Philippines Weather in October: Travel Tips for First-Timers (2024)

The rainy season in the Philippines draws to an end towards the end of October. Rains and showers can still be expected but most of these will be concentrated towards the first half of the month. The second half of October features mostly clear days. The places most affected by the October rains are Luzon and Boracay. Average temperatures in the Philippines during October range from maximums of 31°C (88°F) and minimums of 24°C (75°F).

October sits between the height of the rainy season and the beginning of the drier wintry season and is thereby classified as the classic shoulder season for travel. The first part of the month is rainy and free of many tourists or higher prices but the second half of the month, due to its better weather conditions, brings with it more travelers into the country and the resultant hike in costs related to accommodation, transport, and entertainment.

The first part of October is wet whereas the second half of the month is drier, with higher levels of humidity a mainstay. This means you should carry an umbrella, raincoat, poncho, quick drying clothes, pants, linen or cotton tops and shorts, sturdy sandals, waterproof shoes, reef shoes, swimwear, sunglasses, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and a few scarves to cover your shoulders and legs when visiting churches and temples.

To better understand what the Philippines is like when it comes to climate and weather conditions during the month of October, continue reading below.

The Philippines Weather in October: Overview

• Average temperature range: 24°C (75°F) – 31°C (88°F)
• Rainfall: 95 mm (3.5 inches) in Manila; 150 mm (6 inches) in Palawan; 110 mm (4 inches) in Cebu; 370 mm (14.5 inches) in Boracay.
• Rainy days: 13 in Manila; 21 in Palawan; 19 in Cebu; 22 in Boracay.

The first half of October continues to be rainy like its preceding months, but the latter half of the month features generally clearer skies. While the height of the typhoon season concludes by the time September comes to an end, October still features plenty of risk from the typhoons. It's not uncommon, especially of late, to see major storms developing even much after the widely accepted June to September typhoon season supposedly ends. This makes it very important, then, to constantly check weather reports and forecasts to stay informed and alert on any inclement weather conditions developing nearby.

Temperatures cool off ever so slightly in the Philippines during the month of October. Average daytime highs in Manila are closer to 31°C (88°F), 29°C (84°F) in Palawan, 29°C (84°F) in Cebu, and 31°C (88°F) in Boracay. Average nighttime lows, on the other hand, are closer to 25°C (75°F) in Manila, 26°C (79°F) in Palawan, 25°C (77°F) in Cebu, and 25°C (77°F) in Boracay.

Although there are some rains during October, the month features generally fair weather. So, if you're looking for some time to explore the Philippines in generally good weather, without having too many tourists around, without having to pay over the odds on anything, and with the opportunity to experience one of the country's greatest celebrations in MassKara, there's no time quite like October!

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Weather of the Philippines' Major Cities in October

Best Places to Visit in the Philippines in October

1.Bacolod

Bacolod, the City of Smiles, plays host to the festival of MassKara, an experience you mustn't miss if traveling to the Philippines during October. The festival is a celebration of the city's history and culture featuring lots of good food, parades, dances, and partying! Bacolod is also home to some incredible fare including chicken inasal, or roast chicken skewers marinated in vinegar, calamansi and other spices, K.B.L., which is a soup made of pigeon peas, pork and jackfruit, desserts like Guapple Pie, made of a hybrid guava and apple fruit and mixed with cinnamon. These alone are worth making a trip to the city for!

2.Manila

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is the country's economic and administrative hub, whilst also being its heartbeat. It's well known for its incredible dining and nightlife, and having experienced centuries of influence from both the different regions of the country itself and cultures overseas, has been a hotbed of historical activity for a long time. During your stay in the capital, you must visit Intramuros, or the "Walled City" wherein lay administrative and political power during the days of colonialism, Fort Santiago, and the Shrine of the Black Nazarene.

October Crowds and Costs

October sits between the height of the rainy season and the drier wintery months, thereby classifying itself as the quintessential shoulder season for tourism. The first part of the month is still rainy and as a result, free from large groups of tourists, or higher prices.

The latter parts of the month, though, features clearer skies and better weather and these bring with them a larger number of travelers making their way to the Philippines and prices for accommodation and transport gradually increasing.

October Events in the Philippines

MassKara: A national favorite, the MassKara festival takes place on the fourth Sunday of every October in the city of Bacolod in the Philippines. Spanning over four decades, the MassKara festival celebrates Bacolod City's history, culture, culinary heritage, and performance arts. You should definitely make your way to Bacolod Public Plaza, where the festival takes place, to immerse yourself in a celebration of dance performances, evening parades, light shows, food tastings, and a lot of partying! Trust us, MassKara is a national favorite for a reason, and you simply don't want to miss out on the opportunity to be a part of it.

What to Wear in the Philippines in October

Since October brings with it both wet and dry weather, it's important to plan for both. The remnants of the rainy season let themselves be known during the first couple of weeks of the month and this is the time when it's important to have with you an umbrella, raincoat, a poncho, and some clothes made of quick-dry fabrics. For the drier second half of the month, humidity will persist, making it important to dress in clothes made of light, breathable, fabrics like cotton and linen.

If you're traveling to the Philippines during October, make sure you have the following items packed: an umbrella, a light raincoat, poncho, quick drying pants and tops, linen or cotton tops and shorts, sturdy sandals, waterproof shoes, reef shoes, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, mosquito repellent, and a few scarves that will come in handy when visiting churches and temples.

Explore the Philippines with Global Highlights

If you're thinking of planning a trip to the Philippines, you've landed at the right page! Our team of travel experts at Global Highlights takes immense pride in making sure you have as memorable a trip to the Philippines as possible, and we use our expertise and attention to detail to curate trips for you and your loved ones that are both unique and dreamy. We'll keep everything from weather conditions to special interests in mind, so that you can just relax and enjoy the journey!