Tips · Philippines

Palawan December–February trip prep: weather and plan

Limestone islands and clear water in Bacuit Bay, El Nido — Bacuit Bay, El Nido · Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / CC BY 4.0

Palawan in December–February: three months' normals (December far wetter than January–February), packing, peak-season bookings, a 5-day plan, budget, checklist.

Published Oct 13, 2026

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Palawan in December–February: what to know first

In Palawan, December–April is the time of calm, clear seas for island tours, so a December–February trip falls in the first part of that window. This post covers the north only, and the standard trip starts in Puerto Princesa and heads up to El Nido.

The three months are not alike, though. Temperatures are almost the same, but December gets far more rain than January or February. This post focuses on what to pack for each month and how to plan around island tours that weather can cancel.

Airport transfers and how many days you need are covered in the Palawan first-trip post, and the comparison with Cebu in Cebu vs Palawan, so here we stick to what a December–February trip needs.

December, January and February normals side by side

Here are the three months from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Climatological Normals (Puerto Princesa station, 1991–2020). Remember these are Puerto Princesa figures, not El Nido.

Temperatures barely change: about 31°C by day and about 24°C at night in all three months. The difference is rain. December still gets a lot of rain, about 175 mm, against about 56 mm in January and about 31 mm in February. Of the three, February is the driest.

If you want the best odds of avoiding rain, pick January or February; if you want to spend the year-end holidays in Palawan, December works. In December, leave extra room for island-tour days.

December: high about 31°C, low about 24°C, rain about 175 mm
January: high about 31°C, low about 24°C, rain about 56 mm
February: high about 31°C, low about 24°C, rain about 31 mm

What to wear and pack

With about 31°C by day and about 24°C at night in all three months, summer clothes are the base. You'll only need a winter coat if you're leaving from somewhere cold.

The sun is strong, so bring a hat, long sleeves and water. On island tours, don't step on or touch coral, and follow protected-area notices. Take care swimming where currents are strong, such as Nacpan Beach.

If you go in December, with about 175 mm of rain in the month, pack clothes that can get wet and something for the rain.

Summer clothes, plus clothes that can get wet
A hat, long sleeves for sun cover, and water
In December: rain gear
Cash (pesos): handy for island tours and tricycles

Year-end peak season: what to book early

Check official information before you go for local festival and event dates in December–February. El Nido town gets busy in peak season, so book a room early. Bookings can fill up around year-end and Lunar New Year — check early.

No permit, no entry at Puerto Princesa Underground River National Park, and visitors are capped at 900 a day. Going straight to Sabang or staying overnight there does not guarantee a permit, so book early. Big Lagoon entry on El Nido island tours is capped per hour, and in Port Barton (San Vicente) a booked stay is one of the entry requirements, so reserve a government-accredited place in advance.

Island tours and the trip to the Underground River entrance are all by boat, and the Coast Guard may suspend sailings in bad weather. The El Nido island tour may also be cancelled by weather. In December, which gets more rain than January or February, put island tours early in your trip and keep a spare day.

Emerald water framed by limestone cliffs and palms — Entrance to the Puerto Princesa Underground River · Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / CC BY 4.0

A suggested 5-day outline

Plan on 5 to 6 days. The day-by-day details are in the Palawan first-trip post, so here is just the outline.

If El Nido is too far for your trip, stay in Puerto Princesa and add Honda Bay island hopping, either instead of the Underground River on day 2 or the next day. Boats leave from a wharf about 20 minutes by road from the city to visit small islands and Pambato Reef for snorkeling; they are run by a local association, so arrange in advance.

A long jetty over the clear shallow water at Luli Island, Honda Bay — Honda Bay island hopping · Photo: mendhak / CC BY-SA 2.0

Day 1: arrive in Puerto Princesa → tricycle into town → walk Plaza Cuartel, the cathedral and the Baywalk → Iwahig firefly watching in the evening (from 6pm, about PHP 600 per boat for 3 people)
Day 2: with your pre-booked permit, go to Sabang → Underground River boat tour and mangrove paddle → back to the city (or Honda Bay island hopping instead)
Day 3: early van to El Nido (about 5-6 hours) → check in → sunset at Las Cabanas Beach
Day 4: El Nido island tour of lagoons and hidden beaches (may be cancelled by weather)
Day 5: half a day at Nacpan Beach → head to the airport, leaving plenty of time for boats and roads

From the airport, and getting around

Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS) is close to town. A tricycle from outside the airport takes about 10 minutes to the Baywalk for about PHP 50 (up to 3 people, per city tourism info). Agree on the fare before riding.

Short city rides by tricycle are about PHP 10-30, and jeepneys on fixed routes are about PHP 13-25. Vans are the usual way to far-off places like Sabang or El Nido; book through your hotel or a licensed transport operator. El Nido is about 5-6 hours by van or bus, so leave early.

For Sabang, take a tricycle to Irawan terminal, then change to a jeepney (roughly 6am-2pm) or a shuttle van (roughly 6am-4pm). It's about 1-2 hours to Sabang, from about PHP 150 per person (per city tourism info; may change).

Budget and pre-trip checklist

Budget per person per day: about PHP 2,000-3,000 (guesthouse, local eateries, shared tours), about PHP 5,000-9,000 (hotel, island tours, restaurants), and about PHP 25,000+ (resort, private boat). El Nido also charges a municipal eco-tourism development fee (about PHP 400), so carry enough pesos.

Underground River permit: 900-a-day cap, book early
Rooms in El Nido and Port Barton: book early (government-accredited in Port Barton)
Island tours: early in the trip, with a spare day
In December: rain gear and clothes that can get wet
Cash (pesos): the eco-tourism development fee of about PHP 400, plus tours and tricycles
Where not to go: southern Palawan (south of Aborlan, Narra and Quezon) is at level 3 (leave the country) under Korea's travel alerts — keep it off your plan
Entry conditions (visa-free stay length, the eTravel online arrival registration, etc.): check Philippine government or embassy official information

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FAQ

Does it rain a lot in Palawan in December?

By PAGASA Climatological Normals (Puerto Princesa station), December gets about 175 mm, far more than January (about 56 mm) or February (about 31 mm). Temperatures are similar in all three months: about 31°C by day and about 24°C at night.

Which of December, January and February is best?

If you want to avoid rain, January or February. Of the three, February is the driest. December suits a year-end holiday trip, but leave room around island-tour days.

Can I get an Underground River permit on the spot?

There's no entry without a permit, and with a 900-a-day cap you should book early. Going straight to Sabang or staying there does not guarantee a permit.

What clothes should I bring?

With about 31°C by day and about 24°C at night, summer clothes are the base. The sun is strong, so bring a hat, long sleeves and water, and rain gear if you go in December.