Cebu is one of the Philippines’ top tourist destinations attracting over 2.2 million visitors in 2022. As the tourism industry is slowly getting close to pre-pandemic levels, tourist arrival in Cebu is expected to gradually increase in 2023.
Whether it’s enjoying a sunny weekend on the beach or skydiving 15,000 feet above the sea, you will never be short of things to do in Cebu. But what is the best month to go to Cebu?
In this guide, we give you a detailed account of Cebu’s calendar so you can better plan your visit.
When is Cebu’s peak season?
Cebu’s peak season is in January due to the annual Sinulog Festival, the biggest religious festival in the Philippines. A few days leading up to the festival, which happens on the third Sunday of January, most hotels are fully booked. Booking flights and ferry trips to Cebu closer to the festival day can also get a little bit difficult too.
December is also another peak season in the Philippines in general. It’s common for Filipinos from abroad as well as those who live/work in the city to back to their hometown to celebrate the holiday season. Typically, this phenomenon happens between December 15 and January 1.
It’s important to note that Cebu is a jump-off point to other provinces in the Philippines, so flights and ferry trips get fully booked a few days before and after Christmas. In fact, in December 2022, I was not able to go back to my hometown for Christmas because all direct flights and ferry trips were booked.
When is the best time to visit Cebu?
The best time to visit Cebu is between April, the driest month of the year. May is the warmest month with an average temperature of 26.8 degrees Celsius or 80.3 degrees Fahrenheit, while January is the coldest with an average temperature of 25.0 degrees Celsius or 77.0 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you want to avoid the rainy season, October is the wettest month in Cebu. Do note that even in the driest month, rain can still be expected.
Nevertheless, there’s no bad time to visit Cebu. As a tropical country, we have sunny days throughout the year, so visiting any time of the year should not be a cause of major concern.
