Visiting Philippines in November: Weather, Crowds, Prices & Events from an Indian Backpacker’s View
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-23
November is the Philippines’ shoulder-to-peak handover month. The southwest monsoon (habagat) finally loosens its grip around mid-November, the typhoon count drops sharply after the October peak, and the dry season’s first proper wave of international tourists starts landing in El Nido, Coron, and Boracay. For Indian backpackers, it is the first month in the second half of the year where a Philippines trip makes logistical sense without a serious rain backup plan. For related planning, see our guide on Sea Backpacking Hub.
That said, “dry” is a strong word. Eastern Visayas (Siargao, Leyte, southern Leyte) still catches the tail end of typhoon season, and a single late-season storm can wipe out three days of island-hopping plans. Manila in November is cooler than May but still humid, and Christmas is still a month away, so the December peak crowds have not yet arrived in force. Prices reflect that gap: flights from India dip into a shoulder window before the December spike, and dorm beds in El Nido are cheaper than they will be in February.
If you have been weighing the best time to visit the Philippines and November sits in your window, here is exactly what you are signing up for.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Is November a good time to visit the Philippines? | Yes, the second half of the month is. The first half can still see typhoons in the east. | , |
| Average temperature | 26 to 31°C (lowland), 22 to 27°C (highland like Baguio) | , |
| Typhoon risk | Low to moderate in the second half. PAGASA averages 1 to 2 tropical cyclones in November. | , |
| Flight from India (round trip) | ₹22,000 (~$228.36) to ₹38,000 (~$394.44) from Delhi or Mumbai via Manila or Cebu | ₹22,000-₹38,000 (~$228.36-$394.44) |
| Dorm bed (Manila, per night) | PHP 270-600 | ₹400-₹900 (~$4.15-$9.34) |
Subodh’s Pro Tip: The cheapest way to keep tabs on incoming typhoons is the free PAGASA website and the Nomad eSIM so you have data on a moving ferry, not just hotel Wi-Fi.
Month-by-Month Breakdown
This table compares November with the months an Indian backpacker is most likely weighing it against. The Philippine dry season officially runs December to May, so November sits at the door of that window.
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Cost Level | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | Wet, typhoon-prone (peak) | Low | Budget (₹) | Cheapest, but cancellations likely |
| October | Wet, typhoon peak | Low | Budget (₹) | Same as September, last wet month |
| November | Drying out, late typhoons in east | Medium, climbing | Shoulder (₹₹) | Smart window from mid-month |
| December | Dry, cool, peak crowds | high | Peak (₹₹₹) | Christmas prices, book flights early |
| January | Dry, cool, peak | High | Peak (₹₹₹) | Best weather, most expensive |
| February | Dry, warm, peak | High | Peak (₹₹₹) | Same as January, slightly warmer |
| March | Hot and dry | high | Peak (₹₹₹) | Holy Week crowds begin |
November. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Rainfall drops by roughly 40 to 60% compared to October in Palawan, Cebu, and Bohol.
- Flights from India to Manila are in their shoulder window before the December Christmas spike.
- Major events: Bonifacio Day (Nov 30), All Saints’ Day / Undas (Nov 1), Philippine Christmas kickoff (Sep to Dec “ber” months).
- Sea conditions in Coron and El Nido calm down, opening up island-hopping routes that were closed in October.
- Fewer European tourists than December to February, so popular stops feel less crowded.
Cons:
- Eastern Visayas (Siargao, Tacloban, southern Leyte) still gets hit by 1 to 2 typhoons on average per PAGASA records.
- Manila humidity lingers at 75 to 85% in the mornings, with sudden afternoon downpours through the first three weeks.
- Some budget hostels in El Nido and Boracay start running December rates from the last week of November.
- Ferry cancellations between islands are common in the first half of the month.
- Hotel Christmas decorations and party prices start creeping in from November 20 onward.
