Things to Do in Siem Reap in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Siem Reap
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
86°F (30°C)
High Temp
71°F (21°C)
Low Temp
0.0 inches (0 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December serves up the driest, most temple-friendly weather of the year - sunrise at Angkor Wat is usually clear enough to watch the spires silhouette against a peach sky instead of a grey blur
- + Evening temperatures drop to 22°C (72°F), so you can sleep without air-con and linger over night-market noodles without sweating through your shirt
- + Hotel occupancy is still recovering from the November peak, so mid-range places along Sivatha Boulevard often release last-minute rooms at shoulder-season rates
- + The rice paddies around Roluos temples turn emerald green from November rains, giving photos that living-carpet backdrop you won't get in the dust-brown months
Considerations
- − Morning mist can hang around until 8 am, delaying that postcard sunrise shot and turning the Angkor causeway into a conveyor belt of selfie sticks
- − Christmas-week crowds increase faster than locals expect - Pub Street's narrow lane clogs with tour-group amplifiers and craft-beer prices jump for ten straight days
- − UV index of 8 means sunburn in 25 minutes flat. The stone at Angkor reflects light like a mirror, so hat brims and neck coverage aren't optional
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
December brings dry, crisp air and clear morning light to Siem Reap. The humidity lifts. You will feel a gentle warmth, a real relief after the wet season. The landscape around the temples gains a particular sharpness. Listen for the rustle of dry leaves underfoot on laterite paths. See the sun, no longer veiled by monsoon clouds, casting long shadows across sandstone galleries. This month shifts the city's rhythm for travelers seeking that temperate window. It keeps a local pulse, though. The Angkor Half Marathon sends runners along ancient causeways at dawn. Evenings carry a slight chill. That chill makes the glow from street-side braziers and the scent of grilling meat on the Old Market lane feel more inviting.
Siem Reap Angkor Airport Taxis (from Airport to Hotel)
transportStepping from Siem Reap Angkor Airport, you meet a wall of warm, dry air. It carries distant woodsmoke and the immediate chatter of drivers. A pre-booked taxi eliminates negotiation. It delivers you directly into the city's flow of motorbikes and tuk-tuks along shaded roads.
It gives an immediate, easy introduction to Siem Reap's pace. You can absorb the first sights without distraction.
Insider tip: Have your hotel's name and address written in Khmer script on your phone. Show it to the driver. English pronunciations of local lanes can be unclear.
Private 3-Days tour at comfortable areas
guided_experienceThis three-day private exploration moves at a considered pace. It allows deep time without the strain of covering every minor site. You might feel the cool stone of a secluded library terrace. Hear the chorus of cicadas swell in a quiet forest clearing. Spend unhurried time examining a moss-covered devata's smile.
The extended timeframe builds a deeper connection with the Angkor Archaeological Park. It turns a checklist into a layered experience.
Insider tip: Request a late morning start one day. Use it to explore the central market in Siem Reap when it is fully animated. Taste sweet sticky rice wrapped in banana leaf from a vendor.
Siem Reap: One-Way Transfer from Hotel to Airport (SAI)
otherThe return trip to the airport allows a final glimpse of local life. See monks in saffron robes collecting alms. Hear the clatter of a coffee shop's shutters opening. Catch a last glimpse of a temple spire above the treeline. A scheduled transfer makes this necessary trip a calm conclusion.
It guarantees a stress-free departure. This preserves the serene mood of your final morning in Cambodia.
Insider tip: Book the pickup for at least three hours before a domestic flight. Make it four hours before an international one. Siem Reap's airport queues can lengthen unexpectedly.
4-Day Excursion of Angkor, Koh Ker, Beng Mealea, Tonle Sap and Waterfalls
day_tripThis four-day expedition pushes beyond Angkor's core to where the jungle still feels dominant. You will hear wooden floorboards creak on a stilted house in Kompong Khleang. Feel the spray from the remote Kbal Spean river carvings. Walk across the monumental, collapsed galleries of Beng Mealea where tree roots snake over sandstone.
It reveals the staggering scale of the Khmer empire. You will see the varied landscapes of Siem Reap province, from flooded forests to remote pyramid temples.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes with good grip. You will need them for climbing over the unrestrained stone blocks at Koh Ker and Beng Mealea.
This month: The low water levels in December make the intricate carvings at the riverbed of Kbal Spean fully visible.
Private Temples Guided Tour (Angkor Wat, Ta Prom & Angkor Thom)
culturalA private guide decodes the narratives chiseled into the bas-reliefs of Angkor Wat's outer gallery. They can point out the haunting face towers of the Bayon glowing in the late afternoon sun. They will lead you to the quiet corners of Ta Prohm where silence is broken only by birdcall. This tour focuses on context. It lets you see the stone not as ruins but as a chronicle.
It unlocks the stories etched into the stone. This transforms a walk among impressive structures into an understanding of empire, religion, and art.
Insider tip: At Angkor Thom, ask your guide to show you the Terrace of the Elephants' less-visited northern end. The detailed carvings of garudas and warriors there are often in sharper, uncrowded relief.
Angkor Wat Sunrise Private Tour by Tuk Tuk
private_tourWrapped in a blanket against the pre-dawn chill, you rattle through Siem Reap's dark streets in a tuk-tuk. Arrive at Angkor Wat to hear only the murmur of other early arrivals and the occasional splash from the moat. You wait for the moment the temple's silhouette emerges against a pastel sky. Its reflection is well mirrored in the northern pond.
It offers the well-known Angkor Wat sunrise experience. You get privacy and the flexibility to depart on your own schedule, avoiding the packed main viewing area.
Insider tip: Your driver will know the less-crowded northern reflection pond. Bring a small flashlight to navigate the dark path from the drop-off point to the water's edge.
This month: In early December, the Angkor Half Marathon uses the temple grounds at dawn. Confirm your tour date does not conflict. Vehicle access may be altered.
Where to Stay in Siem Reap in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early December
Angkor Half Marathon
Early December road race that starts in front of Angkor Wat at 6 am - runners get misty sunrise views minus the usual crowds because the park is closed to tourists until 9 am. Local kids line the laterite track near Ta Keo clapping and handing out wet sponges. Finish on Pub Street with free Angkor beer for participants.
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View Siem Reap Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Book a three-day Angkor pass online the night before - the QR code scans faster than the ticket-office queue that doubles after 8 am
Pub Street bars legally stop serving at midnight. But staff will pull metal shutters half-down and keep pouring inside. If you want sleep, request a room at the back of Mad Monkey or Onederz hostels
Green mango season ends in November - December stalls sell the last tart slices with salt-chili dip. Ask for 'sway jruk' at the Old Market south gate before they switch to ripe fruit.
Tuk-tuk drivers quote in dollars but carry change in riel. If you pay in USD they round up aggressively. Withdraw small riel notes from ANZ ATM on Sivatha to avoid losing on rounding.
Avoid These Mistakes
Scheduling sunrise at Angkor Wat every day - the best light happens on your second or third morning when you know exactly where to stand. Doing it daily means 4:30 am wake-ups and burnout
Wearing flip-flops to Beng Mealea - December may be dry. But that temple's rubble fields are still muddy from dew and one slip sends you to the Thai-border clinic for tetanus shots
Assuming Christmas dinner bookings are easy - every hotel chef throws a set menu. Yet roast turkey sells out by 20 December because expats reserve for office parties. Lock your table when you check in.
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