Visiting Cambodia in February: Weather, Crowds, Prices & What to Expect (2026)
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-18
February is, in plain terms, one of the two best months for visiting Cambodia. The rains are long gone, the humidity has not yet crushed you, and Angkor Wat sits under a clear blue sky from sunrise to sunset. Crowds are real but not crushing, and prices sit a notch below the December-January peak. If you have flexibility and want the cleanest Cambodia experience, this is the month to pick. For related planning, see our guide on Sea Backpacking Hub.
This article breaks down exactly what February gives you: the actual temperature and rainfall numbers, how busy Siem Reap and Phnom Penh get, what a dorm bed and a flight from India cost, what to wear (yes, including the shorts question), and the etiquette rules that catch Indian travellers out. Cross-checked against the official Cambodian tourism weather logs and current hostel and flight pricing as of July 2026.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Is February a good month to visit Cambodia? | Yes, one of the two best months (alongside January). Dry, warm, low rainfall. | |
| Average daytime temperature | 30-32°C across most of the country | |
| Average rainfall in February | 5-15 mm total across the month (almost zero rainy days in most regions) | |
| Flight from India (round trip) | ~₹22,000 (~$228.02) from Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai | |
| Dorm bed (Siem Reap or Phnom Penh) | 400-1,000 | ₹600 (~$6.22) |
| Visa-on-arrival fee (Indian passport) | ₹2,892 (~30 USD) for 30 days ₹3,471 (~36 USD) for the e-Visa to skip queues | ₹2,890 (~$29.95) |
Month-by-Month Cambodia Breakdown
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Cost Level | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | Dry, 28-30°C, green from late rains | Rising | Shoulder | Good value, fresh scenery |
| December | Dry, 28-30°C, cool nights | Peak | Peak (₹₹₹) | Best weather, expensive |
| January | Dry, 29-31°C | Peak | Peak (₹₹₹) | Same as December |
| February | Dry, 30-32°C, almost no rain | Moderate-high | Shoulder-peak | Excellent month, slightly cheaper than Dec/Jan |
| March | Hot, 32-34°C, humidity rising | High | Shoulder | Still good, getting hot |
| April | 35°C+ and the start of pre-monsoon storms | Falling | Shoulder | Hot, fewer tourists |
| May | Pre-monsoon showers begin | Low | Budget | Wet afternoons start |
| June-September | Monsoon, daily rain | Lowest | Lowest (₹) | Green and cheap, expect wet roads |
| October | Rain tapering, country green again | Rising | Budget | Good if you want quiet |
February sits at the tail end of the cool dry season. The trade-off versus December-January is small: temperatures climb 2-3°C, the evenings stay pleasant, and you skip the absolute peak week around Christmas and New Year.
February in Cambodia: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Rain almost never happens. February is the driest month on average for most of Cambodia, with Siem Reap recording 5-15 mm total across the whole month and Phnom Penh slightly higher.
- Temperatures sit in the 30-32°C range during the day, dropping to 22-24°C at night in Siem Reap. No air-con dependency at night in most spots.
- Angkor sunrise works. Clear skies mean almost every sunrise attempt pays off, versus monsoon months where you roll a dice.
- Prices dip slightly compared to December-January. Hostels drop 10-15% from the year-end peak, and flight prices from India ease off the Christmas surge.
- Chinese New Year falls in late January or early February. That week is busy with Chinese tour groups in Siem Reap, but the rest of February is calmer.
Cons:
- Crowds are still real. February is not “low season” by any measure. Angkor gets 4,000-6,000 daily visitors and Pub Street in Siem Reap feels like a permanent fair.
- Dust. The dry season turns the red dirt roads into a fine powder that coats everything you own. Light-coloured clothes and phones will look dirty by 3 p.m.
- Heat ramps up through the month. Late February afternoons in Phnom Penh cross 33°C with humidity starting to bite.
- Water levels on the Tonle Sap are at their lowest. Floating village visits are still doable but less photogenic than August-September peak water.
