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Things to Do in Phnompenh in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Phnompenh
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
87°F (30°C)
High Temp
71°F (21°C)
Low Temp
1.3 inches (33 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Cool dry-season mornings drop to 71°F/22°C, turning riverside jogging along Sisowath Quay into pure pleasure at 6 AM, a luxury impossible in April's 95°F furnace.
- + Hotel rates sit at shoulder-season pricing 30-40% below peak January rates, with same-week booking still possible at riverside properties that demand 60-day advance in January.
- + Street-side coconut stands shift from lukewarm to refreshingly cool - the difference between December's humidity and April's oppressive heat transforms a 50-cent roadside drink into real relief.
- + Phnom Penh's night markets (Russian Market closes at 5 PM, but riverside food stalls open until midnight) operate in comfortable evening temperatures minus the steam-room effect of other months.
Considerations
- − December kicks off high-season tourist traffic - Riverside and BKK1 restaurants that sat half-empty in October now demand 30-minute waits at dinner.
- − UV index hits 8 even in 'winter' - you'll burn faster than expected, during midday temple visits at places like Wat Phnom where shade runs scarce.
- − Hotel availability tightens rapidly after December 15th as expats book rooms for visiting families, pushing prices toward peak rates by Christmas week.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Mekong River sunset cruises
December's lower humidity means you can stay on deck without melting during the golden hour. The river runs higher from November rains, making the floating villages near Silk Island more accessible by boat. Evening temperatures drop to a comfortable 75°F (24°C) by 5 PM, good for two-hour sunset trips that catch the fishing boats returning with their catch.
Booking Tip: Book 2-3 days ahead through licensed operators - December is when cruise quality improves as companies bring out their better boats for holiday season. Check the booking widget below for current sunset cruise departures from Sisowath Quay.
Central Market food tours
The Art Deco Central Market (Phsar Thmey) becomes bearable in December's dry heat - you can spend 30 minutes inside without the usual sauna effect. Morning tours starting at 8 AM catch vendors setting up and dodge the midday crush, with temperatures still around 75°F (24°C) and the smell of fresh baguettes mixing with morning coffee from the French colonial-era stalls.
Booking Tip: Morning tours starting 8-9 AM work best - Central Market gets packed by 11 AM when tour groups arrive. Licensed food tour operators typically run 3-4 hours and include 8-10 tastings. See current food tour options in the booking section below.
Royal Palace photography walks
December's softer morning light (sunrise around 6 AM) gives you two golden hours before harsh overhead sun, good for capturing the silver pagoda's 5,000-tile floor without glare. The palace guards relax about photography in cooler weather, and you can linger to photograph the Ramayana murals without sweating through your shirt.
Booking Tip: Early entry at 8 AM avoids tour buses - palace opens at 7:30 AM but most groups arrive 9:30-10 AM. Photography tours typically include Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, plan 2-3 hours total. Book 1-2 days ahead through licensed guides.
Choeung Ek killing fields tours
December's cooler mornings make the emotional weight of Choeung Ek bearable - walking the 40-minute audio tour in 75°F (24°C) weather versus 95°F (35°C) humidity lets you process what you're seeing. The dry season means the mass graves are visible, not flooded, and afternoon memorial ceremonies happen in comfortable 80°F (27°C) temperatures.
Booking Tip: Morning visits 8-10 AM recommended - tuk-tuk from city center takes 30-40 minutes. Licensed tour operators include hotel pickup and audio guides. Check current half-day tour options in the booking widget below.
Tuol Sleng prison museum visits
The former high school turned prison (S-21) becomes visitable in December without the oppressive heat that makes some rooms unbearable in other months. The building's fans work better in cooler weather, and you can spend the recommended 2-3 hours without rushing through due to heat exhaustion. December also sees fewer school groups, making for a more contemplative experience.
Booking Tip: Arrive 8-9 AM for smaller crowds - museum opens at 8 AM, tour groups typically arrive 10 AM onwards. Combined tours with Choeung Ek are available but emotionally intense - consider spacing visits across different days. See current museum tour options below.
Where to Stay in Phnompenh in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early December (if November rains delay the festival)
Water Festival (Bon Om Touk)
Usually happens late November but sometimes extends into early December - riverside becomes a three-day party with dragon boat races, nighttime fireworks, and food stalls stretching from Royal Palace to Japanese Bridge. The illuminated boats reflecting off the Mekong create the best photos of the year. But book accommodation 3-4 weeks ahead as Cambodians flood into Phnom Penh for the celebration.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Phnompenh Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Riverside restaurants on Sisowath Quay switch to 'high season menus' mid-December - same dishes but 20% pricier, eat early in month for shoulder-season rates
The Russian Market (Tuol Tom Poung) has better souvenir deals December 1-15 before Christmas markup hits - same silk scarves, different pricing strategy
Come December, Phnom Penh's expat bakeries roll out proper Christmas stollen and mince pies, make a beeline for Street 240 if you crave surprisingly authentic European pastries.
Local tip: between 6-8 AM in December you'll still catch real monks collecting alms along Norodom Boulevard. By 9 AM the tourist photo ops have vanished.
Avoid These Mistakes
Don't be fooled by the word "cool." December still clocks 87°F (31°C) and stays humid, just less punishing than April. Pack for hot weather, not a European winter.
Booking flights for Christmas week without checking Phnom Penh hotel availability is risky: the city swells with expats' families and prices jump.
Cramming the Royal Palace, National Museum, and Tuol Sleng into one day is a mistake. December's weather lets you linger longer. Yet each site deserves its own morning.
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