Cambodia’s Wet Season: June, July, August

The months of June, July, and August mark the start of the wet season in Cambodia. If you are planning a trip to Cambodia in these months then pack an umbrella! It does not rain too much from June to August, however, it rains enough that the entire countryside is transformed into a lush green paradise. 

As opposed to most other tropical nations, the initial start of the rains in Cambodia is very mellow. During June, July and August, there will be stretches of days when it does not rain at all. And when it rains, it usually only lasts for an hour or so in the afternoon.

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The countryside of Cambodia in 50 shades of green during the wet season in June, July and August.

What to pack?

Even though it is the early wet season, Cambodia is still a tropical country and it can get hot when it doesn’t rain for a few days. You should pack everything you would pack for summer including; a hat, sunscreen, light summer wear, and sunglasses. To these items, simply add a light rain jacket, some waterproof pouches for your phone and other electronic devices and footwear appropriate for the wet season in Cambodia.

Want to understand how to get around Cambodia? our detailed guide explains

Being prepared for rain is necessary in June, July and August. However, it does not rain constantly.

Places to Visit in the wet season

As mentioned before, one of the striking features of the country during the wet season is a decrease in the number of tourists. This makes Siem Reap and the Angkor Temples much less crowded, making this a very good time to explore both the city and the temples.

During the wet season, hotel rates in Cambodia are at their lowest. If you are a budget traveler, this could be the ideal season for you to explore Cambodia. Additionally, you even get guides at lower rates than any other time of the year.

You should definitely check out the floating villages of Tonle Sap as only during and after the wet season will the water level be high enough to make the houses “float”. Wait till August to visit these stilt houses.

You can still indulge in diving off the Koh Rong islands even though its wet season. However, it would be best to stay inland and explore Cambodia at a time when it is at it’s prettiest. Strong currents and tropical storms make it a risky prospect to travel the seas.

You can read our extended list of places to visit in Cambodia here!

Visiting the floating villages and stilt houses on the Tonle Sap Lake is only possible after August when the lake has filled up with water.

Festivals during the wet season in cambodia

International Children’s Day – 1st June 

Cambodia has the youngest demographic in all of South East Asia. Approximately 66% of the population is below the age of 30. As there are a lot of children, International Children’s Day is marked as a public holiday and the people celebrate it as such.

Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk’s Birthday – 18th June 

Cambodians celebrate this day in honour of the birthday of King Norodom Sihamoni’s mother. There are celebrations around the royal palace in Phnom Penh.

There aren’t many other festivals in the country during these months as the start of the rainy season in Cambodia marks the start of agricultural activities. Most people are busy tending to the fields and thus there is very little to celebrate. If you are having second thoughts about visiting Cambodia during June, July and August due to the threat of rain ruining your trip, then you are clearly overestimating the rainfall during these months. The rainy season is at its peak in Cambodia during September and October. But the start of the rainy season from June to August is a very enjoyable time to visit Cambodia. The lush green of Cambodia’s tropical forests, a welcome drop in temperature, the cloud cover providing you with a few hours of relief from the harsh sun; travellers often misunderstand the initial months of the rainy season in Cambodia.

Travelling with Children, Cambodia is a great destination!

The royal family of Cambodia celebrates all birthdays of living and descended family members in a grand manner.

If anything, there are a lot of advantages to visiting Cambodia during the wet season. Most people flat-out refuse to visit during these months. Thus, you will find that a lot of the touristy places are emptier. The Angkor temples which are usually full of tourists are now much less crowded. So anyone with an aversion to large crowds has no better time to visit the country. If you want to find out more about Cambodia, then you can check out the rest of our blogs. Remember to fix the duration of your trip and check out details like visa  and currency. If you are interested in planning a trip to Cambodia, do feel free to get in touch with us!