The Philippines is situated between 5 and 22 degrees North latitude.  This means the country falls within the so-called tropical climate zone, a zone characterized by high temperatures the whole year round, relatively high rainfall and lush vegetation.  Cebu’s climate is tempered by a sea breeze from the Pacific Ocean.  Daily temperatures range between 26 and 38 degrees Centigrade.  At night, the temperature can drop to as low as 18 degrees in the “winter”.  The winter, or cool period, is from October to February.  The “summer”, or hot period, is from February to May.  The hottest months are March and April.

Typhoons.  The Philippines is part of the typhoon belt, a belt between 10 and 40 degrees North latitude where typhoons are common.  The Philippines is visited yearly by approximately 22 typhoons.  Typhoons are very strong storms with wind velocities of two to three hundred kilometers per hour.  Cebu is situated on 10 degrees North, which means the southern edge of typhoon belt.  Typhoons therefore hit the island only very seldom, statistically once in every forty years.  The last strong typhoon that hit the island was typhoon “Ruping” in November 1991.  This typhoon hit the island with winds of 325 kilometers per hour.  Damage was extensive, but loss of life was limited.  The typhoon season is from May to December.

Rainfall on the island can occur in every month, but the wettest months are October, November and December.  Annual rainfall is approximately 1.5 meters.  Due to the steep, deforested, mountains on average 60 percent of the rainwater runs off fast to the sea.  The remaining 40 percent partly evaporates partly seeps through to the island’s underground water aquifier.  The relatively small part that finally reaches the acquifier means that care is necessary in using this underground water supply.  Unlimited pumping would ultimately lead to seawater intrusion in the acquifier, rendering it useless for drinking.

Cebu’s climate is characterized by clear blue skies and a refreshing sea breeze.  A perfect climate for beach and other outdoor activities.