The honest picture: if you land on November 15 with a flexible itinerary, you will almost get a good week of weather in Palawan or Cebu. If you land on November 5 with a rigid Siargao plan, you are gambling with the tail of typhoon season. Travellers report that the Manila to El Nido to Coron loop is the most forgiving November route, since those waters calm down first. Siargao and the eastern seaboard are best saved for late November to early December unless you are a serious surfer who does not mind waiting out weather days.
What to Pack Specifically for November
November packing is hybrid: you need dry-season gear (reef-safe sunscreen, light long sleeves for cooler Manila evenings) and wet-season backup (quick-dry everything, a packable rain shell, dry bags for electronics).
Packing checklist (November-specific):
- Packable rain poncho or shell (PHP 150-300 at any department store, or Decathlon)
- Two pairs of quick-dry shorts, one quick-dry long trouser for cooler nights in Baguio or Sagada
- Reef-safe sunscreen (mandatory at El Nido, Coron, Apo Reef)
- Microfibre towel (hostel laundry dries slowly in humid weather)
- Sandals (Crocs-style) for hostel bathrooms and rocky boat landings
- One light hoodie for air-conditioned Manila buses and ferries (they run at 18-20°C)
- Universal adapter (Type A/B plugs, 220V)
- Photocopy of passport + a digital scan in cloud storage
- A 20 to 30L dry bag for boat days
- Basic first aid: oral rehydration sachets, paracetamol, antihistamines, diarrhoea meds
Indian backpackers report that the most underrated item is a lightweight long-sleeve rash guard. It blocks the sun on island-hopping days and doubles as a layer when ferry AC is too cold.
Season Costs Comparison
| Item | Peak Season (Dec-Feb) | November (Shoulder) | Low Season (Jun-Oct) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round-trip flight India → Manila | ₹38,000-₹55,000 (~$394.44-$570.90) | ₹22,000-₹38,000 (~$228.36-$394.44) | ₹18,000-₹28,000 (~$186.84-$290.64) |
| Dorm bed Manila (per night) | 600-900 PHP | 270-600 PHP | 250-450 PHP |
| Dorm bed El Nido (per night) | 900-2,000 PHP | 400-940 PHP | 350-700 PHP |
| Dorm bed Siargao (per night) | 1,000-2,000 PHP | 330-800 PHP | 300-600 PHP |
| Island-hopping tour (El Nido Tour A) | 1,400-1,800 PHP | 1,200-1,400 PHP | 1,000-1,200 PHP |
| Domestic flight (Manila → Cebu) | PHP 2,500-4,500 | PHP 1,800-3,200 | PHP 1,500-2,500 |
The price gap between November and the December peak is real but not enormous. The bigger savings are in dorm beds in El Nido and Siargao, where high-season operators can charge two to three times the low-season rate.
Sample 7-Day November Itinerary
This is the route most Indian backpackers report running well in mid-to-late November:
- Day 1-2: Arrive Manila, recover from flight. Walk Intramuros, try sisig at a local spot in Binondo (Manila’s Chinatown). Stay in a hostel near Malate or Poblacion.
- Day 3: Fly Manila to El Nido (₹3,000-₹6,000 (~$31.14-$62.28) with Cebu Pacific or AirSWIFT if booked early). Sunset at Corong-Corong beach.
- Day 4: El Nido Tour A (Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu). Book the day before at any agency on the main road.
- Day 5: El Nido Tour C (Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Helicopter Island). Slow evening at a beach bar.
- Day 6: Ferry or van to Port Barton or Puerto Princesa. Less crowded alternative to El Nido with similar island quality.
- Day 7: Fly back to Manila via Puerto Princesa or Lio Airport. Stay overnight near the airport if your international flight is early next morning.
If you have an extra week, swap Siargao for El Nido only after November 20, and budget 2 to 3 “buffer days” in case of ferry cancellations.
