9 November
Independence Day
Official public holiday, observed nationwide.
Month by month
Cambodia in November
The turn of the year: rain retreats, arrivals surge back, and the Water Festival fills Phnom Penh’s riverfront. November is Cambodia switching to high season in real time.
- Siem Reap highs
- ~31°C
- Rainy days (SR)
- 13
- Crowds
- Peak season
- Public holidays
- 2
The short answer
What November is really like
The numbers tell the pivot cleanly: Siem Reap drops to about 102 mm of rain (from 249 mm in October) and international arrivals more than double the September figure. Days settle near 31°C with washed-clean air and the countryside still deep green: many regulars call this the prettiest month.
Its centrepiece is Bon Om Touk, the Water Festival (23–25 November 2026): three days of boat races and riverside celebration that draw enormous domestic crowds to Phnom Penh, Ministry data shows roughly 290,000 domestic trips in the period. Thrilling to attend; worth routing around if crowds are not your thing.
The numbers
November 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 | 31°C | 102 mm | 13 |
| Phnom Penh | 31°C | 152 mm | 16 |
| Battambang | 31°C | 104 mm | 13 |
| Kampot | 30°C | 155 mm | 19 |
| Kep | 30°C | 183 mm | 20 |
| Koh Rong (islands) | 29°C | 160 mm | 21 |
| Mondulkiri | 27°C | 102 mm | 11 |
International crowds this month
Peak season, November 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 November
23–25 November
Water Festival (Bon Om Touk)
Official public holiday, observed nationwide.
Our picks
Where to go in November
Phnom Penh for Bon Om Touk
Longboat races, illuminated barges and a city in celebration. Book rooms well ahead and expect packed riverside streets over the festival dates (23–25 November 2026).
Phnom Penh guideThe islands, reopening
Calm seas return: November restarts the true beach season on Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem, before the December-February peak pricing.
Koh Rong guideAngkor, green and dry
Arguably the best combination of the year: full moats and lush jungle from the rains, dry paths and clear mornings from the new season.
Temple guidePractical
Tips for November
- For the Water Festival, secure Phnom Penh rooms weeks ahead, and mind your bag in dense crowds.
- Prices step up through the month: early November still carries green-season rates.
- The landscape peaks now: photographers should not wait for December.
- Independence Day (9 November) adds ceremony around the capital’s monuments.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is November a good month for Cambodia?
One of the very best: rain drops sharply, everything is still green, seas calm, and the big crowds of December–February have not fully arrived. The Water Festival is the bonus, or the caveat, depending on taste.
Should I attend the Water Festival?
If you enjoy big, dense, joyful crowds, absolutely; it is Cambodia’s largest celebration (23–25 November 2026). If not, those dates are the ones to spend outside Phnom Penh.
Are the islands open again in November?
Yes. Sea conditions settle and full boat schedules resume: Koh Rong’s rainfall drops to roughly a third of its September peak.
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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