The summer season in the Philippines is here. It is a little bit different to the summer months in Europe and the USA. The Philippines only has two seasons, wet and dry seasons. March-June are the hottest months in the country and the best months for you to visit the country. July-October is the wet season where typhoons and storms are quite common. November to February is the coolest month as the cold air from China and Siberia reaches the Philippines.
Now that you have an idea of the Philippines’ climate, you can now decide which months work for you best. But we suggest flying here in January-May. These are the best months to explore the country (according to us), enjoy very warm weather, clear skies, and of course tranquil crystal-clear waters that you’re looking forward to being in after being stuck in a cold winter.
Now that the Philippines is open for foreign tourists, allow us to share with you some tips on how you can plan the best summer trip that you’ve been dreaming of for years. (To our Filipino readers: Read along too as this guide is written for both local and foreign tourists)
Which Airport Should You Fly to?
As you plan your trip to the Philippines, you should consider which part of the Philippines you will fly to. There are currently 3 major hubs where you can fly in. Namely, Manila, Clark, and Cebu.
In Manila (the Philippines’ capital) and Clark you can fly in with several airlines. You may choose from middle eastern carriers (if you’re flying in from Europe) to the nation’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, for non-stop flights to and from Australia, and North America. Budget carriers like AirAsia and Cebu Pacific can be an option for you too if you’re coming from neighboring countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore etc.
If you’re planning to discover the Visayas region, flying to Cebu is also an option for you, as several local carriers, and some middle eastern carriers offer flights directly to the island of Cebu.
A popular itinerary from foreigners’ friends visiting the Philippines often is to go to Manila first as it is the main airport for international travels. Then, they would visit the Unesco’s site of Banaue in the north. And then would go back to Manila or to Clark to visit the other islands such as Cebu, Bohol, Palawan or Siargao.
Choose your local airline company
As mentioned above, you have three different options to choose from when flying to the Philippines. But you should keep in mind that the Philippines’ biggest airline hub is located in Manila, which means that there are more flight frequencies for you to get a connecting flight to your destination like Palawan or Boracay.
The easiest way to travel in the Philippines is still to take the plane. Keep in mind that you’re not in Vietnam or Thailand, we are in an archipelago. So, visiting the country by bus or boat would take you a lot of time and you will end up not having enough time to visit the places you wanted.
You mostly have 3 different local airline companies: Cebu Pacific, AirAsia and Philippines Airlines. From experience, the three of them have pros and cons. Cebu Pacific and AirAsia are the cheapest ones. So, they’re very nice if you’re traveling on budget. And the third one is Philippines Airlines(PAL), the flagship local carrier. PAL is a bit more expensive but we usually have less delays with them.
Browse the sites of the mentioned airlines to find the best and most affordable option for you.
Where Should You Stay and For How Much?
Now that you’ve got an idea of how you could fly into the Philippines, the next step for you to do is to find a hotel accommodation where you could stay for your vacation.
It is a good thing that there are a lot of hotels, Airbnb’s to choose from in the Philippines, most especially in prime tourist destinations. You will surely find accommodation at every price range.
Keep in mind though that the peak tourism season in the Philippines is during March-June. So don’t be shocked when some accommodations are more expensive in those months, as several travelers both foreign and local are very active during those months.
Also, note that hotel prices are sometimes way more expensive (for the same level of service) than other countries around such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, etc. Due to many reasons which we won’t develop in this article.
So, we had a lot of feedback from foreigners saying that they had to shorten their trip in the Philippines due to the unexpected high budget compared to what they were spending in other southeast asian countries.
(Planning to go to Boracay this 2022? Check out our blog about it here.)
Where Should You Go? This will depend on the type of tourist you are and which activities you are looking for
What’s good about the Philippines is that there are a lot of beaches since the country is an archipelago. But you should know that island hopping and hanging out on a beach are not the only things that you could do in the country.
Continue reading on to know the best beaches and more.
