We know it: when it comes to traveling to the Philippines, what worries you most is the weather. That’s normal—you don’t want it raining all day and clouding such a beautiful experience. If you ask us when to travel to the Philippines, we have no doubt about the answer: ALWAYS.
The first thing you need to know is that the Philippines has a tropical climate. This means the weather is unpredictable. Really—one day it can be sunny, then a downpour, then cloudy, and later scorching hot. As we mentioned in Best time to travel to the Philippines, predicting the weather in the Philippines is very difficult, especially many weeks in advance.
We’d love to guarantee you’ll have good weather. But just as we can’t tell you that for any other country (would you be able to know if it will rain in Madrid on April 5?), in the Philippines it’s a little tougher.
Even so, here are a few details so you have a better idea of what to expect and can decide when to travel around the Philippines.
When to travel to the Philippines?
Seasons and climate in the Philippines
The Philippines has a tropical climate, which basically means it’s always hot and humid. The average annual temperature is 27ºC. Still, there are periods of more or less heat that correspond to different seasons. Of course, there are places in the Philippines at higher elevations (such as the Cordillera area, Banaue and Batad, Sagada, or Baguio) where it is cooler year-round.
When considering when to travel to the Philippines, you should know there are 3 seasons, and you can also talk about up to 6 climate zones. This means there are areas of the Philippines where those seasons are more or less noticeable or not as pronounced.
To sum up (and not to confuse you), the climate in the Philippines is categorized into:
The cool, dry season: December to February
If we had to tell you when to travel to the Philippines, we’d probably pick this time of year. Temperatures are between 22ºC and 27ºC and the chances of rain decrease in almost the whole country. Even so, December is often still a transitional month, and you should consider that prices tend to rise a bit as Christmas and Chinese New Year approach. In general, there are fewer tourists, making it a more pleasant time to visit.
Heads up: this doesn’t mean it DOESN’T rain at all during this period. Downpours are frequent, and you can also get windy days that keep you from going out to sea for tours or longer boat trips. In fact, one February we were stuck in Coron for four days because not a single boat went out due to the wind.
The hot, dry season: March to May
From March onward, the climate in the Philippines is even drier and hotter, and temperatures can reach 35ºC. The Amihan, the northeast monsoon, brings dry winds and the chances of rain drop to a minimum.
Keep in mind that during this period prices go up a bit, especially during Holy Week and the May holiday weekend.
The rainy and typhoon season: June to November
The rainy season in the Philippines runs roughly from June to November. The Habagat, the southwest monsoon, begins to blow and rains are common across the country. However, it’s not normal for it to rain all day in the Philippines or for there to be many consecutive days of rain. During this time, skies are usually grayer than normal and you can expect the odd downpour of a couple of hours in the late afternoon or evening.
To complicate things further, from June to November it’s not rainy season everywhere. Typically, Luzon, Palawan, and the northern Visayas are the most affected during those months.
June to November is an ideal time to travel to the south of the Philippines—that is, Mindanao (including islands such as Siargao and Camiguin) and the southern Visayas (Bohol, Siquijor, and even Cebu and nearby areas) usually have quite good weather.
This is the cheapest time to travel to the Philippines. Hotel and flight prices tend to be lower.
If you’re planning to travel to the Philippines in July, August, September, October, or November, we suggest being a little more flexible than usual and not making a very tight itinerary. Boat and flight cancellations happen.
Travel to the Philippines in July?
Travel to the Philippines in August?
Travel to the Philippines in September?
Travel to the Philippines in October?
Travel to the Philippines in December?
When to travel to the Philippines: typhoons and cyclones
Here’s the crux of it. The magazine ‘Times’ said a few years ago that “the Philippines is the country most exposed to tropical storms.” You don’t need them to say it—the numbers show there are about 19 typhoons that enter the Philippine area of responsibility each year, of which 5 can be potentially destructive.
Typhoons in the Philippines come from the Pacific and usually follow a path from the southern Eastern Visayas toward northern Luzon. This also draws in the rains of the southwest monsoon, so rains tend to spread across the whole country.
The period with the highest risk of typhoons in the Philippines is August to November, with August being the most “dangerous” in that sense.
Does that mean that if you plan to travel to the Philippines in August you’ll get hit by a typhoon? Definitely not. Typhoons happen, but they’re occasional events and most of them don’t usually cause serious damage on land. Still, it’s always good to stay informed. Typhoons are typically forecast 7–10 days before they enter the Philippine area, so it’s entirely possible to avoid the eye. In any case, we always recommend traveling with the best travel insurance for the Philippines like the one we use, which is essential for this kind of event.
5% discount on your travel insurance for the Philippines
Is there any time of year when it won’t rain in the Philippines?
