This blog post is the introduction to our What to Wear in Palawan series. Check out our other Getting Around Palawan guides for more information.
The perfect outfit does not exist… says the traveler who forgot to read up on Palawan!
The perfect outfit does exist and it depends on when you’re traveling, and where you’re traveling. Let’s start with the “when” as it’s all-encompassing and will most definitely be a factor in the right clothes to wear in Palawan.
When are you traveling to Palawan?
I take it back. When you’re traveling doesn’t actually have a HUGE impact. The Palawan tropical rainforest climate means the temperature doesn’t fluctuate to extremes. It’s generally hot, or hotter, and the seasons are either rainy or dry. But this information is good to know nonetheless.
Back in the day, rains in Palawan were uncommon. It’s been even said the island was unaffected by typhoons. That’s certainly no longer true as we’ve seen our fair share of heavy rains in the years we’ve been here.
Why is this relevant? Because it highlights how past weather data may be an unreliable source and much of what’s written online is based on past travels. This might also be the reason why we see varying reports on the seasons of Palawan, particularly the exact start and end of seasons.
This post is based on what we’ve observed as residents of Palawan.
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Seasons in Palawan vs. Our Experience as Locals
We have 2 seasons, rainy and dry. But when do they actually start and end? Does the dry season start in October or December? And does it end in May or August?
The general consensus is this: Dry season from October to May. Rainy season from June to September (See Puerto Princesa Climate)
But this has been quite off from what we’ve seen so take the generalizations with a grain of salt.
So When Should You Travel to Palawan?
In fact, as of this writing (April 2021), we’ve found heavy rains from September to March. These rains aren’t your typical short bursts either — they’re prolonged rains and have caused flooding problems.
(Prolonged rains due to La Niña. Tip: Check this site for La Niña updates.)
The truly dry months are in April and May. But does that mean you shouldn’t travel to Palawan in months other than April and May? Absolutely not. Traveling in off-peak months means fewer tourists and, more often than not, cheaper rates. But this is at the expense of higher chances of rain. Traveling at fringe months like March or October is a mix of both.
All this is a long-winded way of saying “it’s hard to say for sure.” Our recommendation is to travel from October to May (to decrease the chances of rain), but don’t fret if your schedule’s bound to be from June to September. If 2020 is any indication, the weather from June to September would’ve been perfect.
What to Wear in Palawan: The Essentials
Whether you’re traveling to Puerto Princesa, El Nido, Coron, San Vicente, we recommend layering your clothes.
The Palawan tropical rainforest climate means it’s usually warmer than cold, but the cold air-conditioned vans shouldn’t be discounted. We also suggest bringing these essentials (and then some):
#1 Bug Shield / Mosquito Repellant
Palawan’s relatively untouched, and that means a few unfamiliar bugs like horseflies. These are rare instances but bring bug shields just in case.
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#2 Sunscreen
Protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Always. Your future self will thank you for it.
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#3 Hats and Caps
Stay protected from the sun while looking good. Or at least we think so.
#4 Portable Fan
Did we mention it’s going to be hot? We can’t emphasize this enough.
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#5 Portable Pillow
Van transfers can be as short as 30 minutes or as long as 2 hours. And if you’re traveling from Puerto Princesa to El Nido, you should definitely get one of these as the trip takes 5 to 6 hours one way.
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#6 Extra Clothes
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#7 Water Bottle
Hydrate, hydrate, and then hydrate some more.
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#8 Sunglasses
Stay cool and look cool, too.
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#9 Dry Bag (for Electronic Gadgets and Valuables)
A precautionary measure for when you fall off your outrigger boats (oops).
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#10 Swimsuit / Trunks / Goggles / Aqua Shoes
Because you’re in an island! 🙂
#11 Camera
Capture life’s moments.
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Where Are You Traveling?
Now that you have a broad idea of the climate, let’s get into the specifics per destination. Select one of the following for more details.
What to wear in Palawan:
- Underground River Tour
- Honda Bay Island Hopping — Coming Soon
- City Tour — Coming Soon
- Firefly Watching Tour — Coming Soon
- Beaches along the coast (e.g., Nagtabon Beach) — Coming Soon
*This post may contain affiliate links. You can read our affiliate disclosure here, Terms & Conditions, #6 Links.
Ala Amid Bed & Breakfast is a top-rated boutique hotel in Puerto Princesa. You may book your stay through our reservations page or send us a message at [email protected].
