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Palawan is genuinely one of the most beautiful islands we have ever visited. However, if you visit Palawan at the wrong time of the year, you may end up with more of a washout than a dream tropical holiday. During monsoons, activities may be canceled (or at least they are not too enjoyable because of the rain), and you won’t be spending much time sunbathing on the beach.
In this article, we will give you a feel for what it is actually like to travel to Palawan during periods of good and bad weather. We will also share some facts about the distribution of rain and temperature throughout the year to help you plan your trip.
Keeping everything in perspective
Firstly, it’s important to recognize that you can visit Palawan at any time of the year; there is no time in the year when Palawan is closed down. Throughout the year, you can find open guest houses, hostels, restaurants, shops, and you can also do activities throughout the year (unless they are canceled by extremely bad weather). So even if you visit Palawan during the rainiest month (which is November), you can still find plenty of things to do, and it is easier to find accommodation because Palawan is quieter.
It’s also important to recognize that you can have stormy weather at any time of the year in Palawan (even during the dry season). You can also enjoy hot, clear, sunny days in the monsoon season. So if you do not have a lot of flexibility, don’t worry. You can still make the most of your trip to Palawan. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that just because you are traveling in the dry season, you will not have any rain or bad weather. From time to time, you can have intense rainstorms even during the dry months.
Activities that are most likely to be closed due to bad weather
- Puerto Princesa Subterranean River – The Palawan underground river can sometimes be closed during periods of rainy weather due to elevated water levels and flooding.
- The Puerto Princesa Firefly Tour – This activity may be canceled if it is rainy in the evening. If you have booked a tour, make sure that you watch out for messages from your guide if the weather is rainy.
- Palawan Zipline Adventures – The awesome zipline on Las Cabanas Beach may be closed on rainy days (particularly if there are intense storms or high winds).
Generally speaking, island hopping trips in El Nido are not canceled due to the weather. However, if there is a very severe monsoon or high winds, island hopping trips may be canceled at short notice.
The climate in Palawan
Palawan has a hot tropical climate with a distinct dry season and monsoon season. The dry season is from January to April (March is the driest month on average). During these months, there are lots of hot, dry, sunny days. On average, temperatures are higher. By 10 am, it is intensely hot outside (especially during direct sunlight). Use sun protection and avoid being out in the midday sun. The rainy season is from May to December (the wettest month on average is November).
The average temperature in Palawan is a sweaty 28° Celsius with high humidity. On average, temperatures range between 26° Celsius to 30° Celsius most years. The hottest months are April and May. The coolest months are from December to February. Find out more on WeatherandClimate.com
When it rains, it rains
Most rainstorms in Palawan are intense and relatively short-lived. Rarely does it rain for more than a few hours. So even on a rainy day in Palawan, you are still likely to get a reasonable amount of dry weather.
What is the best time of year to visit Palawan?
If you are hoping to enjoy activities like island hopping, kayaking, snorkeling, diving, and relaxing on beaches, then we recommend visiting in March. During March, there is the lowest chance of rainy days and most days have clear, sunny weather. Not only that, temperatures are not too hot in March (although you do still need to stay in the shade during the hottest parts of the day).
If you are only able to visit Palawan during the rainy season, don’t worry. You still do get dry days, and you should still be able to have an amazing time. With slightly cooler temperatures, traveling around Palawan is more pleasant. However, there are more mosquitoes during the cool, rainy weather, so make sure you use mosquito repellent (you can easily buy this in Palawan).
