Season guide · Siem Reap · Cambodia
Siem Reap in the hot season
March–April: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Marcin Konsek, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Temperatures often above 35°C, dusty landscapes and a low Tonle Sap; temple visits are best kept to early morning and late afternoon. Khmer New Year falls in mid-April. Expect highs up to 36°C (97°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F), with about 9 rainy days across March–April.
Key facts
- Months
- March–April
- Temperatures
- 24°C (75°F) to 36°C (97°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 9
- Crowds
- Moderate
- 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 | 36°C (97°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 6 | 12.4 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 36°C (97°F) against a yearly 33°C (91°F), and 9 of the year's roughly 118 rainy days fall in these 2 months. Crowds rate 3/5 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.
- March: Spring equinox — the sun rises directly over Angkor Wat's central tower seen from the western causeway (around 20–21 March)
- April: Khmer New Year — three-day national holiday with water fights, games and pagoda visits (mid-April)
Make the most of the weather
Religious site · Grand circuit
Preah Khan
Enter at the east and walk the full axis to the west gate; ask your driver to wait at the far side.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Nature
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Grand circuit
Neak Pean
A small shrine on a circular island in the middle of the Jayatataka reservoir, surrounded by four ritual pools believed to have had healing powers.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
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
Viewpoint · Angkor Archaeological Park
Phnom Bakheng
A late-9th-century temple on a hill between Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, reached by a 15–20 minute walk up a forest path.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Waterfront · West of Angkor Thom
West Baray
Rent a hammock hut on the southern shore, order grilled fish and fruit, and watch the sunset over the water.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
- Food
Day trips in the hot season
- Phnom Kulen (About 1.5 hours by car) — The sacred plateau where Jayavarman II proclaimed the Khmer Empire in 802 has a large reclining Buddha carved into a boulder at Preah Ang Thom, riverbed carvings and a waterfall with a swimming pool beneath.
- Beng Mealea (About 1.5 hours by car) — A vast 12th-century temple left largely unrestored, with collapsed galleries, carved lintels and trees growing through the stones.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the hot season a good time to visit Siem Reap?
It is a trade-off: Temperatures often above 35°C, dusty landscapes and a low Tonle Sap; temple visits are best kept to early morning and late afternoon. The best months overall are November–February.
+What is the weather like in Siem Reap in the hot season?
Highs of up to 36°C (97°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F), with about 9 rainy days over the season.