Philippines Cebu Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Cebu is very-high
December is very-high for Cebu.
December is full dry season recovery + the year's peak tourist crush. Christmas-New Year week (Dec 22-Jan 2) brings the year's maximum hotel pricing (+50-100% above shoulder), peak crowds at Mactan resorts (book 2-3 months ahead), and the atmospheric Filipino Catholic Christmas tradition (Simbang Gabi dawn masses Dec 16-24 at every parish).
Weather conditions return to near-peak January quality: 10 rainy days, 130mm rainfall, sunshine 7 hours daily, sea calm. Mactan island-hopping at 95% reliability. Oslob whale sharks at peak conditions. Bohol Chocolate Hills transitioning toward chocolate-brown for January peak.
Travel score
Dry season + Christmas-NYE peak — year's busiest crush
December Weather at a Glance
December averages 86°F / 30°C highs and 73°F / 23°C lows with 10 rainy days and 130mm rainfall — full dry season return. Humidity 78%. UV 9. Sunshine 7 hours. Sea 28°C ideal for swimming. Evenings noticeably cooler (23°C). Conditions virtually identical to January.
December Travel Advice
Christmas-NYE week (Dec 22-Jan 2): book 8-12 weeks ahead, expect +50-100% premium. Dec 1-19 is the smart window — same weather, 60% of holiday-week pricing. Mactan resort NYE parties (Shangri-La, Crimson, Movenpick) book 6-8 weeks ahead. Simbang Gabi dawn Masses (Dec 16-24) atmospheric at Basilica del Santo Niño.
Flying In from Overseas
Year's peak inbound from all major markets: Korean winter vacation, Japan winter holiday, Chinese mainland NYE escape, European Christmas escape (UK/Germany inbound). Direct flights from Seoul $500-900 NYE week, Tokyo $400-700, Singapore $300-500. Most expensive flight window of the year.
December Pricing Trends
Year's peak pricing Dec 22-Jan 2: Mactan Shangri-La $450-750/night, Crimson $300-600, JPark $220-420, Cebu City Bai Hotel $150-300. Oslob $50, Kawasan $80, Bohol $95-110. Flights from Seoul $600-1,000. Dec 1-19 is 40-50% less expensive than holiday week.
Cebu December Weather Stats
Avg High
30°C
Avg Low
23°C
Rainy Days
10
130mm total
Sunshine
7h
Daily avg
Humidity
78%
moderate
UV Index
9
Very high
Wind
12 km/h
Gusts 25
Sea Temp
28°C
swimming
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
12 μg/m³
PM10
22 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
33°C
Nighttime
25°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
12 km/h
Max gust 25 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Dry season ideal weather
- Christmas + NYE Catholic atmosphere
- Filipino Catholic Christmas tradition (Simbang Gabi)
- Mactan island-hopping at peak
Cons
- Maximum pricing Dec 22-Jan 2
- Year's biggest tourist crush
- Mactan resorts fully booked
- Korean winter break peak
December Events & Festivals
- Christmas-New Year peak (Dec 22-Jan 2 maximum prices)
- Year's busiest tourist period
- Filipino Catholic Christmas (Simbang Gabi Dec 16-24)
Cebu in December — Full Picture
December is full dry season recovery + the year's peak tourist crush. Christmas-New Year week (Dec 22-Jan 2) brings the year's maximum hotel pricing (+50-100% above shoulder), peak crowds at Mactan resorts (book 2-3 months ahead), and the atmospheric Filipino Catholic Christmas tradition (Simbang Gabi dawn masses Dec 16-24 at every parish).
Weather conditions return to near-peak January quality: 10 rainy days, 130mm rainfall, sunshine 7 hours daily, sea calm. Mactan island-hopping at 95% reliability. Oslob whale sharks at peak conditions. Bohol Chocolate Hills transitioning toward chocolate-brown for January peak.
The trade-off is real: maximum prices + maximum crowds in exchange for ideal weather + festive Catholic atmosphere. December 1-19 is the smart-money window — dry-season weather at pre-Christmas pricing, before the holiday crush hits.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Dry season ideal — light tropical, hat, sunglasses, reef-safe SPF. Evenings cool 23°C — light long sleeve or wrap for AC restaurants + sunset cruises.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
31.7°C
24.7°C
7/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
31°C
24.3°C
14/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
31°C
24°C
13.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current30°C
23°C
8/mo
Cebu Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January (Best) | 30° | 23° | 8d·110mm | 7h | 75% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
| February (Best) | 30° | 23° | 6d·70mm | 8h | 75% | 9 | Busy | Peak |
| March (Best) | 31° | 24° | 6d·70mm | 8h | 75% | 10 | Busy | Shoulder |
| April (Best) | 32° | 25° | 6d·60mm | 8h | 75% | 11 | Very busy | Peak |
| 32° | 25° | 9d·100mm | 7h | 78% | 11 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| 31° | 25° | 13d·175mm | 6h | 80% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 31° | 24° | 15d·195mm | 6h | 80% | 10 | Moderate | Low season | |
| 31° | 24° | 14d·175mm | 6h | 80% | 10 | Moderate | Low season | |
| 31° | 24° | 15d·195mm | 6h | 80% | 10 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 31° | 24° | 14d·175mm | 6h | 78% | 9 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 31° | 24° | 11d·130mm | 7h | 78% | 9 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| December (Best) | 30° | 23° | 10d·130mm | 7h | 78% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Cebu December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Cebu?
Cebu in December is very-high. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Cebu in December?
Cebu December averages a high of 30°C and a low of 23°C.
Does it rain much in Cebu in December?
Cebu December averages 130mm of rainfall over about 10 rainy days.
What should I wear in Cebu in December?
Dry season ideal — light tropical, hat, sunglasses, reef-safe SPF. Evenings cool 23°C — light long sleeve or wrap for AC restaurants + sunset cruises.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Cebu in December?
Cebu December sunrise is 05:55 and sunset is 17:35, with 11h 40min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Cebu in December?
Cebu December air quality (AQI) averages 35, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 12μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Cebu in December?
In December, Cebu is great for Mactan island-hopping, Oslob whale shark, Kawasan canyoneering.
Is December peak season in Cebu?
Cebu December crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Cebu
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.