Weather in the Philippines in May 

May is a great time for that Philippines holiday you’ve been meaning to take, as the weather in the Philippines in May is hot and dry. Certain low-lying areas can be very hot at this time of the year. But it sure is a nice time to visit the mountains and probably go on some treks too. Wondering how much sunscreen to pack, or which areas to visit? Read through our article covering the weather in the Philippines in May to get that travel prep done.

The Philippines is the ideal tropical holiday destination.

Weather in Luzon in May

When it comes to travelling to the Philippines in May, you must remember that you’re travelling in the peak of summer. Low-lying places like Manila are bound to be hot. It is very humid, which also means you may experience a few light drizzles but never enough to hamper your travel plans. The temperatures reach around 34°C (around 93° – 95°F) and they don’t reduce much at night. Locations at higher altitudes like Sagada and Baguio experience slightly more bearable temperatures, but only slightly. May could possibly be your last chance to go on treks to places like Mt. Pulag or Mt. Mayon, as these places usually shut down for a few months due to the monsoon season in the Philippines that begins in June.

Diving is a great way to beat the heat, especially when travelling to the Philippines in May. We recommend dropping in to locations like Anilao and Subic Bay. Another thing to keep in mind is that May is also a great time to view the rice terraces in Batad.

May is possibly the last chance you can enjoy treks, before they shut down for the monsoon.

Weather in Visayas in May

Visayas has little to no showers in May and the heat is fairly bearable, but don’t expect any respite from the heat in places like Palawan, Boracay, Bohol and Siquijor. You may be faced with a few showers of rain towards the end of May, before the onset of monsoon. But it doesn’t really hamper your island-hopping endeavours. Places like Palawan and Boracay will still be crowded with other tourists, but hotel prices will be slightly lower than those in April. Although, like the months during the peak season, we recommend booking your travel and accommodation in advance. 

We highly recommend diving during the month of May, where the conditions are very similar to those in April. If you’re travelling to the Philippines in May, make sure you visit Malapascua for some memorable diving. May is a great time to spot thresher sharks in Malapascua as the visibility is the best during this month. Coron, El Nido, Bohol have great spots too. With the ability to witness the unbelievable marine biodiversity, there are several options to choose from.

Some water-side fun in the Philippines makes the heat a lot more bearable.

Weather in Mindanao in May

Like the rest of the country, May is generally the hottest month for Mindanao and its northernmost islands, Camiguin and Siargao. It is pretty much dry throughout the month with little to no rainfall. May is also a good time to trek up Mt. Apo, which is the highest peak in the Philippines. You can drive down to Mt. Apo from Davao, which takes about 3 hours. However, due to civil unrest, it is not advisable to go to other areas in Mindanao, especially down south.

The hot May sun is ideal for all the beach bums, though only with enough sunscreen.

The weather in May in the Philippines is perfect to engage in the several experiences it has to offer; cool down with some dives, hike up the mountains or laze on the beaches. Travelling around is fairly easy as well, so click on Plan Your Trip to turn that dream holiday into a reality.