The incredible Khmer temple of Angkor Wat is best visited during the Cambodian dry season, which runs from November through April. During this season, the days are bright, warm, and dry, while humidity is much lower than during the wet season. This creates the perfect conditions for exploring this spectacular jungle complex and the other surrounding temples.
As well as the best time of year to visit, you’ll also want to consider the best time of day to visit Angkor Wat. The site is renowned for its spectacular sunrises, adding to the atmosphere and experience. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the best time to visit Angkor Wat.
Angkor Wat is located in the northern Cambodian province of Siem Reap. The site is situated 5 km to the north of the town of Siem Reap in the Angkor Archaeological Park. The monument is the largest and the most famous of the 72 major temples within the park and dates back to the 12th century AD.
To make the most of your visit to Angkor Wat and the wider Angkor Archaeological Park, it’s essential to time your visit right. The temple’s stone structure and jungle location aren’t well suited to wet, humid conditions. Given Cambodia’s location in the tropics, this is precisely what you’ll get if you visit at the wrong time.
We’ve broken down what to expect from a weather perspective below so you can ensure you enjoy good weather during your visit.
Cambodia’s tropical climate means a distinct wet and dry season. Split evenly across the year, the dry season runs November through April, while the wet season runs May through October. Days during the dry season are largely dry, with just the occasional short downpour. The highest rainfall in the dry season tends to be in April and November, the months immediately before and after the wet season.
During the wet season, conditions change dramatically, and heavy downpours are a regular daily feature. These typically occur in the afternoons, but it can sometimes be earlier. Some of these can be sustained and last for several hours. September and October see the heaviest rainfall and are best avoided.
Temperatures in Cambodia are remarkably stable and a characteristic of the country’s tropical climate. The difference between the warmest month and the coolest month is only 3-4°C, meaning you’re guaranteed to enjoy warm weather. The warmest months tend to be March through June, while the coolest months are September through January. Regardless of the month or season, temperatures remain warm overnight, comfortably above a very pleasant 20°C.
Humidity in Cambodia and the Angkor Wat region is a tale of two seasons. The dry season from November through April tends to see relative humidity of just over 50%, conditions which shouldn’t be too uncomfortable. As we approach the wet season and through the May to October wet season, humidity climbs. It hits a high of 70% across September and October. Combined with high rainfall, this isn’t a pleasant time to visit.
While the temperature varies very little by month in Angkor Wat, rainfall differs dramatically. The table below shows the weather conditions by month.
Month | Maximum Temp | Minimum Temp | Days of Rain |
January | 31°C | 21°C | 1 |
February | 33°C | 23°C | 1 |
March | 34°C | 25°C | 3 |
April | 35°C | 26°C | 6 |
May | 35°C | 26°C | 14 |
June | 33°C | 26°C | 15 |
July | 32°C | 25°C | 16 |
August | 32°C | 26°C | 16 |
September | 31°C | 26°C | 19 |
October | 31°C | 25°C | 17 |
November | 31°C | 24°C | 9 |
December | 31°C | 22°C | 4 |
The temple of Angkor Wat and the other temples of the Angkor Archaeological Park open at various different times. This is to allow visitors to enjoy the spectacular sunrise at Angkor Wat and to see the sunset at Pre Rup or Phnom Bakheng. The opening times for the different sites are shown below.
Temple | Open Time | Closing Time |
Angkor Wat and Srah Srang | 5 am | 5.30 pm |
Phnom Bakheng and Pre Rup | 5 am | 7 pm |
All Other Temples | 7.30 am | 5.30 pm |
Visiting Angkor Wat is a magical experience, but certain times of the day are even better than others. This is certainly true of a sunrise visit to this fantastic temple. While rising at 4 a.m. might fill you with dread, we assure you it’s worth the sacrifice. At this time of the day, the site is serene and devoid of most large tour groups. Seeing the temple silhouetted in the twilight of the lake is an amazing experience. As the sun rises, color floods the site, and the surrounding jungle comes to life.
The other best times to visit Angkor Wat during the day are at lunchtime and after 4 p.m. Most tour groups will typically go for lunch between midday and 1 p.m., creating a window of opportunity to visit the site without the usual crowds. The same is true of a visit after 4 p.m. Most tour groups have either finished for the day or left for other sites. This means you can enjoy the site unencumbered by the masses.
Angkor Wat is best visited during the dry season, from November through April. During this time, the weather is warm and dry, while humidity is low. If you can drag yourself out of bed, the temple is best seen at sunrise. However, if early starts aren’t your thing, visiting during lunchtime or after 4 pm is recommended to avoid the crowds.
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