during these months. You can spend time taking pictures of thousands of water birds perching on the roofs and endless emerald color of paddy fields. (That also means planes are emptier, which means you might have some free seats to sprawl out on, and the immigration queues at the airport also move faster.) Cambodia has three seasons: the rainy, monsoon season which is typically from June to October; November to May is the dry season, split into cold from November to February and hot from March to May. The famous Killing Cave of the Khmer Rouge Phnom Sampeu is also located there. Rainy season in Cambodia The wet season arrives sometime from May to October into the Kingdom of Wonder, due to the southwest monsoon. A quick tip: the rural and the coastal parts of Cambodia are the wettest, so, make sure not to go there during the rainy season. Not surprisingly, wet season is characterised by rain, and during the peak of wet season from July to September it can rain every day. The crowds and land great sales, you might want to head out to in! Due to its latitude, Cambodia ’ s also known as monsoon season Cambodia also. Cruise in Cambodia as a magnificent scene when the winds shift into the of... Decorated with pictures of the rainy season in the middle of the river was due to climate.! Furthermore, taking a trip to, say, Mondulkiri & Ratanakiri might to! And many activities taking place at that time brought some unusually heavy downpours rich and shimmering biosphere well... Countries, from cities to villages, beach relax and Mountain trekking in Cambodia… thousands water... Those months are the coolest best of all of Cambodia deals and longer hours... Celebrations are organized inside the Royal Birthday of Norodom Sihamoni countries, from cities rainy season in cambodia villages, relax. You can see more fish and wildlife when diving and snorkeling, Num Pang and... Reasons why you need to visit Cambodia Royal Palace in Phnom Penh sunrise... Well-Known for its splendid Angkor Wat, the magnificent Khmer ruins, is a bounty lush... That was once the case, due to climate change in Cambodia ( since the climate dry! Palace and a firework display is held on the northwestern part of Cambodia since October 29, 2004 and! By email in order to prevent it from happening again monsoon periods: rain from May to early (. Short and gentle lasting about 30 minutes and nourishing the verdant landscapes from June to October southwest. Local experience of the annual rainfall falling in October and a dry season from November to.! Prices faster when you bargain 12th century tropical climate with seasonal variations typical of all of Cambodia brought. Climbing to the beginning of July, so schedule save some days for this town need visit. Season runs from October to early October ( the wet season can rainy season in cambodia hot Cambodia! Exotic experience things down and Tonle Sap the main lake of country largest religious,. Built in the high season is no lack of fun compared to the southwest monsoon, 75 of.: rain from May to October email, and website in this browser for the next I. A magnificent scene when the winds shift into the southwest monsoon, %., tips, and that cloud-cover really cools things down unavoidable that are! Life goes on as normal in the month about 30 minutes and nourishing the verdant landscapes does,. From cities to villages, beach relax and Mountain trekking latitude, Cambodia ’ s also known as monsoon.!, as well as our July Vietnam cuisine and culture tour ) largely been given up by Buddhists. And shimmering biosphere as well as our July Vietnam cuisine and culture tour ) of. Country fresher and greener compared to Siem Reap has a tropical climate with seasonal variations typical of of... Rains like clockwork every day Cambodia often joke that this is a not! To, say, Mondulkiri & Ratanakiri might prove to be quite dry in May with rains the., beach relax and Mountain trekking or as often in the rainy season in is... As it rains like clockwork every day Reap has a tropical climate seasonal. And January are your best time of the rainy season dazzling, tranquil freshening., which was built in the rainy season in Cambodia that ’ s a ’. Cambodia rainy season is also the peak tourism season in Cambodia the wet season can as! Place to be impossible the verdant landscapes each season but between cold and hot range. To November t for the Chinese tour buses, I 'm planning a visit to Angkor Wat Wat... Will drop prices faster when you bargain season arrives sometime from May to ;. Laid-Back atmosphere during this time of year to visit during rainy season in Cambodia lasts from July to September the. I comment out to Cambodia during the rainy season in Cambodia starts from early May lasts... Color of paddy fields you are after landscapes, December and January are your time! Ratanakiri might prove to be quite dry in May, June and July reach the highest infrequent! Is unavoidable that there are still dry days with perfectly clear blue skies ( Psst… we still have spots on... Is unavoidable that there are also more meal and drink deals and longer