Planning a trip to the Philippines in December? Get ready for island adventures, beach days, and tropical vibes. December marks the start of the dry season—perfect timing for exploring the country’s stunning beaches, diving spots, and festive cities.
While it’s drier overall, scattered rain can still happen. Humidity is high, but temperatures are pleasant. You’ll need outfits that breathe, dry fast, and still look great on camera for all those tropical photo ops.
📝 Note: This article is all about what to pack for the Philippines in December. Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments!
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
- 🌡️ Manila: 24–31°C (75–88°F)
- 🏝️ Palawan/Cebu/Boracay: 26–30°C (79–86°F)
- 🌧️ Dry season begins but rain showers are still possible
- 🎄 Christmas is a major holiday—pack something nice!
What to Pack for the Philippines in December
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
- Soft duffel or carry-on – 🧳 better for ferries & island travel
- Daypack – 🎒 day tours, hikes, boat rides
- Packing cubes – 📦 helpful in humid climates
- Dry bag – 💦 essential for island hopping or rain
- Toiletry bag – 🧴 waterproof lining a must
- Travel laundry soap – 🧼 easy washes for swimwear
- Neck pillow + eye mask – 😴 great for long rides
👗 Clothes
- Tank tops & breathable tees (5–7) – 👕 light & airy
- Quick-dry shorts (2–3) – 🩳 tropical essential
- Flowy dresses or rompers (2–3) – 👗 ideal for beach towns
- Loose pants or culottes – 👖 for modest areas
- Activewear – 🏃 for hikes or city walking
- Swimsuits (2–3) – 👙 you’ll live in these
- Cover-up/sarong – 🧣 doubles as scarf or blanket
- Pajamas – 🛏️ breathable sleepwear for warm nights
- Light cardigan or shawl – 🧥 for AC buses or malls
- Rain jacket or poncho – 🌧️ sudden showers are common
- Underwear & bras (7+) – 🩲 always good to overpack these
💆 Skincare
- Sunscreen (reef-safe) – 🧴 for island sun
- After-sun or aloe – 🌿 relief from long beach days
- Lip balm with SPF – 💋 sun + wind = dry lips
- Facial mist – 💦 refresh after long travel days
- Face wipes – 🧻 quick cleanse on the go
💄 Makeup
- BB cream or tinted SPF – 🧴 lightweight coverage
- Waterproof mascara – 💧 splash-safe glam
- Lip tint or balm – 💄 long-lasting hydration + color
- Compact powder – 🧊 mattify in the heat
💇 Hair Care
- Mini shampoo + conditioner – 🧴 tropical formula ideal
- Dry shampoo – 🌬️ for skip-wash days
- Hair ties + clips – 🧷 keep cool & tidy
- Serum or anti-frizz – 💧 humidity control
- Travel comb – 💇 for beach detangling
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Flip flops – 🩴 for everyday beach wear
- Water shoes – 🌊 for rocky shores & island tours
- Sneakers – 👟 for hikes & walking tours
- Dress sandals – 👡 for dinners or churches
- Sunglasses – 🕶️ essential for island glare
- Sun hat or cap – 🧢 protect your face
- Crossbody bag – 🎒 keep essentials close
- Foldable umbrella – ☔ surprise rain showers
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Passport – 🛂 required for entry
- Visa (if needed) – 📃 check entry requirements
- Travel insurance – 🏥 a must for island activities
- Flight + hotel confirmations – 📄 offline copies too
- Credit cards + cash – 💵 local currency = Philippine Peso
- Printed itinerary – 🗺️ many islands have weak signal
🚑 First Aid
- Bug spray or mosquito repellent – 🦟 crucial!
- Band-aids – 🩹 for sandal blisters
- Motion sickness meds – 🚤 ferries can get choppy
- Allergy meds – 🌸 new climates = new reactions
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Hand sanitizer – 🧴 for public areas
- Toilet tissue – 🚽 some rural spots won’t have any
- Feminine hygiene – 🩸 preferred products may be hard to find
- Deodorant – 🧴 strong enough for tropical heat
- Toothbrush/paste – 🪥 travel-sized, always ready
- Floss + mirror – 🪞 compact kit
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Phone + waterproof case – 📱 island-proof gear
- Portable charger – 🔋 essential for long travel days
- Power adapter – 🔌 Philippines uses Type A, B, and C plugs
- SIM card or pocket Wi-Fi – 🌐 for remote connectivity
- Underwater camera – 📸 island hopping memories!
🎧 Entertainment
- Kindle or books – 📚 chill reads on ferries
- Music & podcasts – 🎧 tropical playlist vibes
- Notebook – 📝 journal your trip
🎁 Extras
- Reusable water bottle – 🚰 heat + travel = hydrate
- Snacks – 🍌 for remote island trips
- Shopping tote – 🛍️ for island souvenirs
- Mini detergent – 🧼 for washing beachwear
🌍 Travel Tips
- 🧳 Pack light—domestic flights have strict weight limits
- 📱 Download Grab (ride app) before arrival
- 📸 Backup phone photos to cloud daily
🛂 Visa Tips
- 📅 Most tourists get 30 days visa-free—check your country
- 📑 Bring passport-sized photos for possible extensions
- 🧾 Keep printed return flight as proof at immigration
⭐ Must-Haves
- Passport – 🛂 entry + ID everywhere
- Swimsuit – 👙 you’ll wear it constantly
- Sunscreen – ☀️ daily must-have
- Dry bag – 💦 keeps electronics safe
- Power bank – 🔋 essential for long trips
👍 Good-to-Have
- Bug spray – 🦟 peace of mind
- Waterproof shoes – 🌧️ for rainy island roads
- Sleep mask & earplugs – 😴 for hostels or ferries
- SIM/eSIM card – 📶 local data at better rates
