Preah Vihear (town) Travel Guide

City City in Cambodia with historical significance

Temples cling to a limestone escarpment above the plains; Preah Vihear’s cliff-top Khmer sanctuary draws those after temple reliefs, dramatic vantage points and borderland atmosphere. Local stalls sell grilled meat and sticky rice before the long stair climb.

Costs

$25-45 per day

Budget-town prices with simple guesthouses and temple tourism.

Safety

Cautiously safe for visitors

Rural town; standard precautions advised near border areas.

Best Time

November to February

Cool, dry season ideal for temple visits.

In This Guide

Why Visit Preah Vihear (town)?
Top Things to Do
Plan Your Visit
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Time

—

Weather

—

Population

24,380

Infrastructure & Convenience

Limited buses, dusty streets, English limited, few hotels and eateries.

Popularity

Draws visitors heading to Preah Vihear Temple and rural archaeology.

Known For

Preah Vihear Temple,UNESCO site,limestone plateau,temple views,border landscapes,rural Khmer markets,archaeology,birdwatching,off-the-beaten-path travel,cultural heritage

Preah Vihear town is the closest settlement to the UNESCO-listed Preah Vihear Temple, perched atop a 525‑metre cliff.

Why Visit Preah Vihear (town)? #

Set near dramatic cliff escarpments, Preah Vihear town serves as the gateway to the cliff-top Preah Vihear Temple and the forested dry-season trails around the province. Travelers come for the imposing Khmer temple complex, lively local markets where Khmer crafts and street food are sold, and the chance to observe rice-farming villages that preserve traditional rituals. Expect remote rural charm and sweeping views from the temple’s mountaintop perch.

Top Things to Do in Preah Vihear (town)

All Attractions ›

Koh Ker

Remote ancient Khmer temple complex and former capital

Archaeological Site

Don't Miss

Preah Vihear Temple - Preah Vihear Temple, Khmer hilltop temple with long stairs and cliff-edge views.
Preah Vihear Provincial Museum - Preah Vihear Provincial Museum displaying local Khmer artifacts and provincial history exhibits.
Preah Vihear Town Market - Preah Vihear Town Market offering fresh produce, grilled fish stalls, and local snacks.

Hidden Gems

Dangrek Mountains viewpoint - Dangrek Mountains viewpoint near the temple provides sunrise views and birdwatching opportunities.
Local coffee stalls - Small coffee stalls near the market serving Cambodian coffee and casual conversation with vendors.
Village craft stalls - Village craft stalls selling simple woven goods and hand-carved souvenirs from nearby communes.

Day Trips

Koh Ker - Koh Ker archaeological complex with remote pyramid-temples and overgrown jungle trails to explore.
Sambor Prei Kuk - Sambor Prei Kuk temples, pre-Angkorian brick sanctuaries set within shaded forest pathways.

Best Time to Visit Preah Vihear (town) #

Preah Vihear is best between November and February when humidity falls and temple visits are comfortable. The hot season gets intense; the monsoon floods roads but turns the landscape vividly green.

Cool Dry Season

November - February · 22°C - 30°C (72°F - 86°F)

Best time for temple visits-lower humidity, cooler mornings, and clearer skies; crowds still light compared with peak holidays, and photographers love the light.

Hot Season

March - May · 25°C - 35°C (77°F - 95°F)

Oppressive heat and strong sun; daytime temple exploring becomes draining, but fewer tourists and dramatic sunsets make it bearable overall.

Rainy Season

May - October · 24°C - 32°C (75°F - 90°F)

Heavy afternoon downpours, muddy roads, lush jungle - travel is slower, but the countryside becomes at its most green and visually dramatic.

Best Time to Visit Preah Vihear (town) #

Climate

Preah Vihear (town)'s climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with very hot summers (peaking in April) and warm winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 18°C to 35°C. Abundant rainfall (1694 mm/year), wettest in September with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit

JanuaryDecemberFebruary

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

44°

Warmest Month

10°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 2 mm.

93 Ideal

Comfort

25°

Feels Like Warm

25°C

Temperature

18° – 31°

60%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

2 mm

Rainfall

2.0 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

11.3h daylight

February

February is warm, feeling like 28°C. Almost no rain.

85 Excellent

Comfort

28°

Feels Like Warm

27°C

Temperature

21° – 34°

52%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

7 mm

Rainfall

1.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

11.6h daylight

March

March is hot, feeling like 30°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

30°

Feels Like Hot

29°C

Temperature

23° – 35°

53%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

29 mm

Rainfall

1.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

11.9h daylight

April

April is the hottest month, feeling like 33°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

33°

Feels Like Hot

30°C

Temperature

25° – 35°

61%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

67 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

12.3h daylight

May

May is hot, feeling like 34°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (171 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

34°

Feels Like Hot

29°C

Temperature

25° – 34°

74%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

171 mm

Rainfall

1.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

12.6h daylight

June

June is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (246 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

33°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

24° – 32°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

246 mm

Rainfall

1.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

12.8h daylight

July

July is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (272 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

32°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

24° – 31°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

272 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

12.7h daylight

August

August is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (294 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

32°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

24° – 31°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

294 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

12.4h daylight

September

September is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (365 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

32°

Feels Like Hot

27°C

Temperature

24° – 31°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

365 mm

Rainfall

1.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

12.1h daylight

October

October is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (180 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

27°

Feels Like Warm

27°C

Temperature

23° – 31°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

180 mm

Rainfall

1.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

11.7h daylight

November

November is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

85 Excellent

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

21° – 31°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

50 mm

Rainfall

1.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

11.4h daylight

December

December is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. Light rainfall.

93 Ideal

Comfort

25°

Feels Like Warm

25°C

Temperature

19° – 31°

70%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

11 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

11.2h daylight

How to Get to Preah Vihear (town)

By Air

By Train & Bus

How to Get Around Preah Vihear (town) #

Preah Vihear town is small and easily explored on foot for short trips. Motorbike taxis and tuk-tuks are the typical ways to reach the temple complex and nearby villages; expect to negotiate fares for longer trips.

There are intermittent bus or minivan connections to larger towns; bring cash and confirm departure times in advance, particularly during the low season.

Where to Stay in Preah Vihear (town) #

Budget

Near market - $8-25/night (basic)

Preah Vihear town has very basic guesthouses and simple rooms; options are sparse and sometimes informal. Bring cash and be prepared for limited services.

Mid-Range

Close to provincial offices - $20-40/night (limited)

Choices for comfortable mid-range stays are limited in town. Many travellers base themselves in Siem Reap or Kampong Thom for more dependable services.

Luxury

No luxury options locally - consider Siem Reap (60+ USD)

High-end hotels are not available in Preah Vihear town. For luxury amenities, plan to stay in Siem Reap and travel to the temple by day.

Where to Eat in Preah Vihear (town) #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Preah Vihear (town)'s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Khmer

Chinese

Cambodian

Nightlife in Preah Vihear (town) #

Nightlife is minimal. The town has a few guesthouses and small roadside eateries that may stay open after dark, but there are no established bars or late-night venues.

Evening activity is low-key; travellers usually return to guesthouses or head to larger towns for more options.

Shopping in Preah Vihear (town) #

Shopping is utilitarian: a local market sells fresh produce, snacks and basic supplies, and small vendors near the temple sell simple souvenirs for visitors. Selection is limited compared with Cambodia’s larger tourist towns.

Carry small bills and expect most purchases to be cash-only; bring anything specific you need from Siem Reap or Kampong Thom.