What to Eat (and Where Veg Indian Travellers Eat)
Filipino food in November leans toward warm, hearty dishes. After the habagat rains, expect more lugaw (rice porridge), bulalo (beef marrow soup), and sinigang (sour tamarind soup) on menus.
Local / regional spots for trying Filipino classics:
- Kantina Manila. A rustic spot in Manila known for its sisig and adobo, prepared from locally sourced ingredients. Worth a stop if you are doing a food crawl in Binondo or Poblacion.
- The New White Gold House Rest. A budget-friendly casual spot for traditional local dishes. Good for solo diners and quick lunches.
- Leandro’s Bistro. A cozy bistro serving Filipino plates. Reliable neighbourhood option when hostel cooking is not an option.
- Treasure Island. A relaxed restaurant with a varied local menu. Good for groups.
- Hill-Top Cuisine. A rustic Siquijor restaurant with panoramic views. Worth the trip if your route swings through Siquijor between Cebu and Dumaguete.
Indian / veg-friendly spots for the dal-chawal fix:
- Seven Mannah Indian Fusion Food. Casual Indian fusion around PHP 300-500 per person. Travellers specifically call out the chicken biryani. Budget-friendly and filling.
- Royal Indian Curry House - Quezon City. An upscale option at roughly PHP 1,700 per person, with butter chicken that has earned solid reviews. Reserve on weekends.
- Queens at Bollywood - Halal Indian Restaurant - BGC. Punjabi and Mughlai dishes in Bonifacio Global City. Family-friendly, good for a group dinner.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Manila’s main Indian food clusters are in Quezon City (Tomas Morato area), Makati, and BGC. If your hostel is in Poblacion or Malate, expect to take a 15 to 25 minute Grab ride to find a proper Indian restaurant. Plan one Indian dinner every 4 to 5 days, more if you are vegetarian.
November Events Worth Building Around
- November 1. All Saints’ Day (Undas): A major family holiday. Filipinos return to home provinces to visit cemeteries. Transport hubs (Manila NAIA, bus terminals) get busy on October 30 to November 1. Travellers report that airport queues can stretch to 2 to 3 hours. Avoid flights on Nov 1 if you can.
- November 2. All Souls’ Day: Quieter than Nov 1 but still a public holiday.
- November 30. Bonifacio Day: Commemorates Andrés Bonifacio, a national hero. Public holiday, government offices closed, Rizal Park and Bonifacio monuments host ceremonies.
- Philippine Christmas Kickoff (Sept to Dec): The “ber months” (September, October, November, December) are the Philippines’ long Christmas run-up. By November, malls, hotels, and restaurants are already playing Christmas music and putting up decor. Travellers report the festive energy is genuinely warm, though some find the early start jarring.
- Local fiestas: Nearly every town has a patron saint fiesta in November. Boracay’s Ati-Atihan offshoots, Leyte festivals, and Cebu town fiestas cluster around this month. Check the local tourism board’s calendar if you want to land during one.
Getting Around in November
Safety Alert: Typhoon season in the Philippines can produce dangerous sea conditions. Always check PAGASA (the official weather agency) and your government’s travel advisory (Indian travellers: MEA advisories) before booking ferries and island-hopping tours. Avoid small outrigger boats (bangkas) when a tropical depression is within 200 km of your location.
Inter-island travel in November works best with built-in slack. Book at least one buffer day between any ferry and your international flight, especially if you are flying out of a regional airport like El Nido Lio or Siargao Sayak. Both are small, weather delays happen, and rebooking flights during typhoon alerts can be expensive.
Domestic flights are cheaper than ferries once you factor in time. Cebu Pacific, AirAsia Philippines, and Philippine Airlines all run Manila to El Nido, Cebu, and Siargao routes. Book 3 to 4 weeks ahead for November shoulder rates. For ferries between islands (Cebu to Bohol, Cebu to Dumaguete, Lucena to Marinduque), use 12go to compare operators and current schedules:
- Book Manila to El Nido on 12go
- Book Cebu to Siargao on 12go
- Book Manila to Boracay (Caticlan) on 12go
Within cities, Grab is the standard ride-hailing app. Jeepneys and UV Express vans are cheap (PHP 13-50 per ride) but slow in Manila traffic. Tricycles handle short distances in provincial towns. Negotiate fares before boarding tricycles; they do not use meters in most provinces.
