Best Time to Visit the Philippines from New Zealand: What to do, weather, visas, and more

Known for friendly people, stunning beaches and dive sites, and a fascinating history and culture, the Philippines is an accessible and popular destination for tourists. The Philippines has distinct wet and dry seasons which lend themselves to different types of travel, and can also experience disruptive typhoons.

This means that it’s important to think about the best time to visit the Philippines based on what you’re planning on doing. This guide walks through the best month to visit the Philippines for different activities, to give you a flavour. We’ll also share more about the Wise card, a handy way to spend internationally.

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When is the best time to visit the Philippines What to do in the Philippines Planning a trip to the Philippines Visiting the Philippines soon? Prepare Philippine Pesos (PHP) for your holiday with Wise

When is the best time to visit the Philippines from New Zealand

The best time for New Zealanders to visit the Philippines is during the dry season from November to April. This period is perfect for escaping the cooler New Zealand months and enjoying the tropical warmth and sunshine, with minimal risk of typhoons.

That being said, the best time to travel to the Philippines depends on what you plan to do. There are distinct seasonal differences which can mean that the Philippine weather is more or less conducive to your specific plans. While the Philippines temperature year round is fairly warm, the risk of monsoon rains or typhoons means it’s important to plan your visit based on the activities you want to get involved with.

Here’s an overview of what to do month on month, so you can decide accordingly.

Dry Season: December - April

The best time of year to visit the Philippines is usually the dry season, which lasts for most of the early part of the year.

December: December is the start of the main tourist season in the Philippines, with pleasant weather and relatively little rain to worry about. There’s plenty to do during this period of good weather, so you’ll be able to plan an itinerary highlighting experiences and attractions that appeal. The Philippines Tourist Authorities give loads of ideas and inspiration about different areas of the country¹.

January: The tourist season is well underway, and prices can start to rise. However, as tourism is a major industry more or less throughout the Philippines, there’s usually a decent choice of accommodation options for all budgets.

February: If you’re heading to the Philippines for wildlife adventures, this is a great time to get unique experiences like swimming with whale sharks in Bicol. The Philippines has very rich and diverse natural resources, allowing you to plan an itinerary entirely set around wildlife spotting if you choose to. If you’re visiting Bicol, the Tinagba Festival in Iriga City takes place in February with parades, street dancing and sporting challenges.

March: The temperature is heating up now, hitting the mid-thirties Celsius, making this a great time to think about diving or snorkeling². More or less any time in the dry season can be a good pick for diving, but you might appreciate the opportunity to cool off in the water more from now on. Consider Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park to get a good sense of the amazing reefs in the Philippines.

April: As the dry season starts to draw to a close you’ve still got a chance to visit beaches, hike, or plan a city trip in April. Be aware that Easter can see a sharp uptick in travel, so if Easter falls close to your visit you’ll need to plan well in advance to make sure you can get the accommodation you prefer.

Shoulder season: May and November

For a quieter visit with reasonable weather, shoulder months at the start and end of the dry seasons are also a good bet.

May: The weather is starting to heat up coming into May, and there can be occasional rain as the wet weather starts to move in. However, May can be an excellent time to visit the Philippines as there are many local festivals in the run up to the start of the monsoon, while low visitor numbers makes for a peaceful trip.

November: The weather is still relatively cool, but the worst of the rain has passed by November. There are still occasional typhoons, so while November is popular thanks to lower costs and fewer visitors, it’s still essential to keep an eye on weather forecasts just in case.

Wet Season: June - October

The rainy season means there are fewer tourists, and although wet weather is frequent, you can still enjoy a great trip to the Philippines if you’re prepared for it. Rain tends to fall in different areas of the country at slightly different times, so you can also manage to minimise the chance of poor weather with some smart planning.

It’s important to note that there’s an increased risk of typhoons at this time of year, so you’ll need to watch out for local weather warnings to avoid disrupting your plans. Typhoons can still hit the country at other times, through until January in some cases, so taking local advice is essential if the weather looks like it’ll impact your trip.

June: The rainy season begins, usually starting in the northern areas of the country and making their way south throughout the season. There are fewer tourists at this time of year, and the rain does not fall constantly, which means you can still have an excellent break, particularly if you choose a destination with both in- and outdoor activities on hand.

