The month in detail
What to expect in May
In May, Manila sees 34°C during the day with 7.2h of sunshine per day. Expect rain on 29% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.
May ranks 11 out of 12 months in Manila. Compared to April: 19 pts more rainy days, −1.4h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
8 · very high
protection essential
Feels like
very humid
24°
Sea
32°C
warm, ideal
Daylight
12.7h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 39
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in Manila is January (8.5/10), 3.9 pts higher than May.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Manila
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
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Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Manila
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.
Country · Philippines
🗣️LanguageFilipino
💶CurrencyPeso philippin (₱)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘSafe · 2/5
💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTropical
📈Climate trend ⓘ+0.81°C/decade
🔥Hottest monthApril · 34°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 29°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘJuly · 61%
🏝️ Tropical stay
🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘSeason Nov-Apr
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Similar climate
PhilippinesPhilippinesCoronPhilippines
BahamasBahamas
Ho Chi Minh CityVietnamNassauBahamas
Location
Where is Manila ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
PhilippinesTropical climate with a 8.5 → 4.6 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
14.60°N · 120.98°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Manila?
January is the best month with 29.0°C highs, 23.0°C lows, 5.7h of sunshine and 13.0% rainy days.
How many hours of sunshine does Manila get in January?
Manila averages 5.7 sunshine hours per day in January. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.1/10.
What is the rainiest month in Manila?
July is the most unfavourable month with July has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Manila in January?
In January, overnight lows reach 23.0°C, while afternoon highs average 29.0°C.
Is Manila good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Manila scores 6.4/10 on average — Decent period conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains January with a score of 8.1/10.
When should you avoid Manila?
July is the most difficult month to visit Manila, with July has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Manila in May?
In May, the sea averages 32°C in Manila: warm, ideal. Ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling.
Do you need sun protection in Manila in May?
The average UV index reaches 8 in May in Manila (very high), with about 12.7h of daylight. Protection essential.