BEST TIME TO GO THE PHILIPPINES

January to March is usually the ideal period to travel to the Philippines. Even if there are bigger chances of precipitation, these are the months of the year when the temperature is cooler. The month of March also signals the upcoming festivals and the long weekend of Holy Week (Easter).

These months also highlight some of the biggest and grandest festivities:

• The province of Aklan, where Boracay Island is located, commemorates the Ati-Atihan Festival in the second week of January. Check Boracay tours and Boracay tour packages with hotel and airfare for your island getaway.

• The highly anticipated annual Sinulog Festival in the province of Cebu is celebrated every third Sunday of January. Check Cebu activities and Cebu Package Deals for your trip.

• Millions of devotees gather in Quiapo in Manila City to join the procession during the Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9.

• The Summer Capital, Baguio City, parades beautifully-adorned floats with flowers during the Panagbenga Festival in February. Check Baguio tours and Baguio package deals with hotel to make your trip more fun.

• There are weeklong religious activities during Holy Week (Easter) in March or early April all over the country, but more specifically in Pampanga. Check Pampanga experiences to make the most of your vacation.

During this time, the temperature and humidity levels are highest. This marks the summer season in the Philippines, which is also a school break for Filipino students. Locals plan beach getaways or vacations in their hometowns. Expect that beach resorts will most likely be fully booked and have higher rates.

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The sun is the strongest from April to June, so precautions are needed when spending most of the time under the sun. Lather sunblock every two hours to avoid sunburn.

Some popular summer destinations in the Philippines include:

• The natural, scenic, and hidden gems of Palawan. Check some Palawan activities and learn more about the province in this Palawan travel guide. 

• The white beaches, crystal clear waters, and extreme water sports of Boracay. 

• The surfing paradise of La Union, Baler, Zambales, and 

• Aside from beaches and island hopping tours in the Philippines, here are other summer season activities you can try:

• Watch the Moriones Festival in Marinduque and how the people in Pampanga celebrate the season during Holy Week. Check some activities in Marinduque and tours in Pampanga.

• Taste the freshest catch in Dagupan City during Bangus Festival every April.

• Head to Quezon Province and witness the colorful Pahiyas Festival, a thanksgiving festival held every 15th of May.

• Witness the festivities and watch the beautiful women of the country all dressed up during Flores De Mayo.

• Take part during the different pistang bayan (town fiestas) in the provinces of Batangas and Bulacan. 

• In June, take part in the combined Pintados-Kasadyaan festivals of Tacloban City that features a sailboat race, the Subiran Regatta, and the religious rite Balyuan. Join a Tacloban city tour to get the full experience.

• Join the celebration of St. John the Baptist's feast day, where locals get doused with water on June 24th. It’s officially called the Wattah Wattah Festival or Basaan Festival in Filipino. It's usually celebrated in Batangas, Bataan, and Nueva Ecija, to name a few.

• Siargao. Check Siargao adventures and learn more about Siargao in this guide. Book Siargao tour packages with airfare. 

• The beaches and diving spots in Batangas. Explore the marine life of Batangas through an Anilao diving tour. Check other Batangas escapades.

The volume of rainfall in the Philippines increases from July to August. These months are considered the wettest months, although it does not necessarily mean that it will rain all day long.

When typhoons hit, most of the islands in the country are affected, making trips around the country (depending on where the typhoon hits) difficult. Expect flight delays and even cancellations in some cases.

Flights to different islands and beach resorts are cheaper during these months. Go to the beach, enjoy a food trip, or visit museums and historical places. Here are some other rainy season activities in the Philippines that you can try:

• Go surfing and island hopping in Siargao. Browse our Siargao tour packages with airfare. 

• Watch the dramatization of the blood compact between Sikatuna and Legazpi in Bohol during the Sandugo Festival. Check some Bohol activities and Bohol package deals for your escapade.

• Catch the colorful Pagoda Festival in Bulacan.

• Witness the street parades and dances in the Kadayawan Festival in Davao City. Check Davao activities to best experience the province.

• Observe the Fluvial Parade of the Nuestra Señora Peñafrancia in Naga City.

• Watch the elaborate and colorful MassKara Festival in Bacolod City. Check some Bacolod tours and learn more about the province in this Bacolod travel guide.

For Filipinos, Christmas or the holiday season starts as early as September or the beginning of the -ber months. Some establishments start to decorate their stores with Christmas ornaments as early as September 1st.