Visa and Entry (Indians)
Indians are visa-free for 30 days in the Philippines. You can extend at any Bureau of Immigration (BI) office for PHP 3,030 per month. Note: this extension is separate from the standard visa fee structure and is the most common option for backpackers who want to stay longer than a month.
- Visa: Free on arrival, 30 days, single entry per trip. Indian passport holders do not need to apply in advance.
- Extension: PHP 3,030/month at any BI office. Apply at least one week before your 30-day stay expires.
- Airport terminal fee: PHP 550-850 (~₹825-1,275) at departure. This is separate from the visa, and many travellers miss it. Domestic flights from Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) already include the fee in the ticket. International departures do not.
- Travel tax: PHP 1,620 (~₹2,430) for first-class and PHP 270 (~₹405) for economy. Most airlines include this in the ticket for international flights. Check your itinerary. Read more in our Philippines travel tax guide.
Getting Connected
A November trip without reliable data is a typhoon-risk trip. Get a SIM (Globe or Smart) at the airport counter on arrival, or order a Nomad eSIM before flying. Globe and Smart both sell 30-day tourist SIMs for PHP 200-500 with 8 to 30 GB of data. Either works for PAGASA alerts, Grab, Google Maps, and 12go. Coverage in El Nido, Coron, and Siargao is generally good in town, but spotty on remote islands. Signal drops are routine on island-hopping boat days.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Two SIMs cost only PHP 300-400 more than one, and having Globe + Smart as backups covers almost every connectivity gap in the country. Travellers report this is the cheapest insurance against being stranded on an island with no signal during a typhoon.
Subodh’s Take
November is the underrated sweet spot. December to February is marketed as “the best time,” and it is, for weather. But it is also when flights cost ₹10,000 (~$103.80) to ₹15,000 (~$155.70) more, El Nido dorm beds double, and every island is overrun with Korean and European tourists. November 15 to December 5 gives you 80% of the dry-season weather, 60% of the crowds, and 70% of the price. The only catch is flexibility: keep your itinerary loose for the first three or four days, and you will almost get a great trip.
FAQ
Is November typhoon season in the Philippines?
Technically yes, but typhoon activity drops sharply after October. PAGASA records show 1 to 2 cyclones in November compared to 3 to 4 in September and October. The eastern seaboard (Siargao, Leyte) takes more risk than Palawan or Cebu.
What is the cheapest month to fly from India to Manila?
Late August through October is usually the cheapest, but those months have the highest typhoon risk. Mid-November offers the best price-to-weather balance. See our monsoon travel guide for more on shoulder-season strategy.
Is Siargao safe to visit in November?
Late November (after the 20th) is generally fine. Early November still sees typhoon risk and ferry cancellations. If you are a surfer who does not mind waiting for swells, the entire month works. Non-surfers should aim for late November or early December.
Do I need a typhoon insurance add-on for November travel?
A standard travel insurance policy with trip interruption coverage will refund non-refundable bookings if a typhoon grounds flights or ferries. SafetyWing covers this and is what most Indian backpackers use.
What clothes should I pack for the Philippines in November?
Light, quick-dry clothing plus one light hoodie for AC, one rain shell, sandals, and a long-sleeve rash guard for boat days. See the packing section above for the full list.
How crowded is Boracay in November?
Boracay in November is shoulder season. Weekends are busier, weekdays quiet. The peak Christmas and New Year crowds arrive in mid-December. If you want a quieter Boracay, November weekdays are excellent. Compare Boracay vs Siargao as a beginner surfer destination in our Siargao vs Boracay guide.
