Cambodia experiences four seasons, with the cool season spanning November through February being the most ideal time to visit. This period is consequently the peak tourist season, with December and January seeing the most visitors and offering the lowest humidity. At this time, temperatures hover around 30ºC but drop significantly in the night-time, allowing for a restful night’s sleep.

March to May sees the weather heat up with temperatures peaking at 40ºC-plus in April, the hottest month of the year. The welcome rains arrive in May and continue through to August but are usually limited to afternoon thunderstorms, making this still a great time to visit. Although the rain cools things down considerably, temperatures and humidity remain high during the wet season. September and October experience shorter afternoon rain storms until the cool, dry season sets in around November.

During the rainy season many of Cambodia’s roads and rivers become impassable, hindering travel. However, if you are prepared to deal with transport delays and daily thunderstorms, this is when the famous paddy fields take on a vibrant green shade making it an aesthetically stunning time to visit.