Cebu City sits in a rain shadow and is drier than much of the Philippines. The dry season runs from December to May — January and February are the coolest and driest months, with temperatures around 24–27°C. March and April are hot and humid, often reaching 35°C.
The wet season (June through November) brings afternoon downpours, with September the wettest month. Rain rarely lasts all day, but flooding can briefly close some roads. This is also typhoon season, though Cebu is somewhat sheltered compared to Leyte and the Eastern Visayas.
The Sinulog Festival on the third Sunday of January — a massive celebration honouring the Santo Niño, with a grand parade, street dances, and huge crowds — is both the best and the most chaotic time to visit. Book accommodation months in advance.