Asia - Help planning 5-day trip to Philippines in May

We want to take advantage of that 40K miles for round-trip flight anywhere in Asia deal on AA/JL. Philippines has been on our list for a while, but is beginning of May a bad time to go (looking at May 3-8)? Was thinking of doing one day in MNL since we have to fly into there, then 4 days somewhere beach-y. I'd prefer to avoid tourist trap places, but everyone says Boracay will be the easiest with a short period of time. El Nido would be ideal, but flight to Palawan plus 5 hour drive sounds like it might be too stressful for such a short trip. I'm also worried about the weather being stormy for my entire vacation.

I was wondering if anyone has suggestions on somewhere easy to get to that will be relaxing with nice scenery and good weather? Your help is greatly appreciated!

School summer vacation in PH is May June due to high humidity. So beginning of May might not be a good choice.

From MNL Boracay is probably the easiest to get to; but with summer holiday it might also be more crowded.

Actually, summer vacation is April & May. This year the 1st day of classes is Monday, June 4th.

April & May are also the hottest months of the year, with May having more precipitation (at least in the Manila region).

There are many nice non-touristy areas that are easy to get to. Alona Beach on Panglao Island, Puerto Galera. Even Cebu has some nice beaches

Thanks for the tips!!! Any advice on which beaches would have the best weather for first week of May?

May is peak season for travel there with good, but very hot, weather. Alona Beach is my favorite, a very small, but quite nice beach with excellent snorkeling nearby. If you get bored you can see tarziers in the jungle or take a rafting trip.


For most of the country, the dry season is during the amihan. The wet season starts in June, peaks in July to September, and peters out in October. But patterns have been screwy of late, with the rains arriving later and lingering into December.

In some regions the seasons are flipped. Much of the eastern seaboard – including Eastern Mindanao, Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar and Southeast Luzon – is rainy from December to March and fairly dry when the rest of the country is sopping.

The central Visayas – including Bohol, Negros and Cebu – are sheltered from the monsoon rains and thus have less pronounced seasons. These areas are liable to have rain at any time of the year, but it’s usually not too serious unless there’s a typhoon stirring up trouble on the eastern seaboard.

May is peak season for travel there with good, but very hot, weather. Alona Beach is my favorite, a very small, but quite nice beach with excellent snorkeling nearby. If you get bored you can see tarziers in the jungle or take a rafting trip.


For most of the country, the dry season is during the amihan. The wet season starts in June, peaks in July to September, and peters out in October. But patterns have been screwy of late, with the rains arriving later and lingering into December.

In some regions the seasons are flipped. Much of the eastern seaboard – including Eastern Mindanao, Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar and Southeast Luzon – is rainy from December to March and fairly dry when the rest of the country is sopping.

The central Visayas – including Bohol, Negros and Cebu – are sheltered from the monsoon rains and thus have less pronounced seasons. These areas are liable to have rain at any time of the year, but it’s usually not too serious unless there’s a typhoon stirring up trouble on the eastern seaboard.

Awesome, thanks for the info! So given that info, which beach area would you recommend going to... the ones near Cebu?

Here are the top 10 beaches:

1. Boracay – has always been the favorite place of beach goers to go in the Philippines. This is because of the great white sand and cool waters, Boracay is the place for people looking to party. It is even considered as one of the finest beaches in the world. Boracay is located in the North West part of the Visayas area called Panay.

2. Pagudpud – if you’re looking for a place that can be like Hawaii, Pagudpud is the place to visit. The strong winds and waves can be compared to that of Hawaii which makes this place often visited by surfers. Pagudpud also has long continuous white sands and inviting beach waters for people looking to just swim. Compared to Boracay, this place is more secluded.

3. Mactan Island – the queen city of the South, Cebu, also has its fair share of great beaches. One of them is the so called Mactan Island. It is a tropical island resort. It provides tourist with great entertainment such as night life activities that will spice up the visit.

4. Panglao - if you love to dive visiting Panglao is the place to be. This place is a tiny island found hidden in it’s bigger nearby island of Bohol.

5. Camiguin – the palce has been known to be one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines because it still seems like a paradise. Some people even consider the palce the “Garden of Eden” in the country. Camiguin has a great topography that includes waterfalls, and the hot and cold springs. The place will be mesmerizing and will definitely tempt you to go back.

6. Dakak – a private beach that spans about 750 meters long the Sulu Sea. The beach also has great white sands that can be compared to powder. The pool’s water comes from the spring water and the waterfalls that are on the area.

7. Honda Bay – this are islands that surround the capital of the South Western province of Palawan. Among these islands, the tourist can go island hopping, diving and swim on the cool waters. In one of the islands, one can see the variety of fishes without swimming out too deep.

8. El Nido – the palce has been known as the country’s last frontier and Palawan - the Island of the Gods. This place offers great beaches that will tae you away from the urban life. This place is the best to visit if you are looking for complete peace and quiet. Aside from the magnificent beach, the palce also offers you a sight of the beautiful seascapes, towering marble cliffs and a variety of tropical birds.

9. Pearl Farm – far south in the city of Davao, lies the premier beach resort know as the Pearl Farm. The place no longer has the pearls you are looking for. But the place can still offer an experience as valuable as a pearl. This is because of the great resort that is accompanied by the white sands.

10. Siargao – this place is another surfers dream. The place offers you waves that can curl up to 12 feet high. Aside from the waves, the place also has beaches that still remains unspoiled by urban lifestyle.

I can recommend this place. Contact Alan Bruell.. I stayed here when my wife, daughter and i went in 2010. We brought my wifes parents, and there was plenty of room. Nice place and I love the architucure of this bulding. secluded, but easy to have the boatman Rory take you to nearby beaches. If you are into Diving you can catch a tricycle over the hill to sabang, lots of dive shops here. Otherwise good snorkelling in the area, For an additional 125 you get use of the 38' sailboat which is crewed by Rory and his son and daughter. Joselyn is Rory's wife and she stays at the property and can take care of any of your needs from cooking, recommending places, to shopping in town. Great people and I highly recommend if you want something a little more off the beaten path.


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