For those visiting The Philippines for the first time, deciding what clothing to pack can be quite a challenge. The Philippines contains such a diverse range of environments – Cities, vast jungles, mountain ranges, and the tropical beaches – so deciding what to bring can become quite overwhelming.
Attire to suit the climate
It is important to remember that The Philippines is a tropical climate; meaning the weather ranges between hot and very hot. So wearing heavy materials is generally not an option if you want to have a comfortable stay.
Even if the temperature does drop, experiencing a day in the Philippines which doesn’t feel humid is rare. So, the density of the fabrics you wear makes a very noticeable difference. I feel this is an important point to keep in mind when packing for the Philippines.
The Philippines can also be a very wet destination. Between the months of June through to October, you can expect a decent amount of heavy rainfall. Despite this, the weather still generally remains hot and humid, so it should not change much. Although it is a good idea to keep a compact umbrella in your bag when you’re out and about as the weather can change quite quickly.
What to wear in the Philippines major cities
Most of you travelling here for the first time will be most likely be arriving in either Manila or Cebu. For the most part, the cities – especially around the business districts – are what you would typically expect from larger western cities.
The city blocks are filled with high rise offices and apartments. These are surrounded by streets filled with traffic as well as a sea of white-collar workers, college students and young BPO employees lining the sidewalk.
When I find myself in the city I will always wear long pants as well as enclosed shoes. I usually avoid shorts and light coloured fabrics as the city can be quite dirty sometimes depending on where you are.
I always wear enclosed shoes while in the city due to the terrain you may encounter. The Philippines is notorious for having some neglected infrastructure, including their sidewalks. It is common to find holes in the sidewalk as well as pieces of damaged concrete laying about; so enclosed footwear guarantees your feet stay safe.
I also recommend bringing a small towel with you when you are out and about in the city. It is quite common to see people cleaning their face due to sweat as well as the dust and fumes from city traffic.
So are there situations were you will need formal attire?
When visiting cities such as Cebu or Manila, you will notice that Filipino’s do dress quite well, although this really depends on which area in the city you are staying, in some areas dressing up may draw unnecessary attention to yourself.
- When experiencing the nightlife it is best to dress up a little, some of the clubs do have dress codes, so you may be refused entry if you are not dressed to standard.
- A lot of the churches and temples around the country have strict dress codes. The general rule to go by is to wear clothing which will cover your shoulders and knees
What to wear when travelling to the beaches of The Philippines
It is common for people to talk about the conservative nature of The Philippines. I have read many articles which talk about it being unusual for women to be seen wearing bikinis on The Philippines beaches. From my experience, this has rarely, if ever been the case.
For women, the dress code is almost identical to what you would see in most other western nations. Young women will generally wear a bikini or a bikini top with shorts. The older women will generally something a little less revealing.
For men the usual swim shorts are fine. It is common for men to wear rash vests while swimming as the sun can be quite intense at times.
When visiting beach destinations it is also highly likely you will end up going island hoping. This means it would be a good idea to bring a waterproof bag with you to avoid damaging your belongings.
Its also a good idea to bring sturdy footwear for navigating around the boat, and walking different trails around the beaches.
Read more about my favourite beach holiday destinations in the Philippines.
What to wear when travelling to the mountains of Northern Luzon
Often the first thing associated with the mountains of The Philippines is the cold weather. When compared to the weather experienced by the rest of the country, this seems justified.
For those travelling to The Philippines internationally – especially from colder climates – you may not feel the same way. Temperatures in the mountains may range from the high teens to the low twenties. This is cold relative to the rest of the countries, but for some visitors, this temperature range may seem completely normal.
For the Philippine locals or tourists unfamiliar with the colder weather it is recommended to pack at least some colder weather attire. This means you may want to pack a sweater or a light jacket. Though nothing too heavy is really necessary.
Read more about my favourite holiday destination in the North of Luzon
What if I forget something?
The Philippines is famous for its mall culture. Whether you are within the major cities or out in the provinces you will be able to find a mall.
So if you feel the clothing you have packed is not suitable for the environment, then there are plenty of affordable destinations where you can find a wide range of clothing options to suit your needs.
It is also not worth loading your suitcase full of clothing, as every city has a launderette. A lot of the hotels also have a cleaning service for your clothing, so its really not worth bringing excessive amounts f clothing when those services are widely available throughout the country.
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