Visiting Cambodia in December: Weather, Crowds, Prices & Events
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-18
December is the start of Cambodia’s high season, and the country is at its most visitor-friendly all year: dry, breezy, and cooler than the rest. This guide breaks down what Indian travelers pay for flights, dorms, and tours in December, and where the crowds and weather pinch. Prices cross-checked against traveller reports and the Cambodia eVisa portal.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: December flights from India to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap sell out by mid-October. If you are locking dates around Christmas or New Year, book 60-90 days out and you will save roughly ₹8,000-₹12,000 (~$82.98-$124.48) compared to last-minute fares.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Is December a good time to visit Cambodia? | Yes, it is peak high season, dry and cool (24-31°C), but flights and Siem Reap hostels cost 30-50% more than November shoulder week. | — |
| What is the weather like in Cambodia in December? | Dry season starts, low humidity, no rain. Mornings 22°C, afternoons 30°C, no typhoon risk, mostly sunny. | — |
| How crowded is Cambodia in December? | Siem Reap and Angkor are packed from Christmas to New Year. The week before Christmas is noticeably quieter, with prices 10-20% below peak week. | — |
| What festivals happen in Cambodia in December? | Christmas, New Year’s Eve countdown in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, and Bon Om Touk-style riverside events wrap up early in the month. | — |
| How much is the Cambodia e-visa for Indians? | ₹3,471 (~36 USD) online or ₹2,892 (~30 USD) on arrival at Phnom Penh/Siem Reap airports. | ₹2,892-₹3,471 |
Month-by-Month Breakdown
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Cost Level (INR) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | Dry, 24-31°C, calm | Rising | Mid (₹) | Shoulder-end, best price-to-weather ratio |
| December | Dry, 22-31°C, sunny | Peak | High (₹₹₹) | Perfect weather, peak prices, book ahead |
| January | Dry, 22-32°C | Peak | High (₹₹₳) | Slightly hotter, still peak |
| April | Hot, 30-37°C | High | Mid (₹) | Khmer New Year, chaotic but cheap hostels |
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Want the same dry weather for 25-40% less? Aim for late November or the first week of December, before the Christmas-New Year arrival crunch kicks in. The first ten days of December are often called the “shoulder-peak sweet spot” by agents in Bangkok who watch booking curves.
December in Cambodia: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Dry weather, zero monsoon risk. No flight cancellations, muddy roads, or flooded temple complexes at Angkor. Photographers get blue-sky sunrise shots at Angkor Wat almost every morning.
- Cool nights. Daytime 29-31°C, evenings drop to 21-22°C, ideal for night markets and Pub Street without sweating through your shirt.
- Christmas and NYE events. Phnom Penh riverfront and Siem Reap Pub Street run countdown parties with live music and outdoor seating. Travellers report these are more low-key than Bangkok or Bali, which suits backpackers who hate forced-fun crowds.
- Beach season opens. Koh Rong and Sihanoukville are finally usable, with calm Andaman Sea conditions and good ferry windows.
- Full road connectivity. No flooded provincial roads, all border crossings (including Poipet from Bangkok) operate normally.
Cons:
- Peak prices across the board. Flights from India go from ₹14,000-₹18,000 (~$145.22-$186.71) in November to ₹22,000-₹30,000 (~$228.21-$311.19) round-trip in December for a Delhi/Phnom Penh route. Siem Reap dorm beds at popular hostels hit ₹1,000-1,200/night for the worst bed in an 8-bed dorm.
- Angkor Wat crowds at sunrise. Travellers report queueing 20-30 minutes for the standard photo spot in the second week of December. Going at 5:30 AM instead of 6:00 AM solves most of this.
- Dust and haze in some weeks. Northern Cambodia can see agricultural burning haze, similar to northern Thailand in the same window. Sensitive travellers should pack a light buff mask.
- Christmas and NYE surcharges at restaurants. Several mid-range restaurants in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh add a 10-15% festive surcharge on Dec 24-26 and Dec 31. Street food stalls are unaffected.
- Hostel sell-outs. The week of Christmas and the week of New Year both see full-booking 3-4 weeks out at well-rated hostels like the Onederz and Mad Monkey branches.
Safety Alert: The Poipet-Aranyaprathet border crossing gets heavy day-tripper traffic on weekends in December, leading to 60-90 minute waits. Travel agents who run transfers recommend mid-week crossings, ideally Tuesday or Wednesday morning.
December Weather in Cambodia by Region
Weather in December is not uniform, and Cambodian backpackers often forget this until they hit the coast.
- Siem Reap (north): Driest, coolest nights (20-22°C), clear skies almost every day, occasional haze from agricultural burning. The most pleasant weather of the year.
- Phnom Penh (center): Hotter, 24-31°C during the day, breezy evenings along the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers. Sunscreen is mandatory.
- Sihanoukville and Koh Rong (coast): 25-31°C, calm Andaman Sea, occasional short showers at night. Travellers report the best beach conditions of the whole year in December.
- Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri (east): Cooler at night, 18-20°C, misty mornings. A good idea if you have already done Angkor and want something different.
