10 Best Philippines Rainy Season Activities & Travel Destinations: Indoor Things to Do & Places to Visit

What Month is Rainy Season in the Philippines?

Kawasan Falls in Cebu

July to August are the wettest months in the Philippines, but this doesn’t necessarily mean it will rain every day. The off-peak season in the Philippines also happens during the typhoon season of June to November when hotel rates and flights are cheaper, but the chances of cancellations are higher. 

It is still desirable to schedule your trip during the typhoon season to try indoor recreational activities in the Philippines. Find out in this article the best travel destinations for the rainy season, outdoor spots to visit, and activities that are still enjoyable even on rainy days. 

1. Go Surfing 

Surfing in Blue Lagoon, Pagudpud. Photo by the Department of Tourism

The best time to go surfing in the Philippines is during the rainy season. Siargao Island in Mindanao, Baler, and La Union in Luzon are the most sought-after surfing spots in the Philippines. Home to the famous Cloud 9, Siargao is known for its global surfing scene. 

Baler, Aurora, or the birthplace of surfing in the Philippines is home to Sabang Beach, a popular surf spot in the country. Surfers can stay in Baler resorts near breathtaking Baler tourist spots. 

There are also several surf camps in San Juan, La Union. Not far from San Juan are other La Union tourist spots like The Point and The Beach Break. La Union is also famous for budget-friendly beachfront resorts near Manila.

Go surfing in Siargao and browse our travel booking website for an affordable Siargao package with airfare. Book a Siargao island tour to see the best beaches in the Philippines. You may also browse La Union beach packages with accommodation at the best La Union resorts through Guide to the Philippines, an accredited Philippine travel agency.

2. Relax in Hot Springs

Hidden Valley Springs in Laguna

For a well-deserved relaxation, there are many natural hot springs in the Philippines where travelers can take a warm dip on a cold day. The geographical features of the Philippines are generally mountainous with a lot of volcanoes due to its location at the Pacific Ring of Fire. This explains why there are many natural hot spring resorts across the country.

Many travelers are drawn to hot spring resorts in Laguna, which release geothermal heat and steam from the nearby dormant volcano, Mount Makiling. Laguna hot springs are frequently visited due to their health benefits and healing properties. Book a Laguna day tour to visit other Laguna tourist spots such as Caliraya Lake, Pagsanjan Falls, and more.

Other destinations in the Philippines with must-visit hot springs are Negros Oriental near Dumaguete, Camiguin Island, Pampanga near Mt. Pinatubo, Coron in Palawan, and Sorsogon in the Bicol region. 

3. Try Whitewater Rafting, Canyoneering, and Water Tubing

Whitewater rafting in Cagayan de Oro

River activities and adventure tours in the Philippines such as whitewater rafting tours, canyoneering tours, and water tubing tours are best enjoyed during the rainy season when the water level is higher. However, for your safety, these extreme water activities are not usually done on rainy days. It is advisable to wait for the weather to clear up before engaging in such activities.

Travelers who want to experience one of the top things to do in Cebu should add the Kawasan falls canyoneering in their Cebu itinerary. It is set in crystal clear and multi-tier waterfalls in Badian, Cebu where the water flow gets more abundant and powerful from June to December.

Water tubing in Antique

Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao’s adventure paradise, also prides in an adventure-filled activity called Cagayan de Oro whitewater rafting tour. For a hassle-free experience, you can book a Cagayan de Oro whitewater rafting package. Other must-see Cagayan de Oro tourist spots are Dahilayan Adventure Park and Malasag Eco-Tourism Village. Tibiao, Antique in the Visayas is also famous for Water Tubing, an extreme water activity done on a donut-shaped innertube instead of a raft.

• Book a Cagayan de Oro airport transfer

While you're in Cagayan de Oro, you can also try other activities in and near the city, including a Cagayan de Oro city tour, a Cagayan De Oro Sinulom Falls & Bolao Cold Spring tour, and a Seven Seas Waterpark Cagayan de Oro day pass with transfers, 

4. Explore Waterfalls

Kawasan Falls in Cebu

Aside from scenic Philippine beaches, travelers can find notable waterfalls in the Philippines like Cebu’s three-staged Kawasan Falls, the enchanting Seven Falls in Cotabato, the idyllic cascade of Pagsanjan Falls in Laguna, and the three-tiered Cambughay Falls in Siquijor.

Philippine waterfalls usually dry up in the summer or dry months, so it is recommended for tourists to book a trip during the rainy season. Be extra careful because the trekking spots and rocks going to these cascades are more slippery this time around. Some waterfalls need a bit of hiking so it’s best not to visit on days when it’s pouring for safety reasons. 

5. Join a Food Tour

One rainy season activity you can do to beat the rainy day blues is none other than satisfying your appetite with Filipino comfort food when you visit the top culinary destinations in the Philippines. From regional dishes to local delicacies, the Philippines’ food culture surely has a lot to offer you can try on your next food trip in the Philippines.

Taste the unique flavors of the Culinary Capital of the Philippines, Pampanga, when you go on an exhilarating Pampanga-guided food tour. Try some iconic Kapampangan dishes and local Filipino desserts like Halo-halo and ensaymada. Other regional dishes you shouldn’t miss are Cebu’s lechon and danggit, Iloilo’s La Paz Batchoy, and Bicol’s Laing and Pinangat.

To make the most of your food adventure in Pampanga, book vacation packages for couples at 5-star hotels in the Philippines. If you still have time, you can also check tour packages near Manila.

