Philippines
Palawan in December
🌧️ Rainy seasonWarm, humid and often rainy.
🎒 Pack: compact umbrella or rain jacket · quick-dry fabrics
Why December scores 8.2What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort7.0
- ✓Warm (28.9°C highs / 26.8°C lows)
- !Very humid/sticky (dew point 24.4°C)
- !Wet: ~152 mm rain, ~4 heavy-rain days
- Air quality10.0
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~5 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline7.0
- ·Increased caution
| Dec | Feb | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.2 Very good | 8.9 Excellent |
| Season | 🌧️ Rainy season | ☀️ Dry season |
| High / low | 29° / 27° | 29° / 26° |
| Rain | 152 mm | 26 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 24° | dew pt 23° |
| PM2.5 | 5 µg/m³ | 6 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast).
Holidays & crowdsDecember 2026
Holiday weekA long local holiday falls this month. Expect crowds at sights, fuller trains and flights, and higher hotel prices on those dates. Book ahead.
- Christmas 24–27 Dec · 4 days off in a row
- New Year 30 Dec – 3 Jan · 5 days off in a row
Other public holidays: Immaculate Conception (8 Dec)
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore PalawanEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyA long island province in the western Philippines known for limestone islands and lagoons around El Nido and Coron, an underground river and wreck diving.
No major events on our calendar for December.
Coming up later
Tubbataha dive seasonDate variesUsually mid-March to mid-June
The only months when liveaboard trips can reach the reefs.
Why go: Trips are limited and book out far ahead.
Where: Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
Baragatan FestivalDate variesUsually June
A provincial festival celebrating Palawan's founding with street dancing and trade fairs.
Why go: The capital is busier during festival week.
Where: Puerto Princesa
El Nido island hopping
Boat tours of Bacuit Bay's limestone islands, lagoons and beaches.
💡 Tours can be cancelled in rough seas, most often in the southwest monsoon from about June to October.
Puerto Princesa Underground River
A UNESCO-listed navigable river running through a limestone cave into the sea.
💡 Visits require an advance permit and booking.
Coron
Islands with clear lakes such as Kayangan and Barracuda, and Second World War Japanese shipwrecks for divers.
Honda Bay
Small islands and sandbars near Puerto Princesa for snorkelling day trips.
Port Barton
A quieter beach village between Puerto Princesa and El Nido.
Tubbataha Reefs
A remote UNESCO-listed marine park reached only by liveaboard dive boat.
Kinilaw
Raw fish cured in vinegar or citrus with onion, ginger and chilli.
Chao long
A Vietnamese-influenced beef noodle soup popular in Puerto Princesa.
Tamilok
Mangrove woodworm eaten raw with vinegar, a local delicacy.
💡 Puerto Princesa
Fresh seafood
Grilled fish, squid and shellfish.
Cashew nuts
Palawan is a major cashew producer; nuts are sold roasted and in sweets.
💡 Puerto Princesa pasalubong shops
South Sea pearls
Pearls cultured in Palawan waters.
💡 Reputable jewellery shops
Woven crafts
Baskets and mats woven from local plant fibres.