March is another very good month to be in the Philippines. The odd rain shower aside, it continues to remain largely dry – if albeit slightly warmer than in January and February – in these Pearls of the Orient as the first quarter of the year comes to an end. The average temperature ranges from an approximate high of 32°C (90°F) and an approximate low of 22°C (72°F).
March is a very popular time to be traveling in the Philippines. It's not quite as busy as it is during January or February and most places can be enjoyed in relative comfort and quiet. That being said, the period leading up to Easter and the holiday itself draw huge crowds. Finding good accommodation during this time can prove difficult, business hours are affected, and transportation options can be limited. Prices skyrocket during this time, so it's best to book in advance if you think you'll be in the Philippines around Easter.
Although dry, it can get a little warm and humid in the Philippines during March. Linen and cotton clothing do wonders to keep you cool and comfortable, and we recommend packing plenty of tops and shorts made of these light fabrics. Other March-in-the-Philippines essentials include plenty of sunscreen, sunglasses, sunhats, skirts, summer dresses, swimwear, a pair of trusted sandals, shoes for night outs, reef shoes, and a couple of scarves if you plan to visit any religious sites as it's a good idea to keep your shoulders and legs covered when visiting such places.
To better understand what the Philippines is like when it comes to climate and weather conditions during the month of March, continue reading below.
The Philippines Weather in March: Overview
- Average temperature range: 22°C (72°F) – 32°C (90°F)
- Rainfall: 10 mm (0.5 inches) in Manila; 30 mm (1 inch) in Palawan; 40 mm (1.5 inches) in Cebu; 50 mm (2 inches) in Boracay.
- Rainy days: 1 in Manila; 6 in Palawan; 9 in Cebu; 6 in Boracay.
Although the occasional rains can be expected, especially in places like Cebu and Boracay, it is largely dry in most of the Philippines during March. Typhoons are very rare during this time of the year, but we always advise travelers to check local weather reports and forecasts to stay safe and informed.
Weather conditions vary throughout the country. The average maximum temperature during March is 31°C (88°F) in Manila, 32°C (90°F) in Palawan, 30°C (86°F) in Cebu, and 31°C (88°F) in Boracay. The average minimum temperature is 25°C (75°F) in Manila, 24°C (75°F) in Palawan, 23°C (73°F) in Cebu, and 24°C (75°F) in Boracay.
March is a great time to be in the Philippines if you're looking to soak in some Vitamin D and cool off with a splash. It's also a good time to get some hiking done in the northern part of the country.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
|
|
Great agency with a super team!
I have been using the Asiahighlights and I am completely satisfied. I have a central point of contact that is Mrs Albee that is prompt to answer any question or request and ready to guarantee you a perfect trip. The guides, cars and tours are perfect. During a trip Albee helps in any case you need for a simple question or a con More
Valeria, Jun 2025
|
Our tour guide Ms Mam made our Bangkok…
Our tour guide Ms Mam made our Bangkok trip smoothly and comfortably. I can’t expect she escorted us to the airport ticket booth and security screening area. Highly recommend Ms Mam and her driver. We received cool towel and iced water whenever we backed to our car… can’t express our gratitude for the incredible hospitality service. More
Qing Qin, Jun 2025
|
Chiang Mai trip
Poli, our tour guide was amazing. He was very informative and flexible with the interests and needs of our group More
Aidan, Jun 2025
|
Weather of the Philippines' Major Cities in March
| City | Min. Temp | Max. Temp | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luzon | 24°C (75°F) | 31°C (88°F) | 30 mm (1 inch) |
| Manila | 25°C (77°F) | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.5 inches) |
| Palawan | 24°C (75°F) | 32°C (90°F) | 30 mm (1 inch) |
| Cebu | 23°C (73°F) | 30°C (86°F) | 40 mm (1.5 inches) |
| Bohol | 22°C (72°F) | 30°C (86°F) | 40 mm (1.5 inches) |
| Siquijor | 25°C (77°F) | 30°C (86°F) | 45 mm (2 inches) |
| Boracay | 24°C (75°F) | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 inches) |
Best Places to Visit in the Philippines in March
1.Cebu
Cebu is one of the most beautiful places to visit if you're ever in the Philippines, and home to many beach resorts, waterfalls, and dive sites. It's one of the best places in the country if you're looking to go snorkeling in the area's bright blue, crystal clear, waters.
