Phnom Penh Weather in March

March heat

March feels like the hot season in Phnom Penh. Afternoons can be punishing, with highs of 38°C and sticky streets even when the sky looks clear. Rain is limited, but showers can still interrupt a day.

The Royal Palace and National Museum work best in the cooler morning hours. Save the shaded galleries and a long lunch for the hottest part of the day. A sunset stroll along the riverside is more comfortable than walking through the city at noon. Skip long, exposed walks around Wat Phnom in the afternoon.

Holidays and crowds

International Women's Day on March 8 is a public holiday in Cambodia. Some offices and services may close, though the city doesn't stop. March has no single major festival that draws visitors in the way Khmer New Year does in April.

If you hate crowds, March is calmer than the busy December-to-February stretch. It's still a popular time to visit, and hotels may not be at their cheapest. The heat can make sightseeing feel slower, so leave room in your day for indoor stops.

Make the heat work

March is drier than April, so you're less likely to lose a whole day to rain. But the heat and only around six hours of daily sun make strenuous outings less appealing. Choose short trips, shaded museums and riverside evenings over a packed walking tour.

Travelling with kids? Keep the Royal Palace visit brief and take a break nearby before the midday heat builds. At the Central Market, browse the covered stalls for a cooler pause, then try num banh chok, a Cambodian rice-noodle dish, at a food stall.