The Philippine Weather - how much does it rain and when?

Enticing pictures of the Philippines is almost always shown with the bright sun shining ablaze. But don’t just rush to the Philippines expecting sunny skies because there are ‘rainy’ and even ‘stormy’ days in the Philippines that could ruin your vacation if you don’t plan it wisely. So before embarking on a getaway, don’t forget to ask your travel agent in the Philippines: “How much does it rain?” and “When does it usually rain?”.

Just so you’ll have an idea of when to travel to the Philippines, remember that the rain visits the country during May to October due to the summer monsoon. July to October is usually the time when typhoons of varying strength visit the country. In fact, these are the months when classes are usually suspended due to heavy rains, strong winds, and even floods. When visiting the Philippines during these times, always get in touch with your travel agent in the Philippines, so you’ll be prepared in cases of flight delays and cancellations due to the weather conditions. 

Travellers ought to be familiar with the two seasons of the Philippines -- Dry and Rainy. The dry season occurs in the months of December to May while the rainy season occurs in the months of June to November. However, the weather in the Philippines is not uniform and the eastern part of the country usually experiences the rainy days during December to March. Rainy days in the eastern areas, particularly in Eastern Visayas, has a record high of around 630 – 640 mm of rain during the month of December. 

Whenever visiting the Philippines, remember that the Philippine Area of Responsibility is visited by an average of twenty typhoons per year. To be on the safe side, if you do not know any locals, at least scout some travel agent in the Philippines to help you plan your trip wisely to avoid any contingencies. But if you would like to visit the country regardless of the possibility of heavy rains, places in Central Visayas like Cebu is the place to visit to experience little rain, as the area only has an average of 1,500 mm of rain in a year or as much as 200 mm of rain in the month of October. But if you’re the person who loves the rain, then a visit to Baguio would suit you as it experiences around 4,500 mm of rainfall in a year with over 1,100 mm of rainfall in the month of August.

A Walk in the Park: Philippine National Parks

Beach, historical places, bar hopping, and shopping – these perhaps are the top offerings of any travel agency in the Philippines whenever they are planning a getaway for most foreign and local tourists. However, the Philippine Islands offer a whole lot more. For the people who want to quench their adventure, or those who just want to get close to nature, or even those who just want to take a quiet stroll, a visit to some of the national parks in the Philippines can do a lot for your mind and body. 

In the Philippines, National Parks refer to those areas where historical or natural value is attributed such that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Philippine Legislature has deemed it proper to protect such areas by virtue of the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992. The Philippines endeavours to maintain its biodiversity. Thus, to preserve the abundant flora and fauna a total of 240 areas in the Philippines are considered protected areas. Among these protected areas, 34 of which are National Parks. 

Some of the most popular national parks often advertised by a travel agency in the Philippines are: Luneta National Park in Manila, Caramoan National Park in Camarines Sur, Mount Pulag National Park in Cordillera, Mount Arayat National Park in Pampanga, Pagsanjan Gorge National Park in Laguna, Mado Hot Spring National Park in Cotabato, Hundred Islands National Park in Pangasinan, Paoay Lake National Park in Ilocos Norte, Fuyot Springs National Park in Isabela, and the MacArthur Landing National Park in Leyte.

Luneta Park and MacArthur Park are top destinations for history enthusiasts. Luneta, then Bagubayan, was the site where the Philippine national hero named Jose Rizal was executed during the Spanish regime while MacArthur Park is popular as it is the landing site of General Douglas MacArthur, the esteemed General who helped end the Japanese occupation in the Philippines. 

A travel agency in the Philippines specializing in travel adventures would most likely recommend Mount Pulag and Mount Arayat as these parks are popular to both foreign and local hikers and trekkers.  Caramoan, Mado Hot Spring, Paoay Lake, Pagsanjan, Fuyot Springs, and Hundred Islands are the top picks for those people who want to get close to nature while wading in the waters. It is also worth noting that Caramoan has gained much popularity since it was featured as the location of the reality TV Series Survivor.

Palawan Destinations

The island province of Palawan is considered the last frontier of the Philippines, and as flight routes have opened up just a few years back, many of its beaches and islands still remain undisturbed by  travel packages and civilization. Many of Palawan’s islands are also remote, which makes it a favorable destination for backpackers and those seeking tropical areas that are off-the-beaten-path. But with the many destinations in Palawan, planning a trip to the islands can be overwhelming but we’ve simplified this for you by creating a simple guide to the main destinations:

Puerto Princesa:

The capital of Palawan, Puerto Princesa is the busiest city in the province and has been recognized for its green efforts. It is reachable through just an hour’s plane ride from Manila, although ferry routes are also available for those who are on a budget. Attractions within and nearby Puerto Princesa include the world-famous Subterranean River National Park or the Underground River, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Honda Bay, Butterfly Garden, and the Palawan Museum but it’s also ideal to shop for handcrafted wooden furniture and souvenirs.

