Angkor Wat temple is one of the highlights of a trip to Cambodia, and it draws millions of international tourists every year.
You can see most of the top sights in a matter of days, but by picking the best time to visit Angkor Wat and the rest of Cambodia, you can maximize your ‘temple time’ and enjoy the trip that much more.
Here are some recommendations to help you make the most of your Cambodia tour!
Best Time To Visit Cambodia & Angkor Wat
• Weather
The climate of Cambodia is tropical, so the weather is hot and humid year round.
The rainy season runs from May to November (but especially the months of September and October), and the sunny season runs from December to April.
It’s still possible to visit Angkor Wat in the rainy season, but you might want to give yourself some extra days as a buffer in case of bad weather.
We’ve visited Cambodia several times in the month of May, and the weather was always bright and sunny without a drop of rain.
• Time of Day
Try to get an early start in the morning to avoid the heat and crowds.
Spend at least one morning seeing the famous Angkor Wat sunrise at the temples!
• Holidays
If you’re looking to avoid the biggest seasonal crowds at Angkor, watch out for the Chinese New Year, which falls sometime in January or February every year.
More Angkor Wat Travel Tips
Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoyed these tips for the best time to visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
Keep in mind things have slowed down a bit since covid, so you should be able to visit at any time nowadays and not run into crowds. Angkor Wat probably won’t be very crowded again until the Chinese tourists return to Cambodia.
Don’t forget to check out my Angkor Wat Travel Guide for more tips, maps, and photos before you visit!
Best Angkor Wat Tours
If you're looking for a good Siem Reap driver/guide to show you around, Klook has shared day tours starting from $12 USD.
If you plan to do the sunrise tour, which I highly recommend, they also have a private Angkor Wat sunrise tour by tuk-tuk for $19 USD or a shared sunrise tour for $12 USD.
We've used Klook for lots of tours and activities around the world, and they're great! Highly recommended.
Book Now: Angkor Wat Shared Tour / Private Tour
Where We Stayed
We stayed at the 4-star La Residence Blanc D'Angkor in Siem Reap. It was $18 USD per night for a clean double room with cold A/C, work desk, refrigerator, wardrobe, and more. There's also an on-site restaurant and pool.
The staff there is amazingly friendly, and I love the epic wall art showing scenes from the Angkor Wat. It sets the mood for exploring some Cambodian temple ruins.
Prices may fluctuate from time to time, so just keep an eye out for a good deal.
We stayed at this 4-star hotel in Siem Reap for $18 USD
This was the pool at our hotel
See Also
- Angkor Wat Cambodia - Complete Travel Guide
- 4-Day Cambodia Itinerary - Angkor Wat Temples & Siem Reap Tour
- Cambodia Travel Guide – Tips, Info & Photos