The dry season (December to May) is the best time to visit the Philippines as the sun is shining, the sea is calm and clear, and the conditions are perfect for a range of outdoor activities. There are also advantages of traveling in the wet season (June to November), including lower prices and fewer crowds, as well as pockets of the country that remain pretty dry.
October is the end of the rainy season in the Philippines, and although travelers should expect some showers, there's less rain than in the previous few months. This is the shoulder season for travel and is an excellent time to visit if you want to take advantage of lower prices, thinner crowds, and fair weather. There are also many great festivals you can take part in during October. Read on to learn more about travel to the Philippines in October.
December is the peak season for travel to the Philippines: the weather is fine and clear, and so are the seas. Swimming and diving are excellent this month, as are island-hopping itineraries—there are over 7,000 islands in the Philippines, after all! Read on to find out more about travel to the Philippines in December.
January is one of the best months to travel to the Philippines: the weather is warm but not too hot and humid, there's little rain, and everything is open and accessible. Crowds and costs will be higher, though, especially around New Year. Whether you want to party with the locals during one of the country's famous festivals, try a new water sport, or relax on a beach in the sun, January is a great time to do so. Read on to find out more about traveling to the Philippines in January.
November is the start of the dry season in the Philippines, and with that comes an uptick in tourism. Although you may still encounter showers, the weather is mostly good, and all areas of the country are likely accessible. Swim with whale sharks, hike in the mountains, or relax on a beautiful beach: it's all possible in the Philippines in November. Read on to find out more.
Most of the Philippines is wet in September, as this is the rainy and low season for tourism. However, a handful of locales remain drier than the rest of the country, so make a beeline for Palawan, the Eastern Visayas, and Mindanao if you want a relatively dry beach vacation. Here's some more information on where to go and what to do in the Philippines in September.
August is the middle of the rainy season in the Philippines, and it's the wettest month of the year in most places—although it also happens to be the driest time of the year in others. If you choose your destination wisely, you can have a great time in the Philippines in August, particularly if you're a surfer. Find out more about traveling to the Philippines in August below.
July is the middle of the rainy season in the Philippines and the low season for travel. It's one of the wettest months of the year, but the rains don't affect all parts of the country equally. It's still possible to have a great beach vacation if you head to drier destinations, such as Cebu, Samar, or Leyte. Find out more about traveling to the Philippines in July.
June is the start of the rainy season in the Philippines, but the rains don't affect all parts of the country equally. Some places, particularly Cebu and Mindanao, stay relatively dry. If you're looking for a chilled-out beach vacation and don't mind a little rain, you can have a great time in the Philippines in June. Find out more about where to go and what to do below.
May is shoulder season for travel to the Philippines and is a great time to visit if you want lower prices, thinner crowds, and generally good weather. Temperatures are hot, and while there's a chance of rain, if you tailor your activities to the conditions, this can be a great month to visit. Here's where to go and what to do in the Philippines in May, plus information on an exciting month-long festival.
April is a popular time of year for travel to the Philippines as it is at the end of the dry season before the rains arrive. Temperatures are generally hot in April, so many travelers will prefer beach vacations. A country of more than 7,000 islands, you're never too far from the coastline and a gorgeous beach in the Philippines. Read on for more information on traveling to the Philippines in April.
March is the high season for travel to the Philippines, as it's at the tail end of the dry season. But as temperatures and humidity increase, many travelers prefer to stick to beach areas this month. Luckily, there are plenty to choose from in a country of thousands of islands. Alternatively, head to higher altitudes in the hills for land-based activities.
February is the peak season for travel to the Philippines, with warm and dry weather that's not too hot. It's a great time to participate in all outdoor activities, from hiking to scuba diving. With over 7,000 islands making up the country, you'll find somewhere to suit your needs and interests this month. Read on to find out where to go and what to do in the Philippines in February.
On this 10-day active adventure, you'll set out from Manila to explore three of the country's most idyllic islands. Experience the thrill of cliff jumping in Siquijor, see the stunning Chocolate Hills of Bohol, snorkel with sea turtles on Cebu, and get your adrenaline pumping with a canyoneering excursion across the turquoise waters of Kawasan Falls.
