Palawan · Month comparison

March vs December

December ranks #1 overall vs March at #6. Peak season builds through December — excellent dry conditions, Christmas atmosphere, and prices rising sharply.

Palawan March — island and boat in the turquoise waters of El Nido during dry season

March

#6 of 12 months

Best match

Still excellent dry season conditions — slightly less crowded than Jan–Feb and heat beginning to build.

  • ↑Rainfall stays very low at 25mm and sea conditions remain reliable — boat tours to Tour A, B, C, and D in El Nido all run comfortably
  • ↑Temperatures are warming to 31°C, making the turquoise lagoon water feel more refreshing rather than uncomfortably cold; snorkelling is ideal
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
FactorMarchDecember
Weather score
9
9
Value score
3
3
Crowd score
3
3
Events score
5
6
Atmosphere
7
8
Avg high temp31°C29°C
Monthly rain25mm42mm
Daily sunshine8.5hrs7.8hrs

March trade-offs

  • ↓Still expensive — prices remain well above mid-season rates; this is the tail of peak season, not a value window
  • ↓Daytime heat on open boats is genuine at 31°C; sunscreen, hats, and shade are not optional
  • ↓Easter week (date varies) can spike crowd levels sharply as Filipino domestic tourism surges — check dates and book accordingly

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 →March in detail →December in detail →
Scores compare months within Palawan. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →