What To Wear in Manila

I have not been prepared for the rain last night. Luckily I had my really big samurai umbrella so I quickly went back to my office desk and took out that umbrella. If you have ever been in Manila, you will know that a little rain can really change the world. That is when transportation becomes scarce, people flock for cover in one small spot, and seriously with all that rain you would expect a little change in the weather, but no. It is still as hot as a summer’s day.

I always joked that in Manila there are only 2 seasons: summer and summer. It may rain and we might enjoy a bit of warmth, but quickly soon, it will just be as humid as it had always been.

So if you are travelling to Manila for the first time, what should you bring?

January to February is the best time to visit Manila. It is warm and windy, with very little chance of rain. You would be very comfortable in jeans and shirt and maybe even add a hoodie to help at night or if the airconditioning gets the temperature down low. By March, it will start to get hot so do not bother with scarves and jackets, you won’t be needing them. Rather focus on looking for beach wear in preparation for April to May which are the best months to hit the beach. You can book a flight from Manila with no problem, but promo flights will be impossible by April. Everybody goes to the beach at this month.

In some years, rains may come as early as May but they normally are prevalent in June to July.  Come these 2 months, the better to have boots. Yes, rain boots! It doesn’t matter if they can just reach up to your ankles, as long as they cover your feet.

Flood in Manila can be bad, especially on great rains. So make sure that if there is an advisory on a storm, stay at home or in your hotel. Some malls are open even during the storm, and as you might think they can be a safe haven, it still depends on the sewerage system of that town. June and July can have typhoons or none at all, just non-stop rain for no reason. Pack a foldable umbrella.

There is no dramatic change in weather during August. It can be really hot and then switch to rains, and then back to hot again. You can visit beaches if there is no typhoon. That would in fact be a great thing to do in August to September as it is the off-peak season for the resorts – rooms are cheaper and you won’t get annoyed because there are only a few people in the beach. There are people, just not as thick as in April-May. Make sure to pack a bottle of insect-repellant when you hit the beach or if you decide to attend some nature trips away from Manila.

September is the time when people start believing that Christmas has started. In Manila, the first day of September will be time to greet everyone Merry Christmas. Yes, it is the beginning of the “ber” months. Don’t get fooled though, it won’t get cold or warm. It will still be as hot as a summer’s day.

October and November can get rainy, some floods can happen, so pack a pair of rain boots or buy from Manila. There are a lot of cheap stuff in malls and flea markets, if just to get you through the puddles. I cannot say much for October, but this is quite a nice time to check out the bars. Year round, there can be a lot of happy hours, however, I would suggest hitting the bars during October because odd as it may sound, Manila observes the Oktoberfest in this month. Good food, cheaper cocktail selections versus other countries, and there is always a reason to buy a bottle of beer because not only does beer taste great in Manila, it is also affordable.  Attending Oktoberfest doesn’t mean it is expensive, there are many offerings that can get you not just a beer, but whatever you want to drink, on a promo. Just make sure to pick a good bar that offers your favorites. They are usually low priced, as long as you are not in a hotel or a very fancy bar. Some bars in Manila often ask for proper attire – men cannot wear open-toed footwear and short pants. Women can wear anything except flipflops.

November can get really exciting. Christmas is fast approaching and every place in Manila will surely have the most intricate Christmas lights at night. There will be a lot of promotions, choir shows and carol contests in the malls and parks.

 In December, avoid the malls if you hate the crowd. Everyone either does or pretends to finish the Christmas shopping. In reality, the shopping – online, window, or real – never ends. People are just comfortable in the malls because the airconditioning can be awesome. Yes, December can still pack on some heat. You can still wear shorts and thin cotton shirts. December is also a time for endless Christmas dinners and get-togethers. It is the only time that friends realize they can meet and catch up, companies conduct their annual Christmas parties, hotels prepare for their Christmas and New Year gimmicks. Every function room, bar, or hotel can be fully booked on all the Friday nights of December. If you want to meet a lot of people, December in Manila is great :)