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Phnom Penh, Cambodia · Tropical

Phnom Penh: best months to visit

December (5.9/10) · May (4.4/10).

📅 Data updated: October 2026 🛰️ ERA5 · 10 years 📍 11.56°N · 104.92°E
⚡ Quick answer
December
Depends on your goals
5.9/10
☀️ Dec
Top score (5.9/10)
🌤️ Jan
Alt. (5.8/10)
May
Plus rude (4.4/10)
🌴 Tropical☀️ High UV🌧️ Monsoon season
Photo par Monineath Horn via Unsplash
Decide

When to visit Phnom Penh?

The decision rests on several criteria. Climate score, tourist crowds and feasible activities.

Verdict: In Phnom Penh, December and January clearly stand out. May concentrates the least favorable conditions.
Top & avoid
🏆 December · 5.9 January · 5.8 November · 5.6 February · 5.5 ⚠️ May · 4.4
5.8
Jan
5.5
Feb
5.2
Mar
4.6
Apr
4.4
May
4.7
Jun
4.5
Jul
4.5
Aug
4.5
Sep
4.9
Oct
5.6
Nov
5.9
Dec
Best period · ≥ 7 Decent period · 4 – 7 Tough conditions · < 4

What you grasp in 5 seconds

Phnom Penh offers 0 comfortable months, without any month really to avoid. The gap stays moderate: 5.9 in December vs 4.4 in May.

What to check next

Your tolerance for crowds and budget. The best months concentrate tourist saturation and higher prices. Shoulder seasons offer a good compromise.

Next action

Scroll down to the detailed table to compare month by month, then open the page of the month that interests you.

How we calculate the score

The score combines 4 weighted criteria using 10 years of real climate data (ERA5).

Source : ERA5 · Open-Meteo · 10 years (2016–2025) · Full methodology →

Understand

Compare all 12 months

Month-by-month details: temperature, rain, sunshine, score and verdict.

✅ 0 comfortable months ()
MonthT° minT° maxRain %mm/daySunScoreVerdict
🌥️ January →73°F90°F6%0.6mm8.4h5.8/10Decent period
🌥️ February →75°F91°F6%0.6mm8.0h5.5/10Decent period
🌥️ March →77°F93°F10%1.4mm8.6h5.2/10Decent period
🌥️ April →79°F95°F23%3.4mm8.0h4.6/10Decent period
🌥️ May →79°F91°F47%6.3mm6.5h4.4/10Decent period
🌥️ June →79°F90°F44%5.9mm6.4h4.7/10Decent period
🌥️ July →77°F90°F45%6.3mm4.6h4.5/10Decent period
🌥️ August →77°F90°F50%7.1mm5.6h4.5/10Decent period
🌥️ September →77°F88°F65%10.4mm4.3h4.5/10Decent period
🌥️ October →75°F88°F50%10.2mm6.5h4.9/10Decent period
🌥️ November →75°F86°F28%5.2mm7.1h5.6/10Decent period
🌥️ December →75°F88°F11%1.3mm7.8h5.9/10Decent period
📊 Quick read
Optimal window
No month > 7
Good transition
—
Tough period
none
🌡️ Detailed conditions (December)
🌡️ Feel
Warm
☀️ UV
6.4 · Moderate-Strong
💧 Humidity feel
67°F · Humid
☔ Rain
11% · 1.3 mm/day
🌅 Sunshine
7.8h/day
10-year trend

Annual temperatures — Phnom Penh

Min/max temperature curves observed over the past 10 years (ERA5). Shows climate stability and trend.

T° maxT° meanT° min72°75°79°82°86°90°93°201620172018201920202021202220232024202591°F — decade peak (2019)+-0.14°F / decade
Tailor

For your trip

A few angles depending on what kind of trip you are planning.

🌞 Dry season🏖️ Beaches🌊 Surf
Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

🎟️ Activities & tours · Phnom Penh

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

See all →
Affiliate link · GetYourGuide
Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.

Country · Cambodia

🗣️LanguageKhmer
💶CurrencyRiel cambodgien (៛)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘSafe · 2/5
💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeTropical
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthApril · 95°F
❄️Coolest monthNovember · 86°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘSeptember · 65%

🏝️ Tropical stay

🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘSeason Nov-Apr
Explore

Related destinations & guides

If this destination doesn't fit your dates, here are alternatives and guides.

Location

Where is Phnom Penh ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
Tropical climate with a 5.9 → 4.4 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
11.56°N · 104.92°E
Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Phnom Penh?
December is the best month with 88°F highs, 75°F lows, 7.8h of sunshine and 11.0% rainy days.
How many hours of sunshine does Phnom Penh get in December?
Phnom Penh averages 7.8 sunshine hours per day in December. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 5.8/10.
What is the rainiest month in Phnom Penh?
May is the most unfavourable month with May has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Phnom Penh in December?
In December, overnight lows reach 75°F, while afternoon highs average 88°F.
Is Phnom Penh good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Phnom Penh scores 5.6/10 on average — Acceptable conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains December with a score of 5.8/10.
When should you avoid Phnom Penh?
May is the most difficult month to visit Phnom Penh, with May has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.