Country guide
Philippines
Palawan's island-hopping lagoons, whale sharks and reef diving across seven thousand islands; December to May is the dry stretch.
Currency
PHP
Language
Filipino
+ English
English
Everywhere
Payment
Cards & cash mixed
Power
Type A / B / C
230 V, 60 Hz
Dialing
+63
Destinations
Bohol (Panglao)
Two hours from the dive boats on Panglao to a thousand grass-covered hills and one of the world's smallest primates.
✓ best Jan-MayBoracay
Four kilometres of the finest sand in the Philippines, with a kiteboarding coast on the other side of the island.
✓ best Jan-AprCebu
The country's oldest city, its most argued-over roast pork, and a sardine run you can swim into, on one island.
✓ best Feb-MayEl Nido
The best island-hopping in the Philippines: limestone islands, hidden lagoons and cliff-walled beaches, all inside one bay.
✓ best Dec-AprManila
Four centuries of Spanish, American and wartime history packed into a chaotic megacity with the country's best museums and its oldest Chinatown.
✓ best Dec-AprSiargao
The Philippines' surfing capital, and one of its best all-round islands for food, lagoons and laid-back adventure.
✓ best Apr-May, Aug-SepVigan
The one Spanish colonial town in Asia the war did not take: cobbles, capiz windows and kalesa bells, still lived in.
✓ best Nov-AprThe sweet-spot windows
Good weather, thinner crowds, better prices: the windows worth aiming for.
| Where | When | Why it works | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cebu & Bohol | Feb-May | Driest stretch, warm water, before typhoon season | Apr = Holy Week crowds |
| Palawan | Nov-Dec | Dry starts, before Jan-Feb peak, great island hopping | Late typhoon possible (rare in Palawan) |
| Siargao | Apr-May, Aug-Sep | Best surf + dry weather. Apr-May driest. Aug-Sep good swells. | Oct onward = typhoon risk escalates fast |
Climate zones, month by month
Philippines has 7 distinct climate zones. The right month depends on where in the country you're going.
Bohol (Panglao) Visayas →
✓ Best Jan-May
Watch for Jul-Oct typhoons risk
Cards tinted by calculated verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions
Boracay →
✓ Best Jan-Apr · ✗ Avoid Jun-Jul, Oct
Watch for Jun-Jul, Oct monsoon flooding risk · Jul-Oct typhoons risk
Cards tinted by calculated verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions
Cebu Visayas →
✓ Best Feb-May · ✗ Avoid Sep-Nov
Conditions Jan Some rain · Feb Drying out · Mar Dry & warm · Apr Dry & hot · May Warm & calm · Jun Brief rains · Jul-Aug Some rain · Sep-Oct Typhoon risk · Nov Heavy rain · Dec Rains easing
Watch for Jul-Oct typhoons risk
Cards tinted by verified verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions
El Nido Palawan →
✓ Best Dec-Apr · ✗ Avoid Jun-Oct
Conditions Jan Peak dry · Feb Driest month · Mar Dry & sunny · Apr Hot & clear · May Rains start · Jun-Jul Monsoon · Aug Heavy rain · Sep Monsoon · Oct Typhoon risk · Nov Rains easing · Dec Dry returns
Watch for Jun-Sep monsoon flooding risk · Jul-Oct typhoons risk
Cards tinted by verified verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions
Manila →
✓ Best Dec-Apr · ✗ Avoid Jun-Sep
Watch for Jun-Sep monsoon flooding risk · Jul-Oct typhoons risk
Cards tinted by calculated verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions
Siargao →
✓ Best Apr-May, Aug-Sep · ✗ Avoid Oct-Feb
Conditions Jan Wettest month · Feb Rainy season · Mar Rains easing · Apr Drying out · May Driest + surf · Jun-Jul Some rain · Aug Good weather · Sep Surf season · Oct Typhoon risk · Nov Typhoon peak · Dec Heavy rain
Watch for Oct-Mar monsoon flooding risk · Jul-Oct typhoons risk
Cards tinted by verified verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions
Vigan Ilocos →
✓ Best Nov-Apr · ✗ Avoid Jun-Sep
Watch for Jun-Sep monsoon flooding risk · Jul-Oct typhoons risk
Cards tinted by calculated verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions