The Philippines is a Southeast Asian archipelago comprised of more than 7,000 islands dotting the Pacific Ocean. It is also home to world-renowned natural wonders like an underground river and rice terraces, incredible diving spots rich in biodiversity, colorful public transportation in the Philippines, unique cuisine, vibrant festivals that showcase its colorful culture, and friendly locals regarded as some of the happiest in the world.
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You’re bound to discover a fun experience in the Philippines. Read on to find out why visit the Philippines and why it deserves to be on your travel bucket list!
Overview of Philippines
Nestled in the heart of the Pacific Rim, in Southeast Asia with a total land area of approximately 300,000 square kilometers, the Philippines has many diverse topographic and natural features. With an archipelago of 7,107 paradise islands, the Philippine coastline boasts miles of white sandy beaches, bathed in crystal-clear waters, notably in the Bacuit archipelago and the lagoons of Palawan Island. The waters of this destination are very popular with divers.
In addition, The Philippines also offers unforgettable experiences for the adventurous, with exceptional treks through the spectacular rice terraces of the Cordillera del Norte or up one of the country’s many volcanoes, Ashin hot springs, or Tagaytay plateau.
Communicating with locals is not a problem. English is one of the official languages of the Philippines, and most Filipinos speak and understand it.
When is the best time to visit Philippines?
According to geographic location, the Philippines is located near the equator and next to the Pacific Ring of Fire. The Philippines has a humid equatorial climate characterized by high temperatures and heavy rainfall. Typhoons have a great influence on the climate and weather conditions of the Philippines.
A great portion of the rainfall, humidity, and cloudiness are due to the influence of typhoons. However, humidity levels are high, due to the warm moist trade winds that flow through the archipelago, sea surface temperatures, a vibrant vegetative cover, and abundant rainfall. Temperatures are generally high, particularly in the valleys and plains, averaging 27 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
The Philippines has a tropical marine climate dominated by a rainy season and a dry season.
Dry season (# when is the best time to visit philippines)
The dry season is the peak time for travel to the Philippines, especially from December to March, with April and May hotter than earlier months in the season. Crowds and prices generally increase between December and May, hitting a high in the run-up to Christmas, January, and Easter. As popular beach resort areas can get crowded, book well in advance and expect to pay up to four times more than in the low season. Outside these super-peak times, it’s still a good idea to make bookings in advance.
The dry season is perfect for spending time at the beach and in the water, doing world-class diving, hiking, or visiting the city. You can imagine feeling the warm sun and ocean breeze on your skin or looking at clear blue skies and lush surroundings. All of this and more can be a reality.
Moreover, from January to May, Celebrations around Christmas, New Year and, notably, Holy Week, in the build-up to Easter, make it a colorful and fascinating time to visit the country, but many resorts triple rates around these popular periods.
Rainy season (# what is the best time to travel to philippines)
The rainy season in the Philippines is considered the low season, resulting in fewer crowds and lower accommodation rates. However, bad weather, typhoons, and rough seas may affect travel plans.
During the rainy season, the Philippines experiences an average of 26 to 32 degrees Celsius. In June, rain starts to fall in the northern parts and moves southward as the month progresses. July and August see an increase in rainfall, with northern areas most affected. The rainy season in the Philippines makes it incredibly green and lush, ideal for anyone looking for a tropical escape. Even so, travelers should be cautious as typhoons can affect the area during this time.
To make the most of your trip to the Philippines during the rainy season, consider visiting drier islands or book your trip after mid-October. Cebu is an excellent choice for sunny weather, though heavy rainfall in the north can prevent you from visiting more remote islands.
Every tourist destination is the most wonderful and especially in March and April, the Rice Terraces in Luzon are at their greenest, making you just want to enjoy this wonderful scenery.