- Chinese New Year week (when it overlaps with February) is the second-busiest week of the year. Book hostels a week ahead if your dates touch it.
The honest February pitch is this: the weather is among the cleanest you’ll get all year, the prices soften slightly from the December peak, and you avoid monsoon risk entirely. What you don’t get is solitude. If you want Angkor without tour buses, you have to be at the gate by 5:15 a.m. For sunrise, or shift to Bayon, Ta Prohm, and Banteay Srei later in the day. See the top cities to visit in Cambodia for where to base yourself.
What to Pack Specifically for February
February in Cambodia is hot and dry. Pack like you’re going to a long Delhi summer, with one concession for cooler evenings in Siem Penh and the coast.
- Light, breathable cotton or linen. Long-sleeve options only for sun protection on the tuk-tuk, not for warmth. For broader seasonal guidance, see our best time to visit Cambodia from India.
- One light layer for air-conditioned buses, restaurants, and the occasional night where Siem Reap drops to 21°C.
- A wide-brimmed hat or cap. The dry season sun between 11 a.m. And 3 p.m. Is genuinely punishing.
- SPF 50+, reapplied every two hours. Indian travellers tend to under-pack sunscreen for Southeast Asia, where midday UV is intense on clear February days.
- A buff or light scarf for temple visits: shoulders need to be covered at Angkor Wat, Bayon, and any major religious site.
- A dry bag or ziplock for your phone and passport. The dry season itself isn’t wet, but you’ll thank yourself if a boat trip or sudden dust-storm rolls through.
- Mosquito repellent with DEET 20%+. Dengue risk in Cambodia drops in February but never disappears.
- Reusable water bottle. Tap water is not drinkable everywhere; refill from hotel or hostel filtered dispensers.
- Sandals that can get wet plus one closed pair for jungle treks, temple scrambles, and motorbike rentals.
What to wear specifically in Cambodia in February for women and men: short shorts are fine in Phnom Penh, on the beaches at Koh Rong, and inside the hostel. At temples, cover your shoulders and your knees. For women, knee-length dresses, loose trousers, or a sarong tied over shorts work. For men, knee-length shorts are acceptable at most wats, but long trousers show respect on formal visits. Skimpy outfits (tank tops, mini skirts, hot pants) at temples will get you turned away at the gate.
February Cost Comparison
| Item | Peak Season (Dec-Jan) | February | Low Season (Jun-Sep) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight from India (round trip) | ₹26,000-₹32,000 (~$269.48-$331.67) | ₹20,000-₹24,000 (~$207.29-$248.75) | ₹15,000-₹19,000 (~$155.47-$196.93) |
| Dorm bed Siem Reap or Phnom Penh | ₹700-₹1,500 (~$7.26-$15.55) | ₹500-₹1,000 (~$5.18-$10.36) | ₹400-₹700 (~$4.15-$7.26) |
| Private room (double) | ₹2,500-₹4,500 (~$25.91-$46.64) | ₹2,000-₹3,500 (~$20.73-$36.28) | ₹1,200-₹2,200 (~$12.44-$22.80) |
| Angkor 1-day pass | ₹3,567 (~37 USD) | ₹3,567 (~37 USD) | ₹3,567 (~37 USD) |
| Local beer at Pub Street | $1-1.50 USD | $1-1.50 USD | $0.75-1 USD |
| Tuk-tuk Siem Reap (old town to Pub Street) | ₹193-₹289 (~2-3 USD) | ₹193-₹289 (~2-3 USD) | ₹145-₹193 (~1.50-2 USD) |
| Indian veg thali (Phnom Penh / Siem Reap) | ₹386-₹578 (~4-6 USD) | ₹386-₹578 (~4-6 USD) | ₹289-₹482 (~3-5 USD) |
The dorm price anchor (₹400-₹1,000 (~$4.15-$10.36)) comes from the current price registry for Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. February sits in the upper end of “shoulder” pricing: not the absolute peak of December-January, not the monsoon lows of June-September.
For more on daily spending, see the Phnom Penh budget guide.
