Month guide · Siem Reap · Cambodia
Siem Reap in December
What December is really like in Siem Reap: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote . Feel free to use any of my images, but plea, CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
December is one of the best months to visit Siem Reap. Expect average highs of 30°C (86°F), lows of 21°C (70°F), about 2 rainy days and roughly 11.3 hours of daylight. The coolest and driest month and one of the busiest; book hotels early for Christmas and New Year.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 30°C (86°F) / 21°C (70°F)
- Rainy days
- About 2
- Daylight
- About 11.3 hours
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Siem Reap: days average 30°C (86°F) against a yearly average high of 33°C (91°F), and nights fall to about 21°C (70°F). Rain falls on roughly 2 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 06:20
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:40
- Daylight
- About 11.3 hours
Late wet season (August–October). The wettest months, with occasional flooding in town in September, but full reservoirs, dramatic skies and the lake at its highest for floating-village trips.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 5 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Angkor Wat International Half Marathon — run through the temple park (usually early December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Experience · Old Market and Pub Street
Artisans Angkor
A training enterprise near the Old Market where young Cambodians learn traditional stone and wood carving, lacquerware, silver plating and silk painting.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Shopping
Museum · Road to Banteay Srei
Cambodia Landmine Museum
Read the personal stories on the walls; they make the visit more meaningful than the hardware alone.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
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Religious site · Angkor Thom
Baphuon
This 11th-century temple mountain just north of the Bayon was dismantled by French archaeologists and then left as a jumble of numbered stones when war stopped work; the reassembly was finally completed in 2011.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Architecture
- Views
Religious site · Grand circuit
Pre Rup
It is less crowded at sunset than Phnom Bakheng; the stairs are steep, so allow time to come down before dark.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
- History
What to pack
For highs near 30°C, lows near 21°C and 2 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Siem Reap?
One of the best months to visit Siem Reap, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are January–February and November. Compare every month.
Siem Reap in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Siem Reap?
It is one of the best months to visit Siem Reap. The coolest and driest month and one of the busiest; book hotels early for Christmas and New Year.
+How warm is Siem Reap in December?
Average highs are around 30°C (86°F) and lows around 21°C (70°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Siem Reap in December?
Expect rain on about 2 days of the month, so it is usually dry.