Puerto Princesa offers a range of travel packages to suit every preference and budget; these include the Puerto Pension, Hibiscus Garden Hotel, Sunlight Guest Hotel, Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa, and Angela’s Farm.

Coron:

Situated on Busuanga Island, Coron is the main commercial area in the Calamianes group of islands in Palawan. Coron is accessible via quick budget flights from Manila from numerous local carriers. It is a popular beach and diving spot, known for its shipwrecks, emerald lakes, and numerous white-sand islands. Coron is frequented by divers but also has many coral reefs teeming with marine life, which one can enjoy even through snorkeling. Island-hopping is the most popular activity, with the routes covering Kayangan Lake, Banol Beach, Twin Lagoons, Malcapuya Island, Siete Pecados, and Banana Island among others.

Travel packages range from five-star to backpacker-friendly options; you can check out Coron Village Lodge, Club Paradise, El Rio Y Mar, Coron Hilltop View, Sea Dive Resort, and Kokosnuss.

El Nido:

El Nido is one of the most remote locations in Palawan; accessible either through pricey charter flights from Manila or via 6 hour long busses from Puerto Princesa. Either way, the destination on its own is rewarding: El Nido is framed by towering limestone formations and has emerald and turquoise beaches as well as magical lagoons to discover. Because the options to get here are either expensive or take too long, it remains virtually untouched and therefore appeals to soul-seekers, artists, or those who just want to get away from it all. Apart from island-hopping, there are a few treks to enjoy in El Nido, as well as water sports and wellness retreats.

Accommodations on the main town range from backpacker-style hotels to mid-range rooms but the surrounding islands are also home to the five-star Miniloc and Lagen Resorts. While in town, check out the Alternative Inn, Tandikan Beach Cottages, Dara Cottages, and Ogie Beach Pension.

Book a Palawan Tour!  Try these travel agents.

Quezon City Cheap Hotels

Quezon City is one of the most dynamic areas of Metropolitan Manila, and is a melting pot of people from all walks of life. There are hundreds of artsy shops, quaint restaurants, hole-in-the-wall establishments, and quirky cafes that add character to Quezon City. The city is named after former Philippine President Manuel Quezon, and it was even the Philippine’s capital during the years 1946 to 1972.
More travelers are discovering the numerous attractions that Quezon City has to offer, and the growth of budget hotels has risen dramatically. Experiencing the eclectic, indie vibe of the city doesn’t have to hurt your wallet; read on below to see some recommended budget hotels.

1.    The Orange Place Hotel, located at 26 Kamias Road has standard, fan rooms, family rooms, and budget queen rooms for travelers visiting alone or with companions. The rooms are equipped with basic amenities and have wooden furniture, while the hotel has a restaurant serving affordable local fare.

2.    Dangay Suites Apartment at 99-A Dangay Street in Project 7, has rooms which can be rented out daily or monthly. The compound has two buildings with 3 storeys each, housing 15 homey apartments. What originally started out as monthly rentals for local families, Dangay Suites transformed into a transient home catering to local and international travelers in 2009. There are daily and monthly rates for occupancies ranging from 1 to 8 persons, and room amenities at Dangay include utilities, water, cable television, private bathroom, and air-conditioning.

3.    Sir Williams Hotel is also a home alternative to budget hotels in Quezon City. It’s located at 39 Timog Avenue, just a 5 minute walk from shops and restaurants in the area. Sir Williams offers 7 types of rooms, from basic standard rooms to a one bedroom suite to accommodate travelers looking for cheap hotels. Each room features a 21 inch flat screen television, air conditioner, hair dryer, and telephone.

4.    Mariposa Budget Hotel in Cubao is one of the hotels in the Mariposa group that are known for offering quality budget accommodation in Manila. It is conveniently located within the Araneta Commercial Center, and offers guests a choice between Mega and Deluxe rooms. Each  air-conditioned room comes with LCD television, private bath, hot and cold shower.

5.    Stonehouse Bed and Breakfast at 1315 E. Rodriguez Avenue is a charming accommodation option in Quezon City. Guests can choose from 9 different room types, each of which is equipped with private bath, air conditioning, wireless internet access, and cable television. Daily newspapers are also available for guests who want to read up on the latest local news at Stonehouse. The hotel is also equipped with a business center, jazz bar, and restaurant, making Stonehouse Bed and Breakfast one of the top choices for budget accommodation in Quezon City.



