Best Time to Visit Philippines
November to May (dry season)
Quick Answer
Best Overall
November to May (dry season)
Peak Season
December–February (driest, coolest, lowest typhoon risk)
Shoulder Season
March–April, November
Cheapest Period
June to October (typhoon season)
Weather Varies By Region
Philippines is large enough that no single "best time" applies everywhere. Here's how the timing changes region by region.
Palawan (El Nido, Coron)
Nov–MayCalmest seas and best visibility; some resorts scale back in August–September due to weather.
Boracay & Cebu (Central Visayas)
Dec–MayDry and comparatively sheltered from the worst typhoons, which mainly hit the eastern seaboard.
Eastern Luzon, Samar & Leyte
Dec–AprThe most typhoon-exposed region, with the highest risk July–October.
Siargao (surfing)
Aug–NovThe same typhoon-season swells that raise storm risk also produce the island's best surf.
Month-by-Month Weather
Catalog Data· Climate normals, see sources below(Verified taxonomy records from the TravelGuidesFinder destination catalog.)Average high/low temperatures and rainfall for Manila (used here as a representative reference point — see regional notes above for other areas).
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°C / 87°F | 23°C / 73°F | 20mm | Peak |
| February | 31°C / 88°F | 23°C / 73°F | 20mm | Peak |
| March | 33°C / 91°F | 24°C / 75°F | 20mm | Peak |
| April | 34°C / 94°F | 25°C / 78°F | 25mm | Shoulder |
| May | 34°C / 93°F | 26°C / 79°F | 160mm | Shoulder |
| June | 33°C / 91°F | 26°C / 78°F | 255mm | Low |
| July | 31°C / 89°F | 25°C / 77°F | 430mm | Low |
| August | 31°C / 87°F | 25°C / 77°F | 475mm | Low |
| September | 31°C / 88°F | 25°C / 77°F | 395mm | Low |
| October | 31°C / 89°F | 25°C / 76°F | 220mm | Low |
| November | 31°C / 89°F | 24°C / 76°F | 120mm | Shoulder |
| December | 31°C / 87°F | 23°C / 74°F | 100mm | Peak |
Season-by-Season Guide
Dry/cool season (Dec–Feb)
Driest and relatively cooler (30–31°C highs), lowest typhoon risk
Good For
Dry/hot season (Mar–May)
Hot and increasingly humid, building to 34°C+, still low rain
Good For
Wet/typhoon season (Jun–Nov)
Frequent heavy rain and typhoon risk, peaking July–October, worst on the eastern Luzon/Visayas seaboard
Good For
Best Time to Visit For...
Palawan (El Nido, Coron)
November–MayCalmest seas and best diving/snorkeling visibility.
Boracay & Cebu
December–MayDry season, and comparatively sheltered from the worst typhoons.
Surfing (Siargao)
August–NovemberTyphoon-season swells produce the best waves, weighed against storm risk.
Budget travel
June–OctoberLowest prices nationwide, but real typhoon risk especially on the eastern seaboard — southern islands are comparatively sheltered.
Cheapest Time to Visit
June through October brings the lowest flight and resort prices nationwide, since this is also typhoon season — southern islands like Bohol, Siquijor, and Mindanao are comparatively sheltered and a reasonable value bet even then, while eastern Luzon and Samar/Leyte carry the most real risk.
Busiest Time to Visit
December through February is the busiest, driest, and most expensive window, intensified by Christmas/New Year and Chinese New Year travel; Holy Week (March or April, dates shift yearly) is a secondary domestic-travel peak worth planning around.
Weather vs. Price Trade-off
November and April–May sit at the edges of the dry season — meaningfully cheaper and less crowded than the December–February peak, with typhoon risk still relatively low compared to the June–October core of the season.
Travel Budget
Statistical Estimate· TravelGuidesFinder Cost Index(Derived from seasonal cost modeling; actual on-the-ground prices may vary.)Budget Traveler
$35/day
Mid-Range Traveler
$80/day
Luxury Traveler
$220/day
How to Get There
Manila (MNL) and Cebu (CEB) are the main international gateways, with growing direct international service into Clark (CRK); domestic flights are the practical way to reach Palawan, Boracay (via Caticlan/Kalibo), and the southern islands.
How Long to Stay
7–10 days covers one island group well (Palawan, or Cebu and Bohol). 2–3 weeks allows Palawan, the Visayas, and Manila without rushing.
Sample Itineraries
What to Pack, By Season
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit the Philippines?
November–May, the dry season nationwide, with December–February the coolest and driest stretch.
When is typhoon season in the Philippines?
Roughly June–November, with the highest risk July–October, concentrated on the eastern Luzon and Visayas seaboard — Palawan and the southern islands are comparatively sheltered.
Is Palawan good to visit year-round?
Largely yes, but November–May offers the calmest seas and the best diving and snorkeling visibility.
Last verified: 2026-09-19 · Climate figures are 30-year averages and will not match any single trip exactly.
Sources:Manila climate normals — Climates to Travel,Typhoon-season regional guidance — PANA.PH