31/08/2026
WHEN TO GO TO THE PHILIPPINES, MONTH BY MONTH GUIDE
Habagat is the wet, southwest monsoon season which occurs from May to October. It’s not consistently soggy, however, and there are still blue sky days at this time. Rain commonly falls in short, sharp showers in the evenings, and July and August are the wettest months.
Some remoter regions can be difficult to access during habagat as flights are cancelled and roads churn into mud. Boat excursions can be choppy and underwater visibility reduces with runoff from the rivers.
Cyclones can occur at any time, but are most likely to hit the Philippines from June to September, with the occasional tropical typhoon, which can cause widespread disruption. The eastern islands are the most exposed to these, but you will always get plenty of warning. Palawan and the southern Visayas are less likely to experience typhoons.
November to April is the dry season in the Philippines, characterised by the northeast monsoon known as amihan.
December, January and February are popular months as they are drier and cooler – making hiking and city tours much more pleasant. These months can get busy though and prices will rise.
March, April and May are gloriously sunny – but this brings the worst of the heat. Expect temperatures in the mid 30°Cs.
The shoulder months of May and October are a great idea for lower prices, fewer tourists and still-pleasant weather as you experience just the start or end of the rains. October is cooler than May.
The Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country, so Easter is a big deal here. Expect processions and ceremonies throughout Holy Week leading up to Easter Sunday, in March or April.
