Planning a Perfect Monsoon Trip to Cambodia

Are you planning to visit Cambodia this year? Are you looking to have a little different experience than most tourists? Then, visiting the country during the rainy season will be a great choice. Planning a trip to Cambodia during the rainy season is uncommon but highly favored by those who seek a different experience. The country is visited by fewer people during this time, which is exactly why the monsoon season is a great time to visit.

With less crowded streets, lush and greener landscape, pleasant weather, and most importantly, lower hotel rates, the monsoon offers a great opportunity to tourists looking to explore Cambodia. This is why many people from the UK, the USA, and other countries visit the country during this time for a different adventure.

Well, are you planning to travel to Cambodia during the monsoon? Then, what you need is a clear understanding of what you need to see, to do, and what to avoid during this time. With a little planning and preparation, having a perfect monsoon adventure in Cambodia is easy.

Top Monsoon-Friendly Things to Do in Cambodia

A fun monsoon trip to Cambodia is incomplete without the following things. So, make sure you do the following things when you visit the country with a Cambodian tourist visa.

Explore Floating Villages on Tonlé Sap Lake

The floating village of Kompong Phluk is famous among tourists. The village is famous for tall houses which stand on wooden stilts. The lake’s water level often rises up to 14m during the monsoon and leads to flooding in the area, which is why the buildings are so unique.

Other than that, this place will also introduce you to a huge mangrove forest, which you can experience just with a rented boat and a little walk. The atmosphere of this place introduces you to a realistic landscape that looks straight out of a dream. So, this place is a must-visit.

You can just walk around the place, sit on a boat and relax in the middle of a picturesque lake, or even stay at the house of an indigenous person. In short, this is a perfect experience to explore the unique culture of Cambodia.

Visit Angkor Temples in the Mist

Angkor Wat is always a must-visit for all tourists in Cambodia. However, only a few know that visiting the place during the monsoon offers you an experience different from any other. The place looks surreal in the mist. It carries a sense of calm and peace while still keeping its grandeur intact.

During this time, the place looks more lush and green than usual. Moss-covered trees and rocks create a different type of symphony. However, the best part about visiting this place while still covered in mist is the fact that there will be fewer crowds.

So, go for a 10 to 15-minute car or bike ride from Siem Reap and reach Angkor Wat for a beautiful monsoon experience. The gates open around 5 am and close around 6 pm, but in our opinion, it is best to visit during the early hours.

Go Waterfall Chasing

Mondulkiri is famous in the world for its waterfall. The place is truly a haven for nature lovers and looks even better during the monsoon season. This is a big reason why many choose to chase or explore the waterfalls and enjoy the scenic experience that they offer.

Other than that, you can also visit Popokvil waterfall in Bokor National Park, which is situated near Kampot. The place is beautiful and offers a great experience. The monsoon season revives Cambodia’s scenic falls, so this time is best for hiking, swimming, and picnics.

Join a Local Cooking Class or Café Hop

The monsoon season in Cambodia is a pleasant time to explore the country. However, once it starts raining, it becomes tough to step out as it pours heavily. This is why, during this time, you might consider staying indoors. However, that doesn’t mean you should let the day go to waste.

When indoors, you can consider using that time to explore Khmer food culture. You can learn to make fish amok, giving you a chance to treat yourself to some Cambodian food even when you are miles away. Otherwise, you can also sample coffee in Battambang cafés.

Travel Prep – What to Pack and Plan for Monsoon Travel

The following things are essential for anyone planning to visit Cambodia. Check this while you check your Cambodia visa status and pack your bags.

Essential Packing Checklist

Your bag must contain the following; otherwise, you might face difficulty during your trip.

Quick-dry clothes, ideally synthetic.
Waterproof shoes
Insect repellent
Dry bags
Rain jacket
Umbrella
Waterproof makeup, if you plan to wear any

Staying Dry While Exploring

If you want to explore Cambodia in the monsoon without getting wet, then you must keep the following things in mind.

