When to visit Philippines: the seasons, region by region

Two seasons, regional variation, and the months each part of the country rains.

By the Local SIM Philippines team, checked October 3, 2026

Illustration: a sun and a rain cloud over terraced rice fields ringed with palms, rain falling on one side and sunlight on the other, a thermometer at the edge of a paddy.

The short answer

The Philippine year has two seasons: a rainy season from June to November and a dry season from December to May, which splits into a cool stretch from December to February and a hot one from March to May. The mean temperature is 26.6 degrees, and rainfall varies by region. Around 20 typhoons cross the country a year, most between June and November.

Dry season: December to May, splitting into a cool dry season from December to February and a hot dry season from March to May.
Rainy season: June to November; PAGASA, the national weather service, notes that a great share of the year's rainfall, humidity and cloudiness comes with the typhoons.
Typhoons: around 20 a year, most between June and November; they come in from the Pacific and track north-west, and PAGASA notes Mindanao is spared most direct hits.
Temperature: a mean of about 26.6 degrees, from 25.5 in the coolest month to 28.3 in the warmest; Baguio, at 1,500 metres, averages 18.3.
Rainfall: from 965 to 4,064 millimetres a year; Baguio, eastern Samar and eastern Surigao take the most, and southern Cotabato the least.
Humidity: from 71 per cent in March to 85 per cent in September; PAGASA calls March to May the most uncomfortable stretch of the year.

Checked October 3, 2026

The regions, month by month

Where	The seasons	Watch for
The country as a whole	Dry from December to May; rainy from June to November	Around 20 typhoons a year, most between June and November
The highlands	Cooler with height: Baguio, 1,500 metres up, averages 18.3 degrees	A different climate from the coasts; it is the country's summer capital
The wettest corners	Baguio, eastern Samar and eastern Surigao take the heaviest rain; southern Cotabato the least	Rainfall varies from region to region, so check the picture for your own stops
Mindanao and the south	The same two seasons apply; southern Cotabato takes the country's least rain	Typhoons track north-west from the Pacific, sparing the island most direct hits

The country as a whole
The seasons
Dry from December to May; rainy from June to November
Watch for
Around 20 typhoons a year, most between June and November
The highlands
The seasons
Cooler with height: Baguio, 1,500 metres up, averages 18.3 degrees
Watch for
A different climate from the coasts; it is the country's summer capital
The wettest corners
The seasons
Baguio, eastern Samar and eastern Surigao take the heaviest rain; southern Cotabato the least
Watch for
Rainfall varies from region to region, so check the picture for your own stops
Mindanao and the south
The seasons
The same two seasons apply; southern Cotabato takes the country's least rain
Watch for
Typhoons track north-west from the Pacific, sparing the island most direct hits

Region by region

Manila
The capital runs on the national two seasons. In the wet months, plan around the forecast: heavy rain can flood streets even in Metro Manila, the Canadian advice notes.
Cebu
Cebu runs on the same two seasons as the rest of the country: dry from December to May, rainy from June to November. Check the week's forecast before fixing island days.
Palawan
Island days and boat trips depend on the sea; in the wet months, storms can suspend ferry services at short notice, so leave slack in an island itinerary.
Boracay
The island's beach days follow the same two seasons: the dry months from December to May are the steadiest stretch, and the wet months are the ones to watch the forecast for the crossing.

The bottom line

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The rains do not arrive everywhere at once: check the pattern for each stop, then travel with the forecast and the storm warnings on a working connection.

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Questions

What is the best time to visit Philippines?

For the steadiest weather, aim for the dry season from December to May, which splits into a cool stretch from December to February and a hot one from March to May. The rainy season runs from June to November, with around 20 typhoons a year, most in the same window; check PAGASA's forecast before you fix the dates.

What is the Philippines weather like in the rainy season?

Warm and wet. The rainy season runs from June to November, and PAGASA notes that a great share of the year's rainfall, humidity and cloudiness comes with the typhoons; around 20 cross the country a year, most between June and November. Check the forecast and the warnings.

When is the dry season in the Philippines?

From December to May, splitting into a cool dry season from December to February and a hot dry season from March to May. The hot stretch is also the most uncomfortable time of year, when temperature and humidity reach their maximum levels.

Which months are wet in the Philippines?

The rainy season runs from June to November. Rainfall varies from region to region, though: Baguio, eastern Samar and eastern Surigao take the heaviest rain, and southern Cotabato the least, so check the picture for the places on your route.

Can typhoons affect travel plans?

Storms can suspend ferry services at short notice, even if the weather is clear, and heavy rain can flood roads; around 20 typhoons cross the country a year, most between June and November. Monitor PAGASA and follow local instructions, and keep some slack in the itinerary.