The first thing to know about packing for Palawan is that the perfect outfit doesn't exist until you know when you're coming and where you're going. The internet will tell you it's tropical and to pack accordingly. The internet is half-right.
When are you traveling?
Palawan officially has two seasons — dry (October to May) and wet (June to September). That's the brochure version. The lived version, after a decade of running a bed and breakfast on this island, is messier. We've had heavy rains start in September and run through March more than once. We've had Aprils so dry the lawn went brown. The pattern is shifting, and pretending otherwise will leave you damp.
If you can choose your dates, April and May are usually the most reliable. Fewer surprises, more sun, less rain. The trade-off is more visitors. Off-peak (the wet shoulder months) means cheaper flights, fewer crowds, and the gamble that you'll get rained on for half a day or two.
The weather pattern that catches people out
Palawan is hot, humid, and occasionally cold. That last part is the surprise. Air-conditioned vans on tour days are aggressively cold. So is the inside of any airport, mall, or restaurant designed by someone who has never paid an electricity bill. You will sweat through a shirt walking to the van and shiver inside it for two hours.
The fix is layers. Not Norwegian-trekking layers — just one extra piece you can throw on and take off without thinking.
The eleven essentials
1. Bug repellent. Mosquitoes find guests faster than guests find their bags. Anything DEET-based works; the natural lemongrass oils work for some, not for others. Decide before you arrive.
2. Sunscreen. SPF 30 minimum, 50 if you burn easily. Reef-safe is appreciated — you'll be in protected waters. The drugstore down the road sells it, but it's cheaper at home.
3. A wide-brim hat or cap. The sun here is closer than it looks. A scarf or buff doubles for sun protection and a sweat wipe.
4. A small portable fan. Battery-powered, USB-rechargeable. Worth the bag space on city tour days when the van isn't moving and the sun is.
5. A light layer. A long-sleeve shirt or thin hoodie for the cold vans. Same piece doubles as sun protection on the boat.
6. Quick-dry tops and bottoms. Cotton holds sweat; synthetics dry. Board shorts and convertible pants are the most useful items in the bag.
7. A swimsuit. Or two, if you're doing back-to-back beach days. They don't dry as fast as you think.
8. Aqua shoes. The Underground River jetty has rocks. Honda Bay islands have rocks. The Acacia Tunnel side trails have rocks. Slippers slip.
9. A reusable water bottle. The hotel has a hallway dispenser that's open all day. Single-use plastics are a thing we'd all rather avoid.
10. A dry bag. Phones, IDs, cash, and the camera survive the boat ride. The 5-liter version is enough for a day.
11. Sunglasses. Polarized if you have them. The water's reflective enough to give you a headache if you don't.
What to leave at home
- Heavy jeans — uncomfortable in heat, slow to dry if splashed.
- White everything — you'll be on red dirt roads at some point.
- Heels — nowhere needs them.
- More than one nice outfit — one is plenty for a celebration; everything else is casual.
One last thing
If you forget something, you can buy it here. Robinson's Place Mall is a fifteen-minute tricycle ride from the property. The market is closer. The drugstore on the corner has sunscreen, repellent, and Band-Aids. Don't overthink the bag.