6. Try Wakeboarding

If you’re looking for other adventure activities in the Philippines, there are many wakeboarding parks in the Philippines you can visit all year round. CamSur Wakeboarding Complex, the first in the Philippines and Asia, is a world-class water sports complex in Camarines Sur, Bicol Region. Water skiing, kneeboarding, and wake skiing are also available here.

Deca Clark Wakeboard in Angeles City, Pampanga is also worth visiting just behind the Clark Freeport Zone. Another wakeboard park near Manila is Republic Wakepark, which is situated in Nuvali, a famous eco-park in Laguna. Aside from surfing, Siargao also opened its doors to tourists who want to try their newest board sport at the Siargao Wakepark in General Luna.

7. Visit Museums and Indoor Attractions

National Museum of Natural History in Manila

For families traveling with kids, it’s still best to stay indoors and try indoor activities. Fortunately, there are many architectural landmarks in the Philippines and indoor attractions that offer activities during the wet season in the Philippines. Browse family tour packages and visit indoor playgrounds, art museums in Manila, and indoor laser playgrounds.

Some of the must-visit museums in Manila included in Manila day tours are National Museum Complex near Rizal Park in Manila, Mind Museum in Taguig, Art in Island in Quezon City, and Museo Pambata in Manila. Then, visit San Agustin Church, one of the UNESCO heritage sites in the Philippines in the walled city of Intramuros. 

Pinto Art Museum in Rizal. Photo by the Department of Tourism

For your museum tour outside of Manila, check out notable museums in the Philippines like  Pinto Art in Rizal, Chocolate Museum in Davao, and Bencab Museum in the City of Pines, Baguio.

Looking for rainy season activities with friends and date ideas in Manila? Book day tours near Manila or try pottery workshops, themed escape rooms like Mystery Manila and Nightmares Manila, indoor wall climbing attractions like Climb Central Manila, paint and sip studios like Sip and Gogh, and baking studios like Bakebe in Taguig City.

8. Ride an ATV

ATV ride near Mayon Volcano in Albay

One of the fun-filled things to do in the Philippines that you can enjoy on both sunny and rainy days is riding an ATV along muddy trails and rainforests. ATV tours are enjoyable on rainy days because getting dirty and wet makes the experience more fun.

Some of the must-try ones are Mayon ATV in the province of Albay, ATV tours in Rizal province, and ATV in Mount Pinatubo, an active stratovolcano in Zambales province up North of Metro Manila and one of the best mountains to hike in the Philippines. 

Mayon Volcano, the world’s most perfect volcanic cone, is perfect for travelers who don’t mind getting their hands dirty, try Mayon volcano activities and ride a 4x4 ATV through rice fields and volcanic rocks for a more exhilarating experience.

Another option is to embark on a short off-road adventure and go hiking in Rizal to get to secluded rivers and waterfalls. Browse our hiking tour Philippines packages to learn more about the hiking places in the Philippines.

9. Go on a Staycation

Photo by Escala Tagaytay

There’s nothing cozier than staying in luxury resorts in the Philippines. Savor the cozy weather on your staycation in Tagaytay, a go-to weekend tourist destination near Manila famous for its chilly weather best enjoyed when staying at the best bed and breakfast near Manila and Tagaytay hotels. Get your weekend fix even on rainy days at hotels in Tagaytay overlooking the Taal Volcano, the Philippines’ second most active volcano.

While you’re at it, don’t miss out on the best restaurants in Tagaytay. Have a steaming bowl of tender beef Bulalo (bone marrow soup), best enjoyed when it’s raining. Whether you like to catch breathtaking hilltop views or go horseback riding, you won’t get disappointed as there are so many other things to do in Tagaytay. 

But if you want to go somewhere colder, drive up to the City of Pines in Baguio, home to the best mountain resorts near Manila. If you’re coming from the city, it’s best to rent a car in Manila for hassle-free Baguio tours. 

You may also refer to our guide on how to rent a car in the Philippines. For a memorable Baguio staycation, stay in Baguio hotels and choose from among the several things to do in Baguio so you can enjoy stunning Philippine sceneries and cold weather.

10. Travel to Festivals

Ati-atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan

Your long list of activities during the wet season won’t be complete without joining the vibrant festivals in the Philippines. Many of the cultural activities in the Philippines happen throughout the year, including the rainy season months. Festivities like the fluvial Pagoda Festival in Bulacan province in July embody the history and culture of Filipinos, one of the reasons why you should visit the Philippines.

The country’s Durian capital, Davao, and the coconut-filled Quezon province in the CALABARZON region are among the best places to visit the Philippines in August. Both Kadayawan Festival in Davao and Gigantes Festival in Quezon happen in August, one of the Philippines’ rainy season months. Refer to our holidays and festivals calendar to learn more.

In October, a lot of travelers visit the colorful masquerade called the Masskara Festival in Bacolod or the City of Smiles, and the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival and Regatta de Zamboanga where you can find colorful vintas sailing across the City of Flowers, Zamboanga.

Have Fun Even Without the Sun in the Philippines!

With several tourist destinations in the Philippines, there’s no stopping you from discovering the remarkable cultural tourism in the Philippines even if it’s the rainy season. Although the best time to visit the Philippines is during the summer months of March to May, you can still make the most of your trip by booking travel packages to the Philippines. 

Don’t forget to check the Philippines’ travel requirements needed upon arriving in NAIA or other Philippine airports. Go ahead and plan that trip now!