Month guide · Cebu · Philippines
Cebu in December
What December is really like in Cebu: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: LMP 2001, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 30°C (86°F), lows of 24°C (75°F), about 14 rainy days and roughly 11.5 hours of daylight. Showery but festive, with Christmas lights and holiday crowds late in the month; typhoons are still possible.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 30°C (86°F) / 24°C (75°F)
- Rainy days
- About 14
- Daylight
- About 11.5 hours
- Sea temperature
- 28°C (82°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Cebu: days average 30°C (86°F) against a yearly average high of 31°C (88°F), and nights fall to about 24°C (75°F). Rain falls on roughly 14 of its 31 days. Compared with November (31°C (88°F)), December is about as warm; by January highs stay near 30°C (86°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 05:54
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:26
- Daylight
- About 11.5 hours
- Sea
- 28°C (82°F)
Festival season (January). Warm with passing showers, dominated by the Sinulog Festival in Cebu City; book well ahead.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 4 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Simbang Gabi — dawn masses before Christmas (16–24 December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Historic site · Downtown Cebu City
Yap-San Diego Ancestral House
Built in the late 17th century by a Chinese merchant, this is one of the oldest houses in the Philippines, with coral-stone walls, a clay-tile roof and rooms crowded with antiques, religious images and old furniture, set around a small garden.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
Museum · Downtown Cebu City
Museo Sugbo
A good indoor stop during a rain shower or the midday heat downtown.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Downtown Cebu City
Magellan's Cross
A wooden cross housed in an octagonal kiosk beside the basilica marks the spot where Ferdinand Magellan's expedition baptised Rajah Humabon and his followers in 1521; tradition holds that the original cross is encased inside.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Iconic
- Kids
Religious site · Downtown Cebu City
Basilica del Santo Niño
Queues to see the Santo Niño are long on Fridays and Sundays; go on a weekday morning and dress modestly.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
The sea averages 28°C (82°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Cebu.
What to pack
For highs near 30°C, lows near 24°C and 14 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Cebu?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, February–May are better overall. Compare every month.
Cebu in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Cebu?
It is a shoulder-season month. Showery but festive, with Christmas lights and holiday crowds late in the month; typhoons are still possible.
+How warm is Cebu in December?
Average highs are around 30°C (86°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Cebu in December?
Expect rain on about 14 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.