Best Time to Visit Puerto Princesa

Dry season: February to April

This is the sweet spot. February and March score best, with the least rain and the most sun. Days are warm and a little sticky, but you'll get blue skies for most of them. April is hotter, and the rain starts creeping back.

These months suit almost any trip. The Underground River (Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park) runs boat trips most days, and the sea is calm enough for the boat from Sabang. Island hopping in Honda Bay is easy, and you can snorkel off Starfish Island. If you want beach time and good photos, aim for March.

It's also the busiest stretch. Permits for the Underground River sell out, so sort yours before you go. Easter week (Holy Week) brings Filipino families on holiday, so expect full hotels and busy boats.

May to November: wet and quiet

May is the turning point. It rains on most days, and the sun fades fast. From June to November, rain falls on 25 to 29 days a month. July is the wettest at 235 mm, though October and September are close behind.

It's not a washout every hour. Showers often come in heavy bursts, with gaps between. But sea trips get cancelled when the weather turns rough. Don't plan a tight island schedule here.

The upside is space. Hotels are cheaper, and the Baywalk and the Mitra's Ranch area are calm. If you're happy with city food, the crocodile farm and a slow lunch of tamilok-free local seafood (try the grilled fish at Kinabuch) fit well on a grey day. Just keep your plans loose.

December and January: the in-between

These two months feel cosy but damp. January has 16 rainy days, and December has 24. Evenings are a touch cooler than the rest of the year, though it's still warm by any normal standard.

January is a fair bet if February is booked up. You'll get some sunny stretches, and crowds are lighter than at Easter.

Festivals are worth timing if you can. Puerto Princesa's Pista y ang Cagueban, held in March, celebrates the city's founding with parades and street parties. The Baragatan Festival in February brings the whole of Palawan to town with food stalls and dance contests. Both fall in the best weather months, so you can enjoy them without wet shoes.