Philippines in January

Dry and cooler; Sinulog (Cebu) and Ati-Atihan (Aklan) festivals fill hotels.

• 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, Negrosbest weather

  Dry Jan–May; late typhoons (Oct–Dec) hit the central islands; Boracay's west beach calm Nov–May.

• Palawan · El Nido, Coron, Puerto Princesabest weather

  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.

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.

• New Year

  1 Jan

  Fireworks; resorts full.

• Sinulog (Cebu) and Ati-Atihan (Kalibo) big impact

  3rd Sunday of Jan

  Cebu and Aklan hotels sell out; street parades.

• Chinese New Year

  Jan–Feb (lunar — check)

  Binondo celebrations.

• Christmas season

  Sep – 6 Jan

  Decorations from September; traffic peaks Dec; 24–25 and 30–31 Dec holidays.

Crowds · Philippines

High

Prices · Philippines

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

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Rated best or good this month

• Luzon and Manila

  Best weather of the year (Manila, Batangas, Ilocos, Baguio)

• Visayas

  Best weather of the year (Cebu, Bohol, Boracay, Siquijor, Negros)

• Palawan

  Best weather of the year (El Nido, Coron, Puerto Princesa)

• Manila

  Cool and dry; Christmas traffic ends early January.

• Cebu City

  Best months: Dec–May (dry season)

• Baguio

  Best months: Nov–Feb (coolest, clearest), Mar–May

• Puerto Princesa

  Best months: Dec–May (dry season)