February is another fantastic month to be traveling in the Philippines. It's largely cool and dry, with temperatures hovering around highs of 30°C (86°F) and lows of 22°C (72°F).
The good weather results in February being one of the busiest times to travel in the Philippines. February is not as crowded or packed as the first weeks of January, but that's not to say it's not really busy during February either. Prices in February will have gone down slightly from the highs set by hotels and transportation companies during January, but it'll remain expensive, nonetheless. As such, it's best always book in advance if you're in the mood to snag a good deal.
Soft, breathable, fabrics like linen and cotton tops and shorts are your sure-shot best friends to stay cool, comfortable, and stylish during February in The Philippines. Don't forget other travel essentials like sunhats, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, reef shoes for swimming, a good pair of walking sandals, shoes, skirts and dresses, and a couple of scarves to keep your legs and shoulders covered 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 February, continue reading below.
The Philippines Weather in February: Overview
- Average temperature range: 22°C (72°F) – 30°C (86°F)
- Rainfall: 10 mm (0.5 inches) in Manila; 30 mm (1 inch) in Palawan; 45 mm (2 inches) in Cebu; 60 mm (2.5 inches) in Boracay.
- Rainy days: 2 in Manila; 7 in Palawan; 9 in Cebu; 7 in Boracay.
Generally mild levels of rainfall can be expected in the Philippines during February. That being said, there have been rare cases of typhoons occurring even as late as February, despite the fact that the typhoon season in the country is usually from June to September. As such, we recommend you always check local weather reports and forecasts to stay updated and safe.
The average temperatures in the Philippines during February vary from region to region. The average temperature high during the month is around 30°C (86°F) in Manila, 30°C (86°F) in Palawan, 29°C (84°F) in Cebu, and 29°C (84°F) in Boracay. The average temperature low during the month is around 24°C (75°F) in Manila, 23°C (73°F) in Palawan, 24°C (75°F) in Cebu, and 23°C (73°F) in Boracay.
February is one of the best months to be out and about exploring these Gems of the East and partaking in as many outdoor activities as possible, whether it be hiking, snorkeling, swimming, or scuba diving!
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Weather of the Philippines' Major Cities in February
| City | Min. Temp | Max. Temp | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luzon | 23°C (73°F) | 30°C (86°F) | 35 mm (1.5 inches) |
| Manila | 24°C (75°F) | 30°C (86°F) | 10 mm (0.5 inches) |
| Palawan | 23°C (73°F) | 30°C (86°F) | 30 mm (1 inch) |
| Cebu | 24°C (75°F) | 29°C (84°F) | 45 mm (2 inches) |
| Bohol | 22°C (72°F) | 29°C (84°F) | 40 mm (1.5 inches) |
| Siquijor | 24°C (75°F) | 28°C (82°F) | 40 mm (1.5 inches) |
| Boracay | 23°C (73°F) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.5 inches) |
Best Places to Visit in the Philippines in February
1. Palawan
Palawan has so much to offer visitors that it has to make almost every list of 'Best Places to Visit' in the Filipino Islands. We recommend taking enough time off, so that you can visit El Nido, Puerto Princesa, and Coron.
The turquoise blue waters amid towering karst cliffs make Palawan ideal for not just clicking endless photographs, but also swimming and snorkeling.
2. Boracay
Although comparatively smaller than many other islands in the Philippines, Boracay offers you postcard-perfect images of pristine beaches and waters painted with hues of a soothing blue. When here, you have to spend some time on White Beach to take in the sunset before heading on over to Willy's Rock. Parasailing is another fun activity to try before you leave the island.
Boracay is also home to some excellent restaurants like Wave, Savoy Café, Munimuni, and Nonie's.
3. Luzon
The good February weather makes Luzon perfect for those who are into hiking. The region is home to the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage site, the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras. This is a larger, protected, area, home to some of the most beautiful rice terraces in the country like Batad, Mayoyao, and Bangaan, that offer views so stunning that the mild challenge of a short hike will prove worth every bit of effort.
February Crowds and Costs
Although February is another peak travel month in the Philippines, it's not quite as busy or crowded as January. That's not to say you won't come across some crowds or have to wait in lines when visiting your favorite beaches, rice terraces, or other tourist attractions, but again, it's not as packed as is generally the case during the first half of January.
Prices for most things including airfare, transportation, accommodation, and entertainment will have also gone down a little bit from their peak season highs set in January but will still remain on the relatively steeper side throughout February. If you're not looking to pay way over the odds for accommodation and transportation, it's best to book these far in advance.
February Events in the Philippines
Kaamulan Festival: Kaamulan is a very important festival celebrating the unique indigenous culture of the seven tribes of Bukidnon province. The seven tribes are Higa-onon, Talaandig, Umayamnon, Matigsalug, Tigawahanon, Manobo, and Bukidnon. The cultural pride, sense of unity, and harmonious diversity shared by these seven tribes is celebrated during the second half of February through the first week of March every year.
Chinese Lunar New Year: Celebrated every January or February depending on the day of actual observance in the lunar calendar, the Chinese New Year is especially big in the capital city of Manila. Manila's Chinatown is said to be one of the oldest in the world and people, Chinese or not, take to the streets to enjoy the dragon dances, shop, and eat till the very late hours of the evening.
Patunob Festival: Patunob, or Patunob sa Birhen sa Lourdes, is a festival that takes places during the second week of every February celebrating the life and works of Mother Mary. Rituals of blessings are officiated by women healer devotees, and the municipality of Binguan marks the day with processions, songs, and dances aplenty!
What to Wear in the Philippines in February
Although it's cool and dry in the Philippines during February, you still want to be prepared for the steady increase in temperatures experienced during the afternoons. Light, breathable, fabrics like linen and cotton are your fashion friends there to keep you comfortable, cool, and looking good!
Apart from including linen tops and shorts, your packing list should also include a pair of trusted sunglasses, sunhats, sunscreen, a pair of comfortable sandals for walking, a pair of shoes, skirts and dresses, reef shoes if you plan on swimming, swimwear, and a couple of scarves you may need when visiting churches or temples to keep your shoulders and legs covered.
Explore the Philippines with Highlights Travel
If you're thinking of planning a trip to the Philippines, you've landed at the right page!
Our team of travel experts at Highlights Travel 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!
