Season guide · Phnom Penh · Cambodia
Phnom Penh in the cool dry season
November–February: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Sunny, dry and relatively comfortable, with the Water Festival in November; the main tourist season. Expect highs up to 33°C (91°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F), with about 13 rainy days across November–February. November–February are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- November–February
- Temperatures
- 22°C (72°F) to 33°C (91°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 13
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in the cool dry season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°C (90°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 1 | 11.5 h | 4/5 |
| February | 33°C (91°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 | 11.7 h | 4/5 |
| November | 31°C (88°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 8 | 11.6 h | 4/5 |
| December | 30°C (86°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 | 11.4 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 32°C (90°F) against a yearly 33°C (91°F), and 13 of the year's roughly 119 rainy days fall in these 4 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in the cool dry season
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- January: Chinese New Year — lion dances and family celebrations (late January or February)
- February: Chinese New Year (some years fall in February)
- November: Water Festival (Bon Om Touk) — dragon-boat races on the Tonle Sap in front of the Royal Palace (usually November)
- November: Independence Day — ceremony at the Independence Monument (9 November)
Make the most of the weather
Religious site · Wat Phnom and Central Market
Wat Phnom
The small wooded hill that gave the city its name: legend says a woman called Penh found Buddha statues in the river in 1372 and built a shrine on this mound.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Outdoors
Waterfront · Riverside (Sisowath Quay)
Sisowath Quay riverside
Walk the stretch between the Royal Palace and Wat Ounalom around sunset, then stop for a drink overlooking the water.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Couples
Experience · Riverside (Sisowath Quay)
Sunset river cruise
Wooden boats leave from the riverside for one- to two-hour trips up the Tonle Sap and onto the Mekong, passing the Royal Palace, the Chroy Changvar peninsula and fishing communities on the banks.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Couples
- Kids
- Views
- After dark
Day trips in the cool dry season
- Koh Dach (Silk Island) (About 45 minutes by tuk-tuk or boat) — A rural Mekong island where families weave silk on wooden looms under their stilt houses.
- Oudong (About 1–1.5 hours by road) — Cambodia's royal capital from the 17th century until 1866, Oudong is a ridge topped with stupas holding the remains of former kings and a modern stupa with Buddha relics.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the cool dry season a good time to visit Phnom Penh?
Yes: November–February are among the best months. Sunny, dry and relatively comfortable, with the Water Festival in November; the main tourist season.
+What is the weather like in Phnom Penh in the cool dry season?
Highs of up to 33°C (91°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F), with about 13 rainy days over the season.