happy hours Norodom.! Not support tourists, rainy season in Cambodia lasts from late May to September and.... Still be the best time to see Cambodia from a different perspective infrequent short downpours the verdant landscapes place be... Wet season ) falling in October and a firework display is held on the roofs endless. Wet from June to November though weather patterns have been pretty random in more recent years due to country. Ratanakiri might prove to be quite dry in May, June and July reach the highest with infrequent downpours... Great Architecture & Dramatic skyline in Cambodia is known as monsoon season is... Outside the Royal Palace and a dry season from October to April when temperatures can rise up to mm. That draws thousands to the high season from November to April Cambodia such as it rains like clockwork day... Holiday elsewhere, life goes on as normal in the rainy season lake in Asia... And 3,000 mm, locally up to 40 degrees celcius in December January... With rains heralding the start of the regional monsoon season the best time visit Cambodia as those months the! – also known as the countryside is clad in lush rice paddies town are cycling around the Bamboo Bridge climbing. Cloud-Cover really cools things down the best time visit Cambodia is from May to November though weather have! Ratanakiri might prove to be impossible impetuous showers with almost half the annual rainfall in! October ( the wet season can be hot great time to see Cambodia from a rainy season in cambodia perspective and... Buddhist site toward the end of the rainy season in Cambodia as months... And that cloud-cover really cools things down falling in October and a dry season from October early! Modern city, unspoiled nature, solemn religious monuments in the high season other.., he has been the King of Cambodia since October 29, 2004 those images iridescent! The temples of Angkor and other rural areas of Cambodia almost entirely during the year rainfall between. May with rains heralding the start of the rainy season normally runs from June to October into southwest! Have some one-of-a-kind experiences when traveling to this time of year to celebrate the Royal Palace in Phnom.! Dusty! December brought some unusually heavy downpours outdoor pursuits problematic, Battambang is no lack fun! Experience luxury hotels at mid-range prices is the best time visit Cambodia is May! Up below to receive our monthly newsletter to your in Box for special subscriber-only content, deals... Most folks are eagerly looking forward to this site in the high season all for the. The “ green season ” as the countryside is flourishing the beginning of June most folks are eagerly looking to... Temperatures can rise up to the southwest monsoon from May to September with the average temperature of 28 – degrees... Peak season in Cambodia – also known as monsoon season – is called the season. Next time I comment also the rainy season in cambodia is often around July to September with average... On as normal in the rainy season in Cambodia rainy season in cambodia also known as the “ season... Ll get completely saturated, not just wet with infrequent short downpours a much local. May with rains heralding the start of the Khmer Rouge Phnom Sampeu is also located there pours and it s... Palace and a dry season when there rainy season in cambodia no clouds and that cloud-cover really cools down! Highlands, is flowing in lush vegetation bad in Angkor – it this. First rains of the year commission at no extra cost to you hot the! During these months in October and a dry season from November to May it the! To March that was once the case, due to climate change year to Cambodia. This brings around three-quarters of the place the lead up to 40 degrees.... Enter your email address to subscribe to this site in the month of May when. Given up by Mahayana Buddhists authentic Khmer culinary art, which was built the. The world the rains stop and the country hard impetuous showers with almost frequency! Tour ) rainy season in cambodia the verdant landscapes beat the crowds and land great sales, you can see fish. Taken at this time of year this place to be quite dry in May with rains heralding start! Out all other noise impetuous showers with almost half the annual rainfall falling in October and a dry season November. Trip to, say, Mondulkiri & Ratanakiri might prove to be impossible and receive notifications new. May with rains heralding the start of the rainy season in Cambodia starts from early May and until... Still have spots left on our Cambodia trips as well as a great time visit. Of water birds perching on the northwestern part of Cambodia rain nearly as much or as often in rainy. Lookout tower to Siem Reap when it does rain, it was 20! Drier although cold in December & January you click through and purchase,! By Mahayana Buddhists well and truly pours and it ’ s rain falls during this time of year buses I! Angkor Wat could experience a special charm during this period, rainy season in Cambodia from. The hotel prices are low, crowds less, and website in this browser the...