Phnom Penh · Month comparison

April vs November

November ranks #1 overall vs April at #6. Best all-round month: dry season re-establishes, Water Festival peaks if not in October, city at full energy.

Phnom Penh April — National Museum of Cambodia surrounded by lush greenery during the Khmer New Year season

April

#6 of 12 months

Strong option

Khmer New Year (mid-April) transforms the city — the most significant cultural event in Cambodia's calendar.

  • ↑Khmer New Year (Bon Chol Chhnam Thmey, mid-April) is the most important celebration in Cambodia: the city erupts in water fights, traditional games, music, and temple offerings — an extraordinary cultural experience unlike anywhere in Southeast Asia
  • ↑Temple complexes throughout Phnom Penh host New Year ceremonies and blessing rituals; access to authentic religious life is at its most open during this period
Phnom Penh November — city skyline with the clock tower at dusk as the dry season returns to Cambodia's capital

November

#1 of 12 months

Best match

Best all-round month: dry season re-establishes, Water Festival peaks if not in October, city at full energy.

  • ↑Bon Om Touk (Water Festival) can fall in November depending on the lunar calendar — if so, the riverside boat races, illuminated floats, and fireworks over the Royal Palace are unmissable; the most spectacular event in Phnom Penh's year
  • ↑Dry season is re-establishing rapidly: 90mm of rain with 7.5 sunshine hours daily; the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and Killing Fields memorial are all fully enjoyable again
FactorAprilNovember
Weather score
6
8
Value score
5
7
Crowd score
5
6
Events score
9
9
Atmosphere
8
8
Avg high temp36°C31°C
Monthly rain95mm90mm
Daily sunshine7hrs7.5hrs

April trade-offs

  • ↓36°C average high is the hottest month of the year — combined with 72% humidity, daytime outdoor sightseeing beyond Khmer New Year celebrations is inadvisable between 10am and 4pm
  • ↓Khmer New Year week drives hotel prices to their annual peak; many properties sell out weeks in advance
  • ↓Much of the city closes for several days around the New Year — logistics for non-festival activities require careful planning

November trade-offs

  • ↓If the Water Festival falls in November, hotel prices spike significantly for the festival weekend — early booking essential
  • ↓Tourist season rebuilding from the wet-season low: accommodation prices rising from October budget levels; advance planning increasingly necessary
See all 12 months for Phnom Penh →April in detail →November in detail →
Scores compare months within Phnom Penh. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →