Philippines Travel Guide

The Philippines is a great place for island hopping and scuba diving, with over 7,000 islands full of white sand beaches, rainbow corals, and turquoise waterfalls.

One of the best known islands is Palawan, which was ranked by Travel + Leisure as the most beautiful island in the world.

Read through this complete Philippines travel guide for more info on what to expect!

Climate

The climate of the Philippines is tropical, so the weather is warm and humid all year. There’s a rainy season that runs from June to October (with the typhoon season generally being September and October), and the sunny season runs from November to May. It’s still possible to visit Philippines in the rainy season, but give yourself some extra days as a buffer in case of bad weather.

Safety

There are a few areas to steer clear of in the Philippines, and according to the UN it has a violent crime rate that is significantly higher than the global average. Some parts of Mindanao, for example, can be dangerous due to terrorism and kidnappings. With that said, I’ve traveled in many parts of the Philippines and haven’t witnessed any crime. Popular tourist areas like El Nido and Coron are safe, and attitudes toward foreigners are welcoming. It’s a good idea to wear mosquito spray in rural areas, especially during the rainy season, because some areas have a risk of dengue or malaria.

Budget

The Philippines is a very budget friendly travel destination, with hostels available from $5 and private hotels from $10. Meals are also cheap, costing about $1 to $5 depending on location. Transportation in the Philippines is generally by motorbike or car, and these can be rented, but hiring a driver is cheap and often preferable. Transportation apps like Grab are great for getting around.