Palawan · Month comparison

August vs December

December ranks #1 overall vs August at #11. Peak season builds through December — excellent dry conditions, Christmas atmosphere, and prices rising sharply.

Palawan August — aerial view of Pinagbuyutan island near El Nido, inaccessible by boat during the monsoon peak

August

#11 of 12 months

Avoid

The wettest month of the year — 270mm, maximum typhoon risk, El Nido tours essentially suspended.

  • ↑Palawan at its most deserted — for travellers who value solitude above all else, August offers empty beaches and a raw natural environment untouched by tourism
  • ↑Prices are at their absolute minimum and accommodation is negotiable; a week-long trip costs a fraction of peak season
Palawan December — kayaking through turquoise water surrounded by limestone karst mountains at El Nido in peak season

December

#1 of 12 months

Best match

Peak season builds through December — excellent dry conditions, Christmas atmosphere, and prices rising sharply.

  • ↑December is reliably dry at 42mm and sunny — boat tours operate every day and the water is returning to its peak-season clarity; excellent conditions
  • ↑Christmas and New Year create a genuinely festive atmosphere in El Nido town — Filipino hospitality at its most celebratory; the island is worth experiencing in the festive season
FactorAugustDecember
Weather score
1
9
Value score
10
3
Crowd score
10
3
Events score
2
6
Atmosphere
3
8
Avg high temp30°C29°C
Monthly rain270mm42mm
Daily sunshine3.5hrs7.8hrs

August trade-offs

  • ↓270mm of rain is the wettest month on record — it is not a question of rain disrupting plans, it is a question of whether plans are possible at all; El Nido boat operations are largely suspended
  • ↓Typhoon season is at peak intensity — Typhoon-force weather systems can ground flights, close airports, and make evacuation impossible; travel insurance with cancellation cover is essential but may not cover weather delays
  • ↓Accommodation quality suffers: some properties deferred maintenance until the low season, and the reduced staff and closed restaurants create a hollow experience

December trade-offs

  • ↓Prices jump sharply from the second week of December — Christmas and New Year week are the most expensive period of the year in some properties, comparable to January
  • ↓The week between Christmas and New Year brings maximum crowd pressure: boats are full, Nacpan Beach is packed, and El Nido town is at its busiest
  • ↓Pre-Christmas week (December 22–25) and New Year's Eve can feel chaotic rather than festive if you are unprepared for Filipino Christmas scale
See all 12 months for Palawan →August in detail →December in detail →
Scores compare months within Palawan. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →