Things to Do in Philippines in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Philippines
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- May sits right at the start of the wet season, which means you're getting significantly fewer tourists than the December-February peak. Expect 30-40% lower accommodation rates in major destinations like Boracay and Palawan, and you'll actually be able to walk through Intramuros without dodging selfie sticks every three meters.
- The rainfall pattern in May is actually pretty predictable - most of those 10 rainy days bring afternoon downpours that last 20-40 minutes, then clear up. Mornings are typically gorgeous, which means you can plan outdoor activities for 7am-2pm and have indoor plans ready for late afternoon. Locals call this 'planning around the rain' and it's completely doable once you get the rhythm.
- Mango season peaks in May, and if you've never had a Philippine mango at peak ripeness, you're missing out. The carabao mangoes in May are legitimately the best fruit you'll eat all year. You'll find them everywhere - street vendors sell three for 100-150 pesos (1.75-2.60 USD), and they're so sweet they taste almost fermented. Markets also overflow with lanzones, rambutan, and mangosteen at their cheapest.
- Water visibility for diving and snorkeling is still quite good in early May before the monsoon really kicks in mid-month. The ocean temperature sits around 28-29°C (82-84°F), which is warm enough that you can snorkel for hours without getting cold. Whale shark sightings in Donsol remain decent through mid-May, though they start migrating out by month's end.
Considerations
- The humidity in May is the kind that makes your clothes feel damp even when they're technically dry. At 70% average humidity combined with 32°C (89°F) temperatures, you'll be sweating through shirts pretty quickly. Air conditioning becomes non-negotiable for sleeping, and budget guesthouses without AC are genuinely uncomfortable. Factor this into your accommodation budget - you'll want to pay the extra 500-800 pesos (9-14 USD) per night for AC.
- Typhoon season technically starts in May, though the Philippines typically sees the bulk of storms June through November. That said, May 2026 could bring one or two tropical depressions that disrupt island-hopping plans or cancel boat transfers. Ferry services to smaller islands get suspended when swells exceed 2 meters (6.5 feet), which happens maybe 2-3 days per month in May. Always build buffer days into island-hopping itineraries.
- Some of the country's best beach destinations start getting genuinely rainy by late May. Siargao and the eastern Visayas catch the beginning of the southwest monsoon, which means cloud cover increases and those picture-perfect beach days become less reliable after May 20th. If you're visiting specifically for endless sunshine and beach time, you're about a month too late - April would have been better.
Best Activities in May
Rice Terrace Trekking in Banaue and Batad
May is actually one of the better months for the Ifugao rice terraces because the paddies are bright green and fully planted after April's planting season. The terraces look incredible when they're this lush, and the cooler mountain temperatures (around 18-24°C or 64-75°F) make the 3-4 hour treks genuinely pleasant. You'll get occasional afternoon mist, which creates dramatic photo conditions. The trails can get muddy after rain, so timing your hike for morning is smart. Fewer tourists mean you can experience the terraces without the crowds that pack in during December-January.
Manila Food Market Tours and Cooking Classes
May's mango season makes this the ideal time to explore Manila's food scene. The afternoon rain pattern actually works in your favor - morning market tours from 7-10am happen during the coolest, driest part of the day. You'll see carabao mangoes piled high, fresh seafood from overnight catches, and seasonal vegetables like saluyot and alugbati that you won't find other times of year. Cooking classes typically run 3-4 hours and teach you to make classics like sinigang, adobo, and kinilaw using ingredients you just bought. The indoor nature of cooking classes makes them perfect backup plans for rainy afternoons.
Underground River Tours in Puerto Princesa
The Puerto Princesa Underground River remains accessible in May, though you're visiting just before the heavy monsoon season hits Palawan in June-July. Early May offers calmer seas for the boat transfer to Sabang, and the cave system stays dry and navigable. The 45-minute paddle boat tour through the limestone caves is entirely sheltered, making it weather-proof even during May's afternoon rains. Wildlife spotting around the park - monitor lizards, macaques, hornbills - is actually better in May because fewer tourists mean animals are less skittish.
Island Hopping in El Nido
Early May is your last good window for El Nido island hopping before the southwest monsoon makes seas rougher in June. The famous Tours A, B, C, and D to spots like Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, and Secret Lagoon are still running smoothly with relatively calm seas. Water clarity remains excellent for snorkeling - visibility typically 10-15 meters (33-49 feet). You'll encounter about 40% fewer tourists than peak season, which means the lagoons feel less like floating traffic jams. That said, check weather forecasts daily and be flexible - if swells pick up, tours get cancelled for safety.
Volcano Hiking on Mount Pinatubo
May offers ideal conditions for the Mount Pinatubo crater lake hike before the July-September monsoon makes the lahar landscape treacherous. The 14-kilometer (8.7-mile) round trip combines 4x4 rides through volcanic ash plains with a 2-hour hike to the stunning turquoise crater lake. Morning departures mean you're hiking during the coolest part of the day (though it still hits 28-30°C or 82-86°F). The landscape looks otherworldly - gray-brown lahar fields stretching to the horizon, then suddenly this brilliant blue-green lake appears. Afternoon clouds sometimes roll in, but they add drama rather than ruining views.
Chocolate Hills Viewing and Bohol Countryside Tours
The Chocolate Hills are actually green in May, not brown - they only turn chocolate-colored during the dry season (March-April). But the lush green version has its own appeal, and you're visiting when Bohol sees far fewer tourists. Countryside tours typically combine the hills viewpoint with the Tarsier Sanctuary (those tiny primates are active year-round), Loboc River cruises, and centuries-old churches. The indoor components like tarsier viewing and church visits work perfectly as backup plans when afternoon rains hit. River cruises sometimes get cancelled during heavy rain, but that's maybe 2-3 days in May.
May Events & Festivals
Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan
Throughout May, towns and barangays across the Philippines hold Flores de Mayo processions - essentially flower festivals honoring the Virgin Mary. The highlight is the Santacruzan, typically held on the last day of May, where young women in elaborate gowns parade through streets representing biblical figures. It's genuinely beautiful and deeply rooted in Philippine Catholic culture. The processions happen in virtually every town, so you'll likely encounter one regardless of where you are. Watching locals prepare - decorating arches with flowers, practicing the procession - offers real cultural insight beyond typical tourist experiences.
Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon
Held on May 15 annually, Pahiyas is one of the Philippines' most visually spectacular harvest festivals. Houses in Lucban get decorated with kiping (colored rice wafers), fruits, vegetables, and handicrafts in thanksgiving for good harvests. The entire town becomes an art installation basically. Streets overflow with food vendors selling local specialties like pancit habhab (noodles eaten directly from banana leaves) and lucban longganisa (local sausage). It gets crowded with domestic tourists, but the festival atmosphere is infectious. Worth the 3-hour bus ride from Manila if your dates align.