Month guide · Siem Reap · Cambodia
Siem Reap in May
What May 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
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
May is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 35°C (95°F), lows of 25°C (77°F), about 14 rainy days and roughly 12.7 hours of daylight. The rains begin, usually as late-afternoon storms that cool the air; rice fields start to turn green.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 35°C (95°F) / 25°C (77°F)
- Rainy days
- About 14
- Daylight
- About 12.7 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in May
May is the 3rd-warmest month in Siem Reap: days average 35°C (95°F) against a yearly average high of 33°C (91°F), and nights fall to about 25°C (77°F). Rain falls on roughly 14 of its 31 days. Compared with April (36°C (97°F)), May is about as warm; by June highs drop to around 33°C (91°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:38
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:23
- Daylight
- About 12.7 hours
Cool dry season (November–February). Sunny days around 30–32°C with cooler mornings — ideal for touring the temples, but also peak season with the biggest crowds and highest room rates.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 2 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in January). That makes May one of the better-value months to book.
Events in May
- Visak Bochea — Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, marked at pagodas (usually May)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
With intense heat, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Experience · Siem Reap town
Phare, The Cambodian Circus
Book a seat near the front for the acrobatics; arrive early to eat at the on-site café.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- After dark
- Couples
- Rainy day
- Art
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
Religious site · Angkor Archaeological Park
Angkor Wat
Built in the first half of the 12th century under King Suryavarman II and originally dedicated to Vishnu, Angkor Wat is the largest monument of the Khmer Empire and appears on Cambodia's flag.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Couples
What to pack
For highs near 35°C, lows near 25°C and 14 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Siem Reap?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, November–February are better overall. Compare every month.
Siem Reap in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Siem Reap?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. The rains begin, usually as late-afternoon storms that cool the air; rice fields start to turn green.
+How warm is Siem Reap in May?
Average highs are around 35°C (95°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Siem Reap in May?
Expect rain on about 14 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.