Holiday in the Philippines 2022/2023

For a country boasting upwards of 7,000 idyllic islands – the world’s second-largest archipelago – the Philippines barely registers as a place for a luxury holiday. We’re not really sure why, because it’s a stunning array of islands surrounded by world-class diving and landscapes.

After being governed by the Spanish for 350 years and the Americans for nearly 50, the Philippines’ culture is starkly different to its Southeast Asian neighbours. Traces of their rule remain with English spoken widely, Catholic churches pepper its landscapes instead of temples and simple flavours are served rather than spicy curries.

But it’s the scenery in the Philippines that’s the real star. While most waters around the country are excellent for diving, Bohol’s coastline is a magical marine world like no other, with strings of rainbow-coloured reefs. Its interior is blanketed in jungle-clad mountains, with the iconic Chocolate Hills serving up sweet views.

Elsewhere, the tiny lively island of Borocay boasts beaches so white they look like they’ve been lifted from a Bounty advert. But if there’s somewhere you simply can’t miss on a holiday in the Philippines, it’s the azure lagoons and jaw-dropping limestone karsts of Palawan and specifically El Nido – islands consistently lauded as some of the best in the world. But make sure you hop around a selection of its enchanting islands – you won’t be disappointed.

A collection of dreamy azure lagoons, limestone karsts and emerald-wrapped islands, the Philippines screams exoticism. The country's array of luxury beachfront resorts give you a front row seat (and bed) to these gorgeous landscapes, so you can relax amid the paradise scenes on the likes of Boracay, Palawan or Bohol.

With over 7,000 islands scattered across approximately 115,000 square miles, it’s inevitable the weather slightly varies depending on which island group you’re visiting.

Generally, though, the best time to visit the Philippines is during its dry season from November to April. December to February sees the country at its coolest, with temperatures not deviating too far from 26°C. Plan a holiday early in the dry season (November and December) and you’ll see its islands at their most lush, including the Chocolate Hills. Visit in April and the famous hills will live more up to their name, turning a chocolate brown.

May can be a great little window in which to travel to the Philippines. While temperatures creep up to around 32°C, the rains are yet to get started and the crowds have already thinned out in anticipation of the wet season.

June to November marks the wet season where humidity is higher. While many get scared off by the term ‘monsoon’, many days are packed with sunshine hours and the rains (up until July, usually) only consist of short, intense downpours once dusk falls. This is especially the case of central islands such as Bohol and Cebu, and Palawan in the west.

Once August hits, the threat of tropical storms and typhoons increases but the central and western islands (Bohol, Cebu, Palawan) are least affected, protected by the country’s eastern chain. However, August and September is great for surfers heading for Siargao, where they’ll be greeted by monster waves. Surf’s up!