December is El Nido’s peak season. The Amihan is fully established, delivering the best weather of the year — clear skies, calm seas, and ideal island-hopping conditions. The trade-off: the highest prices, the most crowded tours, and accommodation that books out weeks in advance. This guide helps you navigate December and get the most out of it.
Table of Contents
El Nido December at a Glance
| Factor | December Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent | Peak dry season; sunny and clear |
| Sea conditions | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent | Calm, glassy seas most days |
| Snorkelling visibility | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very good | 15-20 m at top sites |
| Crowds | ⭐ Very high | Busiest month of the year |
| Prices | ⭐ Highest of year | Book 6-8 weeks ahead minimum |
| Tour availability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent | All tours run; book in advance |
| Overall verdict | ✅ Best weather, highest cost | Worth it if booked early |
December Weather in El Nido
| Metric | Early December | Late December |
|---|---|---|
| Average temperature | 26-29°C | 25-28°C |
| Average rainfall | 15-40 mm | 10-30 mm |
| Rainy days | 2-4 days | 1-3 days |
| Sunshine hours | 8-9 hrs/day | 8-9 hrs/day |
| Sea conditions | Calm | Calm–glassy |
December weather is reliably excellent. Rain is rare — a brief shower every few days at most. The Amihan brings a pleasant cooling breeze that makes the heat comfortable. December is slightly cooler than April, making it more comfortable for land activities like the Taraw Cliff hike.
Christmas & New Year in El Nido
The Christmas–New Year window (23 December–2 January) is the single busiest period in El Nido. Expect:
- Accommodation: Fully booked 2-3 months in advance. Mid-range and boutique hotels sell out first. Book by October at the latest for Christmas week
- Tour boats: Shared tours run at maximum capacity (15 passengers). Private boats require 5-7 days advance booking
- Restaurants: Popular spots have queues from 6:30 PM. Make reservations or arrive early
- ATMs: Run low over the Christmas–New Year long weekend. Withdraw extra cash before 23 December
- Prices: 20-40% above standard December rates for accommodation; flights at annual peak
December Prices
| Category | 1–22 Dec | 23 Dec–2 Jan |
|---|---|---|
| Budget hostel dorm | 700-1,000 PHP/night | 1,000-1,400 PHP/night |
| Mid-range hotel | 3,000-5,500 PHP/night | 4,500-8,000 PHP/night |
| Boutique hotel | 6,000-12,000 PHP/night | 8,000-18,000 PHP/night |
| Shared tour | 1,500-1,800 PHP | 1,700-1,900 PHP |
| Private boat (full day) | 5,500-8,000 PHP | 7,000-10,000 PHP |
How to Beat the December Crowds
- Book Tour D instead of Tour A: Tour A (Big Lagoon) is the most crowded. Tour D (Cadlao Lagoon) offers equally stunning scenery with fewer boats
- Go early: Tours departing at 7 AM reach the lagoons before the 9-10 AM rush. Ask your operator for the earliest departure
- Visit Nacpan Beach on a weekday: The 4 km beach is less crowded mid-week even in December
- Avoid 23 Dec–2 Jan if possible: The first three weeks of December offer near-identical weather with significantly fewer crowds
- Private boat: Worth the premium in December — you control timing and can avoid crowded stops
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit El Nido?
Yes — December has the best weather of the year. The caveat is cost and crowds: December is the most expensive and busiest month, especially the Christmas–New Year window. If you book accommodation and tours well in advance and can avoid the 23 December–2 January peak, early-to-mid December offers excellent conditions with manageable crowds. For the best weather at lower cost, consider November instead.
How far in advance should I book for December?
For Christmas week (23 Dec–2 Jan): book accommodation 2-3 months ahead — by October at the latest. Mid-range and boutique hotels sell out first. For the rest of December: 4-6 weeks ahead is sufficient for most accommodation. Flights to Puerto Princesa should be booked 6-8 weeks ahead for December to secure reasonable fares.
Does it rain in El Nido in December?
Rarely. December averages only 10-40 mm of rainfall — one of the driest months of the year. Brief showers occur occasionally (1-4 days per month) but rarely last more than an hour. Tour cancellations due to rain in December are extremely uncommon. The main weather risk is occasional strong Amihan winds in late December that can make some exposed sea crossings choppy.
Plan Your December El Nido Trip
Resources: where to stay · budget guide · 7-day itinerary · best time to visit · El Nido in November
| Platform | Best For | El Nido Deals |
|---|---|---|
| Booking.com | Hotels, resorts, free cancellation | View deals → |
| Agoda | Best Asia prices, loyalty rewards | View deals → |
| Klook | Tours & activities | Browse tours → |
