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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.
Best time to visit Manila, Philippines
Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and seasonal highlights.
| Month | Score | Weather | Crowds | Prices | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23-31°C, sunny and dry | high | high |
⚠ Chinese New Year can fall in late Jan/early Feb, increasing crowds and prices. | |
| February | 24-32°C, sunny and dry | moderate | moderate |
| |
| March | 25-33°C, sunny and dry | moderate | moderate |
| |
| April | 26-34°C, hot and humid with passing showers | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Holy Week (variable dates in March/April) sees increased domestic travel and some closures. | |
| May | 27-34°C, humid with frequent thunderstorms | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Typhoon season begins; expect potential travel disruptions. | |
| June | 26-33°C, very humid with heavy rain | low | low |
⚠ Heavy rainfall and high humidity are common; risk of typhoons increases. | |
| July | 26-32°C, very humid with heavy rain | low | low |
⚠ Peak of the monsoon season; significant rainfall and potential for typhoons. | |
| August | 26-32°C, very humid with persistent heavy rain | low | low |
⚠ Hulog, the worst of the monsoon, often occurs; high risk of typhoons and flooding. | |
| September | 26-32°C, humid with frequent heavy rain | low | low |
⚠ Still very much in typhoon season, with high humidity and rainfall. | |
| October | 25-32°C, less humid with scattered showers | low | low |
⚠ Typhoon risk still present, though diminishing. | |
| November | 24-32°C, drier with occasional showers | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Early December can see a surge in prices due to holiday bookings. | |
| December | 23-31°C, dry with occasional cooler evenings | peak | peak |
⚠ Highest prices and crowds of the year due to Christmas and New Year holidays. |
Annual events worth timing your trip around
Celebrated with dragon dances, fireworks, and family gatherings, particularly in Binondo Chinatown.
A massive religious procession drawing millions of devotees to Quiapo Church.
A harvest festival in Lucban, Quezon, famous for colorful house decorations made of fruits and vegetables.
Marks the end of Ramadan, celebrated with prayers and feasts across Muslim communities.
Filipinos traditionally visit cemeteries to honor deceased relatives, often with picnics and prayers.
Christmas light displays and events within the historic walled city of Intramuros.
Insider timing tips
- •The 'cool dry' season (November-February) offers the most pleasant weather but coincides with peak tourist season and highest prices.
- •The monsoon season (June-September) brings relentless rain and high humidity, but also the lowest prices and fewest crowds for budget travelers.
- •Holy Week (variable dates in March/April) is a major domestic travel period; expect crowded transportation and higher prices, especially for inter-island travel.
- •Typhoon season (June-November) can cause significant flight and ferry cancellations, particularly between August and October.
- •While Manila itself has fewer distinct seasonal events than other parts of the Philippines, its proximity to regions celebrating festivals like Pahiyas (May) makes it a convenient base.
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