When Is The Best Time To Visit The Philippines?

Being a tropical country, the Philippines only has two seasons, which are wet and dry. This means you have a choice between rainy or sunny weather. The best times to visit the country are either at the peak of summer in March to May, or during the cooler months from November to February. June to October is usually monsoon season. Generally, the climate in the Philippines is very warm and friendly, just like its people. Here is a more detailed guide on the best times to visit some of the most popular provinces in the country.

Siargao

Siargao- Teardrop-shaped island, Siargao is one of the main surfing destinations and beach towns in the Philippines. In 2019, it was listed by Conde Nast Traveler as the “Best Island in the World.” Frequent Siargao visitors are familiar with popular surfing spot Cloud 9, where people of all skill levels can catch a wave. Even non-surfers can relax and have fun in the white sand beaches, breathtakingly beautiful islands, and clear waters that are perfect for snorkeling. There are also several lagoons, caves, and waterfalls to explore. Most people can find a wide array of international and local restaurants and bars to choose from in General Luna. The nightlife in the area has a chill, laidback island vibe. Del Carmen is also a great place to book your hotel or resort since it is near a popular tourist attraction, Sugba Lagoon. The best months to visit Siargao are between March to September.

Manila

Manila- The Philippines ’ capital city, Manila, is the most developed, modern, and commercialized. You will find many activities to do if you are interested in retail shopping, bar hopping, and sightseeing in historical sites. You can visit Manila’s historical old town, Intramuros, or go food tripping in Binondo for authentic Fil-Chinese dishes. You can also enjoy the city life in malls such as SM Mall of Asia, one of the biggest retail establishments in the country. The best time to visit Manila is during its dry months from January to April. The rest of the year can be a bit rainy.

Subic Bay

Subic bay- Former U.S Naval Base Subic Bay, is known for its beaches, underwater shipwrecks, duty-free shopping, and other interesting attractions such as Zoobic Safari and Ocean Adventure. You can also check out their Inflatable island or hike in Pamulalakin Forest Trail. The best time to visit Subic is during the dry season from November to May. June to October is the rainy season.

Clark

Clark- Located in Pampanga, Clark City is known to be a hub for business, tourism, and aviation. Just like Subic, it is a special economic zone and has duty-free shopping sites. You can find world-class hotels and casinos in the area such as Midori Clark Hotel, Clark Marriott Hotel, Widus Hotel, The Park Inn by Radisson, and many more. Aside from that, you can view other tourist attractions like the Puning Hot Springs, Clark Museum and 4D Theater, Aqua Planet Waterpark, and Dinosaurs Island. The warmest times to visit Clark are in April, May, and June. If you prefer cooler weather, then the best time to travel there is from December to April.

Cebu

Cebu- One of the most famous provinces in the Philippines, Cebu is a perfect mix of nature, beach, and city. There is an abundance of activities you can do in the area from visiting its historical sites, beaches, and waterfalls. It is popularly known for having the best Lechon. You can learn more about its heritage by viewing the Lapu-Lapu Shrine or Basilica del Santo Nino. For the adventurous types, Tumalog Falls and Kawasan falls are worth visiting. Enjoy getting tan on Mactan beach or explore the nightlife of the city in its many bars. The best time to travel to Cebu is from November to February during its cooler months. If you want to experience its main festival, Sinulog, this is usually held in January and it is a province-wide celebration dedicated to St. Nino. Summer months, March to May are very hot and humid but still have great beach-worthy weather.

Davao

Davao- This Mindanao province is not only the hometown of Preside Rodrigo Duterte but, one of the most developed cities and top destinations in the Philippines. It is known for its pristine white sand beaches in Samal Island, and it is also home to Mt. Apo, the highest peak in the country. Its rainforests are where you can find the national bird of the country, the gigantic Philippine eagle. Davao is also famous for its durians, mangosteens, marang, rambutans, pineapples, bananas, and other tropical fruits, which are abundant all over the province. The best time to visit Davao is during its fruit season from August to October. Not only will you have a lot of sweet, tropical fruits to try, but they are also cheapest during this time. For perfect weather, an ideal time to travel to Davao is early to mid-January when the humidity is low and it is the temperature is cooler.