Do’s and Don’ts in Cambodia (What Catches Indians Out)
These are the etiquette rules that Indian travellers most often miss or break. None of them are obscure: they show up at every temple gate, every market stall, and every guesthouse.
Do:
- Greet with a sampeah (palms together at chest) when meeting older Cambodians or monks. It’s the equivalent of a namaste and goes a long way.
- Take your shoes off before entering a pagoda, the home section of a guesthouse, and some shops with raised platforms.
- Use your right hand (both hands) when giving or receiving money, business cards, or food. The left hand is considered unclean.
- Dress for temples: shoulders and knees covered. Carry a sarong if you’re planning a full-day Angkor pass.
- Ask before photographing monks. Some monks will say yes, some will say no, some will ask for a small donation.
Don’ts:
- Don’t touch anyone on the head. The head is sacred; even patting a child’s head is a no-go.
- Don’t point your feet at people or at a Buddha image. Cross-legged sitting on temple floors is fine as long as feet point behind you.
- Don’t raise your voice or get visibly angry in public. Cambodians read confrontation as a loss of face, and arguing loudly at a market stall or tuk-tuk stand gets you nowhere.
- Don’t discuss the Khmer Rouge casually. It’s a recent, lived trauma for most families over 40. If it comes up, listen.
- Don’t drink tap water. Bottled or filtered only, and check the seal on the bottle.
- Don’t take tuk-tuks at the airport without agreeing the price first. Use Grab for fixed fares instead.
The shortcut version: behave the way you’d behave at a temple town in India. Shoes off, shoulders covered, voice down, hands polite.
Getting Connected
Cell coverage in Cambodia is mostly Smart or Cellcard. Both sell tourist SIMs at the airport (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap) for ₹482-₹675 (~5-7 USD) with 10-30 GB of data valid 7-30 days. Smart has the stronger 4G/LTE footprint on the coast and islands. Bring your passport to register. If you’d rather skip the airport queue, Get Nomad eSIM is an instant-activation alternative that works on most unlocked Indian phones.
Useful apps while you have data: Grab (replaces tuk-tuk haggling), PassApp (Phnom Penh taxis), and the Angkor Enterprise ticketing site for booking temple passes in advance.
FAQ
Is February the best time to visit Cambodia?
Yes, alongside January. February is the tail end of the cool dry season, with 30°C days, almost no rainfall, and clear skies for Angkor sunrise. Crowds are heavier than monsoon months but lighter than the December-January peak.
Can women wear shorts in Cambodia in February?
Yes, in cities, beaches, hostels, and casual settings. At temples and pagodas, knees and shoulders must be covered. Knee-length shorts with a light overshirt is the safe middle ground.
How hot is Cambodia in February?
Daytime temperatures run 30-32°C in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, dropping to 22-24°C at night. Late February afternoons push 33°C. Humidity is moderate, lower than April or May.
Does it rain in Cambodia in February?
Rarely. February is one of the driest months, averaging 5-15 mm of rain across the whole month in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Plan around afternoon thundershowers only on the coast.
How crowded is Angkor Wat in February?
Moderate to busy. Expect 4,000-6,000 daily visitors at the Angkor Archaeological Park. The Chinese New Year week (late January or early February depending on the lunar calendar) is the second-busiest week. Outside that week, sunrise is a clean experience if you arrive at 5:15 a.m.
Is Cambodia expensive in February?
Mid-range. Flights from India drop slightly from the December peak. Dorm beds run ₹400-₹1,000 (~$4.15-$10.36), meals ₹289-₹578 (~3-6 USD). February is cheaper than December-January, more expensive than monsoon months.
Subodh’s Take
February is the month I’d book for Cambodia. The weather is honest (dry, hot but not punishing), Angkor sunrise works four out of five days, and the December holiday rush has eased off. The only thing February is not, is cheap or quiet. If you want either, look at September or October. Otherwise, take the first week after Chinese New Year, avoid the lunar new year crowd, and you’ve picked the cleanest window of the year.
