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Introduction to
Philippines Weather

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"Philippines weather" was last updated on Feb 12, 2012 
All information below is subject to change

Compared to its Southeast Asian neighbors, the climate and the weather in the Philippines has mainly two seasons;

Wet season and dry season.

The dry season is overall from December/January to May with strong regional varieties.

The temperatures are lower from December to February, and the temperature starts rising towards March to June.

From July to October, it's the wet/typhoon season. But over the years, this season has started and finished later, making the typhoon season last from June to November.

The humidity is high all year, except on the mountains in Luzon where the humidity is not that extreme.

So if you want to cool down, head for North Luzon or be a beach bummer ;-)

All temperatures written below are average temperatures.

Manila Philippines Weather

Temperature December-February: minimum 21°, maximum 30°

Temperature March-June: minimum 22°, maximum 34°

Temperature July-November: minimum 23°, maximum 31°

Heaviest rainfall: It rains in the Philippines throughout the year, but in the typhoon season most rain hits Manila.

Source: BBC Weather

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Palawan Island

Sunny weather in Coron (Palawan) in December

Temperature December-February: minimum 21°, maximum 30°

The climate in Palawan is cool and mild during December to March. It gets hotter from March.

Temperature March-June: minimum 23°, maximum 32°

Temperature July-October: minimum 24°, maximum 32°

Heaviest rainfall: The rainy season for the Philippines applies also for Palawan. The rainy season lasts longer on the eastern side of Palawan than it does on the northern, southern and western sides of the island.

The first 3-4 months in the rainy season (June-September), Palawan is heavily hit by the monsoon season, so avoid traveling to the island during this time.

The rain smooths out from October/November. If you're traveling in Palawan in November, there will occasionally be rain but they don't last long.

Source temperatures: meoweather

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Boracay Philippines Weather

Temperature December-February: minimum 23°, maximum 28°

Temperature March-June: minimum 24°, maximum 32°

Temperature July-November: minimum 24°, maximum 30°

Heaviest rainfalls: The heaviest rain periods are from June to September.

March and May are considered the busiest months in Boracay because of the summer days and some refreshing thunderstorm in the evening. From November to February, expect cooler nights with occasional rain shower. 

The wettest season is from July to October, with August being the wettest month. It's wet, but also humid. 

Source: weather-and-climate-info.com

Cebu Weather

Temperature December-February: minimum 23°, maximum 30°

Temperature March-June: minimum 24°, maximum 32.5°

Temperature July-October: minimum 24°, maximum 32°

Heaviest rainfall: The heaviest rainfalls start in June and ends in October. The rainfalls smoothe out from November.

Source temperatures: meoweather

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Bohol Philippines Weather

Overcast at Alona Kew beach in Panglao island, Bohol in December

Temperature December-February: minimum 23°, maximum 30°

Temperature March-June: minimum 24°, maximum 32.5°

Temperature July-October: minimum 24-25°, maximum 31.7°

Heaviest rainfall: The heaviest rainfalls are from June to October.

We visited Bohol (Tagbilaran and Panglao island) around New Year's - most of the days were overcast, with occasionally raindrops that lasted for one hour or two hours. The humidity was high and the ocean warm.

Source temperatures: meoweather

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North Luzon

Mount Pinatubo in December

North Luzon includes areas of Baguio, Banaeu and Sagada.

Temperature December-February: minimum 13°, maximum 24°

Temperature March-June: minimum 14°, maximum 25.9°

Temperature July-October: minimum 15.7°, maximum 24°

Heaviest rainfall: Heaviest rain periods start in July and end in September.

Actually, many (rich) locals living in Manila travel to Baguio to cool down. To them, it's a vacation heaven from the high humidity that roams Philippines in general.

If you want to go trekking to volcanoes in Luzon, like Mount Pinatubo, I can tell you that the mornings are very chilly in December and January. So bring a sweater or alike for the trip. But when the sun rises, the climate suddenly changes, from chilly mornings to sweaty, sunny weather. 

Source temperatures: meoweather

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Conclusion

The best time to travel in the Philippines is from December/January to May, in the dry season.

But in reality, most tourists and backpackers travel in the Philippines travel between December and February. Like with other Southeast Asian countries, this is time when temperatures are 'low' and comfortable to travel in.

And celebrating Christmas and New Year's on one of the islands is a good excuse to travel in the Philippines during this season.

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Further reading: Find out the tourist visa requirements for the Philippines Check out maps of the Philippines My reviews of accommodations in Manila

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