Siem Reap · Cambodia
December
Peak season returns — cool, dry and spectacular; Christmas influx drives prices up.
Strong option
#6 of 12 months
There are better months for Siem Reap — see the full ranking below.
See when to go instead →Climate
High
28°C
Low
18°C
Rain
20mm
Sun
9hrs/day
30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5
How December scores in Siem Reap
Weather
Excellent
Value
Average
Crowds
Average
Events
Above average
Atmosphere
Excellent
What you gain in December
- ↑Dry season in full swing with 18°C nights: cool enough for comfortable dawn starts at Angkor Wat's reflection pool without the oppressive heat of April
- ↑Christmas in Siem Reap: Western visitors create a festive atmosphere across Pub Street and the Riverside; bar events and special dinners throughout the month
- ↑All temple zones fully accessible and at their clear-sky photographic best — the December light on Angkor Wat's sandstone facade is exceptional
What you sacrifice
- ↓Accommodation prices back at peak levels: December matches January for rates, and the Christmas–New Year week commands a further premium
- ↓Angkor Wat sunrise viewpoint at full capacity from Christmas week: arrive by 04:30–05:00 to access the reflection pool without being blocked by the crowd
- ↓Advance booking essential for December arrivals: good guesthouses on Siem Reap Riverside are fully booked weeks ahead
How December compares to November (best month)
| Factor | December | November ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | 8 | 8 |
| Value | 4 | 6 |
| Crowds | 4 | 6 |
December in other destinations
Lisbon (14.4°C)Barcelona (13.8°C)Tokyo (12°C)Bali (30.3°C)Santorini (14.5°C)Paris (6.9°C)New York (5.1°C)Marrakech (18.1°C)Amsterdam (6.4°C)Maldives (30°C)Rome (11.7°C)Bangkok (30.4°C)Istanbul (9.4°C)Vienna (3°C)Seoul (3.7°C)Dubrovnik (11.6°C)Rio de Janeiro (29.5°C)Kyoto (11.3°C)Phuket (31.8°C)Cape Town (25.6°C)Prague (3°C)Amalfi Coast (13°C)Mexico City (21°C)Medellín (28°C)Fiji (30°C)London (8°C)Sydney (26°C)Iceland (2°C)Tulum (28°C)Dubai (25°C)Singapore (30°C)Hoi An (24°C)Chiang Mai (27.5°C)Miami (25.6°C)Florence (9.8°C)Queenstown (21°C)Madrid (9.5°C)Porto (14°C)Edinburgh (7°C)Copenhagen (5°C)Budapest (5°C)Kraków (2°C)Tbilisi (7°C)Palawan (29°C)Hanoi (20°C)Osaka (11°C)Goa (32°C)Cusco (20°C)Buenos Aires (29°C)Mykonos (14°C)Zanzibar (31°C)Sri Lanka (30°C)Costa Rica (25°C)Cancun (28°C)Krabi (32°C)Athens (14°C)Seville (15°C)Cartagena (31°C)
Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Siem Reap, not across destinations. Methodology →