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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 | 23-31°C, sunny and dry | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Still busy with New Year travelers until mid-month. | |
| February | 23-32°C, sunny and dry | moderate | moderate |
| |
| March | 24-33°C, sunny and dry | moderate | moderate |
| |
| April | 25-34°C, sunny with increasing humidity | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Holy Week can mean some businesses close and transport is busy. | |
| May | 26-33°C, humid with scattered thunderstorms | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Thunderstorms can be intense but often brief. | |
| June | 25-32°C, frequent rain and high humidity | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Start of typhoon season and consistent rainfall. | |
| July | 25-31°C, heavy rain and high humidity | low | low |
⚠ Peak of monsoon season; frequent, heavy downpours and potential flooding. | |
| August | 25-31°C, heavy rain and high humidity | low | low |
⚠ Monsoon season continues with high rainfall and humidity. Typhoon risk increases. | |
| September | 25-31°C, frequent rain and high humidity | low | low |
⚠ Still within typhoon season, though intensity may decrease. | |
| October | 24-32°C, less rain, more sunshine | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Rainfall decreases significantly, but occasional showers persist. | |
| November | 23-32°C, mostly sunny and dry | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Weather is excellent, but crowds build towards December. | |
| December | 23-31°C, dry and sunny | high | high |
⚠ Peak tourist season due to holidays; book well in advance. |
Annual events worth timing your trip around
January
Chinese New Year
Celebrated with vibrant parades, dragon dances, and feasts, particularly in Chinatown.
September
Penafrancia Festival (Bicol Region, accessible from Manila)
A massive religious procession honoring Our Lady of Peñafrancia, drawing huge crowds.
December
Manila International Film Festival
Showcasing Filipino and international cinema.
December
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
A significant religious holiday with services and celebrations.
March or April
Holy Week
A solemn observance with processions and religious activities across the city.
Insider timing tips
- •The 'ber' months (September to December) see a noticeable shift from heavy rains to dry, pleasant weather, with December being the most festive but also most expensive.
- •Typhoon season (June to November) can cause significant travel disruptions, especially during August and September, with July being a close third.
- •While the dry season (December to May) is generally ideal, April can be extremely hot and humid just before the rains begin.
- •Local holidays like Holy Week can lead to unexpected closures of smaller businesses and increased domestic travel, impacting local transport.
- •The shoulder months of October and November offer a good balance of improving weather and moderate crowds before the peak December rush.
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