Season guide · Manila · Philippines
Manila in the hot dry season
March–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Hot, sunny days peaking in April and May; Holy Week empties the city and fills the beaches. Expect highs up to 34°C (93°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F), with about 17 rainy days across March–May. March is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- March–May
- Temperatures
- 25°C (77°F) to 34°C (93°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 17
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in the hot dry season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 32°C (90°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 3 | 12 h | 3/5 |
| April | 34°C (93°F) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 | 12.4 h | 3/5 |
| May | 34°C (93°F) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 | 12.8 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 33°C (91°F) against a yearly 32°C (90°F), and 17 of the year's roughly 141 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in the hot dry season
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- March: Holy Week (Semana Santa) — processions and church visits (March or April)
- April: Holy Week (some years fall in April)
- May: Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan — flower festivals and parades in parishes (throughout May)
Make the most of the weather
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Park · Ermita and Malate
Rizal Park (Luneta)
Visit in the late afternoon, then walk to the bayfront for the sunset.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- History
- Outdoors
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Waterfront · Ermita and Malate
Manila Bay sunset
Manila Bay sunsets, with the sun dropping behind ships at anchor and the mountains of Bataan, are famous.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- Views
- After dark
- Photo spot
Castle · Intramuros
Fort Santiago
Visit late afternoon for cooler air and river views from the ramparts.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Kids
Museum · Ermita and Malate
National Museum of Natural History
Housed in a restored 1940 government building, the museum is built around a central atrium with a towering 'Tree of Life' structure.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
- Architecture
Day trips in the hot dry season
- Corregidor Island (About 1–1.5 hours by ferry) — A fortified island at the entrance to Manila Bay, scene of a key Second World War battle, with ruined barracks, gun batteries, the Malinta Tunnel and a Pacific War memorial, usually toured by trolley bus.
- Pagsanjan Falls (About 2.5–3 hours by road) — Boatmen paddle and drag canoes upriver through a forested gorge to a waterfall, where a raft takes you under the cascade; the ride back down shoots small rapids.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the hot dry season a good time to visit Manila?
Yes: March is among the best months. Hot, sunny days peaking in April and May; Holy Week empties the city and fills the beaches.
+What is the weather like in Manila in the hot dry season?
Highs of up to 34°C (93°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F), with about 17 rainy days over the season.