Philippines - Things to Do in Philippines in July

Things to Do in Philippines in July

July weather, activities, events & insider tips

July Weather in Philippines

Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance

87°F (31°C) High Temp
68°F (20°C) Low Temp
2.0 inches (51 mm) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is July Right for You?

Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking

Advantages
  • + July rides the quiet seam between habagat monsoon and the dry spell, delivering only 10 rainy days instead of the 20+ that swamp August. Mornings dip below 75°F (24°C), good for island-hopping without the Easter or Christmas crush.
  • + Since Easter peak, flights and hotels have slid 15-25 %; you’ll now lock beach-front rooms in Boracay or El Nido for less than peak-season hostel bunks.
  • + Fruit stalls across the Philippines spill over with atis, rambutan, and the first lanzones of the year—flavours impossible to recreate beyond the archipelago.
  • + Ocean temps linger at 82°F (28°C), so even quick showers feel warm; once storms pass, water clarity around Apo Reef and Coron remains solid for snorkeling.
Considerations
  • Sudden squalls can ground bangka boats for half a day; on a tight itinerary you risk losing one of your three island days.
  • Humidity sticks near 70 %—clothes refuse to dry and the air turns thick the instant you leave air-conditioning.
  • Some dive operators in Malapascua close or cut schedules in July because fewer live-aboard guests show up.

Year-Round Climate

How July compares to the rest of the year

Monthly Climate Data for Philippines Average temperature and rainfall by month Climate Overview 15°C 20°C 26°C 31°C 37°C Rainfall (mm) 0 384 769 Jan Jan: 29.0°C high, 20.0°C low, 770mm rain Feb Feb: 29.0°C high, 23.0°C low, 597mm rain Mar Mar: 30.0°C high, 20.0°C low, 51mm rain Apr Apr: 31.0°C high, 20.0°C low, 51mm rain May May: 32.0°C high, 20.0°C low, 249mm rain Jun Jun: 32.0°C high, 20.0°C low, 206mm rain Jul Jul: 31.0°C high, 20.0°C low, 51mm rain Aug Aug: 32.0°C high, 20.0°C low, 51mm rain Sep Sep: 32.0°C high, 20.0°C low, 51mm rain Oct Oct: 31.0°C high, 20.0°C low, 51mm rain Nov Nov: 30.0°C high, 20.0°C low, 386mm rain Dec Dec: 30.0°C high, 23.0°C low, 488mm rain Temperature Rainfall

Explore Other Months

Find the best time for your trip

View Year-Round Climate Guide →

Best Activities in July

Top things to do during your visit

El Nido Island-Hopping Tours

Limestone cliffs stay photogenic even under patchy skies, and lagoons that feel like swimming pools in shoulder season sit half-empty. Morning departures at 8 AM dodge the 2 PM cloud bursts rolling in from the Sulu Sea. The water is so warm you’ll ditch the rental wetsuit.

Booking Tip: Reserve 10-14 days ahead; pick operators with newer fiberglass boats—older wooden hulls leak in choppy water. Check the booking widget below for current tours.
Cebu Lechon & City Street-Food Walks

July humidity pushes locals to eat after sunset; Carcar’s public market starts whole-roasted pigs at 4 PM so the skin stays crisp in the moist air. Walks stretch 3 km (1.9 mi) and finish at Larsian BBQ where smoke from banana-leaf-grilled chorizo drifts over Fuente Osmeña Circle.

Booking Tip: Book evening slots; wear light cotton—jeans feel like wet towels after 20 minutes. Licensed guides hand you a bottle of ice-cold calamansi juice.
Banaue Rice-Terrace Trekking

The paddies glow emerald in July, just after transplanting, and clouds hang low enough to walk through. Trails are muddy but not yet the knee-deep sludge of August; morning fog lifts by 9 AM, opening clear views 1,000 m (3,280 ft) down to the Chico River.

Booking Tip: Hire local Ifugao guides; treks kick off at 6 AM to dodge midday heat and reach Batad village before clouds roll in.
Davao Durian-Farm Day Trips

The king of fruits peaks in late July; farms like Puentespina let you taste arancillo and puyat varieties straight from the tree. The drive through 1,600 m (5,250 ft) elevation stays below 75°F (24°C), a cool escape from coastal humidity.

Booking Tip: Wear closed shoes—durian husks are spiky—and bring cash; most farms refuse cards.
Intramuros Night Cycling

Cobblestones cool after 6 PM and Manila Bay’s sunset filters through 16th-century walls. The 5 km (3.1 mi) loop passes Fort Santiago and the earthquake-scarred Manila Cathedral minus the daytime exhaust haze.

Booking Tip: Evening tours include LED bike lights; book online to skip the walk-up queue at Plaza Roma.

July Events & Festivals

What's happening during your visit

Third week of July
Kadayawan Festival

Davao’s week-long harvest celebration floods Roxas Avenue with street dancers in feathered Bagobo costumes and floats stacked with lanzones, durian, and marang. Grilled tuna jaw scents drift from makeshift stalls; if you’re lucky you’ll catch the horse-fight reenactment at People’s Park.

Late July
Pagoda sa Wawa Fluvial Parade

Obando’s 100-boat fluvial procession on the Malabon River closes a three-day fertility dance festival. Brass bands on bamboo barges bounce off mangrove banks while devotees toss garlands into the brackish water for luck.

Essential Tips

What to pack, insider knowledge and common pitfalls

What to Pack
Pack a lightweight rain jacket—afternoon showers last 20-30 min and vanish as fast as they arrive. Breathable cotton or linen shirts, nothing polyester in 70 % humidity. SPF 50+ sunscreen—UV index hits 8 even when clouds look thick. Waterproof pouch for phone—boat spray or sudden downpour will soak pockets. Microfiber travel towel—hotel towels stay damp for hours in the air. Quick-dry shorts or sarong—wet swimwear won’t air-dry overnight. Slip-on sandals with grip—ferry decks are slippery after rain. Cash in small bills—ATMs on smaller islands run empty on weekends.
Insider Knowledge
When the sky darkens at 1 PM, slide into a karinderya for halo-halo; locals swear the shaved ice drops core body temp faster than air-conditioning. Ferry timetables are suggestions—add a half-day buffer if you’re connecting flights, 2GO routes between Manila and Coron. Grab works in Manila, Cebu, and Davao but drivers cancel during rain; in provinces flag tricycles with yellow license plates—they’re legit. Mall culture is real—when monsoon winds rise, locals flock to SM or Ayala for free Wi-Fi and chicken-skin chicharon at food courts.
Avoid These Mistakes
Booking tight inter-island connections without weather padding—boats can be delayed half a day after a squall. Ignoring increase pricing on Grab during sudden downpours—walk 200 m (0.12 mi) from tourist hotspots to get normal fares. Trying to cram five islands in five days—July seas are unpredictable, so quality beats quantity.
Explore Activities in Philippines

Ready to book your stay in Philippines?

Our accommodation guide covers the best areas and hotel picks.

Accommodation Guide → Search Hotels on Trip.com

Plan Your Perfect Trip

Get insider tips and travel guides delivered to your inbox

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.