When to go · Philippines
Philippines in December
Good month. Dry in Luzon; Christmas season peak prices and traffic.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Crowds
- High
- Philippines
- Prices
- High
- Philippines
Verdict
Dry in Luzon; Christmas season peak prices and traffic.
Weather in December
- Luzon and Manila · Manila, Batangas, Ilocos, Baguiobest weather
Dry and cooler Dec–Feb; April–May are the hottest; typhoons and floods peak Jul–Oct.
- Visayas · Cebu, Bohol, Boracay, Siquijor, Negrosrainy
Dry Jan–May; late typhoons (Oct–Dec) hit the central islands; Boracay's west beach calm Nov–May.
- Palawan · El Nido, Coron, Puerto Princesafine
Best Jan–Apr; southwest monsoon (habagat) Jun–Oct makes island-hopping rough; Coron more sheltered.
- Mindanao (north and Siargao) · Siargao, Camiguin, Cagayan de Ororainy
Mostly outside the typhoon belt; Siargao is wettest Nov–Feb and best for surf Sep–Nov.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Christmas season
Sep – 6 Jan
Decorations from September; traffic peaks Dec; 24–25 and 30–31 Dec holidays.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Philippines
- High
- Prices · Philippines
- High
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
What to pack
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
Where to go in December
Rated best or good this month
Luzon and Manila
Best weather of the year (Manila, Batangas, Ilocos, Baguio)
Cool and dry; worst traffic and peak prices.
Best months: Dec–May (dry season)
Best months: Nov–Feb (coolest, clearest), Mar–May
Best months: Dec–May (dry season)