Things to Do in Phnompenh in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Phnompenh
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- December sits right in the sweet spot of Phnom Penh's dry season - you'll get that 71°F (22°C) morning coolness that makes exploring the Royal Palace or Central Market actually pleasant before the midday heat kicks in around 11am
- The Tonle Sap River reverses flow in November, and by December the water levels are perfect for sunset cruises - you'll see the city from angles most tourists miss, with locals fishing along the banks and the skyline catching that golden hour light
- Pchum Ben festival crowds have cleared out, but the city hasn't hit Chinese New Year chaos yet - accommodation prices are 20-30% lower than January-February, and you can actually walk through Wat Phnom without being shoulder-to-shoulder with tour groups
- December marks mango season in Cambodia - street vendors sell perfectly ripe keo romeat mangoes for about 2,000-3,000 riel per kilo (roughly $0.50-0.75), and the night markets have fresh sugar palm juice that locals drink to beat the afternoon humidity
Considerations
- That 70% humidity is real - it's the kind that makes your clothes feel damp within 20 minutes of leaving your air-conditioned hotel, and if you're planning to walk more than 2 km (1.2 miles) outdoors midday, you'll need to factor in ducking into cafes for breaks
- December is technically low season but you're catching the tail end of European winter escapees - some guesthouses in the Riverside area still charge near-peak rates, especially the week before Christmas when expats have family visiting
- The 10 rainy days average is misleading - when it does rain in December, it tends to be those sudden 20-30 minute downpours around 3-4pm that flood Street 51 and make tuk-tuks temporarily vanish, leaving you stranded until it passes
Best Activities in December
Tonle Sap River Sunset Cruises
December water levels on the Tonle Sap are ideal after the river's annual flow reversal - the current is gentle, visibility is good, and that 71°F (22°C) evening temperature means you can sit on deck without sweating through your shirt. The light between 5-6pm is spectacular for photography, catching the Royal Palace and riverside pagodas in warm tones. Most cruises depart from Sisowath Quay and last 90 minutes to 2 hours.
Cycling Tours Through French Quarter and Wat Phnom Area
Those morning temperatures in the low 70s°F (around 22°C) make December perfect for cycling before 10am - you'll actually enjoy pedaling through the tree-lined streets near the Royal University without feeling like you're melting. The French colonial architecture around Street 178 and the riverside promenade are best explored slowly, and December's lower tourist numbers mean you're not dodging crowds at every stop. Most routes cover 10-15 km (6-9 miles) over 3-4 hours.
Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek Memorial Visits
December's variable weather actually works for these somber historical sites - the occasional cloud cover makes the outdoor portions of Choeung Ek more bearable than blazing dry season sun, and you'll want that emotional heaviness balanced with comfortable physical conditions. The sites are about 15 km (9 miles) apart, typically visited together in a half-day. Audio guides at both locations are excellent and worth the extra 5 USD. The lower December crowds mean you can move through at your own pace without feeling rushed.
Central Market and Russian Market Shopping Tours
December mornings are genuinely pleasant for market wandering - Central Market's art deco dome actually provides decent shade, and the Russian Market's covered sections keep you dry during those brief afternoon showers. December is when locals shop for upcoming New Year celebrations, so you'll see more authentic goods and fewer tourist trinkets. The markets open around 7am when it's coolest, and by 9am you've got the full energy without the midday swelter.
Mekong River Day Trips to Silk Island
Koh Dach (Silk Island) is about 15 km (9 miles) north of the city, reachable by ferry and bike. December is ideal because the river crossing is smooth, the rural roads aren't muddy like rainy season, and you'll see actual silk weaving happening as families prepare inventory for the January-February tourist rush. The island loop is roughly 8 km (5 miles) of flat cycling through villages and fruit orchards - mango, longan, and pomelo trees are fruiting in December. It's genuinely rural Cambodia just 45 minutes from the city chaos.
Street Food Tours in Riverside and Boeng Keng Kang Neighborhoods
December evenings are actually comfortable for eating outdoors - that 75-80°F (24-27°C) temperature range means you can sit at street-side plastic tables without drowning in sweat. This is when locals eat anyway, around 6-8pm, so you'll get the real energy of night markets setting up along Streets 13, 51, and 63. Num banh chok (Khmer noodles) for breakfast, bai sach chrouk (pork and rice) from morning vendors, and the grilled seafood that appears after dark - December's weather makes the full food crawl possible.
December Events & Festivals
International Human Rights Day Commemorations
December 10th is observed throughout Phnom Penh with events at Tuol Sleng Museum and various NGO-organized gatherings. You'll see wreath-laying ceremonies, traditional Khmer dance performances, and art exhibitions focused on Cambodia's genocide remembrance. It's a deeply meaningful day in the city's calendar, and visitors are generally welcome at public ceremonies - just be respectful with photography and dress modestly.
Christmas Celebrations in Expat Areas
While Cambodia is predominantly Buddhist, the expat community and upscale hotels put on Christmas events throughout late December. You'll find holiday markets along Sisowath Quay, special dinners at hotels like Raffles and Rosewood, and surprisingly elaborate light displays in Boeng Keng Kang. It's an interesting cultural blend - Khmer vendors selling Christmas decorations next to traditional offerings, Western restaurants doing set menus while street vendors continue business as usual.