Packing for the Philippines is really packing for two countries: the dry-season paradise of December to May, and the rainy, typhoon-prone months of June to November. Add island-hopping boats that soak everything, budget airlines with strict 7 kg cabin limits, and towns where reef-toxic sunscreen is actually banned, and a generic beach list will not cut it. Here is the field-tested 2026 packing list, season by season.
Philippines Packing List 2026: What to Bring for Dry and Rainy Season
Trip.com
Search on Trip.comHotels in Philippines
Compare live prices via Travelpayouts — targeted for this guide.
The essentials table
| Item | Why it matters | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Drybag, 10-20L | The single most useful item: keeps phone, cash, and camera dry on island-hopping bangka boats | All year |
| Reef-safe sunscreen | Boracay and several other LGUs restrict oxybenzone; buy certified reef-safe before you fly | All year |
| Universal adapter | Power is 220V with plug types A, B, and C; most US and Asian plugs fit, Europeans should carry type C | All year |
| Power bank, 10,000 mAh or more | Occasional brownouts on smaller islands can idle wall sockets for hours | All year |
| Quick-dry layers | Cotton never dries in 90 percent humidity; synthetics do | June-November |
| Light rain jacket | Downpours arrive fast and hard in typhoon season | June-November |
| Modest outfit | Covered shoulders and knees for centuries-old churches in Cebu and Iloilo | All year |
| Reef shoes | Rocky entries and sea urchins around El Nido and Siquijor | All year |
The luggage math on domestic flights
Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and AirAsia all cap cabin baggage at 7 kg, and yes, they weigh it. A checked bag prepaid online runs roughly $7-21 (PHP 400-1,200) depending on route and weight, but the same bag added at the airport costs 2-3 times more. Ferries are the opposite: most lines allow 20-30 kg free, which is one reason slow travel between islands stays so cheap. If you are hopping between several destinations, pack to 7 kg and you will save real money on flights.
Dry season versus rainy season
December to May you can go light: swimwear, linen, sandals, done. June to November, waterproof everything and build slack into your schedule, because ferries do get canceled; travel insurance that covers typhoon delays earns its price on one bad day. Check the monthly weather before finalizing your route.
Before you fly
- Install an eSIM before arrival; it is cheaper than the airport SIM queues and works the moment you land.
- Download offline maps for Palawan and Siargao, where signal gets patchy.
- Leave space in the bag: dried mangoes and handwoven banig mats will follow you home.
Trip.com
See all tours in Philippines on Trip.comIsland hopping in Philippines
Hand-picked experiences in Philippines — book on Trip.com with instant confirmation.
🏡 Real local stays (book direct)
Hand-picked homestays and guesthouses — book direct, no markup.
Browse all local stays →
🌊 Popular activities (book instantly)
Island hopping, canyoneering, whale sharks — real Klook/GetYourGuide options.
View all activities →