Bring a light long-sleeve layer for Siem Reap and Mondulkiri evenings. The coast and Phnom Penh stay warm enough for shorts and t-shirts through the night. Rain gear is unnecessary, December is genuinely dry, with average rainfall under 30 mm across the country.
What to Pack Specifically for December
December is the easiest month to pack for in Cambodia. Forget rain gear and dry bags.
- Light long-sleeve shirt or hoodie. For Siem Reap and Mondulkiri evenings when it dips to 20°C.
- Quick-dry t-shirts x3. For temple days at Angkor, where you sweat and rinse in the same afternoon.
- Modest temple outfit. Long pants or a long skirt and a shirt with sleeves (T-shirt is fine) for Angkor Wat, the Royal Palace, and any pagoda. Knee and shoulder coverage is strictly checked.
- Walking sandals + light trainers. The temple complexes and Phnom Penh streets eat through bad shoes.
- Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50). Koh Rong sun is direct equatorial, full UV index daily.
- Buff or light scarf. Doubles as temple cover, sun protection, and the haze-day mask.
- Indian snacks. December is the longest stretch without easy access to your usual food, carry thepla, khakra, or instant dal packets. Helps with homesick days.
- Power adapter. Cambodia uses Type A, Type C, and Type G sockets. A universal adapter saves headaches.
Skip the rain poncho and the heavy boots. Cambodia in December does not need them.
December Costs vs. Shoulder vs. Monsoon
December is peak, and prices reflect it across every category.
| Item | Peak (Dec) | Shoulder (Nov, Mar) | Monsoon (Jul. Sep) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight (India to Phnom Penh, RT) | ₹22,000-₹30,000 (~$228.21-$311.19) | ₹14,000-₹20,000 (~$145.22-$207.46) | ₹9,000-₹14,000 (~$93.36-$145.22) |
| Dorm bed (Siem Reap, per night) | ₹1,000-₹1,200 (~$10.37-$12.45) | ₹700-₹900 (~$7.26-$9.34) | ₹400-₹700 (~$4.15-$7.26) |
| Dorm bed (Phnom Penh, per night) | ₹800-₹1,000 (~$8.30-$10.37) | ₹600-₹800 (~$6.22-$8.30) | ₹400-₹600 (~$4.15-$6.22) |
| Dorm bed (Sihanoukville, per night) | ₹900-₹1,200 (~$9.34-$12.45) | ₹700-₹900 (~$7.26-$9.34) | ₹500-₹800 (~$5.19-$8.30) |
| Angkor 3-day pass | ₹4,800 (~$49.79) | ₹4,800 (~$49.79) | ₹4,800 (~$49.79) |
| Tuk-tuk (Phnom Penh, 5 km) | ₹358 (~15,000 KHR or ~$3.71) | ₹238-₹286 (~10,000-12,000 KHR or ~$2.47-$2.97) | ₹238 (~10,000 KHR or ~$2.47) |
| Khmer curry at local restaurant | ₹596-₹834 (~25,000-35,000 KHR or ~$6.18-$8.66) | ₹477-₹715 (~20,000-30,000 KHR or ~$4.95-$7.42) | 18,000-28,000 KHR |
Verified 2026-07-18 at 1 USD = ₹96.33 (1,000 KHR ≈ ₹23.80). Dorm ranges reflect the Bananarchy Cambodia prices page cross-checked against Hostelworld listings in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.
The Angkor pass price is fixed year-round by APSARA. Flights and dorms are where December punishes you. If you can be flexible on dates, mid-November at the same Angkor temples costs roughly 20-30% less on dorms and a clean ₹8,000-₹10,000 (~$82.98-$103.73) less on flights.
For a complete cost comparison across the calendar, see our month-by-month Cambodia guide.
Getting Connected
Physical SIM is still the cheapest option in Cambodia. Smart and Cellcard both sell tourist SIMs at Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville airports for ₹482-₹675 (~5-7 USD) with 30-day validity and 10-30 GB data. Bring your passport; registration is required by law. For a detailed comparison of SIM options, see our Cambodia SIM card guide. If you want to skip the airport queue, the Nomad eSIM works in Cambodia on Smart’s network, data plans from ₹578-₹868 (~9 USD), activate before you fly.
Cambodian vibes: Where to Eat in December
December is the season to eat outside. Every café has its tables out, the riverfront breezes in Phnom Penh are reliable, and Siem Reap’s Pub Street food stalls run cool enough to enjoy.
For Cambodian food, travellers report Smokin’ Pot in Siem Reap is the place for a proper fish amok and a cooking class, while Tevy’s Place in Phnom Penh covers the everyday rice-and-curry bases at ₹596-₹834 (~25,000-35,000 KHR or ~$6.18-$8.66) per dish. Lee hour restaurant is a good local-eatery fallback when you want Khmer food that does not feel touristy.
When the Indian-food craving hits, Indian Restaurant in Phnom Penh is the workhorse, basic but reliable dal-chawal for under ₹300 (~$3.11). At the Poipet border crossing, Galaxy Indian Restaurant and Saffron Indian Restaurant cover the post-arrival thali, and matter more because Poipet is the first stop for anyone crossing overland from Bangkok in December. For deeper coverage of veg and Indian food across the country, see our what-to-eat in Cambodia breakdown.
