Travelers looking for nice warm weather will love the Philippines. The hot tropical climate of the country is perfect for enjoying the many beaches found in most of the 7,107 islands of the country. As an archipelago, the climate in the Philippines is described as tropical maritime.The average temperatures in the country are in the high 20 °C or about 80 °F. During the summer season, it could go into the mid-30 °C or about 86 °F. The humidity levels in the country are quite high and can be off-putting for many travelers who are unused to such oppressive heat. The high humidity levels make it seem even hotter in the Philippines, even though the temperatures are only in the upper 20s. Fortunately, there are many ways to find respite from the heat in the Philippines.

There are three seasons in the country: a dry and hot summer season, cool and dry season and a wet season. The summer season begins in March and lasts till the end of May. This coincides as the hottest time of the year in the Philippines. The rest of the year, rains are expected, especially from June to October. Many travelers find that the most ideal time to travel to the Philippines is from December to February, when the weather is cool and dry. This is also the time of year when it is least humid and temperatures feel much cooler. January coincides as the coolest time to visit since the temperatures are at a more comfortable 25 °C, which is about 77 °F.

Travelers going to higher elevations would find that the temperature drops down to more comfortable levels. In Baguio City for example, which is located 1,500 meters above sea level, the daytime temperatures are just below 20 °C, comfortably just about 68 °F. In Manila and in other low parts of the country, the temperatures sit at about 28 °C (82 °F) rising to as high as 35 to 40 °C or 95 to 104 °F in the summer.

Fortunately, there are a lot of daytime hours when people enjoy the sunshine in the Philippines. This gives travelers more time to enjoy a number of activities. There is an average of about ten to twelve hours of sunshine in a day.

The rainfall could be quite heavy in the Philippines. During the monsoon season, it inevitably causes severe flooding in many areas, especially in the Metropolis. The rainfall in the country ranges from 1,000 millimeters to as much as 5,000 millimeters a year. In Metro Manila, there could be as much as 14 to 19 days of rainy days in a month between the months of May to September.

Each year, the country experiences about twenty typhoons that fall within the Philippine area of responsibility. Of that, only about nine make landfall, although the number seems to be increasing due to changes in global climates. The months of July to October record the most number of typhoons, wherein rains are accompanied by strong winds. There are four typhoon classification types used by the country’s weather bureau, based on wind speed. These are Tropical Depression, Tropical Storm, Typhoon and Super Typhoon. Travelers should stay abreast of weather advisories during this time since flights and travel plans could be affected. It’s also a good idea to stay indoors when there is heavy rain or a typhoon since it could result in damage to property and injury or death to people.

Travelers to the Philippines should pack lightweight clothing to prepare for the humidity. When touring many sites, lightweight slacks, shorts, dresses and skirts are common. Those going to the beach should pack the appropriate resort wear. Wearing dark glasses, a cap or hat also help protect against the glaring heat. At the same time, it is important to wear a high SPF sunscreen on all exposed body parts to protect against sunburns. Before leaving for the Philippines, check the weather updates so you know exactly what type of weather to expect.