When to go Philippines ?

Climate Philippines

Located in the tropics, the Philippines have a tropical climate, which means they are hot and humid all year round. The average annual temperature is 27 degrees and humidity 80%. While this may come as a surprise on arrival, you soon get used to it. In theory, November to May is the dry season, which corresponds to the high tourist season. From June to October, approximately, is the rainy season. During this monsoon season, several typhoons are likely to cross the archipelago, some of them causing significant human and material damage. Whatever the time of year, the vagaries of the weather are often part and parcel of a trip to the Philippines, especially as climate change increases and makes forecasting difficult. Rest assured, however, that you can enjoy the archipelago all year round, if you choose your islands carefully.

Several tropical climates

Stretching over 2,000 km from north to south and 1,100 km from west to east, the Philippines is one of the largest archipelagos in the world. The climate is easily described as tropical because in fact, on such a large territory, the climate varies from one place to another. Four types can be distinguished. The tropical climate of type I is characterized by two distinct seasons: the dry season from November to April/May and the rainy season from May to October. It corresponds to the western coast of the Philippines. The type II climate is a little reversed, it has no dry season and the rainfall is maximum between November and January, it concerns the eastern end of the archipelago. Type III follows the same logic as type I climate but its seasons are less marked. In terms of space, it affects the central strip of the archipelago. Finally, the type IV climate applies to the regions that experience uniform precipitation throughout the year, roughly the northern and southern extremities of the archipelago.

Typhoons

From July to September (and from May to January in some areas), typhoons are likely to cross the Philippines. But what is a typhoon? It is the equivalent of a hurricane or a cyclone, only the name changes depending on the location. It is a circular atmospheric phenomenon that forms over warm oceans in the tropics and is characterized by heavy rainfall and wind gusts exceeding 120 or 200 km/h. If the word is scary, in reality only a few of them cause significant material and human damage such as Olga in 1976, Haiyan in 2013 or Rai in 2021. You have little chance of encountering them, especially since these phenomena are predictable a few days in advance. Most of them are just big storms and Filipinos are used to them even if their houses do not always allow them to shelter properly.

When to leave?

Now that you know all about the Philippine climate, the essential question is: when to go? Temperatures are idyllic all year round, fluctuating between 25 and 35 degrees. The coolest month is January and the hottest - perhaps a little too hot, depending on the activities planned - is May. You also need to take into account the risk of rainfall, depending on the island and the time of year.

From January to March, the heat is not too stifling, and almost the entire archipelago (especially the western part) is sheltered from rainfall: Palawan with Coron and El Nido, western Mindoro and the island of Luzon, where Manila is located, are all recommended.

From April to June, it can be very hot. Destinations in the central Philippines are recommended: on the island of Luzon, the rice fields of Batad and Banaue, for example. In the Visayas, the islands of Cebu, Negros and Boracay, where diving enthusiasts will enjoy particularly calm seas.

July to September is the typhoon season, and therefore the period to avoid, but it's also the ideal time to visit the island of Siargao, home of surfing and the slow life! Located in the south-east of the country, its climate is reversed.

You can travelfrom October to December, as you can from January to March on most of the islands (Palawan, Luzon, Mindoro, Visayas). Avoid the eastern coastline (Siargao, Samar, Leyte).

Finally, it should be borne in mind that the Philippines is one of the countries most affected by climate change, with more frequent and abundant rainfall and more natural disasters. However, a well-informed traveller is a well-equipped traveller, and the archipelago remains one of the most beautiful countries in the world, which will amaze you, whatever the weather!