What to Wear in Cambodia: Angkor Wat Dress Code and Packing Guide

What to wear in Cambodia is shaped by two things: tropical heat that barely lets up, and a temple dress code that is written down for Angkor. Most visitors spend at least a day or two climbing through temples around Siem Reap, then add Phnom Penh, the Mekong or the southern coast. The trick is a wardrobe that keeps you cool and still covers your shoulders and knees. This 2026 guide covers the wet and dry seasons, the Angkor dress code, what to wear for temple days, the capital and the beaches, and a packing list built around long, loose cotton and linen.

What is the weather like in Cambodia?

Cambodia is hot all year, with a climate set by two monsoons. A presentation by Cambodia's Department of Meteorology describes a tropical, warm and humid climate, with the north-east monsoon bringing the dry season from November to April and the south-west monsoon bringing the rainy season from May to October. The hottest month is April or May, and the coolest is December or January. More than 70 per cent of the annual rain falls between May and November, while December to March is very dry.

The same source notes that the rainy season is often interrupted by a short “small dry season” between June and August, usually lasting one or two weeks. The cooler, dry months from November to February are the most comfortable for long temple days; March to May is the hottest stretch.

What is the dress code at Angkor Wat?

Angkor is a sacred site, not just a ruin, and its rules say so. The Angkor visitor code of conduct states that revealing clothes, such as shorts and skirts above the knees and clothes that show bare shoulders, are prohibited in sacred places, and that respectful dress is strongly encouraged across Angkor. The same code discourages high heels and backpacks inside the temples, and asks visitors not to touch carvings, sit on fragile structures or lean on temple walls.

So plan the temple outfit first. Trousers or a skirt that falls below the knee, and a top with sleeves, are the baseline. Loose linen or cotton trousers with a short-sleeved top, a long kaftan with sleeves, or a tunic over light trousers are all cool enough for the heat and covered enough for the rules. A kurta with straight trousers works particularly well. Do not rely on a scarf draped over a sleeveless top: choose sleeves from the start, and keep a stole for extra sun cover.

Siem Reap and temple days

Temple days at Angkor are long and physical. Angkor Wat alone is, by most measures, the largest religious complex in the world, and the wider park takes in Angkor Thom, the Bayon, Ta Prohm and many more. Many visitors start before sunrise and finish late in the afternoon, with steep stone steps, uneven paths and long stretches in the sun.

Dress for that. Choose light colours that reflect heat, natural fibres that breathe and a cut that lets you climb, such as wide trousers or a full midi skirt rather than anything narrow. Wear trainers or sturdy sandals with a back strap, and a wide-brimmed hat. Pack water, sunscreen and a small cross-body bag. A second top is worth carrying in the hot months, and in the rainy season a light rain jacket and a quick-drying fabric will save the afternoon.

“Covered need not mean heavy. A long, loose shape in fine cotton keeps you cool and respectful at the same time,” says Ramola Bachchan, the fashion designer behind First Resort.

Siem Reap's evenings are relaxed: Pub Street, the night markets and small restaurants in the old town. A cotton dress or a co-ord set with flat sandals is perfect, and resort hotels suit a silk kaftan or a printed caftan at dinner.

Phnom Penh

The capital mixes palaces, pagodas, museums and riverside restaurants, and the same modest baseline applies to its sacred sites. For the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda and the city's wats, wear trousers or a skirt below the knee and a top with sleeves, and wear slip-on sandals in case you are asked to remove your shoes. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek memorial call for quiet, respectful dress as well.

Away from the temples, Phnom Penh is a hot, busy city. A loose shirt with wide trousers, a midi skirt with a cotton top, or a shirt dress all work. In the evening, rooftop bars along the river are a good place for a satin slip dress or a silk co-ord.

Kep, Kampot and the islands

Cambodia's coast is quieter than its neighbours'. Kep is known for its crab market and seafood, Kampot for its river and pepper farms, and the islands off Sihanoukville, such as Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem, for simple beaches. Swimwear is fine on the beach and at resort pools. In towns, markets and restaurants, cover up with a cover-up, a sarong or a short caftan. For boat trips, pack a dry bag and a long-sleeved shirt for the sun.

Fabric and colour for the heat

Covering up in a hot country only works if the fabric is right. Choose natural fibres with an open weave, such as cotton voile, mulmul and linen, and avoid synthetics, which trap heat and cling once you start to sweat. A long, loose garment is often cooler than shorts and a vest, because it shades your skin and lets air move underneath. Light colours, soft prints and white reflect more of the sun than black.

For the rainy months, add quick-drying pieces and avoid anything that turns heavy and transparent when wet. Sandals that cope with puddles, and a spare top in your day bag, make a sudden downpour at a temple or a market much easier to shrug off. Leave heavy denim, high heels and anything that needs ironing at home; most of your days will be spent walking, climbing and sitting in tuk-tuks.

Common packing mistakes

The most common mistake is packing for a beach holiday and treating Angkor as an afterthought. If your suitcase is mostly shorts and vests, you will spend your temple days in one pair of trousers. Plan at least two temple-ready outfits for every day you will spend at Angkor. The second mistake is underestimating how much you will sweat: bring more tops than you think you need, or choose pieces that rinse and dry overnight. The third is shoes. New sandals and steep stone steps are a poor combination, so bring a pair you have already walked in.

A Cambodia packing list

For ten days covering Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and the coast:

1. Two pairs of loose linen or cotton trousers that fall below the knee
2. Three tops or tunics with sleeves for temples
3. One long kaftan or kurta with sleeves
4. Two cotton dresses or a midi skirt for evenings
5. One silk or satin piece for a resort or rooftop dinner
6. A swimsuit, a sarong and a cover-up for the coast
7. A light stole for sun and air-conditioning
8. Trainers or back-strap sandals for temples, and slip-on sandals for pagodas
9. A wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen and a packable rain jacket for May to October

For long, light pieces that work at Angkor and at dinner, browse the vacation edit or see all caftans. Every piece comes in one price across XS to 8XL, with free shipping across India and delivery worldwide.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dress code for Angkor Wat?

Cover your shoulders and knees. Angkor's visitor code of conduct prohibits shorts and skirts above the knee and clothes that show bare shoulders in sacred places.

What is the best time to visit Cambodia for the weather?

The dry season, from November to April, is the most comfortable, and November to February is the coolest part of it. The rainy season runs from May to October.

Can I wear a long dress to Angkor Wat?

Yes, as long as it covers your shoulders, or you wear it with a top with sleeves. A loose maxi dress or a long kaftan with sleeves is cool and meets the dress code.

What shoes should I wear in Cambodia?

Wear trainers or sturdy sandals with a back strap for temple days, because the steps are steep and the paths uneven. Slip-on sandals are useful where you need to remove your shoes.

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