29 December
Peace Day
Official public holiday, observed nationwide.
Month by month
Cambodia in December
Dry, festive and in demand: December records the highest international arrivals of the year. Cambodia at its most comfortable, and its most booked.
- Siem Reap highs
- ~30°C
- Rainy days (SR)
- 5
- Crowds
- Peak season
- Public holidays
- 1
The short answer
What December is really like
December delivers the weather the brochures promise: about 27 mm of rain all month in Siem Reap, highs near 30°C, cool-ish clear mornings. Every region works, temples, cities, coast, highlands, which is exactly why it tops the arrivals table (about 104,000 international visitors in the Siem Reap region alone).
The month divides in two: early December offers near-peak weather with slightly softer crowds and prices, while the Christmas–New Year fortnight is the single busiest travel window of the Cambodian year. Decide which half you belong to and book accordingly.
The numbers
December weather, destination by destination
Ten-year averages, not brochure promises: computed from the same ERA5 climate dataset that powers our weather tool.
| Destination | Avg. daily high | Rainfall | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siem Reap | 30°C | 27 mm | 5 |
| Phnom Penh | 31°C | 40 mm | 8 |
| Battambang | 30°C | 27 mm | 5 |
| Kampot | 30°C | 59 mm | 11 |
| Kep | 30°C | 69 mm | 12 |
| Koh Rong (islands) | 29°C | 63 mm | 12 |
| Mondulkiri | 26°C | 30 mm | 5 |
International crowds this month
Peak season, December ranks level 4 of 4 for international arrivals in the Siem Reap region (quartiles on Ministry of Tourism monthly data).
Dates that shape the month
Holidays & festivals in December
Our picks
Where to go in December
Siem Reap
Peak-condition Angkor: dry trails, crisp sunrises, big evenings on the café and bar streets. Book sunrise slots and the good tables ahead.
Siem Reap guideKoh Rong islands
Postcard season proper: calm turquoise water and the driest skies of the islands’ year. New Year on the beach books out early.
Koh Rong guideMondulkiri
Genuinely cool season in the highlands: mornings can drop surprisingly low. Waterfalls still carry wet-season volume early in the month.
Mondulkiri guidePractical
Tips for December
- Christmas–New Year: book flights, boutique hotels and island bungalows a month or more ahead.
- Early December is the connoisseur’s slot, peak weather, pre-peak availability.
- Pack a light jumper: Mondulkiri and even Siem Reap mornings can feel brisk by local standards.
- Reserve New Year’s Eve dinners in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh: the good rooftops sell out.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is December the best month to visit Cambodia?
For weather certainty, yes: it pairs the driest skies (about 27 mm in Siem Reap) with comfortable 30°C days. It is also the busiest: December tops the Ministry of Tourism arrivals data, so booking ahead is the price of the sunshine.
How far ahead should I book for Christmas and New Year?
For the 20 December – 5 January window: four to six weeks minimum for the hotels and island bungalows people actually want, more for small boutique places.
Is December good for the islands?
Excellent, calm seas, dry days and the classic white-sand conditions. It is the most in-demand island month with February, so reserve boats-and-bungalow combos early.
Continue planning
More Cambodia travel info
Visa & Entry Requirementse-Visa, visa on arrival, e-Arrival card and entry rules.How Many Days & Itineraries3 days to 2 weeks: routes that actually work.Festivals & Public HolidaysOfficial holiday dates: Khmer New Year, Water Festival…Money & PaymentsDollars, riel, KHQR, ATMs and tipping.Getting AroundBuses, boats, flights, trains and city transport.What’s happening todayConcerts, markets, exhibitions and things to do this week.
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