- Let's take a look at the map
- Beach vacation and its features
- Note to naturalists
- Colorful calendar
- Useful observations
Among other countries in Southeast Asia, Cambodia is most popular with fans of ancient architecture. The Angkor Wat temple complex ranks first in the world in terms of area among its kind and certainly not the last - in terms of the number of people wishing to see the ancient buildings of the Khmers. But not only architectural landmarks are the reason for the growing popularity of the country in the tourism market. Fans of a secluded beach holiday, fans of Buddhist holidays, adherents of interesting cuisine, and lovers of other exotic in oriental style are looking for the answer to the question of when is the best time to relax in Cambodia.
Let's take a look at the map
You can find Cambodia on the globe in the southern part of the Indochina Peninsula. It is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Thailand, the South China Sea. The climate in the country, as elsewhere in such latitudes, is highly dependent on the monsoons. These winds periodically change direction and blow from the mainland in winter and from the ocean in summer. This accounts for the wet and dry seasons in the tropics, and Cambodia is no exception:
- The rainfall season in the kingdom comes into its own in May, when the monsoon changes its direction and begins to blow from the sea.
- Peak rains are in late summer and early autumn. During these few months, precipitation can be protracted and last for weeks. During the rest of the "low season" tropical showers usually collect in the afternoon and fall in the late afternoon or at night, without interfering too much with beach holidays, fishing or excursions.
- Monsoons change direction again at the end of October, and dry, sunny weather sets in Cambodia by November. In winter, it rains very rarely, the air humidity is significantly reduced and sunbathing on the beaches becomes comfortable and pleasant.
The air temperature in summer can reach + 40 ° С, which looks frightening against the background of high humidity. In winter, on the contrary, mercury columns rarely rise above + 30 ° С during the day, and at night they can drop to + 22 ° С.
Beach vacation and its features
If you decide to fly to Cambodia for a beach vacation, it is better to have a rest between November and April. In these months, the probability of precipitation is the lowest, the air humidity is the lowest, and even high temperatures are tolerated quite comfortably. Rains can fall, but only in the form of short-term heavy showers at night.
The hottest months on the Cambodian calendar are spring. The air temperature in April and May can reach + 40 ° C, which, combined with the maximum air humidity, negates the beauty of being in a tropical paradise.
Celebrating New Years on the beaches of Sihanoukville? Great idea if you take care of booking your flights in advance as Cambodia is becoming a very popular beach destination. Otherwise, there are no problems: precipitation during the winter holidays is unlikely, the air temperature is confidently kept at around + 30 ° С, and the water in the Gulf of Thailand warms up to + 27 ° С.
Note to naturalists
A small country by world standards, Cambodia is generously strewn with natural attractions. Several national parks have been created on the territory of the kingdom, the visit of which is included in their tourist program by active travelers.
The largest national park, Virachey, offers visitors a variety of hiking trails, designed for one or more days and laid in the jungle or in the mountains with overnight stays in local houses or in tents. If you prefer long hikes, it's best to fly to Cambodia National Park during the dry season, when the jungle is passable and you can reach even remote areas of the park. It is there that you can see gibbons, deer, bears and rare tropical birds in their natural habitat. In the dry season, it is much easier to get to the park - just an hour and a half by car from Banlung city instead of five hours during the rainy season.
Kirirom National Park is especially loved by fans of natural attractions. On the territory of the reserve there are many lakes, rivers, channels and waterfalls. If you would like to enjoy all of the natural treasures to the fullest, go on an excursion immediately after the end of the rainy season. At the end of autumn, all the water bodies of the park are at their fullest, and the waterfalls are an impressive sight.
Colorful calendar
Holidays occupy an important place in the culture of any nation, and Cambodians in this sense are no exception. Their calendar includes many dates, celebrated widely and on a grand scale. It is on such days that it is especially interesting to visit Cambodia in order to feel the national flavor in full.
The inhabitants of the kingdom consider the Cambodian New Year to be the most important for themselves. If you want to celebrate Chaul Cham Thmey with them, you'd better fly to Cambodia in mid-April. Usually, the New Year begins to be celebrated on April 13-14, when the harvest ends and the peasants have time to rest and get ready for the upcoming rainy season. Three days of the holiday are dedicated to gratitude to Buddha, helping the poor and sick, honoring ancestors and visiting relatives. Colorful ceremonies for cleansing Buddha statues with scented waters are held throughout the country. This custom symbolizes rebirth, and participation in the ablution brings good luck, longevity and prosperity.
On May 17, the kingdom celebrates Buddha's birthday, called the Vesak festival. The ceremony takes place in temples where hymns are sung in praise of the Buddha, where gifts and flower decorations are brought. The main rule of the Vesak festival is to refrain from murder of any kind. Therefore, it is forbidden even to cultivate the land so as not to harm insects. A very beautiful custom on Buddha's birthday is to release birds and animals.
The Water Festival, which takes place in Phnom Penh on the November full moon, is dedicated to a unique phenomenon. If you want to see the Tonle Sap River turn backwards, your best time to fly to Cambodia is this time of year. The main part of the festive program is a three-day race on colorfully decorated boats along the Mekong tributary and evening fireworks. Khmers believe that the festival is intended to pacify the river, and participation in it protects against floods and guarantees a good rice harvest. If you happen to be on Tonle Sap Lake near Siamriap these days, you can witness a unique fishing experience. These days, the lake is rapidly shallowing and the fish are literally removed from the branches of trees that appear from under the water.
Useful observations
- If you want to save money and relax in Cambodia at a lower cost, choose the off-season. In May and October, the amount of precipitation is not as high as during the peak of the rainy season, and therefore, your stay on the beach in the morning is guaranteed to be quite comfortable. But the prices for hotel accommodation and air tickets during these months may be lower than in the "high" season.
- There are very few tourists in Cambodia during the rainy season. If your goal is to visit temples and other attractions, you can do it without jostling among thousands of other sufferers to join the ancient Khmer culture. The only condition is the organization of excursions, if possible, in the morning hours, until the sky is overcast. If you plan such a trip in advance, the cost of the flight can be reduced to a minimum.
When planning a tour of the capital of the country, focus on the winter months. At this time, the air temperature is kept at "only" + 30 ° C, which looks quite tolerable at relatively low humidity. At night, the thermometers drop to + 22 ° С, allowing you to feel quite comfortable at the table on the restaurant's outdoor terrace during dinner. Phnom Penh is very humid and hot in summer, so sightseeing will not be a great pleasure, even for those who can handle high temperatures well.
When visiting Kampong Cham in the east of the country, plan an excursion to the picturesque Paen Island on the Mekong River. A piece of land is connected to the city by a bamboo bridge, which is rebuilt every year because the river blows it away, overflowing in May. If you want to get to Paen Island to get acquainted with the life of Cambodians, choose the dry season for your trip, at the beginning of which the crossing is invariably restored every year.