December Events and Festivals in Cambodia
- Bon Om Touk (River Festival). Usually October/November, but post-festival river celebrations sometimes stretch into the first week of December with boat races on the Tonle Sap. Worth catching if your dates line up.
- Christmas at Pub Street (Siem Reap), Dec 24-26. Pub Street runs carol singing, live bands, and outdoor markets. Travellers report a backpacker-friendly atmosphere with no entry fee, just pick a bar.
- New Year Countdown (Dec 31). Phnom Penh riverfront draws the biggest crowd with fireworks at midnight. Siem Reap and Sihanoukville have smaller versions. Book any riverside restaurant 2-3 days ahead or you will not get a seat.
- Angkor Sunrise Marathon (early Dec, some years). When scheduled, this closes certain Angkor roads from 4:00-9:00 AM. Plan temple visits around it.
There is no Cambodian public holiday in December itself, which is why December feels more like a tourist-driven peak than a local one. Crowds are foreign and domestic-tourist, not festival-led.
Visa, Border, and Practical Tips
- e-visa or visa-on-arrival. ₹3,471 (~36 USD) online or ₹2,892 (~30 USD) at the airport, both give 30 days single entry. Apply at least 7 days ahead for the e-visa if you want to skip the airport queue. The official portal is evisa.gov.kh. Avoid third-party visa sites, they mark up to ₹8,676 (~90 USD).
- Crossing from Bangkok overland. The Aranyaprathet-Poipet crossing is the main land route. In December, midweek crossings clear in 30-45 minutes. Friday-Sunday queues run 90+ minutes. Check Aranyaprathet to Poipet transfers on 12go.asia in advance if you are landing on a weekend.
- Currency. Cambodia uses Cambodian riel (KHR) alongside US dollars for almost everything. Bring ₹4,820-₹9,640 (~50-100 USD) in clean, unmarked notes for border and tuk-tuk payments. Riel is useful under $1 USD, where change comes back in KHR.
- RBI LRS reminder. Under the RBI Liberalised Remittance Scheme, you can remit up to USD 250,000 per financial year for travel and other purposes. Keep the FX conversion recorded.
- Travel insurance. December is the cheapest month of the year to insure because cancellation claims are low, but the medical claim ceiling matters here. Get a plan that covers motorbike accidents, scooters are the leading cause of insurance claims among backpackers in Cambodia.
Where to Stay (December-Specific Notes)
Planning a wider Southeast Asia trip? See our Southeast Asia backpacking hub for country guides, border-crossing breakdowns, and cost comparisons across Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
December is when Siem Reap’s central hostels sell out first. If you are landing between Dec 20 and Jan 2, book at least 30 days ahead. Phnom Penh has more slack because it is less of a tourist concentration. Sihanoukville is the most unreliable in December, several budget hostels close for renovation between October and January.
For dorm pricing benchmarks, our Siem Reap guide has current rates and walking-distance notes, and the Phnom Penh guide covers the central hostel cluster near BKK1 and the riverfront. The dorm ranges above (₹400-₹1,200 (~$4.15-$12.45)) are checked against the Onederz and Mad Monkey branches plus smaller backpacker hostels in the November-January window.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Cambodia from India? Yes. December is the start of peak season with the driest, coolest weather of the year. The trade-off is higher prices and bigger crowds, especially around Christmas and New Year.
What is the weather like in Cambodia in December? Dry across the country. Siem Reap averages 22-31°C, Phnom Penh 24-31°C, and the coast 25-31°C. Rainfall is under 30 mm in most regions and zero typhoon risk.
How crowded is Angkor Wat in December? crowded from Dec 20 to Jan 2. Angkor Sunrise on Dec 26 and Dec 31 are the two worst days of the year for crowds. The first two weeks of December are noticeably calmer.
Do I need to book Siem Reap hostels in advance for December? Yes. For the Dec 20-Jan 2 window, book 30+ days ahead. For the first two weeks of December, 7-10 days ahead is usually fine at mid-range hostels.
Can I do Cambodia in December on a backpacker budget? It is tighter than monsoon months, but doable. Dorm beds run ₹800-1,200/night in peak season, street food ₹358-₹596 (~15,000-25,000 KHR or ~$3.71-$6.18) per meal, and the Angkor 3-day pass is fixed at ~₹4,800 (~$49.79).
Is it safe to travel to Cambodia in December? Generally safe for tourists. Standard precautions apply: use registered taxis or Grab, watch for tuk-tuk overcharging near Pub Street, and check your government’s official travel advisory before departure. The Indian MEA advisory page at mea.gov.in is updated monthly.
Subodh’s Take
December is when Cambodia is at its photographic and weather best, and also when your wallet takes the biggest hit of the year. If your dates are flexible, consider flying out in late November, the weather is 95% as good, dorms and flights are 25-30% cheaper, and Angkor at 6 AM is half as crowded. If December is locked in, book every component (flight, hostel, Angkor pass) by mid-October to avoid the Christmas rush premium. The country is gorgeous and calm in this window. Just pay the peak tax knowingly.
- Subodh
