The typhoon calendar

The wet season runs roughly June to November, and that is also when typhoons come through. Most often July to October. They rarely ruin a whole trip, but a storm can ground island flights for a day or two. If your plan hops between islands, build in a buffer day, and don't book the tightest connections in the back half of the year.

7,000 islands, mostly by plane

The Philippines is an archipelago, and getting between the big destinations almost always means a domestic flight, not a road or ferry. Manila's airport is the hub and it can be slow. Leave generous time for transfers. A trip that looks like a short hop on the map is often a flight back through the capital.

English everywhere, and the jeepney

English is widely spoken, which makes the Philippines one of the easiest countries in Asia to travel in. In the cities the jeepney. The painted ex-army jeep turned shared bus. Is the local ride, cheap and chaotic; fun once, but for getting around on a schedule, the ride-hailing apps are simpler.