Things to Do in Philippines in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
January Weather in Philippines
Is January Right for You?
Advantages
- Post-holiday pricing drops significantly after January 10th - accommodations in Manila and Cebu typically cost 25-35% less than December, though beach destinations like El Nido and Boracay stay elevated until month's end due to continued international visitor demand
- Amihan season brings consistently calm seas on the western coastlines - Palawan, Mindoro, and western Visayas see flat water conditions perfect for island hopping, with visibility for snorkeling reaching 20-30 m (65-100 ft) compared to 10-15 m (33-49 ft) during other months
- Sinulog Festival transforms Cebu City into the country's cultural epicenter during the third weekend - over 2 million attendees, street dancing competitions, and the largest religious procession in Asia, with accommodation and flight prices paradoxically dropping in other regions as domestic travelers concentrate in Cebu
- Rice terraces in Northern Luzon display their brightest green as planting season peaks - Banaue and Batad terraces photograph spectacularly well in January's clear morning light, and you'll actually see farmers working the fields rather than empty terraces
Considerations
- Eastern coastlines face rough seas and persistent rain - Siargao, Samar, and the Pacific side of Luzon get hammered by the northeast monsoon with waves reaching 2-3 m (6-10 ft) and rainfall totaling 400-500 mm (15-20 inches), making surf spots inaccessible and beach days miserable
- Chinese New Year timing in late January 2026 creates a two-week booking crunch - flights from Hong Kong, Singapore, and mainland China spike 40-60% in price from January 20-February 5, and popular destinations like Boracay and Palawan see accommodation rates double as regional tourists flood in
- Afternoon thunderstorms arrive unpredictably despite dry season claims - that 770 mm (30.3 inches) of rainfall isn't evenly distributed, you'll get 3-4 days of sunshine followed by sudden downpours that last 1-2 hours and flood Manila streets within 20 minutes, disrupting afternoon plans regularly
Best Activities in January
Palawan Island Hopping and Lagoon Tours
January sits right in the sweet spot for Palawan's western coastlines. The Amihan winds keep seas flat, lagoon waters crystal clear, and rainfall minimal on this side of the archipelago. El Nido's Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon become mirror-smooth, perfect for kayaking without fighting chop. Water temperature hovers around 27°C (81°F), and that 70% humidity feels refreshing on the water rather than oppressive. Tours typically run 9am-4pm to maximize calm morning conditions. Worth noting that El Nido town itself gets crowded in January, but once you're island hopping, the 45+ islands spread crowds thin.
Banaue and Batad Rice Terraces Trekking
The terraces are actually at their most photogenic in January - planting season means bright green fields rather than the brown harvested terraces you'd see in April-May. Morning fog burns off by 9-10am revealing those iconic stepped landscapes, and temperatures in the Cordillera mountains stay comfortable at 15-20°C (59-68°F) during the day, dropping to 10°C (50°F) at night. The 8-12 km (5-7.5 mile) treks to viewpoints involve steep stone steps - that UV index of 8 hits hard at 1,500 m (4,920 ft) elevation with less atmospheric filtering. Local Ifugao guides share planting techniques and terrace maintenance practices you'll actually witness happening in January.
Cebu Sinulog Festival Experience
Sinulog Festival dominates the third weekend of January 2026, specifically January 17-18, though street parties and preliminary competitions run the entire week prior. This is the Philippines' largest cultural festival - 2 million people pack Cebu City's streets for the Grand Parade featuring 30+ dance troupes in elaborate costumes performing the signature two-steps-forward-one-step-back Sinulog dance. The religious procession honoring Santo Niño draws devotees from across the country. January weather in Cebu cooperates nicely - 28-32°C (82-90°F) and typically dry, though that 70% humidity while standing in crowds for 6-8 hours requires serious hydration. Street food stalls multiply tenfold during festival week.
Manila Historical Walking Tours and Food Markets
January's slightly cooler mornings make walking Intramuros and Binondo actually tolerable - start by 7-8am before temperatures climb and that humidity becomes oppressive. The old walled city's Spanish colonial architecture photographs beautifully in January's clear light, and Fort Santiago's outdoor areas are manageable before midday heat. Binondo's Chinese New Year preparations ramp up through January, with lanterns going up and special festival foods appearing in bakeries. The 2-3 km (1.2-1.9 mile) walking routes through these districts let you duck into air-conditioned churches and museums when afternoon heat peaks. Evening food markets in Poblacion and BGC offer cooler exploration after 6pm.
Boracay Beach Activities and Water Sports
Boracay's White Beach faces west, meaning January's Amihan winds blow offshore creating those postcard-perfect calm conditions. Water stays warm at 27-28°C (81-82°F), and visibility for snorkeling reaches 15-20 m (49-65 ft) off the island's northern and southern points. Kiteboarding and windsurfing peak in January with consistent 15-20 knot winds on Bulabog Beach on the eastern side. That UV index of 8 requires constant reapplication of sunscreen - the reflection off white sand intensifies exposure. Sunset sailing from 5-6:30pm catches cooler temperatures and that golden hour light. January crowds mean White Beach gets packed 11am-5pm, but early morning 6-9am offers relative peace.
Vigan Heritage Town and Ilocos Norte Exploration
January brings comfortable temperatures to Northern Luzon - Vigan sits at 25-30°C (77-86°F) during the day, noticeably cooler than Manila. The UNESCO heritage town's cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial houses are best explored early morning or late afternoon when that UV index of 8 isn't beating down directly. Kalesa horse cart rides through Calle Crisologo last 30-45 minutes and cost 150-200 PHP. January is also ideal for extending north to Pagudpud's beaches and Bangui's windmills - the coastal road offers stunning views, and accommodations cost 40% less than peak season. The 10-hour bus journey from Manila traverses mountain roads best attempted in January's drier conditions.
January Events & Festivals
Sinulog Festival
The Philippines' grandest cultural celebration happens the third Sunday of January in Cebu City - January 18, 2026. The Grand Parade features 30+ contingents performing the traditional Sinulog dance in elaborate costumes, with street parties consuming the entire downtown area. Religious processions honor the Santo Niño, and the festival attracts 2+ million attendees. Street food vendors multiply across the city, and the energy is genuinely electric. Hotels book out months ahead, and flights to Cebu spike in price, but the cultural immersion is unmatched. Expect crowds, heat, and humidity, but also an authentic glimpse into Filipino Catholic devotion mixed with pre-colonial dance traditions.
Ati-Atihan Festival
Kalibo in Aklan province hosts this week-long festival culminating the third weekend of January, often called the Philippines' Mardi Gras. Participants paint their faces with soot and wear indigenous Ati costumes while dancing in the streets to drum beats. The festival honors Santo Niño like Sinulog but has distinctly different tribal dance influences. Street parties run day and night, with the main parade on January 18, 2026. Kalibo is also the gateway to Boracay, so you can combine festival attendance with beach time - though expect inflated prices and crowds during this week.
Chinese New Year Preparations
While Chinese New Year 2026 falls on January 29, preparations dominate Manila's Chinatown throughout the month. Binondo's streets fill with red lanterns, bakeries produce tikoy and hopia in massive quantities, and dragon dance rehearsals happen in public squares. The actual celebration on January 29 brings firecracker displays, though Manila's regulations have limited this in recent years, street parades in Binondo, and special temple ceremonies. Restaurants offer prosperity set menus, and the entire district takes on festive energy. This also marks when regional Chinese tourists arrive in force, affecting availability across popular destinations nationwide.