Umbrellas are not enough, so opt for ponchos and water-resistant backpacks.
Use tuk-tuks or book taxis during heavy rain days.
Do a rain check before you leave your hotel room.
Run to a shelter like a shop or a cafe if the rain becomes intense.

Stay Updated on Local Weather and Road Conditions

Exploring Cambodia with a Cambodian tourist visa in the monsoon can become challenging if you are unaware of what you are dealing with. So, you must use weather apps to get real-time updates.

Other than that, you should ask locals about flash floods or muddy roads. Rural travel may be limited, so it is important that you plan accordingly.

Health and Safety Tips for the Rainy Season in Cambodia

Visiting Cambodia during the monsoon season is great. However, it might involve a few risks. So, you must remember the following tips before you set out on the trip or even start planning it.

Avoid Flood-Prone Zones

Rainfall is heaviest along the coastal regions and highland areas, receiving rainfall of around 3,000mm/year and 2,500mm/year, respectively. On the other hand, the lowlands receive less rainfall of around 1,400mm/year.

Other than that, certain areas in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap tend to flood. This is why it is important for you to choose accommodation in elevated, accessible areas.

Watch for Waterborne Illness

Waterborne illnesses can be common during the Cambodian monsoon. This is why you must stick to bottled water. Next, you should avoid eating from unsanitary street vendors during heavy rains. Most important of all, carry medications that help you keep waterborne diseases at bay.

Mosquito Protection

Don’t let the mosquitoes bite you. This might cause health problems and create more issues for you. So, you must bring DEET-based repellent when you pack for your trip. Other than that, you must also consider malaria prophylaxis in remote areas.

Save the Country’s Helpline Number

In case you end up in a waterlogged area and fail to find a way out, you might consider contacting the emergency helpline of the country. The police helpline is 117 and the number for the ambulance is 119.

Entry Requirements for Tourists Visiting Cambodia

Well, to have all the adventure in Cambodia, you will first have to enter the country. And for entering the country, you will be required to meet a few entry requirements. Some of the requirements that you will have to match are:

Get a Visa

The first requirement that all foreigners visiting Cambodia must meet is to get a visa, a tourist visa specifically. The Cambodian tourist visa can be applied for in two ways: online (eVisa), through the embassy (sticker visa), and visa on arrival. The first option is way more convenient and can be applied from anywhere without standing in long lines for a long time.

The process of applying for the eVisa is:

Open the online portal for visa application.
Fill out the form with essential information related to you and your trip.
Add scanned copies of necessary documents like a valid passport (one with at least 2 blank pages and 6 months’ validity), recent passport-sized photographs, bank statements, inward and outward tickets, travel itinerary, and other things that the authority can ask for.
Pay the fee for your Tourist eVisa using a debit or credit card.
Wait for around 24 to 72 hours to get the visa approved and check the Cambodia visa status if needed.
Receive your visa approval letter at the email ID that you provided during the application steps.
Print some copies of the letter and bring them with you to the airport.
Reach out to the Helpdesk if you face any delays or issues during the process

This visa comes with a validity of 3 months starting from the day it is issued. During this period, the visa allows you a total stay of 30 days and a single entry into the country. This helps in exploring the country freely and taking part in tourist activities.

Vaccination and Health Entry Requirements

There aren’t many health requirements for tourists visiting Cambodia. However, it is always best to get travel insurance before your trip to cope with any uncertainties. Other than that, the authorities might also ask for vaccination certificates for Hepatitis A/B and Typhoid. A COVID-19 vaccine isn’t necessary. However, if you have it, then consider providing the certificate.

Ready to Plan Your Rainy-season Escape to Cambodia?

Cambodia during the monsoon season is not a washout. Rather, it is quite the opposite of that. Planning a trip during this time lets you have a green, culturally enriched, and budget-friendly opportunity.

So, prepare wisely, apply for your Cambodian tourist visa early, pack smartly, and explore a quieter, lusher version of Cambodia. In case you face any difficulty, then contact the helpline or the visa Helpdesk.