Weather

Weather

The Philippines has two seasons: dry and wet. Generally, the dry season is from November to May and the wet season is from June to September, though weather patterns have become much less predictable.

By far the hottest month in lowland regions is May, when temperatures hover as high as 38°C. The cooler months are December and January, but unless you're high in the mountains, 70% to 85% humidity levels tend to cancel out these 'low' 25°C temperatures.

Rainfall typically comes in sudden, heavy bursts, and flash flooding is now more common than it should be due to widespread deforestation and soil erosion.

An average of 20 typhoons, known as bagyo, whip across the Philippines each year. Striking mainly in Luzon and the Visayas, they bring heavy rains and strong winds and cause millions of dollars worth of damage. Although typhoons can occur at any time, they occur most often in the wet season, from June to September.

When to go

The best time to visit the Philippines is in the typhoon off-season, from September to May. Beware of arriving around Christmas and New Year though, as this is when legions of overseas Filipino workers return to spend the holidays with their families: accommodation and transport tend to fill up during this period, so book well in advance. Holy Week (around Easter) presents similar problems.

The wet season falls between June and September. The dry season starts when the September rains let up, and from then until early April the weather is at its most travel-friendly. By May, the warm weather turns hot and you'll long for a sea breeze or the cool shade of the mountains. The most lively festivals fall between January and May.

Note that the wet season does not totally prohibit travel in the Philippines. Even in parts of the country where the wet season is most pronounced, like Palawan, it is still possible to travel right through this season, provided you are willing to accept delays and cancellations. Furthermore, it's not usually rainy or even cloudy all day. More commonly, thunderheads and rain clouds build during the day and rain falls in bursts during the afternoon. There are also several advantages to travelling in the wet season: lower accommodation prices, fewer people, and lovely sunsets.