Pursat Travel Guide

City City in Pursat Province, Cambodia

Pursat is a provincial river town on the road west from Phnom Penh, with markets, boat traffic and noodle stalls. Travelers use it as a springboard for the Cardamom foothills, river fishing communities and quieter temples away from the busier routes.

Costs

$20-50 per day

Very affordable local hotels and street food; transport costs rise if hiring private vehicles.

Safety

Generally safe with basic precautions

Low crime; be cautious on rural roads and at night.

Best Time

November-April

Dry months make travel easier across provincial roads and to nearby natural sites.

In This Guide

Why Visit Pursat?
Top Things to Do
Plan Your Visit
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Time

—

Weather

—

Population

52,476

Infrastructure & Convenience

Served by buses on Highway 5; basic hotels and markets but few English services.

Popularity

Rarely on international itineraries; mainly visited by Cambodians and overland travelers.

Known For

Pursat River, provincial markets, rice farming, local Khmer temples, river transport, provincial administration, artisan trades, nearby natural areas

Pursat sits on National Highway 5 - the main westbound route from Phnom Penh toward Battambang and the Thai border.

Why Visit Pursat? #

Pursat offers a quieter slice of Cambodia focused on riverside life and traditional crafts. The Pursat River shapes daily routines, while surrounding villages practice stone carving, pottery and rice farming that visitors can observe. Local markets offer freshwater fish and Khmer street food, and the town provides access to nearby wetlands and forested foothills for eco‑minded travelers. Those interested in artisanal workshops and genuine rural rhythms find Pursat a revealing stop away from busier tourist circuits.

Top Things to Do in Pursat

All Attractions ›

Tonlé Sap

Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake and floodplain

Lake

Kompong Luong

Largest floating village on Tonle Sap Lake

Waterfall

Best Time to Visit Pursat #

Pursat is best visited in the cool, dry months (Nov-Feb) for reliable roads and comfortable touring. The hot season is brutal inland; monsoon offers dramatic scenery but slower travel.

Cool/Dry Season

November - February · 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F)

Best time for river and forest trips-clear skies, manageable heat, and less mud on rural roads, book river guides early.

Hot Season

March - May · 25°C to 38°C (77°F to 100°F)

Scorching inland heat makes afternoons unbearable; mornings are usable for excursions, but carry water and avoid dusty roads and plan short activities.

Monsoon

June - October · 24°C to 34°C (75°F to 93°F)

Heavy rains green the countryside and swell rivers-travel slows, but waterfalls and rice terraces look spectacular; expect muddy tracks and use waterproof gear.

Best Time to Visit Pursat #

Climate

Pursat's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with very hot summers (peaking in April) and hot winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 20°C to 35°C. Abundant rainfall (1451 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit

JanuaryDecemberFebruary

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

44°

Warmest Month

14°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 20°C. The driest month with just 6 mm.

93 Ideal

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

20° – 31°

63%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

6 mm

Rainfall

1.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

11.4h daylight

February

February is hot, feeling like 28°C. Light rainfall.

83 Excellent

Comfort

28°

Feels Like Hot

27°C

Temperature

22° – 33°

58%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

17 mm

Rainfall

1.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

11.6h daylight

March

March is hot, feeling like 32°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

32°

Feels Like Hot

29°C

Temperature

24° – 35°

62%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

40 mm

Rainfall

1.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

12.0h daylight

April

April is the hottest month, feeling like 36°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

36°

Feels Like Hot

31°C

Temperature

26° – 35°

68%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

74 mm

Rainfall

1.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

12.3h daylight

May

May is hot, feeling like 36°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (171 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

37°

Feels Like Hot

30°C

Temperature

25° – 34°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

171 mm

Rainfall

1.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

12.6h daylight

June

June is hot, feeling like 36°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (152 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

36°

Feels Like Hot

29°C

Temperature

25° – 33°

84%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

152 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

12.7h daylight

July

July is hot, feeling like 35°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (163 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

35°

Feels Like Hot

29°C

Temperature

25° – 32°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

163 mm

Rainfall

1.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

12.7h daylight

August

August is hot, feeling like 34°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (235 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

34°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

25° – 32°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

235 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

12.4h daylight

September

September is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (223 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

33°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

25° – 31°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

223 mm

Rainfall

1.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.0

UV Index

Very High

12.1h daylight

October

October is hot, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (234 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

31°

Feels Like Hot

27°C

Temperature

24° – 31°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

234 mm

Rainfall

1.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

11.7h daylight

November

November is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Significant rainfall (112 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

27°

Feels Like Warm

27°C

Temperature

23° – 30°

81%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

112 mm

Rainfall

1.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

11.4h daylight

December

December is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

89 Excellent

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

21° – 30°

71%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

24 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

11.3h daylight

How to Get to Pursat

Pursat is normally reached overland by bus or minivan from Phnom Penh (around 3-4 hours). Rail reaches Pursat but services are limited and less predictable than regular coaches.

By Air

Phnom Penh (PNH) / Siem Reap (REP): Pursat has no commercial airport; the nearest international airports are Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Most visitors arrive by road from Phnom Penh (≈3-4 hours) or take a longer overland route from Battambang/Siem Reap.

Local airfields: There are no regular commercial flights into Pursat - overland travel by bus or minivan is the normal approach.

By Train & Bus

Bus / Minivan: Regular buses and minivans connect Phnom Penh with Pursat (journey ~3-4 hours). Tickets typically cost about $6-10 depending on operator and vehicle standard.

Train: Pursat has a station on Cambodia’s national railway (Phnom Penh-Poipet line). Passenger rail service runs intermittently and can be slower than buses; check current schedules before relying on the train.

How to Get Around Pursat #

Pursat town centre is walkable for daily errands; tuk-tuks and motos are the usual way to get around locally and to nearby villages. Buses and minibuses link Pursat with Phnom Penh and other provincial towns; negotiate fares and check departure times at the bus station.

Where to Stay in Pursat #

Budget

Town centre - $5-30/night

Pursat has mostly simple guesthouses and local inns; web presence is limited so expect to book in person or via local agents.

Local guesthouses (Pursat town) - Small, budget guesthouses around town.
Various guesthouses (Facebook listings) - Few with dedicated websites.

Mid-Range

Near provincial offices - $25-70/night

A few comfortable hotels offer private bathrooms and air-con; quality varies and booking options are limited online.

Pursat mid-range hotels (local listings) - Comfortable local hotels with basic services.
Royal Hotel Pursat (example) - Decent mid-range with private rooms.

Luxury

No luxury district locally - $100+/night (in nearby cities)

Pursat lacks true luxury hotels; for high-end amenities, travel to Battambang or Phnom Penh.

Nearby upscale options (Battambang/Phnom Penh) - True luxury hotels located in larger cities.

Where to Eat in Pursat #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Pursat's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Asian

Nightlife in Pursat #

Nightlife is very limited-small local bars and guesthouse venues provide the main options. There are no notable club scenes or dedicated live-music venues.

Shopping in Pursat #

Shopping in Pursat is primarily local: a central market supplies produce, household items and basic clothing rather than tourist goods. For specialist or tourist-oriented purchases you’ll usually need to travel to larger cities.