When to go

The best time to go to the Philippines is from December to February, when temperatures are at their coolest and the rain generally stays away. Things hot up from March to May, making sightseeing unpleasant, particularly with the high humidity. Aim to spend plenty of time in the water – or head for higher ground, such as the Banaue rice terraces. The rains can cause disruption for planes, cars and boats from June to October and there is a risk of cyclones; small group holidays typically don’t run during this period.