Cambodia Siem Reap Weather in May — Climate Guide
May in Siem Reap is moderate
Siem Reap Weather in May — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 35° / 25°
- Rainfall
- 175mm · 13 days
- Crowds
- Quiet
As of 2026, Siem Reap in May averages a high of 35°C and low of 25°C with 175mm of rain over about 13 days. Hot + humid + monsoon arrives. Quick-dry shirts, light rain jacket, insect repellent (DEET), waterproof phone case. Modest temple cover-up + closed shoes.
May is moderate for Siem Reap.
May marks the monsoon onset — rainfall jumps from 50mm in April to 175mm in May, with 13 rainy days. Most rainfall is afternoon thunderstorms 14:00-17:00 (mornings stay clear), so Angkor temple visits work fine 6:00-13:00.
Visak Bochea (Buddha's Birthday, full moon in May) brings temple ceremonies at every Cambodian wat — atmospheric Buddhist culture experience. Hotels drop 40-60% from peak season — Raffles $200-400/night.
Travel score
Monsoon starts — quieter green Angkor + 40-60% off peak pricing
May Weather at a Glance
May averages 35°C / 95°F highs and 25°C / 77°F lows with 13 rainy days and 175mm rainfall. Humidity climbs to 75%, UV stays 11 with afternoon cloud cover. Sunrise 5:50 AM, sunset 6:15 PM. Most rain falls 14:00-17:00 as afternoon thunderstorms; mornings stay clear for temple visits.
May Travel Advice
Schedule outdoor sightseeing 6:00-13:00 to avoid afternoon storms. Tonle Sap boat tours run reliably; outer temples (Beng Mealea, Koh Ker) require road condition check. Hotel pool afternoons work even in light rain.
Flying In from Overseas
Monsoon-shoulder discount — Western travelers thin out. Korean Golden Week (May 1-9) shoulder. Direct flights from Bangkok $30-80, Singapore $80-200.
May Pricing Trends
Monsoon discount: Raffles $200-400/night, Park Hyatt $200-400, FCC Angkor $80-180, Onederz Hostel $8-18. Tonle Sap boat tour $15-25. Khmer cooking class $25-40 fixed.
Siem Reap May Weather Stats
Avg High
35°C
Avg Low
25°C
Rainy Days
13
175mm total
Sunshine
7h
Daily avg
Humidity
75%
high
UV Index
11
Extreme
Wind
8 km/h
Gusts 25
Sea Temp
0°C
no swimming
Crowds
Quiet
At attractions
May Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
25 μg/m³
PM10
40 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
40°C
Nighttime
27°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
8 km/h
Max gust 25 km/h
Activities Recommended for May
May Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Hotels 40-60% off peak
- Lush green Angkor ('green Angkor' atmosphere)
- Quiet temples + sunrise pools (5x fewer crowds)
Cons
- Daily afternoon thunderstorms
- Monsoon humidity 75%
- Tonle Sap boat scheduling less reliable
May Events & Festivals
- Monsoon starts
- Visak Bochea (Buddha's Birthday, full moon May) — temple ceremonies
- Korean Golden Week shoulder
Siem Reap in May — Full Picture
May marks the monsoon onset — rainfall jumps from 50mm in April to 175mm in May, with 13 rainy days. Most rainfall is afternoon thunderstorms 14:00-17:00 (mornings stay clear), so Angkor temple visits work fine 6:00-13:00.
Visak Bochea (Buddha's Birthday, full moon in May) brings temple ceremonies at every Cambodian wat — atmospheric Buddhist culture experience. Hotels drop 40-60% from peak season — Raffles $200-400/night.
May is a quieter, cheaper, lusher Angkor experience — fewer crowds, atmospheric green ruins, dramatic afternoon storms. Suitable for budget travelers + photographers + repeat visitors.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Hot + humid + monsoon arrives. Quick-dry shirts, light rain jacket, insect repellent (DEET), waterproof phone case. Modest temple cover-up + closed shoes.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
Current35.7°C
24.3°C
6.7/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
33.3°C
25°C
15/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
31.7°C
23.3°C
13.7/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
32°C
21°C
1.3/mo
Siem Reap Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January (Best) | 32° | 21° | 1d·10mm | 9h | 60% | 10 | Very busy | Peak |
| February (Best) | 33° | 21° | 1d·5mm | 10h | 55% | 10 | Very busy | Peak |
| March (Best) | 35° | 23° | 3d·25mm | 9h | 55% | 11 | Busy | Shoulder |
| 37° | 25° | 4d·50mm | 9h | 60% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 35° | 25° | 13d·175mm | 7h | 75% | 11 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 34° | 25° | 14d·175mm | 6h | 80% | 11 | Moderate | Low season | |
| 33° | 25° | 15d·200mm | 6h | 80% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 33° | 25° | 16d·225mm | 6h | 80% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 32° | 24° | 18d·275mm | 5h | 85% | 10 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 32° | 24° | 16d·230mm | 6h | 80% | 9 | Moderate | Low season | |
| November (Best) | 31° | 22° | 7d·70mm | 7h | 70% | 9 | Busy | Shoulder |
| December (Best) | 31° | 21° | 2d·15mm | 9h | 60% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Siem Reap May Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is May a good time to visit Siem Reap?
Siem Reap in May is moderate. Tourist crowds are quiet and flight/hotel prices are low season.
What's the average temperature in Siem Reap in May?
Siem Reap May averages a high of 35°C and a low of 25°C.
Does it rain much in Siem Reap in May?
Siem Reap May averages 175mm of rainfall over about 13 rainy days.
What should I wear in Siem Reap in May?
Hot + humid + monsoon arrives. Quick-dry shirts, light rain jacket, insect repellent (DEET), waterproof phone case. Modest temple cover-up + closed shoes.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Siem Reap in May?
Siem Reap May sunrise is 05:50 and sunset is 18:15, with 12h 25min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Siem Reap in May?
Siem Reap May air quality (AQI) averages 65, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 25μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Siem Reap in May?
In May, Siem Reap is great for Pre-dawn Angkor sunrise, Morning Angkor (clear skies), Tonle Sap (full water levels).
Is May peak season in Siem Reap?
Siem Reap May crowds are quiet and prices are low season. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Siem Reap
View Other Months
Planning a May trip to Siem Reap?
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Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.