July: While the rain may be falling in many areas, Cebu can still have good conditions, with relatively little rain. Cebu city has some fascinating historical sites, and the island has a broad range of scenery to allow you to make the most of the dry weather when you have it.

August: There’s a high risk of typhoons from the end of August through to the close of the rainy season, which means that this is not a recommended time to visit the country. However, if you’re heading to Manila you can still put together a robust weather proofed itinerary covering shopping, eating and drinking alongside local attractions like the walled city of Intramuros.

September: If you’re a skilled surfer, the peak time for conditions on the Pacific coasts is September. You’ll find plenty of swell, thanks to the arrival of the southwest monsoon - make sure you’re confident in the conditions as some areas are not recommended for beginners or intermediate surfers.

October: The rain is starting to lessen, and while there’s still the chance of typhoons, the day to day weather improves. There are many festivals in different areas of the country as the rainy season starts to lessen, making this a rewarding time to get immersed in local culture. The Philippines tourist authorities recommend the festival of Lanzones in Davao as one to look out for³.

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What to do in the Philippines for Kiwis

There are lots of things to do in the Philippines, from heading off for a night out on the town in Manila, to kicking back on the beach, surfing, hiking, diving and more. Let’s cover a few popular choices of what to do in the Philippines for different types of trip.

Dive, snorkel and swim

The Philippines is made up of over 7,000 islands which makes it a natural place to choose for all beachside activities. You can take a dedicated diving holiday, or simply pop on a snorkel to explore the waters around your resort if you’re staying in a coastal area. Different locations have their own draws, with many varieties of hard and soft coral bringing in colourful fish of all sizes.

Check out the wildlife

One of the main reasons people visit the Philippines is to explore some of the unique wildlife experiences available. While the diving and snorkeling is world famous, there are also some unusual opportunities such as viewing the tiny Philippine tarsier on Bohol, or spotting some of the rich birdlife throughout the country.

Explore the rich cultural heritage

Some of the most popular Philippines places to visit include historical and cultural sites in Manila and other regions around the country. Manila itself has lovely Spanish colonial architecture, churches and the Fort Santiago you can visit - even if you’re only passing through the city en route to a different destination in the country.

Planning a trip to the Philippines from New Zealand

The Philippines is known for super friendly people, and has an enormous variety of things to do on your visit. However, before you get on a plane there are a few practical things to arrange. Here are a few important things to consider when planning a trip to the Philippines.

Philippines visa requirements for New Zealanders

New Zealand passport holders can enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay of up to 30 days⁴. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date.

Prior to arriving in the Philippines you’ll also need to complete a Philippines eTravel card⁵ which can all be done digitally, and which is required to enter the country.

Entry requirements can change, so it's wise to confirm the latest details with the Embassy of the Philippines in New Zealand before you book your flights.

Flights to the Philippines from New Zealand

There are currently no direct flights from New Zealand to the Philippines. The most common routes from Auckland (AKL) involve a single stopover in cities like Sydney, Singapore, or Taipei. The total travel time is typically upwards of 15 hours, depending on the length of your layover⁶.

From Manila's airport (MNL), you can find many affordable domestic flights to reach popular islands like Palawan, Cebu, and Boracay.

Get the most out of your NZD to PHP conversions on your holiday with Wise

The Wise card is a simple way to save up to 8x when you're spending internationally. You can spend in 150+ countries at mid-market rate — basically the rate you see on Google. With no foreign transaction fees and low, transparent pricing, Wise usually gives you the best value for your money.

Simply create a Wise account for free, order a card and top-up NZD to get started. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as make some free ATM withdrawals each month for when you're abroad. You can get digital cards and add to your Google or Apple Pay wallet for instant use. Spend directly with the Wise account in NZD and let auto-conversion do the trick or convert in advance to your desired currency. You can hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account and spend the currencies you hold for free.

Wherever your travel takes you, the Wise card makes spending money abroad cheaper and easier.

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This general advice does not take into account your objectives, financial circumstances or needs and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. Savings claim based on our rates vs. selected New Zealand banks and other similar providers in Jan 2025. To learn more please visit https://growth-layer.live/nz/compare%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E

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Sources:

1. Philippines Tourist Authorities
2. Philippines diving guide
3. Lanzones - Davao
4. Embassy of the Philippines in New Zealand
5. Philippines eTravel card