Baguio has always been a popular destination for Filipino families, especially during the summer and Christmas seasons, thanks to its cool and comforting weather.
I had been there once before, many years ago—and for the longest time, I never thought of going back. Not because I had a bad experience, but because it simply didn’t live up to what I imagined.
Whether you’re landing in Tacloban for a quick visit or exploring the islands of Leyte and Samar, having your own ride makes travel a lot easier—and more flexible.
From self-drive sedans to chauffeured vans, this updated 2026 guide features trusted car rental services in Tacloban City and nearby areas. I’ve included key details like rates, contacts, and a few local tips to help you choose the best option for your needs.
And if you ever get lost (it happens!), don’t panic—these companies are just a call or message away. Just remember: haggle with a smile 😊
December in the Philippines doesn’t feel like a single month—it feels like a shared emotion.
It’s the sound of early morning bells during Simbang Gabi, lanterns glowing in small towns, streets filling with food and laughter, and families finding their way home. December festivals aren’t just celebrations; they’re expressions of belonging.
Traveling in December isn’t about escaping routine—it’s about returning to something familiar, even if it’s your first time there.
November has a very different rhythm.
It’s not loud or flashy. Instead, it carries a sense of reflection, remembrance, and preparation. Communities look back—honoring the departed, celebrating survival, and quietly giving thanks before the year closes.
For travelers, November is one of the most underrated months. The crowds are thinner, the pace is slower, and festivals feel deeply rooted in community rather than spectacle.
If you enjoy meaningful travel that allows space to breathe, November is a beautiful time to explore the Philippines.
October feels like a bridge.
It connects the intensity of the rainy season to the quiet anticipation of year’s end. Festivals this month are deeply rooted in history, faith, and identity—often commemorating pivotal moments, honoring patron saints, or celebrating local heroes.
October is ideal for travelers who enjoy meaningful storytelling, heritage walks, and festivals that feel purposeful rather than performative.
September feels like a pause between seasons.
After the intensity of August’s harvest celebrations, September festivals are quieter, more intimate, and deeply community-centered. These are not festivals built for spectacle—but for remembrance, gratitude, and continuity. Many celebrations in September honor local history, faith, and everyday resilience.
If you enjoy travel without crowds and festivals that feel genuinely lived-in, September is a beautiful month to explore the Philippines.
August feels deeply Filipino to me.
It’s a month shaped by harvest, resilience, and collective pride. Despite the rains, communities come together to celebrate identity—through indigenous traditions, local products, and shared history. August festivals don’t wait for perfect weather. They happen because they matter.
For travelers who value meaning over convenience, August is one of the richest months to explore the Philippines.
July is a month many travelers overlook—and that’s exactly why I like it.
It’s the heart of the rainy season, yes, but it’s also when festivals feel most grounded and sincere. July celebrations are rarely flashy. Instead, they honor faith, local history, harvest beginnings, and survival through hardship. These are festivals shaped by community, not crowds.
Traveling in July teaches patience. And in return, it offers authenticity.
June always feels like a grounding month.
After the gratitude-filled celebrations of May, June festivals turn our attention to identity, origins, and resilience. These are not always the loudest or most commercial festivals—but they are among the most meaningful. Many June celebrations honor indigenous roots, founding histories, and everyday heroes, often organized by communities rather than tourism boards.
Traveling in June teaches you to appreciate culture not as spectacle, but as something lived and remembered.
May is one of the most emotionally rich months to travel in the Philippines.
It’s hot, yes—but it’s also heartfelt. May festivals are rooted in thanksgiving: for harvests, for protection, for community, for faith. These celebrations feel deeply local. Streets turn colorful, homes open their doors, and traditions are proudly displayed—not for tourists, but for the people themselves.
If January celebrates devotion and April invites reflection, May celebrates gratitude.
It’s not the loud kind of celebration—it’s a month shaped by faith, reflection, tradition, and quiet resilience. Travel slows down, towns turn inward, and communities return to rituals that have been passed down for generations.
April is not about ticking off attractions. It’s about understanding why places are the way they are—through belief, sacrifice, and renewal.
If you travel this month, do so with patience and respect. April rewards travelers who move slowly.
March is a quiet shift.
After the colors of January and February, March slows the pace. It’s a month where festivals feel more intimate and intentional—less about grand parades and more about music, art, nature, and preparation for the reflective season ahead.
For travelers who prefer space, calm, and deeper cultural encounters, March is one of the most underrated months to explore the Philippines.
February is often mistaken as a “quiet” travel month—but in the Philippines, it’s anything but.
After the intensity of January’s faith-filled celebrations, February feels lighter and more expressive. It’s a month of flowers, creativity, music, and love, mixed with cool weather in the north and laid-back energy elsewhere. For travelers who prefer festivals without overwhelming crowds, February is one of the most comfortable months to explore.
If January is about devotion, February is about celebrating life.
January has always felt special to me.
After the long Christmas season, January festivals feel like a continuation of gratitude—a way Filipinos start the year with faith, hope, and celebration. Growing up in the provinces, I learned early that January isn’t a quiet month at all. In fact, it’s one of the most vibrant times to travel, especially if you love traditions rooted in religion, history, and community.