Cambodia, Asia

Angkor Wat in August

Much like July: wet afternoons, empty mornings, low prices.

Quiet valueHumid, highs near 90F (32C), frequent rain

Angkor Wat at sunrise, Cambodia — Angkor WatPhoto: Reinhard Onasch, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

August is a quiet, good-value month to visit Angkor Wat. Much like July: wet afternoons, empty mornings, low prices.

Weather: Humid, highs near 90F (32C), frequent rain
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What August is like in Angkor Wat

August is much like July: humid, with highs near 90F (32C), wet afternoons, and empty mornings. Prices are low, and the jungle is at its greenest.

This month suits budget travelers and families on summer break. Plan temples for mornings and rest in the afternoons. For dry weather, choose November to February. The rain usually arrives in the afternoon, so start early and keep lunch flexible. A car with a driver beats a tuk-tuk on wet days. Ta Prohm and Beng Mealea look their most atmospheric now, and you may have whole corners of them to yourself.

Make the most of August

What is especially good about Angkor Wat this month.

Empty mornings

Temples are quiet in the early hours.

Green season photos

Lush trees and full moats make every temple look alive.

Low prices

Good deals on hotels and guides.

What to pack for August

A rain jacket
Quick-dry clothes
Insect repellent
Shoes with good grip

Our timing tip

Plan an early start every day, and keep a book for the rainy afternoons.

Book Angkor Wat for August.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Angkor Wat
Opens a hotel search for Angkor Wat in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for August
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Angkor Wat
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Angkor Wat
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Angkor Wat for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Angkor Wat

Full guide

Sunrise at Angkor Wat

Arrive before 5:30am to find a spot by the lotus ponds. For a quieter view, walk to the back of the temple after sunrise while everyone else leaves for breakfast.

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The Bayon and Angkor Thom

The face towers are best in soft morning or late afternoon light. The Terrace of the Elephants is right next door.

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Ta Prohm

The tree-root temple. Go right at opening or in the last hour to avoid the tour groups.

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Banteay Srei

Small pink sandstone temple with the finest carvings in Angkor, about 45 minutes out. Go early before it heats up.

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Beng Mealea

A collapsed jungle temple about 90 minutes from Siem Reap. Uncrowded and atmospheric, especially in the green season.

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Tonle Sap floating villages

Water levels change dramatically by season. Visit in the wet season when the lake swells, and choose community-run tours.

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Beat the crowds

Buy a multi-day pass and spread the temples out. Do the big three (Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm) at off-hours instead of cramming them into one crowded day.
Most tour groups follow the same loop. Reverse it: do Ta Prohm at opening, Angkor Wat at midday when the sunrise crowd is gone, and the Bayon in late afternoon.
Go to Banteay Srei and Beng Mealea early to beat the heat and the tour buses.
Consider the green season from June to August: morning temple visits are quiet, the landscape is lush, and hotel prices drop.

Know before you go

Angkor passes are sold for one, three, or seven days at the official ticket center and online through Angkor Enterprise. You need a photo pass to enter any temple.
Angkor Wat and some temples open early for sunrise; most others open around 7:30am and close in the late afternoon. Check current hours.
Upper levels of some temples, including Angkor Wat's central tower (Bakan), close on certain Buddhist holy days and have dress-code checks (shoulders and knees covered).
During Khmer New Year and Pchum Ben, some local restaurants and shops close as families return to their home provinces.