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Three Must Sees in Manila

Everyone has something they want to do. Some call it a wish list. Others call it a bucket list.  If you plan on travelling to or around the Philippines, then a list to do would probably make the trip run smoother.

Manila, the National Capital Region of the Philippines, has plenty of tourist attraction that many have on their list to see. Rizal Park is probably on the top five list of tourist spots in Manila that people come to visit. It’s where the national hero, Jose Rizal, was martyred through a military musketry at the time Spain occupied the country in the nineteenth century. The park includes the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, Manila Planetarium, Quirino Grandstand, Ocean Adventure Park, part of Manila Bay, and the giant map of the Philippines. There were plenty of luxury hotels close to the park, so you won’t have a very difficult time looking for one to stay in.

Quiapo Church is another popular tourist spot in Manila that many make an effort to visit. Many tourists that come to Manila never miss the chance to see the old Quiapo Church. It is located in Plaza Miranda, which is the historical center in Manila where congresses of the streets gather and announce their political agenda or complaints against the government. Quiapo Church is the home to the Black Nazarene, which is paraded each year with crowds of believers escorting it in a very expressive procession.

If you want to visit a museum in Manila, Ayala Museum is one place you definitely don’t want to miss. It’s an art and history gallery, which was established in 1967 and started out as a repository of Philippine history and iconography. Today it features both fine arts and history and is owned by Fernando Zobel.

Philippine food is also something tourists love to try and are on their bucket list when they plan to visit the country. They can be found at regular restaurants in the malls or some shopping districts, but they can also be found in the many luxury hotels in Manila. One famous Filipino dish is Lumpia, which is an egg roll that is deep-fried and filled with ground or minced pork, beef or veggies. It is usually served with sweet and sour sauce and is eaten mostly as an appetizer. Pancit is also a dish that’s pretty well known in the Philippines. It’s a food that can differ greatly from recipe to recipe. Basically, it consists of noodles, meat slices, and vegetables. Pancit is a main course and is most often served for dinner.    To try one of these, call a Filipino restaurant and make a reservation!  

Do Your Travelling Pants Have Shallow Pockets? Ten Things to do in Downtown Manila

There are two kinds of traveler: the traveler with a pocket full of money and would be willing to splurge on fine-dining, entertainment and comfort; the traveler who's adventurous, wants to make the most of his trip all the time, avails of a travel promo because he is on a tight budget, has shallow pockets, so to speak.

Now if you are the latter and are planning to explore the downtown of Manila, indeed, it would be very wise to take advantage of  budget travel offered by a travel agency of your choice. One that will fit your budget, but will never compromise your experience.

Since Manila is considered as the biggest, busiest and most urbanized city in the Philippines, the tours or activities included in your budget travel may differ from others. But if you decided not to avail of one, here are ten things to do in Manila that you surely would not want to miss.

Ride the Jeepney. The Jeepney is the most popular mode of transportation and is, in fact, a symbol of the country's culture. Manila Jeepneys are colourfully decorated and made of stainless steel. Drivers are famous for multi-tasking, receiving payment while giving the change while driving, that is.

If you are into shopping or just love window shopping, go "malling" in Manila. Usually, a mall is situated in every station of the Metro Rail Transit, or more commonly called,  MRT. When you get off Ayala Station in Makati, you can already go inside SM Makati without a chance of getting lost. Walk a little further then you can check out Glorietta Malls, Landmark, and if you're into high-end shopping and dining, Greenbelt is the place to visit. However, if you don't want the overpriced things in the mall, go for the generic. Thus, you might want to visit Divisoria, considered as the shopping mecca of the Philippines. It has everything you need and you can buy them at a very cheap price, cheaper even, only if you know the art of haggling.

Visit Luneta Park for a quick retrospect on how brave Filipinos, Jose Rizal for one, fought for the country. Take a walk in its Chinese, Japanese and tropical gardens or stroll right in front of Rizal's Monument then stand on the 0km post, the spot where distances in the Philippines are measured, snap a photo.

At the back of the mentioned park is the Manila Ocean Park. It is a world-class marine theme park meant to cater to and fascinate people of all ages. The Oceanarium houses freshwater and saltwater species which can be witnessed by walking inside its huge underwater tunnel. No worries, the entrance is wallet-friendly. You can always choose other activities according to your preference and budget.

 Need some refreshments? Try Halo-halo (click for recipe), a combination of a cup of finely shaved ice, creamy milk, tapioca pearls and some sweetened beans and fruit below; a slice of Leche flan on top. It would surely quench your thirst, delight your taste buds and cool your body in this warm Philippine weather.