After reading all this, it might be more or less clear, but the answer is: NO.
In a tropical climate, there are no months when it doesn’t rain at all. However, the probability of rain in the Philippines drops considerably in the driest months (March, April, and May) in Palawan, Luzon, and the Visayas. That doesn’t mean you won’t get the odd downpour that makes it feel like the sky is falling.
On the other hand, in the months of July, August, and September it usually rains little in Mindanao. That is, it’s a good time to travel to areas of the Philippines such as Siargao, Camiguin, or the rest of Mindanao.
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So, when should you travel to the Philippines?
When to travel to the Philippines? It depends.
- If you want the lowest chance of rain in much of the country: January to May.
- If you’re looking for low prices: July to October.
- If you’re mostly covering the south of the country: July to October.
Another factor may also come into play. As you know, it’s not all beaches or diving— the Philippines also has a cultural side that we encourage you to explore through its festivals. Take a look at our article Festivals in the Philippines and you might want to plan your trip around one of them.
Weather in the Philippines month by month
Let’s look at the weather month by month and, therefore, when it’s best to travel to the Philippines:
Travel to the Philippines in January: it’s a great month, as temperatures are cool, the chance of rain is low in almost the entire country (except the south), and prices tend to be budget-friendly. Check out Travel to the Philippines in January, where we explain everything.
Travel to the Philippines in February: very similar to January, it’s a highly recommended month to visit without too much rain. Note that Chinese New Year is celebrated in February and the most traditional destinations for Asian travelers (El Nido, Boracay, or Bohol) get packed. You’ll find more info in Travel to the Philippines in February.
Travel to the Philippines in March: it’s the dry season, but temperatures tend to rise considerably. Keep in mind that Holy Week is a VERY HIGH season in the Philippines. It’s their vacation time too, so you’ll need to book accommodation and transport in advance. Read Travel to the Philippines in March and Travel to the Philippines at Easter for more info.
Travel to the Philippines in April: the real heat begins across the country and it’s the driest season. It’s a good time to head north— the rice terraces of the Cordillera will be super green and beautiful.
Travel to the Philippines in May: it’s usually the hottest and driest month. Keep in mind it’s vacation time for Filipinos— their “summer.” Therefore, prices tend to be a little higher. Read more in What it’s like to travel to the Philippines in May.
Travel to the Philippines in June: changes begin with the arrival of the monsoon. Typically it rains more in the north of the Philippines. Prices start to come down. See more in What it’s like to travel to the Philippines in June.
Travel to the Philippines in July: the rainy season officially begins in almost the whole country. If you want to avoid it at all costs, be sure to include Siargao and Camiguin. They’re incredible and it’s the dry season there. Find more info in Travel to the Philippines in July?.
Travel to the Philippines in August: it’s rainy and typhoon season, but don’t panic! Try to avoid the northeast of the Philippines, where typhoons have the most impact. You can keep visiting the south of the Philippines without worry. It’s a very budget-friendly month when deciding when to travel to the Philippines. We talk about this month in detail in Travel to the Philippines in August?.
Travel to the Philippines in September: it’s still a month of rains and typhoons in almost the entire country, although, remember, that doesn’t mean it will definitely rain on you. It’s low season: budget-friendly accommodation and domestic flights. You’ll find more info in Travel to the Philippines in September.
Travel to the Philippines in October: the risk of rain starts to drop in almost the whole country. The rainy season begins in the south. You can read more about this month in Travel to the Philippines in October?.
Travel to the Philippines in November: temperatures begin to fall and, although the risk is lower, typhoons can occur.
Travel to the Philippines in December: the cooler season begins and the chances of rain drop in almost the whole country. It’s a good month to travel to the Philippines, but keep in mind that Christmas is very high season and you should book your whole trip. You can read more in Christmas in the Philippines and in Travel to the Philippines in December
How can I find out what the weather will be like in the Philippines?
You’ve probably gone crazy checking the weather forecast in the Philippines for the next few weeks. STAY CALM! Traditional websites usually say it’s going to rain all day in the Philippines, when what’s normal is that it only rains for a while, so take those forecasts with a grain of salt.
Our advice is to follow the PAGASA website, the official meteorological agency of the Philippines. Although the site is anything but intuitive, it’s the best source to know whether a typhoon is approaching or if there’s any low-pressure area that could bring rain in the coming days. We usually check the satellite every now and then and warn travelers in social networks.
PAGASA issues advisories on typhoon tracks, storm surges, and winds that the coast guard usually follows when boats are canceled. There you’ll be able to see roughly where the rains are headed.
Any questions about when to travel to the Philippines? Ask us in the comments!
