Siem Reap Weather in January

January weather

January is warm and mostly dry in Siem Reap. Afternoons can reach 34°C, while evenings feel milder, with lows around 21°C. Rain is limited to about three days, so temple visits and boat trips on Tonlé Sap are usually easier to arrange than in the wet season.

The heat still builds around Angkor Wat's stone galleries. Visit the temples in the cooler morning, then take a long break during the hottest part of the day. The open, sunny approach to Angkor Thom can feel tiring in the afternoon.

What's on

January 7 is Victory over Genocide Day, a Cambodian public holiday. You may see commemorations, though it isn't a major tourist festival in Siem Reap. Lunar New Year sometimes falls in January; its date changes each year, and celebrations are mainly community events.

For families visiting Angkor Wat, the dry paths make temple exploring simpler, but long afternoons in the sun can wear children out. Keep the big temple circuit for morning, and leave time for a cool-down back in town.

Crowds and costs

January is high season, with many visitors coming for the dry weather. Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm can feel crowded, especially around sunrise. Guesthouses and tours often cost more than in the quieter wet months. December is also busy, while February gets hotter, so January suits travellers who prefer dry days over empty sights.

A useful local trick: ask your tuk-tuk driver to start at Angkor Thom's Bayon before the crowds build, then continue to Angkor Wat. That route gives you a quieter first look at the famous stone faces, rather than arriving when tour groups are already gathering.