the Philippines
The best time to visit
When to go to the Philippines
Go in the dry season, December to May, for sunny days and calm seas across the islands. The wet season, June to November, brings the rains and overlaps the typhoon season, which peaks from July to October.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Manila. Higher is better. Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Jan.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
Typhoon season.
In short
The year at a glance
The Philippines is over seven thousand islands, hot and tropical, with a clear dry and wet season. We rate on Manila, where the dry months from December to May are the time for the beaches, diving and island hopping.
The wet season from June to November brings heavy rain and the bulk of the typhoon risk, which is highest from July to October. Some regions, like parts of Mindanao and the eastern seaboard, run on a different rainfall pattern, but for most travellers the dry-season rule holds.
Month by month
the Philippines month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Manila.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°C / 86°F | 22°C / 72°F | 20 mm | Ideal 93 | Hot and dry. Manila hotels in January |
| February | 31°C / 88°F | 22°C / 72°F | 10 mm | Ideal 90 | Hot and dry. Manila hotels in February |
| March | 33°C / 91°F | 24°C / 75°F | 15 mm | Ideal 80 | Hot and dry. |
| April | 34°C / 93°F | 25°C / 77°F | 30 mm | Great 73 | Very hot and dry. |
| May | 34°C / 93°F | 25°C / 77°F | 130 mm | Great 60 | Very hot and wet. |
| June | 33°C / 91°F | 25°C / 77°F | 255 mm | Avoid 16 | Hot and very wet, storm season. |
| July | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 420 mm | Avoid 0 | Hot and very wet, storm season. |
| August | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 430 mm | Avoid 0 | Hot and very wet, storm season. |
| September | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 355 mm | Avoid 5 | Hot and very wet, storm season. |
| October | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 200 mm | Avoid 27 | Hot and wet, storm season. |
| November | 31°C / 88°F | 23°C / 73°F | 115 mm | Good 48 | Hot with a little rain, storm season. |
| December | 30°C / 86°F | 22°C / 72°F | 65 mm | Ideal 90 | Hot with a little rain. Manila hotels in December |
By city
Which city, which month
The strip above rates Manila. Pick a month to see how 9 cities compare.
| City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manila Luzon, west coast | 93 | 90 | 80 | 73 | 60 | 38 | 18 | 18 | 27 | 49 | 70 | 90 |
| Baguio Cordillera, 1,500 m | 100 | 100 | 98 | 78 | 33 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 52 | 100 |
| Legazpi Bicol, east coast | 33 | 43 | 50 | 63 | 53 | 48 | 43 | 47 | 17 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Puerto Princesa Palawan | 93 | 90 | 87 | 80 | 57 | 48 | 47 | 47 | 46 | 24 | 31 | 81 |
| Iloilo Panay, Visayas | 90 | 90 | 87 | 79 | 53 | 34 | 30 | 30 | 14 | 15 | 30 | 72 |
| Cebu Central Visayas | 79 | 90 | 89 | 86 | 69 | 51 | 48 | 54 | 51 | 49 | 33 | 43 |
| Tacloban Leyte, east coast | 32 | 43 | 51 | 60 | 55 | 49 | 52 | 54 | 49 | 18 | 13 | 9 |
| Siargao Surf coast | 0 | 23 | 36 | 50 | 56 | 56 | 53 | 56 | 52 | 38 | 0 | 0 |
| Davao Mindanao | 76 | 79 | 83 | 69 | 49 | 48 | 53 | 55 | 55 | 52 | 67 | 80 |
Same 0 to 100 rating as the strip above, from each city's own long-run normals.
By region
Where you go changes when you go
Palawan and the Visayas
Boracay, El Nido and Cebu are at their best in the dry season, December to May, with calm, clear water.
Manila and Luzon
Hot and humid, driest and most comfortable from December to April, with the rains arriving by June.
Diving destinations
The dry months bring the calmest seas and best visibility for Tubbataha, Apo Reef and the wreck-diving in Coron.
Backpacker route
Manila, Palawan and the Visayas
A night in Manila, a flight to Palawan for El Nido and Coron, then Cebu for Moalboal, a ferry to Bohol and a flight to Siargao to surf. Go in the dry season, December to April. Siargao surfs best from September to November.
Lines show the order of stops, not the roads or ferry tracks.
Manila
Intramuros, then a bed near the airport for the early flight out.
Banaue
The rice terraces at Batad and Bangaan, walked in a day with a guide.
- Bus back, then fly to Palawan
El Nido
Island hopping tours A to D through lagoons and limestone cliffs. Nacpan beach for a day off.
Coron
Kayangan lake, the Japanese wrecks for divers, and hot springs at dusk.
Boracay
White Beach, sunset paraws and the party. Skip it if that is not your thing.
Moalboal
The sardine run right off the beach, and Kawasan falls canyoneering.
Bohol
Chocolate Hills, tarsiers and the Loboc river, from a base on Panglao.
Siquijor
Waterfalls, cliff jumps and empty roads. The quietest island on the route.
Siargao
Cloud 9 surf, island hopping to Naked and Daku, and Sugba lagoon. Fly home via Cebu or Manila.
Route drawn from Vicky Flip Flop Travels, 2 weeks in the Philippines, Life of Brit, 2 weeks in the Philippines, Backpacking Is Life, 2-week Philippines itinerary, Guide to the Philippines, best 2-week itineraries. Check timetables for the month you travel.
Go for
Best time to visit the Philippines for
Beaches and islands
January to April for Boracay, Palawan and the Visayas, the driest, sunniest, calmest stretch.
Diving
The dry season for clear water, with Tubbataha Reef open only from March to June.
Whale sharks
Roughly November to May off Donsol and the southern islands, in the calmer dry months.
Fewer crowds
June, before the worst of the storms, for cheaper travel and greener landscapes.
On the calendar
What is on, and when
Dry-season beaches, Dec to May
The islands enjoy their sunniest, calmest weather, peaking around Easter.
Whale shark season, Nov to May
Whale sharks gather off Donsol and the southern coasts.
Typhoon season
Jun to Nov.
Rainy season
May to Oct.
Where to stay
Where to stay in the Philippines
Compare hotels and rentals around Manila, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights
Questions