Boracay – for the sun-worshippers and more “sedentary” tourists
If you are just looking at spending some time at an incredible beach and not really go on an adventure and move from your hotel. Boracay is a must-visit destination for tourists like you. You will also find several water activities that you can do on the island.
Not to mention its nightlife party scene where you will surely have a lot of fun. It is a place where accommodations at several price points are available. So whether you just wanted a roof on your head and a decent bed to sleep on at night, or if you seek a luxurious holiday, Boracay has definitely something in store for you.
We wrote a lot about Boracay so feel free to browse our blog.
Cebu – for the adventure, less crowded beaches but still relaxed environment
Cebu is another option for you to go to. If you are more fond of a more relaxed environment, free from a flock of people, then you must consider Cebu’s Moalboal town, Malapascua island, or Bantayan Island. Cebu is very loved by French tourists.
The majority of the beaches in Cebu are underrated and are still undiscovered by tourists, so there’s a high chance that you will encounter fewer people compared to Boracay or Palawan.
Get that bronze tan glow as you lie down in the white powder-fine sands of its beaches. Swim in the crystal-clear cerulean colored waters. One thing to keep in mind though is to not expect these beaches to be as fully developed as the other more popular spots. You will surely experience a basic life just like the locals in the place.
Another reason to visit Cebu is the good food, you should definitely try Cebu Lechon (whole roasted pig) which was dubbed by traveler Anthony Bourdain as the best one he ever tasted in the world. Aside from that, get your hands busy enjoying various seafood like fresh fish, shellfish, clams, crabs, oysters and more. Cebu is the best place for the beach and food lovers.
Palawan – for the incredible scenery and landscapes
Palawan is another crowd favorite and is a must-see for beach bums like you. There are a lot of direct flights to Palawan from both Manila and Cebu alike. So accessibility won’t be a problem. You can choose to land in Busuanga or Puerto Princesa. Dipping on any beach is a very good thing to do, as all of the beaches in Palawan are worth visiting.
But what makes Palawan stand out from the other islands? In Palawan, you will experience a lot of activities not just being at the beach. You may opt to go kayaking in the underground river, hike in different hiking trails on the island for all hiking capacities, and a whole lot more.
Cagayan de Oro – for the explorers and the more frequent tourists
Cagayan de Oro is a city located in Mindanao that is accessible with a plane ride. It is a destination perfect for thrill-seeking travelers. Aside from several beach resorts that you can visit, what makes Cagayan de Oro unique is the White water rafting. Experience the rush of the waters as you ride the white rapids of CDO river.
CDO is less frequented by international tourists as it is way less promoted than the other first islands mentioned. First timers in the Philippines would rather go to Cebu, Bohol, Palawan and visit the north of Luzon that are more popular.
So, there are still a lot to visit in the Philippines if you come back!
Tarlac – For the hikers and adventurers
Capas Tarlac is a must-visit for those who find thrill in hiking an active volcano. Capas Tarlac is nearer to Manila compared to other mentioned destinations and is just a four-hour drive away. You can try to squeeze into your itinerary. Mt. Pinatubo is a volcano that was once thought to be inactive but still erupted in 1991 which was hundreds of years after the first recorded eruption according to experts. Don’t worry, with modern-day equipment, and studies that local scientists are doing, Mt. Pinatubo is safe to visit now.
Aside from a thrilling hike, it is also an option for you to ride ATVs as you visit the beautiful lake that was created inside the crater of the volcano due to its eruption. Who would have thought that a catastrophic event will create something beautiful?
Ilocos Norte – for some exciting activities and to explore the north of Luzon
Ilocos Norte is located in the northernmost region of the Philippines, you can opt for a longer land trip or fly to Laoag from Manila. The La Paz Sand Dunes is another thrilling activity that you can do on your trip. You don’t need to go visit the Middle East, and North Africa to experience this attraction. Slide drown from a mountain of sand or enjoy a bumpy yet exciting 4×4 vehicle ride on the sand like what is being offered in Dubai’s desert safari. Witness a one-of-a-kind vista that is quite unique in the region and enjoy watching a desert sunset.
