Manila in December

In December, Manila averages 30°C (86°F) during the day and 22°C (72°F) at night, with around 8 days of rain (65 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are warm and beach-friendly. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

December is a great month to visit Manila: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.

30°C
Avg high
22°C
Avg low
8
Rain days
65 mm
Rainfall

How December compares to the rest of the year in Manila

12th
warmest month of the 12
8th
wettest month of the 12
3%
of yearly rainfall falls in December
11 h 16 min
daylight on the 15th

December is one of the coolest months in Manila (12th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (8th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C below the annual average (31°C). December runs 1°C cooler than November (31°C) and stays flat into January.

December sunrise & sunset in Manila

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:12 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:29 PM
Day length
11 h 16 min

Times shown for Manila local time (Asia/Manila), calculated for the 15th of December. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Manila — December

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of December, in Manila's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:12 AM – 5:52 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
5:52 AM – 6:52 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
4:49 PM – 5:49 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
5:49 PM – 6:29 PM

📅 When to book — Manila in December

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on December's tier (Shoulder) and Manila's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.
⚠ Christmas / New Year travel is a global premium-pricing event — many destinations 30-50% above normal. Book 4+ months ahead if your dates are Dec 20 - Jan 2.

Crowds & pricing — December in Manila

Shoulder

Manila is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Why this tier: Christmas / New Year travel surge

Sun & mosquito risk — December in Manila

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
9.5
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●●
Severe
Severe mosquito season with active disease transmission risk. DEET 30%+, picaridin 20%, long sleeves day and night, treated nets, and check CDC/WHO travel advisories before going.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Sea temperature in Manila — December

28.8°C (84°F)
bath-warm
tropical and comfortable for hours

Across the year Manila's sea swings from 27.6°C (February) to 31.7°C (May) — December sits at 28.8°C.

Manila in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 30°C / 86°F 22°C / 72°F 25 mm 4 0
February 30°C / 86°F 22°C / 72°F 5 mm 2 0
March 32°C / 90°F 23°C / 73°F 10 mm 2 0
April 34°C / 93°F 24°C / 75°F 25 mm 3 0
May 34°C / 93°F 25°C / 77°F 130 mm 9 0
June 32°C / 90°F 25°C / 77°F 250 mm 16 0
July 31°C / 88°F 24°C / 75°F 410 mm 22 0
August 31°C / 88°F 24°C / 75°F 480 mm 23 0
September 31°C / 88°F 24°C / 75°F 360 mm 21 0
October 31°C / 88°F 23°C / 73°F 200 mm 18 0
November 31°C / 88°F 23°C / 73°F 110 mm 13 0
December 30°C / 86°F 22°C / 72°F 65 mm 8 0

Other cities with similar December weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Manila in December →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Manila in December?

In December, Manila averages a high of 30°C (86°F) and a low of 22°C (72°F) — generally hot.

Does it rain a lot in Manila in December?

December sees occasional rain in Manila, with about 8 rainy days on average.

Is December a good time to visit Manila?

December is hot. It suits travelers who are comfortable with hot weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Manila in December?

Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen. See the full December packing list for Manila for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Manila on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.