Travel time: july
Visiting Angkor in July places you in the heart of the Southwest Monsoon, a season locally celebrated as the "Green Season." Unlike the grey, persistent drizzle found in temperate climates, July’s weather is characterized by a dramatic and predictable rhythm. Most days begin with hazy sunshine or high, thin cloud cover that allows for several hours of morning exploration. As the day progresses, the heat builds, drawing moisture from the Tonle Sap Lake and the Gulf of Thailand.
By mid-afternoon—typically between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM—the sky often darkens rapidly. You will experience intense, heavy downpours that can last anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours. These are frequently accompanied by impressive displays of lightning and rolling thunder, which provide a theatrical backdrop to the ancient stone vistas.
Once the rain passes, the air often feels temporarily scrubbed clean, and the temperature may drop by several degrees, though humidity remains high. Evenings are generally mild and damp, with the sounds of the surrounding jungle becoming particularly vibrant after a storm.
While the mercury usually hovers between 24°C (75°F) and 32°C (90°F), these numbers are deceptive.