For the size of it, the Philippines packs a punch. That may sound ridiculous because it's thought the Island archipelago is small. Nonetheless the Filipino people are bold in stature. What we found irresistible about the country is two things:
The capital city has a background of ever larger skyscrapers. They're set aside by the old Intramuros walled city and its famous fort. We found there to be a lot of attractions, comprised of history, culture and arts. There is no reason why you wouldn't want to travel to the Philippines other than the wrong season. You need to know when the best time to travel to the Philippines is, and when not to travel.
The Philippines has a dry and wet season, and each in turn, determines their low and high tourist season. The best time to travel the Philippines is between November and April. that's the warmest, and driest period. But even then, you are not guaranteed there won't be rain, because the Philippines are in the tropics. You must expect a little rain even when there is sunshine.
In other words, the odd occasion it may rain in December for example. Approaching April and May, temperatures may reach as high as 100°F.
The worst of the monsoon season in the Philippines is usually mid-April or May. The wet rainy season lingers for as long until the end of October. It's never a good idea to travel in the Philippines in May, June, July, August and September. What you encounter is a holiday disrupted. There are landslides, those cause all manner of transport problems. Also, typhoons are a regular occurrence too.
Travel at your own risk. And be sure any travel insurance you have covers you to travel during the monsoon season. Not all policies do, so check the fine print.
The typhoons have passed and there's no chance of seeing them again, going into peak season. Now is the best time to visit the Philippines. For the weather it is perfect for holiday vacations: not so hot that it's too hot, with fewer rain showers. There is no better time for scuba diving and snorkeling than now.
Popular Islands such as Palawan, Coron and Cebu are busy with tourists. The ideal holiday destinations in January are the cities of Manila and Cebu.
Warmer than the month before, and even less rain. February makes for many great trekking experiences in Sagada. There are the annual hot air balloons in Pampanga Province.
This month signals the peak summer season is on its way. But be wary of the week-long public holidays around the corner. Many Filipinos head outdoors to the beaches for Holy Week and Easter Sunday.
Hot weather continues, with increasing humidity. The temperatures can reach 86°F during this month. And yet it's the best time for exploring the beautiful, remote Islands of the Philippines. So early into the holiday vacation year, tourists descend upon Palawan and Boracay.
Temperatures begin to soar by this month. When it becomes unbearable for you, escape to higher ground, where it is cooler. You have a choice of either Bohol Island for its Chocolate Hills, or a coastal city. There are other Islands and their beaches, other than those on crowded Boracay Island:
It starts to cool off again, in the lower 80's Fahrenheit as some of you may experience rain. Light showers for now, nothing to worry about and they're short lived. You can still get a tan under the sun, so your holiday isn't over.
The southwestern monsoon brings more rain and Luzon sees the worst of it. You can't but help feeling the rains are here to stay and that's true, they're far more frequent. The north is facing trouble too. If you are holidaying there, you can still salvage something from your holiday. Without delay, make haste by moving south to the Islands of Bohol, Cebu, or Siargao.
Coming to the Philippines for an August holiday break? Reframe from visiting the Cordillera Region. Also, Manila City isn't a good choice either. In fact, anywhere in the northern half of the Island archipelago is off limits, due to the weather. Instead, with the intensity of the monsoon growing, we recommend you spend time in Davao City.
The city has a lot of attractions, Mount Apo for example, and street festivals keep you captivated.
Still warm and humid, there is a threat of typhoons in the Philippines. The wet, rainy season is here in force. Beaches are ill advised so pay close attention to signage and not risk swimming. If you are unsure, speak to one or two locals who'll let you know if it's safe to swim or not. September is a month better for visiting cultural and historic landmarks, inland.
Travel to the Philippines towards the end of the month, to miss the worst of the rains and storms. The Islands are busy because of their public holidays this month.
It's the beginning of the dry season but the weather remains unpredictable, still. It's warm but not hot and the humidity is low. Fewer tourists are going around too. If you can accommodate a few rain showers, then this month could be ideal for you.
A little hectic as the Philippines prepare celebrations for Christmas. Filipinos are rushing around a lot and for many they are returning home to be with family.
The low tourist season in the Philippines is from June until October. Despite the rain, it is still warm, nonetheless. If you can tolerate the showers, be that light or heavy, you can still get a holiday at much lower costs.
The Philippines has many interesting cultural festivals on throughout the year. The festivals, and public holidays, that are a welcome distraction from the weather. From July until October, you will face the most disruption. The street parades, the food and hospitality during this period cushions the blows.
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Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.