Watch the sun set in Manila Bay. Stroll along the bay and have your camera handy. Feel the breeze and enjoy the sound of the waves that hit the ground. It's an escape from the busy honking streets of Manila.

Want to have some fun in the evening? Head over to Malate, Manila. There's a concentration of clubs and pubs in the area where you can drink all you want, dance and be merry as if it's going to be the zombie apocalypse tomorrow. However, if you prefer to just sit, watch and have a laugh, then visit a comedy bar such as The Library. You might get stomach ache from the laughing though. You've been warned.

How about an exotic food after the nightlife? A warm "Balut", a fertilized duck egg, is the best for you. You can season it with spicy vinegar and a pinch of salt. The broth can be sipped before peeling the entire shell. Once done, you can munch on everything that's left. There, it's as if you swallowed a potion of stamina.

For budget travel or not, you would surely enjoy travelling in Manila. Just figure out the things you want to do, places you want to visit and have a map or GPS handy. Also, always keep an eye on your valuables.

Philippine Currency

Traveling to the Philippines can be a dream vacation. There will be a lot of planning and budgeting needed to ensure that your trip to this Asian paradise be a memorable and comfortable one. One of the most convenient things to do is to check out with various travel agencies who can help you figure out the spending and expenses needed for a trip to the Philippines.

Typically when you travel outside the city capital (Manila)  the cost will be at about 1,800pesos a day.

Hotel accommodations are ranging from 1,000 – 1,300 pesos if you are on budget. Food can be affordable too. There are a lot of food chains which are quite familiar to global visitors.

This is to cover a backpacker guesthouse, food and some traveling to some of the best places in town. If you are able to travel with ample budget, you can get the best hotel accommodation and sumptuous meals all throughout your vacation. Basically, there is an available option for various travelers. The numerous travel agencies manila can definitely assist you in finding a travel package which is suitable to your budget.


Before you head out for your Philippine getaway, you must understand the basic currencies used. The unit of currency is the Philippine Peso (peso) with the following denominations 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 pesos. Philippines peso Coins are in 10c and 25c pieces, and P1, P5 and P10.

Be a smart traveller when you head out to the Philippines. You can make use of cash cards, credit cards and debit cards. This will make shopping and paying for hotel accommodations a lot easier. However, if you are heading out to rural areas, you might need to stock up some local cash as there are no ATMs in some far flung areas.

For a safer traveling experience, consult your with local travel agencies regarding the approved types of credit cards around the country.




Check xe.com, they even have a great app fro your smart phone for the latest conversion.

Philippine Waterfalls

Seeing a waterfall alone is jaw dropping. There is something in it that is so majestic and makes you say that God really showers us with many blessings. This is a location where the water flows over a vertical drop in the stream or river. Just looking at it is so relaxing. You can even swim at the nearby waters and just tour via a boat. What is fun in this waterfalls is that you need to travel to far places just to see them but when you are already there, you will eventually say that the trip is all worth it. More and more establishments are put nearby these famous waterfalls made especially for the tourists. Cheap hotels are a lifesaver if you want to see the waterfall and want to proceed to your next destination.

There are actually not too many waterfalls in the Philippines. Most of them are located in far provinces but the beauty of these waterfalls is equivalent to a thousand waterfalls you will ever see. There are just a total of 13 waterfalls of the Philippines. You should definitely try going to at least three of them. There is nothing to worry if you want to stay there for days or weeks because there are cheap hotels near the corner where you can stay. Waterfalls is a great unique spot for those adventure seeking or even those who just want to see the beauty of these waterfalls.

Who would not praise Pagsanjan Falls for its wonders? This is one of the most famous falls in the Philippines where most tourists are opting to go. Just a couple of hours away from the stressful Manila lies a place that is truly God sent. The 91-meter fall is enough to make you realize that the Philippines is given a good natural water scenery. The 1 hour boat ride is a good guide for the tourists and for them to appreciate more the surrounding of Pagsanjan Falls.

The famous Pagsanjan Falls is not only the waterfall Philippines has the right to boast. Maria Cristina Falls is an excellent choice if you want to travel to a further place. This waterfall lies in Agus River in Mindanao. There are also cheap hotels near this falls that are ready to cater their adventurous vacationers.

Here are the rest of the waterfalls in the Philippines that you should visit: Abaga Falls, Camaya Waterfalls, Dodiongan Falls, Epol Falls, Hinulugang Taktak, Kaytitinga Falls, Limunsudan Falls, Mantayupan Falls, Pulacan Falls, Tinago Falls and Tinuy-an Falls