Christmas & New Year Tours in Philippines
Think about visiting Puerto Princesa Underground River (a UNESCO heritage site), chilling by bonfires sleeping under stars in cabins or hammocks, getting up close to friendly whale sharks, scrambling down beautiful Kawasan Falls, and ending your adventure with four nights in a pool villa on super chill Siargao Island. Philippines during the holidays delivers paradise to light up the festive period.
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Itinerary was varied and covered a mix of the main places you would want to go to which I liked
East Philippines Classic 10 Day - One Life AdventuresOrty was fun, very organised and professional. He's bubbly and has a huge heart specially for the kids.
Philippines EastThe 16 day Philippines Group Adventure Tour is a good way to experience many beautiful islands of the Philippines. Starting with the Pros: Many destinations are visited, and the company provides a tour leader to help coordinate all hotel rooms, transportation logistics (including flights within the country), and tend to miscellaneous concerns. The Tour Guide we had was a genuinely fun and interesting person who contributed to many good laughs and times on the tour. The itinerary had a LOT of fun stuff included with some highlights including surfing, kayaking, island hopping and snorkeling, swimming with whale sharks, canyoneering/ziplining, and access to optional activities (where you have to pay) that are “must do” in my opinion to try to maximize seeing the natural beauty of the country. At the end of the day, it felt very much like the checkbox was ticked in that it was Mission Complete with respect to seeing enough of the Islands of the Philippines. On the negative side: There’s a lot of long travel days, and some of the accommodation was below expectation. As an avid traveler, often to lesser developed countries, I don’t think my expectations are unfairly high; I basically ask for privacy (not share accommodation with strangers which makes me nervous in case of theft etc), and clean hot water to bathe and rinse off swim clothes etc. Unfortunately, it seemed like we fell below this standard not infrequently, including having women share dorms with men, and in addition, accommodation that was very cramped and/or quite loud outside, or extremely basic tents with next to no cushioning. Our group happened to be not particularly big, so perhaps this added cost pressure to this particular trip, but would suggest even upping the trip cost a touch to pass these hurdles would be worthwhile as nights with very poor sleep, or unclean water and not enough time for clothes/towels to dry winds up adding odors to our bags -- it just has a negative impact on our ability to enjoy our days. All that said, I had a really fun time (and was exceptionally blessed with lovely travel mates). As someone who tilts towards travelling to learn the destination’s history, experience culture shock, spending time with locals etc, this trip on paper really wasn’t for me (the Philippines island experience in general seems to be more about people enjoying the tropical weather and partying on the cheap), but I still ultimately enjoyed it, which says a lot.
16 Days Philippines Adventure with El Nido to Coron Island expedition (Independent Tour)
Our traveler's Moments
10 best Christmas & New Year Philippines tour packages
Compiled by
SteffPhilippines travel expert at TourRadar
- 13 Days Philippines Explorer with Boracay (Independent Tour)
- East Philippines Classic 10 Day - One Life Adventures
- Philippines East
- 16 Days Philippines Adventure with El Nido to Coron Island expedition (Independent Tour)
- Philippines: Snorkel and Stargaze
- 12 Days Ultimate Manila and Cebu - Philippines Island Hopping (Independent Tour)
- 12 Days Best of Philippines Small Group Tour
- Philippine Islands: Visayas & El Nido_Flash Sales
- The Beauty of the Philippines 10 Days
- Northern Philippines Highlights
13 Days Philippines Explorer with Boracay (Independent Tour)
“An amazing way to see some of the beautiful sights the Philippines has to offer in such a short amount of time.”
Stacie, traveled in January
Holiday spirit flows from Manila's historic Intramuros to Boracay's beachfront celebrations. Private island-hopping tours mark Christmas while New Year's unfolds in paradise. December-January timing provides perfect conditions for underwater river adventures and Coron's pristine lagoons.
Duration 13 days Destinations Manila, Makati, Intramuros, Boracay, Cebu City, Oslob, Badian, Puerto Princesa, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, El NidoSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Do You Travel From
- US$3,204
East Philippines Classic 10 Day - One Life Adventures
“Water activities of course were excellent with beautiful oceans and islands to visit.”
Phil, traveled in May
The tropical paradise of the Philippines sparkles during the holidays. Sunset cruises to Virgin Island, festive dinners on Boracay's White Beach, and seasonal activities at Motag Living Museum showcase Christmas traditions against pristine beaches.
Duration 10 days Destinations Cebu City, Moalboal, Osmena Peak, Bohol, Panglao Island, Loboc, Boracay, Caticlan Age Range Ages 18-59 Operator One Life Adventures From $1,575
25% off- US$1,181
Philippines East
“He is making the itinerary the best it can be even in the rain.”
Julia, traveled in October
Sunset paraw sailing in Boracay sets the scene for festive boat parties and seasonal celebrations. Welcome Christmas and New Year among Philippines' most stunning beaches, complete with holiday feasts and cultural traditions.
