What to pack for your trip to the Philippines

Packing is often one of the most stressful parts of travel. Whether you’ve left it to the last minute, forgotten to order something essential, or simply don’t know what to bring for your destination.

The Philippines is one of our all-time favorite countries, and after spending plenty of time exploring its islands, we’ve learned exactly what you don’t want to leave behind.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about the weather in the Philippines, staying safe in the sun, and most importantly, what to pack for a smooth, stress-free trip.

When is the best time to visit the Philippines? 

Before you even get your suitcase or backpack out of the cupboard, you should research what the weather will be like during your trip. What you discover will ultimately dictate what you pack for the Philippines. 

With over 7,000 islands, the Philippines offers sunshine somewhere year-round — if you know where the look. And being the magical tropical destination it’s known for, you’ll likely get temperatures ranging between 22°C to 29°C no matter the time of year. 

Dry season (November to April)

In general, the best time to visit the Philippines is during the dry season, from November to April, when the weather is sunny, and island-hopping, beach trips, and outdoor adventures are at their best. 

The dry season doesn’t mean you should leave your rain jacket at home. The weather in the Philippines likes to keep you on your toes.

March 2026 is when we'll be heading to the Philippines on our Magic of the Visayas group tour, making the most of the dry season.

Wet season (May to October)

The wet season, from May to October, sees fewer tourists and lower prices but comes with heavy rains and possible typhoons, particularly from July to September. 

However, destinations like Siargao and Batanes shine during these months with lush landscapes and great surfing conditions.

Be careful with the Filipino sun

No matter when you visit the Philippines, take sun protection seriously. Being close to the equator, the country receives intense UV rays year-round, which are far stronger than what many travelers are used to in northern climates. That means sunburn can happen quickly, even on cloudy days.

Much of your time here will be spent outdoors — island-hopping by boat, snorkeling for hours, lounging on the beach, or just wandering around town.

Use a high-SPF sunscreen, reapply often (especially after swimming), and keep your skin covered where possible. Rash vests or SPF swim tops are a smart way to enjoy the water without overexposing your skin.

Decathlon has some really nice choices, or plenty will be sold when you arrive in a Filipino beach town. 

How many days should you spend in the Philippines?

Another factor influencing your packing list for the Philippines is how long you’re going for. So how long should you spend in the Philippines? 

Our honest answer is months, but our realistic one is around two weeks. Most people have limited annual leave, and if that’s the case, we recommend picking a region and sticking to it. 

A common mistake people make is trying to cram everything in. If you do this, you’ll spend most of your time travelling between islands on ferries, flights, and tuk-tuks rather than actually enjoying yourself. 

How should you spend your time in the Philippines?

Explore the Palawan region if you want to visit the world-famous El Nido and Coron. It has more to offer than just these two destinations. 

If you are looking for fewer tourists, head to the Visayas region and island-hop through Bohol, Malapascua, Siquijor, and Leyte. Or join our 10-day Philippines group tour which shows you the best of this region stress and hassle-free.

The ultimate packing list for the Philippines

When people think of the Philippines, most just imagine beaches, but our Philippines: Magic of the Visayas trip offers much more — cities, jungle, mountains, and volcanoes. 

Depending on your itinerary, you’ll want to tailor your packing list to your activities. To get you started, here is our essential Philippines packing list:  

Clothing

• Loose fitting clothing to make the heat and humidity bearable: t-shirts, dresses, skirts, flowy trousers, shorts etc. 
• Long-sleeve shirts are our saviors from the sun
• Light rain jacket
• Light jumper or cardigan for plane and ferry rides between islands. They sometimes jack up the A/C
• Swimwear and beachwear
• Rash vest or SPF sun top: we’re not joking about the Filipino sun. Stay protected on boat and snorkelling trips, where you’ll spend hours in the sun. 
• Comfortable walking shoes 
• Sandals or flip flops
• Sunhat 
• Sunglasses

Toiletries 

• Shampoo 
• Conditioner 
• Body wash 
• Deodorant 
• Toothbrush 
• Toothpaste
• Reef safe suncream
• Bug spray
• Personal medication

Extra things to pack

• Travel adaptor: The Philippines uses type A, B, and C plugs
• Day pack or bum bag
• Dry bag for boat trips where your valuables might get wet
• Power bank: Not a necessity, but you never know when it will come in handy on a long travel day or day trip
• Your own snorkel gear to save money having to rent it all the time

While you can't physically pack this must-have item, we don't recommend travelling without it...travel insurance! 

We highly recommend Safety Wing for their flexible and extensive coverage, plus amazing customer service.

Join a group trip to the Philippines

If you've just read this packing list, but haven't actually got a trip booked there yet...join us!

Stay Wild Travel organises group trips for women that are centred around authentic local experiences, empowering women, and building meaningful connections with the people, culture, and traditional cuisines of each destination.

Our epic 10-day Philippines tour takes you island hopping through the Visayas, exploring islands like Bohol, Siquijor and Cebu. Once you read this itinerary, you'll be packing your bags already!