Bamboo Travel

Climate - The Philippines

The climate in the Philippines is tropical and as the archipelago is made up of 7,107 islands the climate can vary considerably from one part to the next. However, generally speaking, there are two major seasons: the dry season and the rainy season.

The dry season tends to start in December and runs through to about June. This period has consistent trade winds blowing across the island which are generally dry and without monsoon rains. However, that said, it is still a tropical climate and you may encounter heavy showers from time to time. Rains at this time tend to be an afternoon shower which cools the land down and washes dust away. Within the dry season the months of December to February tend to offer ‘cool' and dry weather. January is the coolest month of the year when temperatures are around 25C. From March to June you can expect hot and dry weather. May is the hottest month of the year when you can expect temperatures in the high 30s.

After the high humidity and heat of the months of May and June the dry season tends to break, usually in July, and from then until November the monsoon rains usher in the rainy season. Each year during the monsoon season the Philippines also attracts typhoons (generally during the months of July - October) which batter the Pacific eastern coastline of Luzon, Samar, Leyte and to a lesser extent Mindanao. These typhoons tend to come in from the Western Pacific in a north-westerly direction and can be quite destructive.

Although travel is perfectly possible during the rainy season if you are travelling during July, August and September you should expect some rain on most days. Despite the wet weather one of the best aspects of travel at this time is that the resorts will be quieter and prices tend to be lower.