If you are looking for some beaches to visit during the June rainy season, you can head to Palawan, Southern Vis. ayas, or Mindanao. These are the places that are less affected by typhoons and have low rainfall in the year in the Philippines. Furthermore, Palawan is a natural beauty that’s perfect for exploring on adventurous multi-activity tours. In addition, Southern Visayas Cebu, Bohol, Apo, and Pescador are also convenient jumping-off points for island-hopping adventures in the wet season, and short ferry rides between the islands make it easy to change your plans at short notice if you must.
Keen surfers will also find that the wet season offers the best waves. The experienced should head to Siargao Island for the biggest swells, where the best surf break in the Philippines.
Tips for the rainy season travel in the Philippines
Please keep in mind the essential things to make the most out of your Philippine trips during the rainy season.
- Wear water-resistant footwear: Sandals or flip-flops are necessary. It can protect you from contracting diseases caused by floodwater, such as leptospirosis.
- Extra clothes: You bring more clothes than in the dry season when you can get wet in the rainy season.
- Choose a folding umbrella: While carrying an umbrella is a given during the rainy season, choosing a folding umbrella can provide added convenience for commuters.
- Rain boots and raincoat: A boots-and-coat combo is necessary during the rainy season. Floods are inevitable, so you might as well have boots and a raincoat ready.
- Light snacks: If you find yourself stranded during a heavy downpour, chances are you won’t be near a place to eat, or grocery stores and supermarkets close during the rainy season.
Most typhoons in the Philippines only last for about 1 to 2 days, then you will enjoy your trip in the beautiful days If you travel to the Philippines after a heavy typhoon has just passed, you can become a volunteer to help the locals.
You can also make the trip from March to May, but the weather is mainly dry and less humid. The peak time for traveling to the Philippines is during Christmas and Easter. It tends to be busy at this time, making it difficult for tourists to travel or stay.
The annual festivals are held from January to May, which are peak travel months in the Philippines. Whether you want to party with the locals during one of the country’s famous festivals, try a new water sport, or relax on a beach in the Sun, January is a great time to do so.
In summary, there are some months as the best time of year to visit the Philippines, however, this is an ideal destination for round-year travel. Except for the risk of typhoons in a few months of the year, the weather is very pleasant during these months of the year, and you won’t experience any cyclones. Visit and admire many wonderful at affordable costs. In addition, these are the Philippines’ best-known festivals, and visiting them is highly recommended.
The Philippines is a very culturally rich country, with amazing and colorful festivals all year round. Every month and every city has its vibrance popping out of their festivals for at least a week, nothing less. Here are the monthly events and festivals you should know before entering the Philippines.
January: Quiapo, Cebu and Western Visayas (# best time to travel to philippines)
January is pretty much high season across the whole of the Philippines. It’s a popular time of year and one of the best times to visit the Philippines because of the weather and numerous colorful festivals.
The Feast of the Black Nazarene is held on 9th January. It commemorates the solemn transfer of the centuries-old image from its original church in Intramuros, Manila, to its current home in the city’s Quiapo district. A life-size statue of Jesus Christ is paraded around the streets by a bare-footed procession. The longest Black Nazarene procession lasted 22 hours.
The Sinulog Festival is a traditional celebration in Cebu City held every third Sunday of January to honor the Santo Niño (Child Jesus). The festival is done through a dance ritual, in which it tells the story of the Filipino people’s pagan past and their acceptance of Christianity.
February: Pampanga and Iloilo (# best season to visit philippines)
February is an ideal month to take up water activities such as snorkeling and diving. The weather conditions in February are similar to those in January. A slight increase in the overall temperatures can be expected.
The Philippine Hot Air Balloon Festival also takes place in February. Pilots from all over the world gather at Clark, Pampanga, to take part in this four-day event. They put up elaborate displays of balloon rides, skydiving, and microlight flying among others.
Pamulinawen is a city-wide fiesta that takes place over the first two weeks of February. It is held in Laoag City and honors St William the Hermit. The festivities include concerts, religious parades, street parties, and beauty pageants.