Best & Worst Times to Visit the Philippines

The Philippines is tropical, which means the weather can make or break your trip. Here’s what you need to know so you can plan with confidence:

🥇 Best Time: March–April (our pick)

This is right in the middle of the dry season! Expect:

• Hot days (27–35°C) with very little rain. Perfect for island-hopping.

• Calm seas and excellent visibility for snorkelling and diving.

• Fewer tourists than December–February, so you’ll still get the good weather without the worst of the crowds.

We’ve done island-hopping trips like Coron to El Nido in March and it was perfect! If you’re keen on Siargao, Cebu, or Palawan, this is the time to lock in.

The only thing to watch is Holy Week (usually April). Locals travel in huge numbers, so hotels and flights sell out early. Book ahead if you’re going then.

🥈 Good But Crowded: December–February

These months also fall in the dry season, so the weather is just as good. The downside? It’s peak season:

• Prices for flights and hotels skyrocket, and popular islands like Boracay, Palawan, and Cebu get packed.

• You’ll need to book months in advance to avoid missing out.

• Manila and Cebu get especially hectic around Christmas and New Year, with traffic jams that make it impossible to move around the city.

That said, this period is festival season. Some of the biggest ones in the country happen now, like:

• Ati-Atihan in Kalibo (January)

• Sinulog in Cebu City (January)

• Panagbenga in Baguio (February)

If you don’t mind the higher costs and heavier crowds, you’ll see the Philippines at its most colourful!

🥉 Shoulder Season: May–June, October–November

These are transitional months where you’ll get some sunny days but also rain and humidity. Travel is possible, but flexibility is key. Expect:

• Sudden downpours that can last an hour or a few days.

• Cancelled ferries or island-hopping tours due to bad weather.

• Cheaper accommodation and fewer tourists compared to peak months.

If you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind a bit of rain, this can be a good compromise. Just stick to areas less affected by typhoons, like Palawan or parts of Mindanao.

🚫 Worst Time: July–September (avoid if you can)

This is peak typhoon season, and we don’t recommend visiting. Even if your area isn’t directly hit, you’ll still deal with:

• Heavy rain and flooding.

• Travel disruptions (flights and ferries can be delayed for days).

• Blackouts in smaller towns and islands.

Yes, flights and hotels are cheaper, but the risk of losing your trip to bad weather is high.

If you’re craving tropical beaches in these months, we’d say look closer to home (Broome, Darwin, or Cairns).

Want more details? Check our full guide with best + worst times to go here!