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Best time to visit Manila
Month-by-month weather, crowds, prices, and festival calendar — so you know exactly when to book.
Photo by Alexes Gerard on Unsplash
Best time to visit Manila, Philippines
Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and seasonal highlights.
| Month | Score | Weather | Crowds | Prices | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23-30°C, generally sunny and dry | moderate | moderate |
| |
| February | 24-31°C, dry with abundant sunshine | moderate | moderate |
| |
| March | 25-32°C, warm and dry with increasing sunshine | moderate | moderate |
| |
| April | 26-33°C, hot and humid with sporadic showers | high | high |
⚠ Holy Week can lead to travel disruptions and higher prices. | |
| May | 27-33°C, hot and humid with increasing rain | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Beginning of typhoon season, though major storms are less common this early. | |
| June | 26-32°C, frequent heavy rainfall and high humidity | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Heavy monsoon rains can cause flooding and travel delays. | |
| July | 25-31°C, peak monsoon season with heavy, persistent rain | low | low |
⚠ High risk of typhoons and significant rainfall leading to widespread flooding. | |
| August | 25-31°C, very wet with high humidity and frequent storms | low | low |
⚠ Typically the wettest month; high risk of typhoons and severe flooding. | |
| September | 25-31°C, still very wet with a chance of typhoons | low | low |
⚠ Monsoon season continues, with a significant risk of typhoons and heavy rain. | |
| October | 25-31°C, decreasing rainfall, still humid | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Typhoon risk gradually decreases but remains possible. | |
| November | 24-31°C, drier with lower humidity and pleasant temperatures | moderate | moderate |
| |
| December | 23-30°C, dry and cooler with festive atmosphere | high | high |
⚠ Peak holiday season, expect higher prices and crowds. |
Annual events worth timing your trip around
January
Chinese New Year
Celebrated with dragon dances, feasts, and fireworks, particularly in Chinatown (Binondo).
January
Feast of the Black Nazarene
A massive religious procession in Quiapo Church drawing millions of devotees.
March or April
Holy Week (Pabasa, Visita Iglesia)
A solemn period of religious observance, including public readings of the Passion of Christ and church visits.
May
Flores de Mayo & Santacruzan
A month-long celebration of May flowers culminating in a colorful procession of beauties.
November
Bonifacio Day
A national holiday commemorating the birth of Andres Bonifacio, a key figure in Philippine history.
December
Christmas Season
The Philippines boasts one of the longest Christmas celebrations, with elaborate decorations, carols, and family gatherings.
Insider timing tips
- •The dry season (November to April) offers the most pleasant weather, with February and March being peak for comfort and sunshine.
- •Avoid the heart of the typhoon season (July to September) if possible, as heavy rains and potential storms can severely disrupt travel plans.
- •While Holy Week (March/April) is a significant cultural event, it also brings peak crowds and prices, and some businesses may close.
- •The Christmas season (December) is festive but comes with the highest prices and tourist numbers, making early booking essential.
- •The shoulder months of May and October offer a transition period with mixed weather but potentially fewer crowds than peak season.
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