Don’t Let Rain Ruin Your Trip – These Indoor Spots Will Make You GLAD It’s Raining!
Rain drops on temple stones. Gray clouds above ancient ruins. What to do when your Cambodia trip gets wet? Don’t worry! A rainy day in Siem Reap opens up many indoor and cultural activities that show off the city’s rich past. From cooking classes to museum trips, this list will help you make the most of wet weather in this amazing city.
What Makes Siem Reap Special?
Before we jump into rainy day plans, let’s talk about Siem Reap and Cambodia. This small country in Southeast Asia has a past filled with both joy and pain. The Khmer Empire built grand temples from the 9th to 15th centuries. Later, the country faced hard times during the Khmer Rouge era of the 1970s.
Today, Siem Reap stands as the gateway to Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious building. The city mixes old and new in a way few places do. Old French buildings sit next to busy markets and modern cafes. The mix of Buddhist faith, local crafts, and food culture makes this place truly one-of-a-kind.
Top 10 Ways to Spend a Rainy Day in Siem Reap: Indoor and Cultural Activities
1. Visit Angkor National Museum
When rain pours down, step inside the dry halls of Angkor National Museum. This big, modern space houses over 1,000 Buddha images and countless items from the Khmer Empire. The museum uses smart design to tell the story of Angkor’s rise and fall.
What makes this place special:
- Eight big display rooms with clear signs in English
- Cool air conditioning (a nice break from humid weather)
- A mix of videos and real items that help you learn
- A chance to see smaller items you might miss at the temples
The museum costs $12 to enter, but the deep look at Khmer art makes it worth every penny. You can spend 2-3 hours here while the rain falls outside.
2. Take a Cambodian Cooking Class
A rainy day in Siem Reap gives you the perfect chance to learn Cambodian cooking skills. Many cooking schools offer half-day classes where you:
- Shop at a local market for fresh items
- Learn about Khmer spices and foods
- Cook 3-4 dishes with a chef’s help
- Eat what you make!
Cambodian food uses less spice than Thai food but has deep, rich tastes from items like lemongrass, galangal, and kroeung (a special paste). Popular dishes to learn include:
- Fish amok (fish curry)
- Lap Khmer (beef salad)
- Nom banh chok (rice noodles with fish gravy)
Classes usually cost $20-30 per person. You’ll stay dry, learn new skills, and get a full meal – what’s not to like?
3. Tour the Artisans Angkor Workshops
See how local crafts get made at Artisans Angkor. This social business trains young people in old craft skills to keep Khmer art forms alive. Their main workshop in town stays dry all day and shows you how:
- Wood gets carved into shapes
- Stone turns into small Buddhas
- Silk threads become bright fabrics
- Silver changes into fine jewelry
Free guided tours run every 15 minutes. You’ll see real artists at work and can buy high-end items right from the source. This makes a great stop on a rainy day in Siem Reap and helps give back to the local community.
4. Relax with a Spa Day
When rain keeps you off temple paths, why not treat yourself? Siem Reap has tons of spas at all price points. From $5 foot rubs to $50 full-body care, you’ll find options all over town.
Try these rainy day care choices:
- Khmer massage (less hard than Thai style)
- Coffee scrubs with local beans
- Herbal steam treatments
- Four-hands massage (two workers at once)
Many big hotels have their own spas, but you can find better deals at spots on Pub Street or in the night market area. Rain outside makes the perfect sound track for your day of self-care.
5. Visit the Cambodian Landmine Museum
For a more serious but eye-opening stop on a rainy day in Siem Reap, visit the Cambodian Landmine Museum. Started by Aki Ra, a former child soldier, this small museum shows the hard truth of Cambodia’s war past.
The displays teach you about:
- How landmines work and why they stay dangerous
- The ongoing work to clear fields
- Stories of people hurt by old bombs
- Ways to help make Cambodia safer
Located about 25 km from town, you’ll need a tuk-tuk ride (around $18-20 round trip). The museum asks for a $5 donation, which helps their work to care for kids with mine-caused hurt. It’s a small but strong look at Cambodia’s past.
