The essentials
When to go to Philippines, in brief
December to May: the dry season
The amihan monsoon brings stable weather, 26-32°C, flat seas and sun. December to February are the coolest and busiest months.
Palawan, El Nido, Coron
At their best November to May: good underwater visibility, calm bangka crossings. Skip July-September, with choppy seas and cancelled trips.
April-May: hot and dry
Up to 34°C. The heat peak comes before the monsoon. Great for diving and beaches, but little relief on the thermometer.
June to October: the monsoon
Habagat brings showers and storms, mostly on the western side. July and August are the wettest months. The trade-off is low prices.
July to September: typhoon risk
This is the cyclone season peak, mostly on Luzon and the east coast. The south (Mindanao, Palawan) is more spared.
January festivals
Sinulog in Cebu and Ati-Atihan in Kalibo, mid-January, in full dry season. Two colorful highlights worth timing your trip for.
The verdict
The best periods
Dec - May
Dry and sunny everywhere, calm sea. The prime window for Palawan, the Visayas and the beaches. Book 2 to 3 months ahead for December-February.
June & October
Monsoon edges. Showers possible but often short, soft prices and quieter islands. Mindanao and the south stay reliable.
Jul - Sept
Monsoon and typhoon peak on Luzon and the east coast. Flights and boat crossings sometimes cancelled.
Month by month
The full calendar
Tap a month for the detailed guide: weather by region, where to go, festivals.
25-30°C
Dry, cool, festivals
25-31°C
Dry, calm sea
26-32°C
Dry, gentle heat
27-34°C
Very hot, dry
27-34°C
Hot, first showers
26-32°C
Monsoon starts
26-31°C
Rain, typhoons
26-31°C
The wettest
26-31°C
Typhoon peak
26-31°C
Monsoon ends
25-31°C
Dry returns
25-30°C
Dry, cool, high season
Climate
Climate by region
| Region | Dry season | Wet season | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luzon (Manila, Banaue) | Dec-May: 24-32°C, dry | Jun-Oct: rain, east side exposed to typhoons | Ideal Dec-May |
| Visayas (Cebu, Bohol) | Dec-May: 26-32°C, stable | Jun-Oct: variable showers | Ideal Dec-May |
| Palawan (El Nido, Coron) | Nov-May: dry, flat sea | Jun-Oct: monsoon, trips reduced | Ideal Nov-May |
| Mindanao (Siargao, Davao) | More even climate year-round | No marked dry season | Doable year-round |
Calendar
The key events of the year
Sinulog
Cebu's biggest religious festival: parades, rhythmic dances and brass bands honoring the Santo Niño. Crowds guaranteed.
🇵🇭 Cebu
Ati-Atihan
One of the country's oldest carnivals, in Kalibo. Drums, tribal costumes and painted faces for a week.
🇵🇭 Kalibo, Aklan
Panagbenga (flower festival)
Baguio fills with flowers: floral floats, a giant parade and street dances in the cool highlands.
🇵🇭 Baguio
New Year
Fireworks and street parties in Manila, in the heart of the dry season. Book flights early.
🇵🇭 Manila
Our analysis
The Philippines means 7,000 islands and one simple rule: aim for the dry season, December to May. The amihan monsoon then brings stable weather, flat seas and sun from north to south. The rest of the year calls for a trade-off, and the typhoon risk changes everything.
The dry season, December to May
This is the prime window. The amihan, the northeast monsoon, sweeps the humidity away and leaves clear skies. Count on 26 to 32°C, with cooler nights from December to February. That trio of months is the most pleasant, and so the busiest: for Christmas and New Year, book two to three months ahead.
April and May extend the dry season but climb to 34°C. The heat is strong, the sea perfect for diving. It is the right time for Palawan and the Visayas before the rains arrive.
The monsoon and typhoon trap
From June, the habagat sets in from the southwest. July and August bring the heaviest rains, and from July to September the typhoon risk peaks, mostly on Luzon and the east coast. This is the time to avoid for the islands: cancelled boat crossings, choppy sea.
One nuance few travelers anticipate: Mindanao and the south largely escape the cyclones and keep an even climate. If you want to travel in summer, that is where to look, rather than toward the soaked north.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit the Philippines? +
From December to May: dry season (amihan), 26-32°C, calm sea and sun. December to February are the coolest months, so the busiest.
What is the worst time to visit the Philippines? +
July to September: the monsoon and typhoon peak, mostly on Luzon and the east coast. Flights and boat crossings can be cancelled.
When to visit Palawan, El Nido and Coron? +
From November to May: flat sea, good underwater visibility and calm bangka trips. Avoid July-September, when swells close some excursions.
Can you travel during the rainy season? +
Yes, especially in June and October, on the monsoon edges. Mindanao and the south keep a more even climate and are a safe bet outside the dry season.
Are there really typhoons? +
The risk is real from June to September, mostly in the north and east. The south (Mindanao, Palawan) is far more spared. Check forecasts before crossings.
When are Sinulog and Ati-Atihan in 2026? +
Sinulog is held in Cebu on 18-19 January, Ati-Atihan in Kalibo from 11 to 18 January. Book early, these festivals draw big crowds.
Marie Laurent · Southeast Asia specialist
Updated June 1, 2026