Most people pack for Siem Reap like it's a beach holiday, then get stopped at the temple steps. The upper level of Angkor Wat needs covered shoulders and knees, and you'll be in that outfit at 30–35°C (86–95°F) after a 5am sunrise start. Light, loose, covered clothes and a lot of cold water are the whole game.
Siem Reap weather by month
Daily high and low (°C), and days with rainSee the numbers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 30°C86°F | 33°C91°F | 34°C93°F | 35°C95°F | 34°C93°F | 32°C90°F | 32°C90°F | 33°C91°F | 31°C88°F | 31°C88°F | 31°C88°F | 30°C86°F |
| Low | 20°C68°F | 23°C73°F | 24°C75°F | 26°C79°F | 26°C79°F | 26°C79°F | 25°C77°F | 25°C77°F | 24°C75°F | 24°C75°F | 23°C73°F | 22°C72°F |
| Rain days | 2 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 24 | 23 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 25 | 12 | 4 |
Season by season
Cool season
December–FebruaryThe best weather of the year, with highs of 30–33°C (86–91°F), lows down to 20°C (68°F) in January and only 2 to 4 rain days a month. Sunrise at Angkor Wat feels almost fresh, so a thin layer helps at 5am. It's also peak season, so expect crowds at Ta Prohm and the Bayon.
Hot season
March–MayApril is the hottest month at 35°C (95°F), and lows of 26°C (79°F) give you no break overnight. Rain picks up fast, from 9 days in March to 24 in May. Do the big temples at dawn and save midday for the pool.
Wet season
June–AugustHighs of 32–33°C (90–91°F) with 23 to 28 rain days a month. Downpours are heavy and then the sun comes back, so a packable shell and quick-dry clothes beat an umbrella on uneven temple stone. The moats and jungle temples are at their greenest.
Rainy season
September–NovemberSeptember is the wettest month, with 29 rain days, and highs hold at 31°C (88°F). By November rain drops to 12 days and the cool season is close. Expect mud on the paths at Beng Mealea and the outer temples.
What to bring to Siem Reap
0 of 22 packed- Hydro Flask 24 oz Wide Mouth Bottle with Flex Straw CapWater Bottles & Hydration
You'll be out at the temples from sunrise in 30°C (86°F)-plus heat, and a bottle that keeps water cold for 24 hours beats warm plastic by mid-morning.
- Sawyer 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion, 4 ozHealth & Safety
Dawn starts at Angkor are peak mosquito time, and this lotion lasts up to 12 hours without damaging your camera gear or sunglasses.
- Bearwind S40 Portable Handheld Turbo FanTech & Power
Lows of 26°C (79°F) in April and May mean there's no cool part of the day, and a handheld fan is real relief in a tuk-tuk between temples.
From May to October it rains on 23 to 29 days a month, and a shell that packs into its own pocket leaves your hands free for steep temple steps.
A light waterproof shell in a women's fit that packs down small, so your hands stay free on Angkor's steep stairs until the rain starts.
- Epicka 70W Universal Travel AdapterTech & Power
It covers the US, UK and EU plug shapes you'll find in Cambodian sockets, and five ports charge your phone, camera and power bank from one outlet.
- Anker Nano Power Bank 5,000mAh (Built-In USB-C)Tech & Power
Sunrise at Angkor Wat to the last temple in the afternoon is a long day of photos and maps, and this pocket battery plugs straight into a USB-C phone.
Clothing
- Loose trousers or long skirt · 2Angkor needs knees covered
- Light shirts covering shoulders · 430–35°C at the temples
- Light layer · 1Pre-dawn sunrise starts
Footwear
- Grippy walking shoes · 1Steep, uneven temple steps
- Sandals · 1
Gear
- Sun hat · 1
- Sunglasses · 1
- Headlamp · 1For 5am sunrise starts
- Packable rain poncho · 1September has 29 rain days
Health and toiletries
- Sunscreen
- Electrolyte tablets
- Hand sanitizer
Documents and money
- Passport
- Travel insurance
- Small US dollar bills
What shoes should you pack for Siem Reap?
You'll climb steep, worn stone steps at Angkor Wat, Ta Keo and Phnom Bakheng, often wet. Wear closed walking shoes or sport sandals with real grip, not flip-flops. In the wet months pick something that dries fast, because it will get soaked.
What do people wear in Siem Reap?
At the temples, cover your shoulders and knees, men included. Loose linen or cotton trousers and a T-shirt are what most visitors wear, and a light scarf keeps sun off your neck. In town around Pub Street and the Old Market it's shorts and tank tops, so just carry the cover-up on temple days.
What plugs does Siem Reap use?
Cambodia uses type A, C and G sockets at 230V, and many hotels fit sockets that take several shapes. A universal adapter with US, UK and EU plugs covers all three. Most phone and laptop chargers handle 230V, but single-voltage US devices don't.
Tours and things to do in Siem Reap
Packed and ready? Browse guided tours, day trips and tickets for Siem Reap.
What should you leave at home for Siem Reap?
Leave the jeans, they're miserable at 33°C (91°F) and heavy when wet. Skip the umbrella too, you'll want both hands free on temple steps. And don't bring short shorts and tank tops as your only clothes, or you'll miss the upper level of Angkor Wat.
Around Siem Reap
Packing for Siem Reap: questions people ask
What should I wear to Angkor Wat?
Clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, for men and women. Light, loose trousers and a T-shirt work, and without them you can be turned away from the upper level.
What is the best month to visit Siem Reap?
December and January are the most comfortable, with highs of 30°C (86°F) and only 2 to 4 rain days. April is the hottest at 35°C (95°F), and September is the wettest with 29 rain days.
Do I need a rain jacket in Siem Reap?
From May to October, yes. Every month in that stretch logs 23 or more rain days, and a packable shell is easier than an umbrella on temple steps.
What shoes should I wear at Angkor?
Closed walking shoes or grippy sport sandals. The steps at Angkor Wat and Phnom Bakheng are steep and worn smooth, so skip flip-flops.
Do I need mosquito repellent in Siem Reap?
Yes, especially at dawn and dusk and in the wet season. Bring a long-lasting repellent and put more on after a sweaty morning at the temples.
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