Explore the natural wonders of the Calamian archipelago on this six-day snorkeling trip. You'll begin on Coron Island, the third-largest of the Calamian islands and a snorkeling hot spot that's teeming with marine life. After exploring World War II-era shipwrecks and reefs, you'll transfer to Pass Island, snorkel at Smith Point Coral Garden, and go swimming at Barracuda Lake. Then, go on one last snorkeling adventure in Siete Pecados Marine Park before spending one last night in a beach cottage.
Experienced divers can experience the Philippines' vibrant marine biodiversity, colorful reefs, and white-sand beaches on this exciting nine-day itinerary. Begin your trip with an easy dive off the coast of Panglao Island before exploring underwater caves and reefs off Balicasag Island. See camouflaged creatures like octopi and frogfish in the volcanic sands of Dumaguete, spot huge schools of jackfish and barracuda near Apo Island, and go wall diving in Moalboal before ending your trip in Malapascua.
On this eco-friendly tour, you will get to swim with wild whale sharks in a protected and responsibly-managed environment. Considered the best place in the world to see the gentle giants, Donsol is also a paradise of soft-sand beaches and magnificent limestone rock formations. Besides seeing whale sharks in their natural habitat, you'll get to snorkel and relax around the islands of Ticao, and float down the amazing Firefly River as bright sparkles alight the surrounding forest.
Spend 20 days island hopping in the Philippines, hitting some of the country's major highlights. You'll begin in Manila, the country's busy capital. Then, you'll swim with whale sharks, and snorkel in Donsol. Next, you'll fly to beautiful Cebu, where you'll swim in pristine waterfalls, see the famous chocolate hills, and look for marine turtles. Finally, you'll arrive in Palawan, the country's largest province. Adventures include visiting shipwrecks, exploring an underground river, and hiking to hidden lakes.
Discover the best of the Philippines on this all-encompassing tour as you paddle, snorkel, rappel, hike, and fly your way across the country. Begin in Manila, working your way north to the Banaue Rice Terraces before flying south to the islands of Bohol, Cebu, and Mactan. Travel west and end your trip in Puerto Princesa and the ever-popular El Nido.
This 15-day itinerary offers the perfect combination of adventurous and relaxing activities. You will snorkel shipwrecks and aquamarine lagoons, visit secluded beaches, and climb and rappel slippery trails. Enjoy the Philippines as you island hop your way across the country, ending on the white sandy beaches of Boracay.
Covering some of the Philippines' most desirable beaches, this 11-day tour offers the perfect romantic getaway for couples. Stay in luxury resorts in exotic locations from private islands to jungle hideaways. Enjoy customized private tours of nearby islands, snorkel shipwrecks, and lounge beachside with a cocktail in hand.
Trek through the Philippines' Cordillera and marvel at its natural and cultural heritage. Discover famous rice terraces, quaint villages, sacred waterfalls and rivers, extensive cave systems, and the hanging coffins of Echo Valley.
Palawan's exotic geography and diverse vegetation are exceptional in a country that already has its fair share of awe-inspiring sights. This six-day adventure will have you snorkeling, seeking out wildlife, riding an underground river, and kayaking the El Nido islands. Discover why Palawan is in a league of its own when it comes to tropical destinations.
Go deep into the Philippines' "last frontier" to discover beaches, rainforests, and waterfalls that few travelers explore. See endemic cockatoos in their natural habitat, snorkel coral reefs, and meet the indigenous Batak people. This is a unique trip that takes you away from crowds and lets you experience Palawan's nature at its best.
Be among the first visitors to the remote Mountain Province in the beautiful Philippine Cordillera. This six-day itinerary will have you hiking through centuries-old rice terraces and mountainous landscapes, breaking bread with locals in traditional villages along the way.
Immerse yourself in the land and culture of the Ifugao on this five-day itinerary. Trek from Banaue stopping at four different native Ifugao communities along the way. You will hike deep into the Ifugao region to places most tourists don't see, trekking through ancient rice terraces and forested mountains.
