Last Updated: October 3, 2022
Philippines In The Summer (Places, Weather, Packing)
The Philippines is a stunning place to travel to as it’s one of the few countries in the world that is made up of numerous islands, 7640 islands to be exact, combined with mountains, jungles, lakes, rivers, and volcanoes.
If you love the ocean, hiking, nature, and exploring a new culture, you couldn’t find a better destination than the Philippines and especially during their summer.
Join me as we take a dive into everything you need to know about traveling to the Philippines during the summer.
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Weather & Climate
The Philippines technically doesn’t have four seasons like other countries in the Northern Hemisphere and therefore does not experience the same weather patterns.
The Philippines is a tropical country and is generally hot with an average yearly temperature of 26.6 °C (79.9 °F) and high relative humidity year-round. The average yearly temperature does spike and drop based on location, month, and altitude, and the weather patterns are changing due to climate change too.
The Philippines experiences a monsoon weather phenomenon due to its location and the weather changes based on wind direction. There are two wind directions, therefore the Philippines enjoys two seasons, a hot dry season and a wet season or rainy season.
The Dry Season
The dry season happens between November and May, and these would be considered the summer months that experience minimal rainfall and high temperature.
You might experience some showers early and late in the dry season but during the hot and dry months of February to May, the weather is generally hot and is warmer than in the rainy season for the most part and the rainfall drops.
The hottest month in the Philippines is either March, April, or May as this is when the winds drop, and the tropical typhoons stop, making this the best time to visit if you’re looking to island-hop and have a hot beach holiday.
The Wet Season
Since the Philippines experiences a tropical climate, it is still hot year-round but the winds and rainfall increase in early June and this is when the wet season begins and summer ends.
During this season, you can still experience dry weather and good weather, even in the wettest months of July and August. You will often get rainfall in the afternoons and sunshine in the morning and evening, meaning creating travel plans to the Philippines around seasons is a little tricky.
Best Time To Visit The Philippines
For the Philippines to be enjoyed to the fullest, traveling during the wet season will bring you unpredictable weather during your stay. You will still have a great time, see some sunny days, but you have to be prepared to be flexible with your trip as you might not be able to get to say a new island due to the weather.
The best time to visit if you want sun, the hottest weather, and a fabulous trip without any weather causing changes to your itinerary is between February and May as the weather is stable and predictable.
If this is too hot for you, then a good time to visit is early in the summer season between November and January when you will have normal rainfall without any travel issues.
What to Pack
Packing for the Philippines depends on what regions of the country you place to visit and where you plan on going on an adventure up to the higher areas and volcano peaks.
If you’re staying in the lowlands or on the beach, light clothes that keep you cooler are what most of your bag needs to have in it along with a hat, sunglasses, and bathing suits.
You should also take long sleeves to stop mosquito bites and have a very good rain jacket in case of a downpour.
If you are heading into the mountains, then you need some gear for the cold. The highest peaks can hit 0 celsius on their coldest day so it depends if you’re doing a long break or a short trip into the peaks.
It’s important to bring a nice hardshell as well as a merino wool jumper and some extra layers if you intend to travel into the highland areas for extended periods.
Best Places to Visit
Palawan
Palawan is the most western island region of the Philippines that runs down almost to Borneo and is an amazing place to visit in the country during the hottest season.
You’ll find plenty of luxury and cheap hotels to suit any travel budget and if you want to experience some of the best diving, snorkeling, fishing, and beautiful beaches in the country, this is the place to go in the summer season.
While you’re there, a trip to the tropical paradise of Coron Island is a must. Its crystal clear waters, great reefs, and old World War II wrecks are a major attraction for divers and ocean goers.
Another must-visit spot is Puerto Princesa where you’ll find Subterranean River National Park, with a 5-mile underground river and caves.
‘This is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful things you can see in the country and it’s best seen in the summer seasons when the waters are crystal clear.
Honda bay offers amazing snorkeling, and Bacuit Bay is also mind-blowing.
Cebu
Cebu is an inner island of the central Philippines region that is protected by outer islands of the Philippines on both sides. This makes the sea off the island and surrounding islands of Cebu protected, clean, and clear, especially during the summer seasons.
If you love the sea and everything in it, Cebu is one of the best regions in the country to visit as snorkeling and diving is off the charts. When the sun is out, the water is crystal clear and you can see whale sharks, turtles, and stunning coral reefs.
Some of the best underwater scenery you’ll find around these areas are the incredible sea caves which are what attract so many visitors to this part of the Philippines in the summer seasons.