An important thing to note is that Cebu's diving and snorkeling scene also draws a lot of tourists to the area as it's known to have quite a few Whale Sharks. However, there have been reports of these creatures being overfed by tour companies to make sure they don't leave the area as they'd normally do when migrating. This makes the Whale Sharks overly dependent on human feeding, prevents them from reproducing, and is overall bad for the species. As such, we'd caution against, or at least encourage you to ask plenty of questions when engaging with tour companies promoting diving with Whale Sharks.
2.Luzon
A trip to Luzon ought to be on your travel cards considering March is quite a dry month in the Philippines. The region is home to the Philippine Cordilleras, a massive, protected, UNESCO World Heritage site home to many stunning rice terraces. Some of the most gorgeous ones in the area to hike your way up to include Batad, Mayoyao, and Bangaan. The hikes are not very strenuous and the mild challenge comes with otherworldly picturesque rewards certain to make up for any minor discomfort felt along the way.
March Crowds and Costs
Although less crowded than it is during January or February, March continues to be a busy time to be traveling in the Philippines. Generally speaking, visits to the beaches, museums, markets, and other popular tourist attractions can be managed without having to worry about them being overly crowded or busy.
The one exception to March being comparatively quieter than January or February is Easter and the period leading up to the festival. Tourists, both local and foreign, travel around the country during this time, so you can expect hotels to be booked up, transportation to get affected, business hours to be slashed, and prices to skyrocket. We recommend booking far in advance if you think you'll be traveling around the Philippines around Easter to get the best deals, especially on accommodation and airfare.
Easter is observed in March or April, depending on the year.
March Events in the Philippines
Kaamulan Festival: Kaamulan takes place from February to March every year, celebrating the rich diversity of seven indigenous cultures in the Bukidnon province of the Philippines. These seven tribes are Higa-onon, Talaandig, Umayamnon, Matigsalug, Tigawahanon, Manobo, and Bukidnon. Celebrations commemorate the cultural pride and regional unity of these seven tribes by way of parades, dances, and musical performances.
Arya Abra: March 6th to 10th every year includes days of festivities in the landlocked province of Abra. The festival commemorates the founding anniversary of this province and the gathering of its northern tribes by promoting the region's trade and commerce through a trade fair whilst also organizing special activities celebrating the province's farmers, veterans, and youth. The famous horse race, or karambola, and bamboo rafting, or Karerakit, are also mainstays of every Arya Abra festival.
Easter: Semana Santa, or the Holy Week, culminates with nationwide celebrations of Mariones, or Easter weekend. Easter, the day Jesus Christ was resurrected, is a hugely important religious festival in the Philippines, and the week leading up to it is celebrated by spending time with family and attending ceremonies. The day of Easter itself is marked by vigils, processions, and egg hunts.
What to Wear in the Philippines in March
March is dry but temperatures and levels of humidity steadily rise the deeper we get into the month. It can be especially warm during the afternoons. We can't recommend fabrics that are light and comfortable like linen and cotton enough; tops and shorts made of linen or cotton are always easy to pack, versatile, and go the extra mile in keeping you cool and comfortable.
You should also make sure your packing list includes plenty of sunscreen, a pair of sunglasses, a couple of sunhats, skirts, summer dresses, comfortable sandals for walking, shoes you could wear on a night out, reef shoes for when you go swimming or snorkeling, and of course, your swimwear. It's also a good idea to carry a couple of scarves with you when you visit religious sites 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 on 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!