Coron

Coron- Tropical province Coron is described by tourists as an island paradise. You will surely fall in love with its world-class beaches, natural limestones formations and landscapes, crystal clear seas and lakes, rich coral reefs, and WWII era wreck dive sites. The best time to visit Coron is during its dry season, which is from October to mid-June. There are few typhoons from June to October but they seldom directly hit the island. Rainy, wet season is usually from mid-June to September.

Boracay

Boracay- One of the most popular beaches to visit in the Philippines is Boracay. Its main white beach has a mix of hotels, bars, restaurants, and spas to eat or relax in while enjoying the view of the sunset over the turquoise waters. You can have fun doing various water sports such as kayaking, jet-skiing, wind-surfing, and snorkeling around the island. Bulabog beach, which is located on the east coast of the island is known for its strong winds, making it a kiteboarding hub. The best time to visit Boracay is during the dry season, which is November to April. This time of the year is usually called “amihan season,” because it is a colder windier time on the island. The weather during this time is perfect because humidity and rainfall are low.

Bohol

Bohol– Located in the Visayas, Bohol is a popular tourist attraction and beach destination that is worth visiting. It is known for being the home to the famous “Chocolate Hills,” and the “tarsier,” which is the world’s smallest monkey. The island province also has various white sand beaches that you can visit. The best times to visit Bohol are from May to July. This the hottest and most humid time of the yea, but there will be less likelihood of rainfall during your trip. The heat is not so bothersome, especially if you are having a nice refreshing drink of coconut juice by the pool. From November to April it is the Northeast monsoon season, which usually has short rains and some sunny days. Although it is a cooler period, there will be some rainfall during your trip. Finally, August to October is the Southwest Monsoon season, which has a mix of rainy and sunny days.

Batanes

Batanes– You can find the beautiful group of islands of Batanes in the Northern part of Luzon. It is also known as the “Home of the Winds,” because of its cool, windy weather. Its picturesque landscapes, pristine beaches, and stones houses built by the Ivatan people serve as the perfect backdrop for your vacation photos. The best time to visit Batanes is in the summertime from March to June. The sunny weather is ideal for ensuring that you can move from one tourist spot to another with ease. October to February is also peak season for visiting this province due to the chillier weather during this time. Be sure to book tours, hotels, and resorts in advanced for peak seasons.

Baguio

Baguio – One of the most well-known cities in the Philippines is located high up in the mountains of Luzon. Baguio, also known as the “city of pines,” is one of the cooler provinces to visit in the country. Some of its main tourist attractions include Burnham Park, Mines View Park, Wright Park, Tam-Awan village, and Baguio Cathedral. Most people like to visit Baguio during the Christmas season, which is from December to January. This is the coldest time of the year. While the warmest time would be from April to May. The most humid month for Baguio is in August.

Baler

Baler – You may have recognized this Philippine surfing destination in the 1970’s Vietnam film, “Apocalypse Now.” Surfers tend to flock to Baler to catch waves in Sabang beach or see other sites such as the famous Balete Tree or the Ditumabo Falls. The best months to visit Baler are from October to February. Not only are the waves bigger and better during this time, but there are also fewer crowds as compared to the summer months from March to May. The off-peak season is from September to June because it is typhoon season.

Palawan

Palawan – One of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines, Palawan is popularly known for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, lagoons, limestone landscapes, and amazing biodiversity. The most beautiful resorts are located in El Nido, Coron, and Puerto Princesa. There are countless islands to discover around this archipelagic province. An ideal time to visit would be during the dry season, which is from October to May. For the best combination of little rainfall and cooler temperatures, February and March are the most recommended months to travel to Palawan.

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