Season guide · Phnom Penh · Cambodia
Phnom Penh in the hot season
March–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Temperatures around 35°C and heavy humidity; Khmer New Year in mid-April empties the city as people go home to the provinces. Expect highs up to 35°C (95°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F), with about 22 rainy days across March–May.
Key facts
- Months
- March–May
- Temperatures
- 24°C (75°F) to 35°C (95°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 22
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in the hot season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 35°C (95°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 3 | 12 h | 3/5 |
| April | 35°C (95°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 6 | 12.4 h | 2/5 |
| May | 35°C (95°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 13 | 12.7 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 35°C (95°F) against a yearly 33°C (91°F), and 22 of the year's roughly 119 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 2/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in the hot season
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- April: Khmer New Year — three-day national holiday (mid-April)
- May: Royal Ploughing Ceremony — ancient rite predicting the harvest (usually May)
- May: Visak Bochea — Buddhist holy day (usually May)
Make the most of the weather
Experience · Riverside (Sisowath Quay)
Sunset river cruise
Bring your own snacks or choose a boat with drinks included, and sit on the upper deck for views of the palace.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Couples
- Kids
- Views
- After dark
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
Day trips in the hot season
- 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.
- Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre (About 1 hour by car) — A large government-run sanctuary for animals rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, including sun bears, gibbons, elephants and big cats, in spacious forest enclosures.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the hot season a good time to visit Phnom Penh?
It is a trade-off: Temperatures around 35°C and heavy humidity; Khmer New Year in mid-April empties the city as people go home to the provinces. The best months overall are November–February.
+What is the weather like in Phnom Penh in the hot season?
Highs of up to 35°C (95°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F), with about 22 rainy days over the season.