Month guide · Phnom Penh · Cambodia
Phnom Penh in December
What December is really like in Phnom Penh: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
December is one of the best months to visit Phnom Penh. Expect average highs of 30°C (86°F), lows of 22°C (72°F), about 3 rainy days and roughly 11.4 hours of daylight. Dry, sunny and the least humid month; busy with holiday visitors.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 30°C (86°F) / 22°C (72°F)
- Rainy days
- About 3
- Daylight
- About 11.4 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Phnom Penh: days average 30°C (86°F) against a yearly average high of 33°C (91°F), and nights fall to about 22°C (72°F). Rain falls on roughly 3 of its 31 days. Compared with November (31°C (88°F)), December is about as warm; by January highs climb to around 32°C (90°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 06:12
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:39
- Daylight
- About 11.4 hours
Late rains (September–October). The wettest weeks with occasional flooding, rivers at their highest and the Pchum Ben festival.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 4 for crowds (the peak is January at 4) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
December has no major recurring festival in Phnom Penh, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Landmark · BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang 1)
Independence Monument
Designed by the architect Vann Molyvann and inaugurated in 1958, the lotus-shaped tower celebrates independence from France in 1953 and stands at the junction of Norodom and Sihanouk boulevards.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- After dark
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Religious site · Riverside (Sisowath Quay)
Wat Ounalom
Remove shoes before entering the halls and ask permission before photographing monks.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
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Religious site · BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang 1)
Wat Langka
One of the city's oldest pagodas, near the Independence Monument, Wat Langka survived the Khmer Rouge period by being used as a warehouse.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Off the beaten path
- History
Architecture · BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang 1)
National Olympic Stadium
Go around 5–6pm to join the exercise crowd and watch the sunset from the top tier.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
- Active
What to pack
For highs near 30°C, lows near 22°C and 3 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Phnom Penh?
One of the best months to visit Phnom Penh. The other best months are January–February and November. Compare every month.
Phnom Penh in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Phnom Penh?
It is one of the best months to visit Phnom Penh. Dry, sunny and the least humid month; busy with holiday visitors.
+How warm is Phnom Penh in December?
Average highs are around 30°C (86°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Phnom Penh in December?
Expect rain on about 3 days of the month, so it is usually dry.