One of the top sights to see during your week or more in this region is Sudlon National Park which is awesome for hiking and exploring the jungle slopes.
The city is also a fun place to land with friendly locals, fun crowds, affordable accommodation, and great food too. You can also explore the cathedrals and museums at this diverse destination too.
Boracay
Boracay is a small island off Malay in the west Visayas region of the Philippines and it’s known as the beach capital of the country. The island is home to more than 12 beaches and fewer streets, well almost.
This is one of the best areas to travel to if you’re looking for a beach vacation and is a very popular spot during the summer seasons. If you love to relax, enjoy swimming, walk on white sand, get into the ocean, drink, and meet some local Filipinos while experiencing the nightlife, this is a pleasant spot to do it.
The Puka Shell Beach is a place you have to see on this island, especially if you are in search of shells, as it’s covered in it.
You will find lots of resorts on this island as well as a hotel to match your pricing plans and while you are there, be sure to go to Mount Luho and see the views from the island’s highest point.
Siargao
If you love surfing waves and going deep-sea fishing then a trip to the island of Siargao is a must.
Siargao sits on the eastern edge of the central Philippines and during the hottest time of year, you will find a lot to experience on this small island.
While exploring the island for a week or so you will be able to soak up all it has to offer, with very few crowds to contend with too. You can see the amazing rock formations, hike into the jungle, bathe under massive waterfalls, and lots more.
The surfing of Siargao is what made the island famous and Cloud 9 is the world-class break but there are a lot of other spots too and you can even learn here too, so you don’t have to be a “good surfer” to try it out during your stay.
The fishing off the eastern edge of Siargao is excellent all year round and you’ll be able to chase marlin, sailfish, dorado, and lots more. Island hopping to places like Bucas Grande and the Sohoton Caves are also popular in this area too.
Baguio
If you’re looking for a cold climate during your time in the Philippines as a refreshing break to the hot climate of the Philippines’ beaches, then travel to the lovely city of Baguio.
This city is up high in the mountainous region of Luzon Island and it is actually a very intimate village type city surrounded by pine forests and a fresh cold climate.
The surrounding area is packed full of great hiking trails and biking trails to boot and there are even golf courses with amazing views nearby too.
You can also enjoy some of the unique flora and fauna endemic to that region and a visit to the popular parks like Mines View and Burnham are a must while you are there.
The local life in this city of the Philippines is something you have to soak in, so be sure to stroll down the main street called Session Road for a sunset beer to take it all in and enjoy the colder climate before heading to the beach again.
Davao
If you want to experience a city outside of Metro Manila then heading south to Davao and its big metropolitan area is a very different experience from Manila.
Davao is the capital of the southern region of Mindanao in the Philippines and it is home to a lot of malls and lots of people but there are some cool sides to it too.
Davao is also home to the Philippines Eagle Center, Eden Nature Park, and Davao Baywalk which is right on the ocean. Mount Apo is one of the most popular spots to travel to in the area as it’s the highest peak in the Philippines and the views are out of this world.
If you want a dash of culture you can head to the Davao Museum of History and Ethnography and if you want to do some cheap shopping then you will have your choice of malls to visit.
Bohol
Bohol is a rather large inner island of the Philippines and you’ll find it in the larger central Visayas region of the Philippines.
This island is one to travel to and you could easily spend a week there if you’re in search of a slow pace and to connect to nature.
Bohol is the slowest-paced island in the Philippines, probably and it has so much to explore. It is home to a UNESCO-protected site called the Chocolate Hills in Carmen which is formed by 1200 geological rock formations that turn brown during the summer months that are said to resemble chocolate candy kisses.
This island is also home to the tiny Tarsier primate which is endemic to the Philippines and you can visit a family-run sanctuary to see this mini primate with its big engaging eyes. It looks a bit like a bush baby you would find in Africa and it’s nocturnal too.
The beaches on Bohol are also fantastic and so is the snorkeling, so you can get a bit of everything when spending a week there.
Vigan
Vigan is found in the northern Philippines and is known as one of the loveliest towns to travel to in the Luzon region of the Philippines. It’s a quirky spot to travel to as it merges both Spanish and Chinese influences into a super interesting fusion of culture, food, and architecture.
The Spanish colonial architecture is stunning, you can enjoy a horse-drawn ride down the streets, buy things from local craftsmen, see great views of the town from Bantay Bell Tower, and check out the old St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral.
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