6. Take an Angkor Wat Virtual Tour or Indoor Museum Tour
Just because it’s raining doesn’t mean you must skip Angkor Wat! Make a smart choice and sign up for a Siem Reap City Tour which can be changed to fit rainy days. Many tour groups offer indoor museum stops with virtual tours shown on big screens.
For the most light on this big site, check out the Angkor Wat Highlights and Sunrise Guided Tour. This tour often has a backup plan for rain – the guides will take you to key spots with good rain cover, plus offer museum time to fill in what you miss.
7. Shop at the Angkor Night Market
Once night falls and the rain eases up (as it often does), head to the Angkor Night Market. With roofed stalls and covered walkways, this shopping spot works well even in light rain.
The market has:
- Over 200 shops in small huts
- Clothes with bright Khmer prints
- Small wood and stone items
- Local snacks and fruit drinks
Prices start high, so don’t be shy about asking for better deals. Most sellers speak some English and know how to make a joke or two while you shop. It’s a fun way to spend the end of a rainy day in Siem Reap.
8. Try a Fish Spa or Watch a Khmer Movie
Some rainy day fun comes in small doses. For a laugh, try a fish spa where small fish eat dead skin off your feet. These spots charge $3-5 for 20 minutes and give you a weird but fun time.
Or catch a Khmer movie at the small Platinum Cineplex. Most films show with English words at the bottom, and you’ll get to see what local folks watch. Cool air, dry seats, and a look at local pop culture makes this a good rainy time filler.
9. Visit Temples with Good Rain Cover
If you still want to see temples despite the rain, pick spots with good cover. The Banteay Srei and Grand Circuit Heritage Tour goes to sites with more roof parts still in place.
Ta Prohm (the “Tomb Raider temple”) has thick tree cover that blocks some rain. The Angkor Wat Sunset Tour can work in light rain too – the main halls of Angkor Wat stay dry inside.
Pack these items for rainy temple trips:
- Good rain coat (not just an umbrella)
- Water-proof shoes with grip
- Plastic bag for your phone/camera
- Small towel to dry off
10. Take a “Rainy Season” Boat Trip to Tonle Sap Lake
This might sound odd – go on water when it’s already wet? But rainy season is when Tonle Sap Lake fills up and looks its best! The Tonle Sap Fishing Village Flooded Forest tour works great in wet months (June-October).
In fact, the rain makes for:
- Higher water levels so boats can go to more spots
- Fewer other people on tours
- Fresh, clean air with no dust
- Great shots of water homes and trees rising from the flood
Most boats have roof cover, so you’ll stay mostly dry. This makes a great way to use the rain as part of your trip, not just something to work around.
Make Your Rainy Day in Siem Reap Stand Out
The best way to make a rainy day in Siem Reap work for you? Hire a guide who knows all the tricks. Journey Cambodia offers tours with local pros who grew up in the area. They know which spots stay dry, which roads don’t flood, and how to time things just right.
All their Siem Reap tours can be fixed to work in the rain. You’ll get:
- Door pickup so you don’t get wet
- Flexible plans that change with the weather
- Small groups (no big crowds in wet spaces)
- Rain gear if you need it
Tips for Any Rainy Day in Siem Reap
No matter what you pick from this list, keep these tips in mind:
- Morning rain often stops by noon – plan big outdoor things for after lunch
- Bring a light rain coat, not a big umbrella – easier in crowds
- Wear shoes with good grip – temple stones get slick
- Keep small cash in a front pocket – no need to pull out a wet wallet
- Ask your hotel for umbrellas – most loan them for free
- Tuk-tuks have rain covers – no need to rent a car
Final Thoughts on Rainy Days in Siem Reap
A rainy day in Siem Reap doesn’t have to stop your fun. In fact, rain turns the old stones of Angkor a deep black that makes for great photos. The air clears of dust, the crowds thin out, and you see a side of this old city many miss.
Mix some indoor time from this list with smart outdoor stops, and you might just find that the rain adds to your trip. After all, those grand Khmer kings built their stone city in a land of both sun and storm. By facing both, you get the full feel of this amazing place.
Want help making the most of any weather in Siem Reap? Reach out through our contact page and let us match you with a guide who knows how to make each day count – rain or shine!
