1 May
International Labor Day & Visak Bochea Day
Visak Bochea (fête bouddhiste lunaire) tombe la même date que la Fête du Travail en 2026, selon le sous-décret.
Month by month
Cambodia in May
The rains return, the tourists leave, and the country turns green almost overnight. May is the start of the quiet season, and of the bargains.
- Siem Reap highs
- ~33°C
- Rainy days (SR)
- 23
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Public holidays
- 3
The short answer
What May is really like
May flips the switch: Siem Reap jumps to roughly 188 mm of rain across 23 rainy days, typically as hard, short afternoon downpours between long bright spells. Temperatures stay high (about 33°C) but the dust settles and the paddies flood back to life.
International arrivals drop to less than half the December peak, and prices follow. If you would rather have Angkor corridors and café terraces to yourself than guarantee cloudless skies, May is where the trade starts to pay.
The numbers
May 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 | 33°C | 188 mm | 23 |
| Phnom Penh | 34°C | 177 mm | 25 |
| Battambang | 34°C | 149 mm | 23 |
| Kampot | 31°C | 160 mm | 23 |
| Kep | 31°C | 234 mm | 26 |
| Koh Rong (islands) | 30°C | 288 mm | 26 |
| Mondulkiri | 29°C | 212 mm | 26 |
International crowds this month
Quiet, May ranks level 1 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 May
5 May
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
Official public holiday, observed nationwide.
14 May
King Norodom Sihamoni's Birthday
Official public holiday, observed nationwide.
Our picks
Where to go in May
Angkor, green edition
Moats full, moss glowing, mornings usually dry and far fewer visitors: the rain rarely starts before mid-afternoon.
Temple guidePhnom Penh
City life is largely rain-proof: museums, coffee, rooftop breaks between showers. May also brings the Royal Ploughing Ceremony.
Phnom Penh guideKampot
Pepper harvest season winds down and the river is at its moodiest and prettiest. Bring a book and watch the storms roll past.
Kampot guidePractical
Tips for May
- Front-load your days: mornings are the reliable window, storms favour late afternoon.
- A compact rain jacket or poncho beats an umbrella on a moto or tuk-tuk.
- Negotiate: green-season rates start now, especially on multi-night stays.
- Island boats still run, but seas get lumpier: take morning crossings.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Does it rain all day in May?
Rarely. The pattern is a hot bright morning, clouds building, then a heavy hour or two in the late afternoon. Whole washed-out days are the exception, not the rule.
Is May low season?
Yes, arrival data puts May among the three quietest months for international visitors, with prices to match.
Are the islands still worth it in May?
Early May often still works, but Koh Rong’s rainfall trebles versus April (about 288 mm). Treat beach weather as a bonus, not a promise, and keep plans flexible.
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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