Batanes – for the sightseeing fans and the off-road travelers
Batanes Island is one of the Philippines’ northernmost islands. You can easily access it via a short plane ride. But the price can be expensive. It has a reputation of having the most honest citizens.
In this place, you will encounter honesty stores where there’s nobody to watch you as you get and pay for the things that you get. But what makes it popular for local and foreign tourists is the unique and mesmerizing landscape that is distinctive to the island. Feast your eyes in the island’s lush greeneries and culture-rich bahay na bato (rock houses). Keep in mind though that the island is prone to strong typhoons so plan your visit during the dry season. Immerse in local Ivatan culture with the friendly locals and feel the warm hospitality of their people.
We haven’t been there yet but we can’t wait to go. We saw some pictures and there are some places that look like northern Europe there!
Sagada – for culture (Unesco heritage site), nature and amazing sunrise
Sagada is located near the popular Banaue Rice Terraces. It is also close to Baguio City so expect a cooler climate in this region. This place is only reachable by land trip only due to its high altitude location.
Explore the rich beautiful mountains and hike at Marlboro Hill which is a popular hike for tourists. Bond with the local tribesmen and experience their one of a kind culture. You would be amazed as you reach the mountaintops and see the clouds on your feet. It feels like a very dreamy experience, walking on clouds.
Albay – to see the Mayon Volcano and explore South Luzon
Albay is located on the South-East part of Luzon island. You may reach this with a short plane ride or ride a bus for a land trip. This is home to the world’s only perfectly cone-shaped volcano. Just like in Mt. Pinatubo you may opt to ride an ATV as you explore the vicinity of the volcano and enjoy beautiful sceneries. Feast your eyes and your bellies with good food that will surely wake you up as it is home to the spiciest Filipino cuisine. If you like spicy food (nothing beats the spicy food in Thailand, so if you can eat spicy Thai food, then you can enjoy a meal here) then you would definitely enjoy your trip to Albay.
So, the Philippines comprises more than 7,000 islands so the adventure possibilities for you are endless. It is just up to you which activities you want to do first. As for us, we are fond of everything that the Philippines has to offer. To be honest, in our long stay in the country, we are still not even half the possible adventurous experiences that the Philippines has in store for us.
See our adventures on our YouTube channel in this link to get a glimpse of what we were up to on our activities in the Philippines. Follow us on our Instagram and Facebook to get updated on our latest travel escapades.
What Should You Wear and Bring?
Since the Philippines is a tropical country, it is best for you to wear natural fibers like clothes made of cotton. It is very common for Filipinos to wear tank tops and shorts everywhere they go. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and a good water bottle that holds cold water as the days in the Philippines could get really hot.
What about Money Exchange?
When it comes to currency, there are a lot of money changing outlets around so converting to the local pesos wouldn’t be much of a problem for you. Just check the rate on google and you’ll be fine.
Using credit cards such as Visa and Master cards are widely accepted across several establishments in the country. You can withdraw from ATMs such as BDO, BPI or HSBC. Sometimes try different bank ATMs if it doesn’t work the first time.
Do You Need Travel insurance?
Last year, due to the pandemic it was a must for every traveler to buy an insurance plan for their trip. And even if the COVID threat is not that rampant anymore, it is still a good habit for you to purchase travel insurance to avoid any further problems as uncontrollable circumstances arise.
Did you know that aside from accidents, sickness (even from COVID), some travel insurance could also cover the costs of your lost baggage, stay in a hotel when your flight is rescheduled and much more? There are various travel insurance to choose from and is easily available. We will try to update this article as soon as we find something which is good for you. For now, probably check with your own if they cover your trip and also, your credit card might already have some insurance related to their own offer.
Now that we’ve discussed everything that you need to plan for your perfect summer trip. There’s only one secret in planning a perfect summer trip in the Philippines this 2022: to be prepared. By researching the best flights, best hotels, and best itinerary that fits the adventure that you are seeking and budget.
Curious about more travel destinations in the Philippines? Head over to our other blog posts.