Duration 8 days Destinations Moalboal, Badian, Cebu City, Boracay Age Range Ages 18-39 Operator TruTravels From $1,250
20% off- US$1,000
16 Days Philippines Adventure with El Nido to Coron Island expedition (Independent Tour)
“This trip has been on of a lifetime! Everywhere we visited was just pure paradise and the activities were all perfect.”
EmmaPrice, traveled in April
Philippine paradise spans from Manila's festivities to Siargao's peaceful shores this holiday season. Traditional celebrations mix with camping on pristine beaches, underground river exploration, and surfing Cloud 9 across multiple islands.
Duration 16 days Destinations Manila, Makati, Intramuros, Puerto Princesa, Port Barton, El Nido, Linapacan Island, Culion, Coron, Cebu CitySee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Do You Travel From
20% off- US$3,553
Philippines: Snorkel and Stargaze
“Her generosity, warmth and enthusiasm shows up in every aspect of her trips, and we all felt like family from the get go.”
Sasha, traveled in March
Duration 10 days Destinations Manila, Makati, Puerto Princesa, Port Barton, El Nido, Coron Age Range Ages 18-32 Operator Topdeck From
20% off- US$1,339
12 Days Ultimate Manila and Cebu - Philippines Island Hopping (Independent Tour)
“The trip was amazing and recommended, but for future travelers, we recommend the following changes to the itinerary.”
Nahman, traveled in February
Christmas comes alive at Bohol's Chocolate Hills while New Year brings whale shark encounters in Oslob. This special December itinerary features festive activities at Cebu's Basilica Minore del Santo Niño and Fort San Pedro. Includes 46 holiday departure slots with seasonal celebrations.
Duration 12 days Destinations Manila, Cebu City, Bohol, Dumaguete, Siquijor, Moalboal Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Do You Travel From
20% off- US$3,274
12 Days Best of Philippines Small Group Tour
“Tour was very well organized and communication was excellent.”
Robert, traveled in April
Duration 12 days Destinations El Nido, Coron, Bohol, Siquijor, Dumaguete Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $2,648
5% off- US$2,516
What our customers ask about Christmas & New Year Tours in Philippines
What special activities are included in Philippines Christmas & New Year tours?
During the holiday season Filipino tours blend festive celebrations with signature experiences. Visitors join in Noche Buena feasts and attend midnight mass alongside activities like island hopping through El Nido's limestone formations swimming with whale sharks near Oslob and exploring Puerto Princesa's Underground River. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The holiday activities combined with natural wonders made it unforgettable - from Christmas Eve dinner on the beach to New Year's countdown in Boracay."
How much should I budget for a Christmas & New Year tour in the Philippines?
Daily tour costs during the holiday season range from $120-284. A standard 9-day itinerary covering Manila Boracay and Cebu starts at $1,080 while extended 12-day trips including stops in Bohol and Dumaguete run about $2,923. A TourRadar traveler shared: "While holiday season prices were higher, the experience of celebrating New Year on White Beach in Boracay was worth every penny."
What's the weather like during Christmas & New Year in the Philippines?
The Philippines enjoys pleasant conditions during December and January with temperatures between 26-30°C (79-86°F). Major hubs like Manila and Cebu see clear skies and minimal rain making it ideal for outdoor activities. Beach destinations such as Boracay and Panglao Island experience similar dry weather. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "The weather during our Christmas tour was perfect - warm enough for beach activities in Boracay but comfortable for exploring the Chocolate Hills in Bohol."
How far in advance should I book a Christmas & New Year tour in Philippines?
Securing reservations 6-8 months ahead is essential for holiday season tours particularly for sought-after properties like Fairways & Bluewater Boracay and The Funny Lion El Nido. Most tours reach capacity by September while premium resorts like Bluewater Panglao often fill earlier. A TourRadar traveler advised: "We booked our Christmas tour 7 months ahead and were glad we did as many hotels were already full."
What are the must-visit destinations for Christmas & New Year in Philippines?
Key holiday destinations include Boracay for beachfront celebrations Manila for its holiday lights and festivities and El Nido for peaceful island settings. Popular stops feature the UNESCO Underground River in Puerto Princesa and Bohol's Chocolate Hills. According to TourRadar travelers "Christmas in Boracay at the Red Coconut Beach Resort was magical with perfect weather and festive atmosphere" while others praised New Year celebrations at Bluewater Panglao resort in Bohol.
What's the best accommodation option for Christmas & New Year in Philippines?
Leading holiday accommodations include Fairways & Bluewater Boracay Four Points by Sheraton Palawan and The Funny Lion El Nido. In Manila Seda Bonifacio Global City offers dedicated holiday packages. These properties typically include special dining events and festivities. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The Christmas celebration at Bluewater Panglao was exceptional with great decorations and holiday feast."